3 Top Tips for Taking Up Pottery As A Hobby
The wonderful art of pottery is not for everyone, but if you have the pottery bug and you are feeling the itch to take up pottery as a hobby then keep reading. When starting pottery as a new hobby, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Between the technical terms and bizarre looking tools, it’s no surprise if you feel a bit lost and are not sure where to start. Why not start by checking your local area listing to see if there are any pottery classes for you to try out first as an introduction. After you have done some research and tried out a class or two, then start looking into purchasing your own set up to use from home.
Tip 1: Choosing a Technique
Believe it or not, there isn’t just one way to make pottery. There are 3 main ways, and its useful to first choose the technique that feels right for you. This will help you choose a starting point and bring your needs into focus.
The three main ways to make pottery are:
- Using a pottery wheel, also known as wheel thrown pottery
- Hand-building pottery
- Slip casting
It’s common to combine all 3 methods, but let this come later. For now, choose one and focus on that.
Tip 2: Choosing Clay
Oh the different types of clay to choose from; there are plenty! The most important thing to ask yourself though is: do you want to use pottery clay or air dry clay.
Air Dry Clay: this clay can be dried in the open air without being fired in a kiln. This is a great place to start if you aren’t able to power or afford your own kiln yet. There are also varying kinds of air dry clay. There are some clays that feel a bit more like plastic, this is polymer clay and is great for making toys and jewellery.
Pottery Clay: this clay needs to be dried by being fired in a kiln. If you are wanting to make actual pottery, then you need pottery clay which is easy to find at any potters shop. This is the clay you would use if you’d like to make your own crockery or make ornaments with a hardy finish.
Tip 3: Essential Equipment
The equipment that you need depends on what method of pottery making you want to start off with.
Here is a suggestion of important equipment, for each kind of pottery method:
- Throwing Pottery: A potter’s wheel
- Hand Building pottery: Needle tool, wire cutting tool and sponges
- Slip Casting: Some plaster moulds
Whether you are a seasoned potter who has been taking classes for years and now wants to set up a home studio, or someone who is starting out with pottery as a hobby, take the time to really feel into what kind of pottery resonates with you. Once you have this established, then the rest is as easy as playing no download pokies. Find your set-up at your local pottery or art store and the rest will come naturally.