learn to throw pottery

I took pottery in high school, again in my mid twenties for a brief time and twenty five years later I’m back at it. It’s like riding a bike, you never forget. However at this stage of my life I’m putting out my best work ever. I think the excellent environment of my local art center, helpful instructors and lots of interesting people that I’ve met there along with having the big world of the internet at my fingertips has contributed to my success. Take the chance and learn this craft, you’ll be hooked for life!

Really wanting to use my hands in a creative way.

and it’s a lot harder than I thought. I’m watching DVDs right now to try and learn…more to come :-)

I find it captivating, each piece is art.

I have some slightly warped but cool looking pots out of the experience and I learned I truly hate glazing. I’m much more of a painting kind of person—but I really enjoyed using my hands!

Do it!

definitely one of the best achivements of my life. i went to hazelhurst gymea, when i was in yr 4. I mastered the wheel (with lots of mistakes and tantrums) about 4.5 yrs later. great fun.

I was the art director at a summer camp for a while, and i taught children to throw. Its all about your body and your hands in the clay, experiancing the clay creates much better works than technical movements. The hardest part is centering the clay. No matter where you are there is a clay studio near by, look in the phone book. Many places will let you throw and pay by the pound to glaze and fire, and i’m sure they could help you get started. This is an easy one to knock off your list, it just takes a second to look up. Good luck!

I love throwing pottery on the wheel. It does take practice, but even when you make your first pot you will feel so accomplished, even if it looks more like a lump of hollowed out clay. Stick with it and talk to people who throw well. Some will tell your cold waters is best, some say warm, I haven’t found a difference and use warm because it feels better dipping my hands into. If using a more grainy clay (like raku) it will fell harsh until your hands get used to it, but the pots are really a lot more sturdy.

when i was 16 i started pottery in effort to help my grandpa find some kind of art he can express himself in, success! but i also learned i think in 2 years i made about 400 pieces then moved to a new country USA and now i just started taking classes again, i have a goal to make a foot high vase and until i reach it every piece is thrown literally into a bucket, so im following the foot steps of the Japanese until i can make the vase. its a lot of fun and enjoyable.

to ever happen to my life.. i love pottery. the great thing about the wheel is.. once you learn the concepts.. they stick with you for life.. you can sit down at a wheel years apart and center, build, and create.. clay is my love.