Pottery Making Illustrated Articles (Simple)

Based on 2021 data, 60% of electricity in the US is sourced from fossil fuels (mainly coal and natural gas). Another 20% is from nuclear power, so only 20% of electricity actually comes from renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

Making a muffin pan out of clay can be complicated, but it’s also fun, good practice, and an attention-getter.

The tagine, an iconic vessel synonymous with Moroccan cooking, has a distinctively conical lid.

Perhaps because of the conical center opening it just doesn’t occur to a lot of potters to try this form, but it’s actually surprisingly fun and simple to make.

Regardless of the phase in your pottery journey, space is crucial when making a home studio. Let’s look at what factors you need to consider when setting up a studio space in a home that you rent or a space that you are considering renting.

Our mission at PMI is to introduce readers to new concepts in forming and firing; to expose up-and-coming artists to fellow ceramic enthusiasts; and to engage makers in a more thoughtful and creative studio practice.

Illustrations of test tiles.

There is no perfect formula for composing a great piece, but I have developed some reliable techniques to help with this important piece of the equation. With practice, you will begin to develop your own methods for composing the sur­faces of your work.

My cocktail cup was designed to feel ceremonial. The cocktail-cup design is true to the themes of repetition found throughout my work, but it allows me to explore a more indulgent form.

I find joy in making a clay form and then patterning the surface with glass beads. The process is meditative as well.

This life experience has influenced my current ceramics practice. I integrate the vibrancy of majolica ceramics in my work, making use of its wonderful qualities of translucent color integrated into the surface of the glaze.

The wheel has since become an indelible tool in my practice, even after meticulous handbuilding techniques crept into my process. It begins with centering, not only the clay but also my mind, and for that I turn to nature.

Leaving pots behind for a time created room for intellectual and emotional development. When I returned to the vessel, my visual vocabulary had grown; I was a different person.

I soak several small bathroom or kitchen towels in water, then wring them fairly dry. One is folded in half and laid on the table.

Years ago it never occurred to me that those persistent cracks pestering my porcelain could actually be a good thing.

The majolica watercolor technique is very similar to painting a watercolor on paper.

The plate is one of my favorite forms. It’s the stalwart workhorse of the kitchen and a key player on the daily tablescape.

So, I find myself evolving and trying to loosen up my less-is-more lifestyle mantra. After all, there has always been power in numbers. However, there’s a difference between mere clutter and objects that make up a pattern.

Drawings adapted from woodturningcad.co.uk.