Making pottery can be a great activity to do. It gives the chance to play around with clay and pottery kiln create something unique, and even decorate it. If you would like to make your own pottery, read on to find out how to make pottery at home.
Table of Contents
1. Obtain clay and water (Foundation):
To make pottery you need to start by getting some clay and lots of water! Different kinds of dirt will work, but chances are regular old dirt from your yard won’t be the best choice since it’s probably full of bacteria and other animal life. You can go to a pottery shop and buy clay, or you can dig around in a riverbed or near a mountainside where the clay is more likely to be pure.
2. Combine the water with the clay (Forming):
Once you have your clay, it’s time to add some water. You’ll want to use enough water so that the clay becomes a thick, muddy substance. Mix it together until it has a smooth consistency.
3. Create your pottery (Shaping):
Now comes the fun part: shaping your pottery! You can use any pottery wheel you want to do this, but your hands will work just fine. Begin by shaping the bottom of the pot, then move on to the sides and the top. Make sure to give your pottery plenty of curves so that it will be strong enough to hold water.
4. Let your pottery dry (Drying):
Once you’re done shaping your pottery, let it dry for a few days. Don’t try to use it before it’s fully dried, or it will fall apart.
5. Make a fire (Fire):
Once your pottery has dried, it’s time to make a fire! If you’re in the wild you can use natural materials like cattails and resinous wood to get a small blaze going. If not, try starting with some paper and fanning the flames with some kind of bellows or box fan. Once it starts burning, add twigs and sticks until you have a good sized hearth fire going. If you don’t have kiln then you can check our article how to fire clay without kiln.
6. Boil your pottery (Sealing):
The next step is using this fire to bake your pottery! Place the pottery near the edge of the fire so that its heat will be most intense there without actually touching the flames. Leave it in there for a few hours, or until the pottery is completely dry.
7. Seal your pottery (Sealing):
Once your pottery is done baking, it’s time to seal it! This will protect it from breaking and make it watertight. There are many ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a sealant like beeswax or shellac. Apply it liberally to the entire surface of the pottery and let it dry.
8. Use your pottery (Using):
And that’s it! Your pottery is now ready to be used however you want. Fill it with water, cook food in it, or just admire its beauty. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for a more in-depth guide on how to make pottery, be sure to check out some of our articles available. Happy crafting!
POTTERY MAKING STEPS:
1. Gather your materials – Clay and water are the essentials for pottery making. You can either purchase clay from a pottery store or get it from natural sources like rivers and mountainsides. Be sure to have plenty of water on hand as well, since you’ll need to mix it with the clay.
2. Combine the ingredients – In a large container, mix the clay and water together until it has a smooth consistency.
3. Create your masterpiece – This is the fun part! Use your hands, tools, or whatever you have on hand to create pots, bowls, and other pieces of pottery.
4. Let it dry – Once you’re done shaping your pottery, let it dry for a few days before moving on to the next step.
5. Boil it – Place your pottery near the edge of a fire so that its heat will be most intense there without actually touching the flames. Leave it in there for a few hours, or until the pottery is completely dry.
6. Seal it – Once it’s done baking and cooling off, seal it with a sealant like beeswax or shellac. This will protect it from breaking and make it watertight.
7. Use it – Now that you’re finished, enjoy your beautiful creation! If you aren’t satisfied with your craftsmanship, just repeat the process until you get something you really like.
Conclusion:
Creating pottery is a rewarding process that’s fun for people of all ages. You can create some truly beautiful pieces of art, use them on an everyday basis, or just admire their beauty around your home. Happy crafting!
Hi, my name is Stefanie and I am a potter from USA. Clay has given me the opportunity to be creative and personalize everyday objects like cups, bowls, plates, and more.
I love working with clay because it’s so malleable. You can make anything you want out of it; there are no limits!