Posted by Walter | Posted in Pottery Art | Posted on 18-02-2010
Tags: art, ceramic, etsy, hand, hand thrown pottery bowls, hand thrown pottery dinnerware, hand thrown pottery for sale, hand thrown pottery mugs, hand thrown pottery sinks, pottery
What do I need to become a potter?
Years ago my uncle used to take me the Richmond Pottery and I fell in love with it. I learned the basics of throwing, glazing, and got pretty good at making bowls, pots, cups, plates, etc….
Anyway, I want to start doing it at home, but I have no idea what I need. Of course I know I need a wheel and all the basic little tools which I remember using– my question lies more along with what KIND of wheel is best, and most of all, the kiln? Do you HAVE to get a kiln or are there some types of clay that you can bake? I would probably do a lot of hand painting on my pottery.
I’ve tried researching, but not to much avail. I’d love to find someone I could correspond with to help me get started.
When I went to the pottery when I was younger, I was never schooled on things like types of clays and firing temperatures and stuff. I was only taught the basics of actually throwing the pottery.
Thanks guys!!
Go back to school and take classes about pottery which do involve properties of clay, glazes, design. And take some classes in business administration as well. A lot of potters have teaching jobs because while it’s possible to support oneself as a potter its a lot of work and it involves more than just making great things. If you want to live off your pottery only, you will have learn how to run a business successfully, that part may be harder than making the pots…visit art/crafts fairs and talk to potters who exhibit there to get an idea.
Hand-painting without a kiln is not going to do it, people who buy pottery usually want to use them, so you will need food safe glazes, even if you use underglazes you will need a transparent glaze on top of it. There is no substitute for clay which has to be fired in a kiln either.
While it’s certainly not required, people who do pottery often have a BFA in ceramics. So you could try to do this. Alternatively go to a ceramics studio and pay to use their facilities to get back into things. Or you could try to get a job there. You could use the facilities, teach people and get some idea of the business part of things.
Hand thrown Pottery by Sandie Cosens – Ooh la la Pottery
|
|
Jepson Studios Hand Thrown Pottery Vase Moss Green $29.99 |
|
|
Salsa Pottery Pot Hand Thrown $6.87 |
|
|
Hand Thrown Art Pottery VAN ANTWERP 3 Bowls NIGHT STAR $23.99 |
|
|
Hand thrown Pottery Bowls $21.99 |
|
|
Hand thrown stoneware pottery chile/soup bowls set of 4 (CSB-II) $25.00 |
|
|
Echinacea / Coneflower Hand-Sculpted Stoneware Mug, 20-ounce, Made in the USA $24.99 Your new favorite mug! Our large, comfy, wheel-thrown pottery mug is augmented with a sculpted echinacea (coneflower) design. Crafted with stoneware clay, each mug is high fired for a permanent finish that is microwave and dishwasher safe. Mug holds a full 18 ounces (2.5 cups). Made by hand in Pennsylvania…. |
|
|
Moonscape Ceramic Coffee Mug 14 ounce $19.95 Click on picture for larger view of piece! Each Moonscape Mugs holds about 14 ounces (medium), and is about 4 (height) by 4 inches wide. There is a multitude of colors swirled together. Each piece is a handmade slip cast from our artist’s original hand thrown piece, then glazed (inside) and fired to Cone 9 (Durable Stoneware). As with all hand painted pottery, the color may vary slightly from piec… |
|
|
Handmade Plum Pottery Coffee Mug 16 oz $19.95 Hand-thrown porcelain, large pottery mug, in a beautiful, deep Plum glaze. This mug has a ‘D’ shaped handle that is sized for a large hand and holds 16 ounces (medium mug). Each mug is approximately 6 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter. These are somewhat unusual colors due to being fired in a gas oxidation enviroment versus a gas reduction enviroment. Each piece is high fired to 2400F, and is … |
|
|
Adam’s Rib Ivory Pottery Table Lamp by The Natural Light $347.91 The Adam’s Rib table lamp is a tribute to the beauty of pottery. The look of hand-thrown clay is highlighted here by the unique stacked rib texture of the base. This look is set off by a natural, weathered finish. A bell shade in hopsack beige fabric completes the design. A 3-way socket gives you more lighting control. This beautiful lamp comes from the Natural Light collection…. |
|
|
23 Inch Tall Albany Ash Pottery Lamp Hand Glazed Antique Look Made in the USA Don?t overlook the value of lighting when it comes to creating a comfortable home. Our Albany Lamp is made in New England of pottery that?s been carefully thrown and glazed by hand using a special process that conveys a sense of the past. Its classic design with handles is reminiscent of antique crocks. Due to hand glazing, each lamp is utterly unique. Includes a pretty cream fabric shade. Uses 15… |