Pottery Making Illustrated Articles (Simple)

  • In the Studio: African Violet Pot
    Planters are a staple of the potter’s repertoire, but it’s hard to make a planter that works better than the standard red earthenware flower pot! However, certain plants benefit from special pots made
  • In the Studio: Personalized Cups
    When we think of pottery, we often think of working on the potter’s wheel—creating pots in the round. However, shaping a great pot doesn’t have to stop when the wheel does! There are endless opportuni
  • Editor's Note: Rabbit Hole
    The modern idea of the rabbit hole no longer has a bound for Wonderland, but rather we’re in a long free fall with no clear destination—but we do know when we have arrived.
  • Using Wood Ash in Glazes
    Wood ash or, more correctly, ash from organic vegetation, has been used as an ingredient for the development of glazes for at least 2000 years. Glazes utilizing wood ash are firmly rooted in Asian cer
  • A Bowl of Soup
    In my ceramic work, I pay close attention to the relationships between forms. A functional ceramic piece is rarely alone. It’s always surrounded by other forms and these should have a harmony based on
  • An Oxidized Bisque Firing
    Many clay and glaze faults in ceramic wares are caused by incomplete burnout (oxidation) of carbon and sulfur during the bisque firing. These faults are observed after a glaze firing, but the problems
  • Natural Fiber Teapot Embellishments
    A good teapot calls for creativity, meticulous craftsmanship, and hard work. While one of the most challenging forms to make, teapots often provide the maker with an opportunity to demonstrate persona
  • Minding the Corners
    It’s all about the clay: how it feels in your hands, on your fingertips; how it can be shaped and decorated into useful, beautiful objects. Timing is crucial when working with clay. The many stages of
  • Pottery Illustrated: Handmade Tools
    Making handmade tools with Pottery Illustrated.
  • The Extruded (Baking) Dish
    One of my favorite things about the design of this extruder die is the beautifully thick top edge as well as the inside edge at the bottom (see 1). This beveled-edge design makes it unnecessary to add
  • In the Studio: One Per Day
    As an artist, there is always that hunt for the next project, challenge, discovery, or grand idea. In 2016, I found myself searching. Having completed a solo exhibit and a large piece for an exhibitio
  • In the Studio: Garden Ollas
    As pottery and cooking go hand-in-hand, so too do cooking and gardening. Potters know the pleasure of cooking and serving from hand-made dishes designed especially for homemade recipes; and every cook
  • In the Studio: Mastering Mica Update
    Reflective or regular micas were addressed in the March/April 2013 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated. This new update is about the use of interference and selective types of mica. No longer are pott
  • In the Potter's Kitchen: Easy and Elegant Butter Dish
    Butter is an essential ingredient in cooking and having it ready available and stiffened enough for use requires a good butter dish. This butter dish is long and wide enough for ½ cup (one stick) of E
  • Editor's Note: Tool Top 10
    Industrious and creative individuals take tool use very seriously.
  • Pottery Illustrated: Alternative Lids
    Illustrations by Robin Ouellette for Pottery Illustrated, Alternative Lids.
  • In the Potter's Kitchen: Sunrise Cup and Stand
    My work celebrates the relationships that shape my life. I combine my experience as a sculptor, potter, and cook with influences from myriad teachers who’ve nurtured my work.
  • Thrown, Altered, and Carved
    My carved pitcher form came about when I was doing research for the Companion Gallery’s call for entry to Last Call II. I was looking for a new form that would stand out and would fit my personal styl
  • Hollow Butter Dish
    I make intricately assembled and decorated tableware. My forms are often hollow or incorporate a tactile element that can only be experienced close up or while touching the piece.