How Pottery Is Made

Pottery is one of the most durable forms of art, and it’s a hobby that appeals to many people. It’s also an art that requires a great deal of patience. When pottery is done well, it can last for millennia.

Potteries are made from clay, a natural resource that is abundant in the Earth. The clay is mined from the ground and then combined with water to form a thick paste called a “clay body.” Different clay bodies have unique characteristics that influence the finished product, and it’s possible to make ceramics in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Once the clay is ready, it’s shaped by hand or using a potter’s wheel. In the former method, a ball of clay is placed on a rotating plate or “throwing wheel,” and the pottery maker spins it to create a hollow shape. Throwing takes a lot of skill and practice, and even the best thrown pieces will have imperfections.

After the pottery is shaped, it’s dipped in or painted with a glaze. The glaze can be applied in a number of ways, from brushing to spraying. Adding a glaze can give the pottery an attractive finish, as well as add protection against damage from scratches and cracks.

Once the glaze has dried, the pottery is fired in a kiln. Firing changes the clay body in a number of ways, including sintering, which is the fusing of coarse particles into a solid mass. The firing process also affects the color and other qualities of the finished pottery.