Throwing Pots

Throwing pots is the art of molding ceramic clay with your hands on a spinning wheel. The potter either kicks a "kick wheel" or controls an electric wheel with a foot pedal. The first stage is called centering, where the potter attempts to get the ball of clay perfectly centered on the wheel with their hands. This is the most difficult stage to learn and often when beginners give up. After the spinning clay is centered the potter then makes an indent in the center of the ball. Next the "walls" are "pulled" into the shape of a cylinder or bowl. Many techniques can be used to keep the clay on center, trim the "lip", and minimize the amount of clay at the bottom of the piece. Then the piece is cut from the wheel and set to dry. After dry two stages of firing the clay are employed and the piece is glazed before the second firing.