Videos of Pottery Making Techniques

Clay Reclaim: How To Recycle Clay

Clay reclaim; how to recycle clay for pottery. In this video; Andrea Young explains the process of how to keep on top of an ever increasing amount of waste clay. The waste comes from wheel slops, trimmings, and also pots that don’t quite make the grade.
All unfired clay, from wet slops to bone dry pieces, can be reused if allowed to slake down before being brought back to a workable consistency. The methods used are suitable for potters that have small studios, and for those wishing to keep reclaim piles from getting out of hand.
 

Throwing and Turning A Plate On The Pottery Wheel

In this video, Andrea Young is throwing and turning a plate on the pottery wheel. The centred clay is flattened out widely to begin with, the walls of the clay are then pulled up into a dish before being folded over, creating a wide rim.
Every care has been taken to ensure that the right amount of clay is trimmed away at the turning stage. This ensures that the base thickness is even with the wall thickness to prevent cracking. Take time cutting away, little and often, so as not to apply too heavy a pressure while working. It’s easy to get carried away, and either go through the base, or cave it in completely. The base is a wide area on a plate with nothing beneath it to support it, so it is necessary to be mindful of that when turning or trimming.
 

Techniques For Hand Building Pottery Dishes From Impressed Slabs Of Clay

Techniques for hand building decorative pottery dishes from impressed slabs of clay. The slabs are impressed with patterned stamps before either feet or foot rings are added. This video shows Andrea Young working through the whole process. This is a project suitable for all who like hand building in clay, but will also appeal to those who are new to working with clay.
 

Techniques For Throwing and Assembling A Pottery Oil Burner

This video shows the techniques for throwing and assembling a pottery oil burner. The cylinder and the bowl are two forms to really concentrate on when learning to throw, and how to make both are shown in this detailed video, along with some points worth considering about the oil burner to ensure it works well. Also shown is how to assemble the cylinder and bowl to fit well together.

Amaze With Glaze For Pottery

Amaze with glaze for pottery. This video shows the techniques of dipping and pouring glazes, and how to achieve some amazing results by layering one glaze over another. While the techniques of applying glaze are very effective, it is important to make test trials of glaze combinations to ensure that they interact perfectly with each other.

Knife Cut Boxes

Pottery knife cut boxes are fun and easy to create. Only a few tools are required for this hand built clay project. It is a good starting point for beginners, but equally as good for those with more experience who would like a different approach to hand building. Starting with a block of clay, the box is shaped with a knife – the knife produces faceted sides giving a character and charm that makes each one individual and unique.

How To Cast A Two Piece Bottle Mould

How to cast a two piece bottle mould in plaster. This helpful video shows the steps and processes of plaster casting a two piece mould for some interesting old apothecary bottles that were found buried in the garden. These are both interesting and decorative considering that they contained poisons.
Anything to be cast has to be removed from the plaster when set, therefore, it is necessary to ensure that forms don’t have any undercuts to hinder their release. Also, soft soap must be applied to the item to aid it’s release before the plaster is poured over. These are important considerations to make when casting to ensure that the project is a success.

Plaster Press Mould for a Shell

Plaster moulds can be used for producing any number of decorative pottery objects. A press mould is being made to create clay replicas of a seashell. Single press moulds are simple to create, but it is important to remember that the object being cast must be easily removable, this means it can’t have any undercuts that are likely to hinder its release. To assist with releasing, a soft soap needs to be applied to the object [if not made of clay] before the plaster is poured over it.

Sprig Decorated Bowl – Common Frogbit

A pottery bowl is being created having had inspiration from taking daily walks. Common Frogbit, a type of pond Lily, is the chosen design for the applied sprig decoration. This is my version of using the Jasperware techniques first introduced by Wedgwood.

Handmade Pottery Trimming Tools

Pottery trimming tools can be made with steel banding strip which is easily bent into shape with pliers. Bind the ends together with string’ and they are immediately ready for use, no sharpening required.

If wanting to add a handle, select a piece of wood that feels good to hold. Cut it to the right length, make a saw cut in one end and insert the banding strip, then secure it in place.

Using A Motif To Create Pattern In Clay

Texture and pattern can easily be created by impressing a hand crocheted motif into clay. This video shows the process, and the mesmerising effect of applying this technique.

Roulettes Made With Rolls Of Clay

Roulette tools are useful for adding pattern or texture onto clay surfaces. They are fun to make and the patterns look great on pots you’ve designed and created.