Sandra Stover on wed 12 feb 03
Hi everyone. I am wanting to learn to make pottery using a potters wheel.
I have no idea where to begin (I know nothing at all about pottery
making). I am looking for instructions to make my own potters wheel
(electric, because I am disabled and would not be able to use the type
operated by foot). I would very much appreciate any information that
anyone can supply with reguards to making a wheel as well as any beginers
tips. I also need to know if I will need a kiln to fire my pottery or if
there are other ways to dry it.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Sandra
Snail Scott on wed 12 feb 03
At 12:38 PM 2/12/03 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi everyone. I am wanting to learn to make pottery using a potters wheel.
>I have no idea where to begin (I know nothing at all about pottery
>making). I am looking for instructions to make my own potters wheel
>(electric, because I am disabled and would not be able to use the type
>operated by foot).
While I am of the do-it-yourself persuasion also,
due both to inclination and lack of funds,
an electric wheel may be among the more difficult
things to build from scratch. I would encourage
you to check classified ads and buletin boards in
your area, and post your own 'wheel wanted' notices
in those places. You can get a very fine brand-new
wheel like Pacifica or Axner for about $600, and a
used one for considerably less. Unless you are well-
versed in electronics, small motors, and machining,
a few hundred dollars for a used wheel will be
money well spent.
First, though, I would check your local area for
classes, to get you started. It's a tough craft to
try to learn without instruction. And, you'll have
access to wheels and kilns. Many community colleges,
shops, and city rec programs offer classes, and
there may be potters in your area who give lessons.
Start with a little guidance from them, before you
invest in your own equipment.
>...I also need to know if I will need a kiln to fire my pottery or if
>there are other ways to dry it.
If you wish to make functional pottery for eating
off of, holding water, etc, it will need to be kiln-
fired. You can look for a second-hand one, but in
the meantime, try to find someone who will rent you
the partial use of one. If you take a class, you will
be able to fire your work there - another good reason
to start that way.
-Snail
John Rodgers on thu 13 feb 03
Sandra, you might want to look at all the other types of clay art that
one can do before getting involved with a wheel. I wish I had done that.
I think everyone gets all enthused over the movement and flow of the
clay on a wheel and under a skilled hand without realizing how much time
it takes and what an effort it is to develop the skill required to make
that clay do what you want.
My suggestion to you would be to begin with hand built things if you are
able. Handforming is one way.
Coiling, for example. Or pinch pots. I have seen some wonderful work in
those areas.
Slab work is another. Lana Wilson does some incredible work and is
famous the world over (for real) for her teapots. And her tools to make
them are a couple of strips of wood, a piece of canvas, and a rolling
pin. She is amazing. Order one of her video tapes. You to will be amazed.
I have a rolling pin that I use regularly for rolling out clay into very
thin slabs to be cut and folded for decoration. I make leaves, then pull
by hand long thin tapered pieces of clay and fold and bend and roll them
into stems and stalks to support the leaves that I make from the flatwork.
I also do work in bas relief in large flat slabs. Then I cut the work
apart and fire it. All handwork with hand tools. No wheel necessary.
As for electric wheels, unless you have a lot of skills and knowledge
about electric motors, solid state circuitry, welding, machining, etc,
it will be far more economical in the long run to buy one that is
factory built. You may find a good used one or even if you buy a new
one, you can get good ones for around $600 plus or minus.
The kiln is a more important piece of equipment than the wheel, because
without it, you can't really finish anything or do the ongoing
experimenting that you will find it necessary to do. Get a kiln, do the
handwork, play experiement, learn the feel of the clay, and how glazing
works. When you have mastered those things, you really will be ready to
move on to a wheel if you still desire to do so. All your acquired glaze
knowledge and your acquired understanding of the clay and the
kinesthetic sense for it that you will develop will be completely
transferable to wheel work, and will more than likely speed up the
learning process considerably.
Best,
John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL
Sandra Stover wrote:
> Hi everyone. I am wanting to learn to make pottery using a potters wheel.
> I have no idea where to begin (I know nothing at all about pottery
> making). I am looking for instructions to make my own potters wheel
> (electric, because I am disabled and would not be able to use the type
> operated by foot). I would very much appreciate any information that
> anyone can supply with reguards to making a wheel as well as any beginers
> tips. I also need to know if I will need a kiln to fire my pottery or if
> there are other ways to dry it.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help,
> Sandra
>
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>
Elizabeth Herod on thu 13 feb 03
Sandra
I second John=B9s opinion.
I do not have a wheel at home. I have access to a wheel three days a week
at the school. So I try to produce x number of pots at home, using hand
built techniques.
There are unlimited things to do with hand building, but most important, yo=
u
learn a lot about the clay itself. I work with three different types of
clay, raku, stoneware, and a porcelain body. (see you all are teaching me
correct terminology)
Each clay body is different.
They dry differently. The porcelain body cracks more easily during drying.
Hand building with the clay helps you get the =B3feel=B2 of the clay.
For me, personally, hand building has helped me with throwing.
Off and on, over the last year, I have wanted to get a wheel, but I decided
to get a kiln instead. Unfortunately, I have had to wait due to the early
snow. But, then again, that=B9s OK, too. More time to practice my skills
before taking on a new one.
Incidentally, from what I have seen from fellow students, those that run ou=
t
and buy wheels, do not always end up progressing at a higher rate. You jus=
t
need the teacher supervision to keep you from developing bad habits that
prevent your progress.
One last tidbit for thought. I have a friend who was an art teacher for 25
years. She has been a student for at least the last five, if not more. He=
r
work is beautiful, but she continues to come to class because there are
things that she feels she can learn to do better, and things that she can
learn that only other teachers can teach her.
Beth
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