Hot Ceramics & Pottery How-Tos
How To: Make mini drinks out of polymer clay for a dollhouse
Garden of Imagination teaches viewers how to make various drinks, such as beer, milk, lemonade, and coffee, for their miniature dollhouse. First, you need to go to the crafts store and get a pack of 5 piece filigree tubes (you can pick whatever color you'd like). Take a tiny piece of clay and stick it into the filigree tube. Smooth out the clay inside with a paintbrush to make a tiny cup. First, to make a mug of coffee you need triple thick clear glaze black chalk. Mix the two together and ta...
How To: Make a plaster bat for drying out your wet clay
Simon Leach is an online pottery instruction legend, and in this three-part video, he instructs us in a procedure somewhat outside his normal area of expertise by creating a homemade plaster bat, which is basically a flat plaster block used for drying wet clay. For the hardcore at-home ceramics whiz this could be a very fun and rewarding project. Just make sure you are comfortable working with both plaster and clay!
How To: Fit a lamp base into pottery with Simon Leach
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 ...
How To: Transfer printer toner to your ceramic work
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.
How To: Make a bowl out of polymer clay
Looking for a fun and easy art project to share with the kids? Learn how to make a polymer clay bowl with expert craft tips in this free video series.
How To: Put a handle on a ceramic mug
When you're putting a handle on a mug, you need to think about the state of the clay of both the mug and the handle. The ceramic clay needs to be a bit harder and drier than right after coming off the pottery wheel or being sculpted, but not so dry that the clay won't stick. Check out this video pottery-making tutorial and learn how to attach a handle onto a ceramic mug.
How To: Apply a terra cotta slip to a pot
A terra cotta slip can add flair and durability to any pot that you've made at home, and also allow you to make up for inconsistencies in the composition of your clay. This video from Simon Leach shows you how to apply just such a terra cotta slip to a clay pot, an important technique to improve you pottery and ceramics skills.
How To: Make mini polymer clay pancakes for a dollhouse
Garden of Imagination teaches viewers how to make cute and adorable mini polymer clay pancakes for a dollhouse or decoration. First start out with a wooden square to put the finished product on. Next, start out with light brown clay and roll it out on a clay setting number 4 on the pasta machine. Next, use a circle cutter to cute the shape of pancake. Next, texture the pancake so it look doughy and make sure the edges are not too straight. Make three of these pancakes and place them on the wo...
How To: Trim a round bowl with Simon Leach
This instructional ceramics video shows you how to trim a round bowl. It is much easier of you have a centered pot to begin with. It is also helpful to leave a bit of extra clay in the base so that one can trim more freely. Once the clay is semi-dry, you can begin trimming. After trimming, smooth the trimming marks out using a rubber rib. A touch of water on the rim will re-elevate the rim after trimming your round pot.
How To: Throw quick ceramic plates
Watch this instructional ceramics video to learn how to throw a quick plate. Simply center your clay and create a wide disc before beginning the hole. Pull the lip of the plate out with a sponge. It is important to compress the rim. The most difficult step is to pay attention to the of the lip to widen the edge into a plate without breaking the clay or making it look like a bowl.
How To: Make a ceramic slab plate
In this video, we learn how to make a ceramic slab plate. First, roll out the ceramic. After this, place the clay on butcher or newspaper and smooth it out with a plastic card. Repeat this on the other side. Next, use a paper template to help cut your design or use a circular object. Cut slits to help remove the surrounding clay. Use the excess clay to build support pieces then curve the edges of the plate up and place the support pieces underneath. Use a piece of leather to smooth the edges....
How To: Make a simple clay and ash glaze
This method of making glaze utilizes environmental supplies. That way there's no need to rely on a clay supply store, so it's great to save money or time if it's a distance to the nearest supplier. Watch this video pottery tutorial and learn how to make a simple ceramic glaze for firing out of clay remnants and wood ash. It's appropriate for use on raw glazing projects as well.
How To: Recuperate clay to soften it
Watch this ceramics tutorial video to learn how to soften clay by recuperating it. This helpful how-to video teaches several techniques to recuperate and soften your clay that are easy enough for beginners. You'll never be stuck again when your clay gets too hard after you watch this instructional video and learn how to recuperate and soften it.
How To: Make a Japanese Shino glaze with Simon Leach
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.
How To: Build a small raku kiln
In this three-part how-to from everyone's favorite potter (wizard children notwithstanding), Simon Leach talks about the process of building a small raku kiln. For insight into Mr. Leach's kiln-building process, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Reclaim clay
Simon Leach shows us how to reclaim clay.
How To: Glaze pottery inside and outside
Watch this ceramics tutorial video to learn how to use some more advanced glazing techniques to make the inside different than the outside. The detailed instructions in this helpful how-to video are best for intermediate to advanced potters who want to glaze both the inside and the outside of their pottery.
How To: Wedge and knead a piece of clay for pottery making
Wedging and kneading is essential before throwing clay on a pottery wheel, or shaping by hand, in order to get rid of air bubbles that may cause the pottery to explode while firing in the kiln. There are many different techniques to wedge and knead, but this video ceramic design tutorial shows how to wire cut wedge and spiral knead a piece of clay. Learn how to wedge and knead a piece of clay for pottery making by watching this instructional video.
How To: Pull handles for pitchers
Watch this ceramics tutorial video to learn how to pull handles for your pitchers. The tips in this how-to videos are helpful for potters of any level. You'll be pulling beautiful handles for your pitchers after watching this helpful instructional video.
How To: Decorate bisque pottery with red iron oxide
This is a video tutorial of decorating bisque with red iron oxide. Red iron oxide can be layered, fired, watered-down, and used in many ways to add a finish to a piece of bisque pottery. Bisqueware absorbs the color easily, so the two materials work well together. Pick up some new ideas for how to decorate bisque pottery with red iron oxide by watching this video ceramic design tutorial.
How To: Join two pieces of leather-hard clay together
Check out this video to learn scoring techniques of joining two pieces of stiff leather-hard clay. Following are some steps you will see demonstrated
How To: Make a three part clay vase
Clay pottery is a fun and creative art form that can be done with slabs of clay and not only on a spinning wheel. This free video clip series will show you several tips on how to construct a three part clay vase and open a world of design ideas for you.
How To: Make a bell out of clay
Simon Leach shows us how to make a bell out of clay.
How To: Double dip or glaze ceramic
In this tutorial, Simon Leach teaches us how to double dip or glaze ceramic. This trick will save you a lot of time, just make sure you practice a lot. First, mix your glaze up in a large bucket and grab your pot that you want to glaze. Now, place your piece into the glaze and then flick the wrist to lift the piece up quickly. Don't let the glaze go over the base of the piece or it will become too messy. Now, dip the piece back in, getting some glaze on the inside and swishing the liquid arou...
How To: Make double-walled pottery vessels
In this how-to ceramics video series, learn from artist Susan Ting how to make a double-walled teapot on a potter's wheel and how to carve intricate designs into the clay. This artist will teach you how to center the clay on the potter's wheel, how to pull the inner wall of the pot, how to pull the outer wall of the pot, how to connect the two walls create a teapot, how to form the teapot flange, how to throw off the hump, how to make a teapot lid, how to make a teapot spout, how to attach a ...
How To: Knead clay with Japanese spiral wedging technique
Simon Leach shares tips for kneading clay. He demonstrates the Japanese spiral wedging technique.
How To: Make faceted pottery
Watch this ceramics tutorial video to learn how to make faceted pottery using some common faceting methods such as wire cut faceting. The detailed instructions in this helpful how-to video are geared toward intermediate potters and will allow you to make pretty faceted pottery.
How To: Build a small downdraft kiln with Simon Leach
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.
How To: Throw a wide bowl with Simon Leach
Watch this instructional ceramics video to learn how to throw a wide bowl with Simon Leach. As a preliminary step, one should throw a flat piece of clay onto the pad to assure easy lifting off of the bat. Centering is quite difficult with a larger piece of clay. Leach's visual guide allows one to view the delicate steps required to throw a wide ceramic bowl without letting it collapse.
How To: Make Clay Sculptures
In this ceramics video series, learn how to make terracotta clay sculptures from ceramics art expert Chitrotpola Mukherjee.
How To: Wedge two types of clay together
Wedging two types of clay can give you a new color, which you can then use to further decorate your pieces. Make sure that the two kind of clay require the same firing temperature. You can mix your own personal clay to work with simply by selecting qualities in standard clays and kneading them together.
How To: Decorate raw clay pottery with white slip
In this video pottery-making tutorial, Simon uses a white slip made from half china clay and half stoneware clay. Slip is an alternative to glaze for finishing a potted project. Simon also demonstrates an easy project to make a paint brush holder that will keep tools in place while using them. Watch this video demonstration to pick up a few ways to decorate a raw clay pottery piece with white slip.
How To: Center on the potter's wheel with clay
Perfect your ability to center on a Potter's wheel with these tips from Andy Ruble. There are several different ways to go about centering, but the general principle is to put equal pressure on the top and side of the ball of clay and clay has no choice but to go in the middle. This instructional ceramics video is designed to help the beginning through advanced ceramic student improve their throwing skills.
How To: Make a Raku kiln
Simon Leach shows us how to make a Raku kiln out of an oil barrel.
How To: Decorate ceramics with a torch
Try using a blowtorch to dry the outer portion of a ceramic pot. While the clay is still on the pottery wheel, cut light marks into the outer wall of the pot. Dry the outermost layer of wet clay with a blowtorch. When you continue to stretch and form the wet clay on the wheel, witness an interesting cracking effect.
How To: Make a personal seal or signet out of smooth clay
Create your own personal seal from a piece of clay! This tutorial shows you the process, starting with a large piece of smooth clay, to cut your chosen sigil into the clay. Make sure you draw the sigil on in reverse. Now all you need is a letter and some sealing wax!
How To: Make a "hakeme" brush for slip decorating your pottery
In this video, Simon Leach steps away from his wheel for a few minutes to teach potters everywhere how to make a "hakeme" brush at home out of basic items. This brush can then be used to slip decorate your pottery and other ceramics.
How To: Use a pugmill in pottery throwing
This video shows the method to use a puggmill in pottery throwing. Take the two packets of clay and take the clay out on the table. Take a thread and cut the two pieces of clay in the middle to form four bricks. Put the bricks in the puggmill one by one and wait for it to come out. The pugged clay comes out from the bottom in a cylindrical shape. Take out the four cylinders from the four bricks of clay. After this, put the cylinders in the pugmill again so that they are pugged thoroughly. Put...
How To: Throw a clay teapot off the hump on a potter's wheel
This video pottery-making tutorial shows how to throw a clay teapot off the hump on a pottery wheel. Watch, follow along, and learn how to quickly sculpt a simple teapot. Get some clay and make your own little ceramic teapot today.
How To: Make a large ceramic platter
Large ceramic platters require a large amount of clay on the potter's wheel. Learn how to create your own ceramic platter with this free ceramics video series.
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