How-To Guides about Ceramics & Pottery

Double bowls are bowls that are connected together, such as a container that can be used for dip and salsa. This tutorial shows you how you can throw two similar bowls and attach them to create your own ceramic double bowls.

Cloud Clay is a new kind of non-toxic clay that doesn't need to be fired - it air dries by itself. This tutorial shows you how you can use several different colors of Cloud Clay to make an autumn scarecrow.

In this video by Simon Leach, we learn how to fit a lamp base into pottery with Simon Leach. First, you will take the lamp base that has all the wires inside of it. From here, you will wire the cables through the proper fittings for the light. Then, you need to put a hole in the bottom of the lamp base so you can string the light base through and then place the light bulb on top. When you are finished, the pottery can sit on top of the base and then you can add a light shade to finish up the...

Simon Leach teaches us how to glaze trailing and pouring for pottery. First, you will dip the entire pot into the glaze after you have poured it into the middle. Wind up your wrist as you are pouring it out so you cover all of the sides in it. Just dip it down a little bit so it goes over the edge of the tip to cover the mouth of it. To use a balloon wand, fill it with the glaze and then use this to glaze the pots. Simply drop the liquid onto the pot in straight lines as you are turning it with...

In this video, we learn how to unload and repack bisque pottery from a kiln. First, take the top off and then take out the smaller pots from the larger ones and set aside. Then, remove the large ones and set aside as well. When you are re-loading this, you will place in the large ones first. Then, place the smaller pots in the large ones if they fit. Squeeze the small ones around where you can. Stacking some into each other is fine. Turn this on for around 30 minutes on low heat, then you can...

In this tutorial, we learn how to make models and ornaments with salt dough. First, grab a baking sheet and place aluminum foil over it. Now, grab some gloss sealer, salt, food coloring, flour, ribbon, glitter, cookie cutters, and buttons. To make the dough, combine flour with water and salt. Mix this together until you get a dough shape, then roll out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Cut a small hole in the top of it, then bake until golden brown in the oven. Tie a string in the hole...

Printer toner has enough iron oxide in it to allow ceramic artists to transfer the images onto unfired clay. Then, when you fire the clay, the image will be transfered onto the piece, without having to deal with extra painting or glazing.

Starting with just a lump of clay and some water on a potting wheel, you can end up with a lovely clay pot! This video shows you how to make a trivet, so you can safely rest hot dishes on your table or countertop.

In this tutorial, we learn how to make simple pot stands. Start with your clay on the table and use water and your hands to start to shape it. Press down on the ball until it forms into a low bowl shape. Then, start to add more clay and water to the sides of the pot so that it's thicker on the edges. After this, place the pot stand onto a ceramic drying area, then you will be able to glaze it and fire it. Clean off your spinning table after you are finished, then enjoy your pot and pot stand!

Simon Leach teaches us how to make a teapot in ceramics in this video. After you have created the basic pot for the tea, you will need to poke several small holes into the side of it where it will be poured. After this, you will need to create the spout and mark where it's going to go on the pot while it's still wet. Now, key the area on the pot where the spout is going to go, then apply water to it and push the spout onto the area. Push along the sides gently until the spout is stuck on...

Simon Leach teaches us how to do spiral fluting in this video. Start on the side of the bowl with a sharp edge. Then, push the edge down from the top until you reach the bottom half of the bowl. Create line next to line very close to each other, not overlapping them. Continue to do this slowly until you have reached all the way around the bowl. Make sure your lines are all equal to each other, they don't have to be perfect though. After you have made lines all the way around, your bowl will be...

Simon Leach teaches us how to put handles on your ceramics in this tutorial. The key thing is to never let the handle fall as you are adding it to a cup, always keep it supported. Look at the handle as you are placing it on and think about proportion and size. If it's sticking out too far it's going to get knocked off. You need to have an elliptical shaped handle when you are shaping them so they can be gripped properly. Don't score the bottom part when you are joining the handle to the bottom...

In this video, we learn how to clean off ceramic pots before firing them. First, take a knife to clean off any bits that need to be removed to make the pots completely smooth. After this, dip the top of the pot into glaze and let it dry on a flat surface. For the base, hold with your two fingers on the inside, then dip in the glaze and let dry. Once these are dry, take a knife and scrape the edges where excess glaze may be at. Then, scrape all around the edges and clean the back of the side...

In this video, we learn how to use wood ash to prep pots for the kiln. First, grab wood ash and place it into a container that sprays. After this, blow in the appropriate hole and hold the container so the ash gets all over your pots. Continue to do this all the way around the pots. You will get out of breath while doing this, so take your take and take breaks to breathe. Make sure you do this in a quick amount of time so the ash inside the container stays ready to be blown. After this, the...

You're probably wondering why in the world you would throw an aluminum can into an oven to bake, but differently shaped aluminum cans are actually a polymer clay hobbyist's best friend when it comes to shaping clay and making the shape stay.

Think you're done with your ceramics project because you've thrown your vase and fired it in a kiln? Think again. While you've done great so far, firing a pot is only half the battle. In order to make a piece of pottery truly spectacular and professional looking, it's vital to add a coat or two of glaze.

In this video, we learn how to trim a pot. First, you will want to get your pot wet and place it onto a ceramic bowl shaper. Start to spin the bowl and get it wet as you use a sharp tool to remove the trim from around the pot. Continue to do this until all of the trim you want to remove is gone. When finished, you will need to refire this and place glaze back onto it. This can be done with any type of ceramic pot, just make sure you keep it moist while you are cutting it, so it doesn't break...

In this video, we learn how to paddle clay. Start off by placing the clay on the wheel and turning it on so it's moving quickly. You wan tot make sure you are using a lot of water and keeping the clay moist, as well as your hand. Make sure the bottom is even around on all sides, or it will turn out off center. Place your hands around the clay and cradle it until it makes a round and even shape. Continue to do this until you can put your hands on the side of the pot and work your clay on the...

Even the best potters don't always get a perfectly finished vase, pot, or jar immediately after throwing. In fact, it's actually quite common for a potter to go back over his work and trim off or reshape the uneven parts to achieve a balanced finish. This is precisely what master potter Simon Leach does in this pottery video.

Master potter Simon Leach is so good at what he does because he follows his own advice: practice, practice, practice! In this tutorial by Simon Leach, you'll watch Leach as he throws and sculpts a very pretty textured tea bowl. Using his fingers to help mold the tall form, Leach skillfully applies a lower rim and then adds a criss cross pattern by slapping a textured mold onto the pot's side.

Are you looking to make your pottery projects more quickly and with less stress? Then this is the perfect tutorial for you. Lakeside Pottery shows you step by step how to flatten and shape a flat form pottery piece using a chattering technique.

In this 2 part how-to video, Simon Leach, who normally shows you how to make pottery, instead shows you something else. In this tutorial, Leach shows you how to make and build a small propane downdraft kiln. Follow along with Simon Leach, and you too could be building your own kiln in your backyard.

In this tutorial, we learn how to throw an upside down double walled pottery vase. Start off by using water every few seconds to craft your vase. Use your fingers to press down in the middle, to make the round shape and have the vase rise up into the air. Make this into a bowl shape, which will be into the air. Next, shape the middle using your hands into a triangle shape. Raise the side bowl around it, and keep using water to increase the size of the bowl. Collar the bowl in, then start to...

A Shino glaze is an umbrella term for a category of pottery glazes that range in color from milky white to orange and even charcoal gray. Chino glazes add a very pretty luster to pottery pieces and are made using a carbon trap, or trapping carbon in the glaze during kiln firing.

In order to fire a kiln, you will need the following: you will need to have a damper. There will also need to be a means of checking the fire, looking in to see the flame. Each stage will have to be closely monitored. Let it fire until it reaches an adequate temperature. It will transition through phases of heat. As it reaches reduction, you'll need to monitor the rate of rise. This stage, the reduction phase, is a slow stage of rise. It will take many hours to reach reduction phase. It...

Are you a budding potter who's looking for a skilled tutor but can't afford taking pricey classes every week? Then watch this kiln conversion tutorial by master potter Simon Leach.

In order to glaze a lamp base, you will need the following: glaze, warm water, a sponge, copper carbonate, paintbrush, and sticks. Stir the glaze well. Make sure the base is clean and free of dust. Pour some glaze into a pitcher. Turn the base upside down and dip the mouth of it into the glaze bucket. Allow the excess to drip off. Place 2 sticks on top of the bucket and sit the base on top of the sticks. Now, using the pitcher, pour glaze over the base, allowing the excess to drip into...

If you've created the ceramic version of Michelangelo's "David" and want to preserve the work as well as let others know the pottery piece as the product of your own two hands, then watch this video by Simon Leach to learn how to create a ceramic seal.

So you've got your clay thrown on your kiln and you're molding and sculpting away with those busy fingers. The charger you envisioned making in your mind is finally taking shape...sort of. While the general flat plate shape is appearing, there's a noticeable lack of contours and it looks rather flat.

You may love your old electric kiln like a child, but it's time to get in touch with the times and update that sucker! Watch this ceramics tutorial by potter Simon Leach to learn how to turn your old electric kiln into a snazzy new propane gas kiln.

When your clay is too tough and not malleable beneath your fingertips, you've got trouble. Pottery, after all, requires smoothe and flexible clay that can be molded into any shape you desire.

God knows we have enough mass produced plates and dinnerware sets out there, some high quality and others like the McDonald's version of plates - cheap costing and cheap looking.

Learn how to sculpt a miniature gingerbread men out of polymer clay with this free video art lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for those with some familiarity of polymer clay sculpture, novice sculpters should be able to follow along given a little effort. For specifics, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started crafting your own mini polymer clay gingerbread man charms, watch this sculpture tutorial.

Learn how to create portrait cameos out of polymer clay with this free video art lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for those with some familiarity of polymer clay sculpture, novice sculpters should be able to follow along given a little effort. For specifics, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started crafting your own polymer clay portrait cameos, watch this sculpture tutorial.

Learn how to sculpt a miniature ladybug out of polymer clay with this free video art lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for those with some familiarity of polymer clay sculpture, novice sculpters should be able to follow along given a little effort. For specifics, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started making miniature polymer-clay ladybugs yourself, watch this sculpture tutorial.

Learn how to sculpt colored pencils out of polymer clay with this free video art lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for those with some familiarity of polymer clay sculpture, novice sculpters should be able to follow along given a little effort. For specifics, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own polymer-clar colored pencils, watch this sculpture tutorial.