How to
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
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
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
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
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
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…
Coiling for beginners
16th October 2017
Coiling is perhaps the most versatile of the handbuilding techniques, because it allows you to build forms of any design or scale. It’s generally considered to be a slow and contemplative way of working, which demands patience and attention…
Centering for beginners
13th October 2017
Learning to centre clay on the wheel Throwing is arguably the hardest technique to master and nothing can be achieved on a wheel until you learn to centre the clay properly. Here, we show you the required hand positions to…
Pinch pots for beginners
1st July 2017
Pinch pots are the ideal project for newcomers to hand-building with clay; perfecting this technique is a fantastic way to start developing your clay-craft skills. Most tutors will start people making pinch pots to get a feel for the clay…