If you’ve ever struggled with trimming away the thick apron of clay at the bottom of a freshly thrown pot, you know how easily those trimmings can stick right back on. Here’s a simple trick I learned early on that makes the whole process smoother—no more wrestling with stubborn clay ribbons.
With your pot still on the wheel, take the tip of a wooden knife and slice straight down through the excess clay at the base until you reach the bat (1). This creates a clear separation point. Next, grab a sponge, get it nice and wet, and position it over your wooden knife. Aim the knife toward the little channel you just cut, then squeeze the sponge so the water flows into that space (2).
Now, glide the point of the knife under the trimming. Thanks to the water acting as a barrier, the clay won’t stick back to your pot (3). Simply cut the ribbon away, and it slides off cleanly (4).
This tiny adjustment saves time and frustration, and it keeps your pots cleaner and your trimming process more enjoyable. Give it a try—once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!
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If you’ve ever struggled with trimming away the thick apron of clay at the bottom of a freshly thrown pot, you know how easily those trimmings can stick right back on. Here’s a simple trick I learned early on that makes the whole process smoother—no more wrestling with stubborn clay ribbons.
With your pot still on the wheel, take the tip of a wooden knife and slice straight down through the excess clay at the base until you reach the bat (1). This creates a clear separation point. Next, grab a sponge, get it nice and wet, and position it over your wooden knife. Aim the knife toward the little channel you just cut, then squeeze the sponge so the water flows into that space (2).
Now, glide the point of the knife under the trimming. Thanks to the water acting as a barrier, the clay won’t stick back to your pot (3). Simply cut the ribbon away, and it slides off cleanly (4).
This tiny adjustment saves time and frustration, and it keeps your pots cleaner and your trimming process more enjoyable. Give it a try—once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!
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