How to

  • Slip-casting for beginners

    Slip-casting for beginners

    16th November 2017

    Slip-casting a simple cylinder This project follows on from our two-part cylinder mould but the principle for slip-casting is the same whatever mould you use. This is a quick way of making items where they all need to be exactly…

  • Slip casting mould for beginners

    Slip casting mould for beginners

    16th November 2017

    Two-part cylinder mould for slip casting The beauty of slip casting is that you can make the forms much faster than you could do otherwise, and you have the security of knowing that every item will be identical – an…

  • Pulling handles for beginners

    Pulling handles for beginners

    16th November 2017

    A couple of different methods of pulling handles Anyone who watched the Great Pottery Throw Down will remember Daniel Pratap’s expertise at pulling handles. He makes it look easy, and with practice it can become second-nature as you get a…

  • Plaster and cottles for beginners

    Plaster and cottles for beginners

    16th November 2017

    Making a simple plaster press mould Plaster moulds are incredibly useful for reproducing a shape quickly and exactly that can’t easily be made by hand-building or throwing. Don’t be daunted by the prospect of mixing plaster! If you weigh and…

  • Plaster casting for beginners

    Plaster casting for beginners

    16th November 2017

    Casting moulds from two halves For plaster casting you will need: ● A non-absorbent board for making the mould on ● Clay for building up the model and reinforcing the cottle ● Boards to make the cottle ● A length…

  • Clay preparation for beginners

    Clay preparation for beginners

    14th November 2017

    THE most important thing when dealing with any aspect of clay is preparation. Without this, the clay won’t handle properly, and you run the risk of trapping air in the body of the clay, which will cause your work to…