Pottery is an age-old craft that allows you to create functional and decorative items from simple clay. Whether you're aiming for sturdy, unglazed pieces or experimenting with your own kiln, the process is both rewarding and accessible. This guide will walk you through the basics of crafting a jar, candlestick, and bowl, providing step-by-step instructions to get you started.

Getting Started with Clay

Before diving into specific projects, it's essential to understand the basics of working with clay. The primary technique involves building your piece by layering coils or strips of clay onto a base, gradually shaping it to the desired form. Remember to keep your hands moistened with water to smooth out rough spots and ensure proper adhesion between layers.

Creating a Pottery Jar

Building the Walls

Start with the Base: Create a flat, round base for your jar.
Add the First Layer: Roll out a strip of clay and attach it to the edge of the base.
Layering: Continue adding strips of clay, one on top of the other, overlapping the joints for strength. (Source: Document: 1740366455897-w9wujm-homestead.txt)
Support: Keep one hand inside the jar as you build to provide support and prevent collapse.
Smoothing: Fill in any uneven areas with small pieces of clay and smooth out rough spots using your fingers and water.
Finishing Touches: Once the walls are as high as you desire, you can add decorations or ornaments to your jar.

Crafting a Pottery Candlestick

Round Base Candlestick

Prepare the Base: Create a round base approximately 1/2 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter.
Building the Candlestick: Place a lump of clay in the center of the base and work it in. Add more lumps on top, gradually building the candlestick to the desired height.
Creating the Socket: Gently force a candle into the moist clay, twisting it to create a socket deep enough to hold the candle securely.
Using a Templet: Employ a cardboard templet to ensure the walls of the candlestick are symmetrical and the cap is even on all sides.

Candlestick with a Handle

Create the Base and Walls: Follow the jar-building technique to create a base and walls for the candlestick, leaving a center hole for the candle.
Top Band: Cut a strip of clay 1/4 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick, and lay it around the top of the wall, projecting 3/8 inch over the wall. Smooth this piece on top, inside, and outside.
Adding the Handle: Prepare a strip of clay 1 inch wide and 3/8 inch thick. Join one end to the top band and the other end to the base. Use a small lump of clay to fill around the joining points and smooth off the piece on all sides.
Ensuring Straightness: Insert a round stick (the same size as the candle) into the hole and leave it there until the clay is dry to keep the candlestick straight.

Making a Pottery Bowl

The Layering Technique

Start with a Base: Begin with a flat, round base.
Build the Walls: Lay strips of clay around the base, building upon each strip as you did when making a jar.
Shape and Smooth: Shape the bowl to your desired height and width, smoothing out any imperfections as you go.
Drying: Allow the bowl to dry thoroughly before moving on to the finishing stages.

Glazing and Firing

Natural Drying and Waterproofing

If you choose not to fire your pottery, the clay will still dry hard enough to maintain its shape. However, if you intend to use your pottery to hold liquids, you'll need to waterproof it. Applying bathtub enamel to the inside (and outside, if desired) will seal any cracks and prevent leaks.

Sawdust Kiln Firing

For those interested in glazing and firing, a small, homemade sawdust kiln can be a great option for smaller projects.

Materials: Gather sawdust, 20-30 red or orange bricks, chicken wire, sheet metal, newspaper, and kindling.
Construction: Choose an outdoor spot protected from strong winds. Stack the bricks in a square shape, building each wall up at least four bricks high.
Filling: Fill the kiln with sawdust.
Pottery Placement: Place the chicken wire on top of the bricks and add another layer or two of bricks. Carefully place your pottery in the center of the mesh, spacing the pieces at least 1/4 inch apart.

Pottery may be ornamented by scratching a design on it wth the end of a modeling stick. You can do a simple, straight-line design by using a ruler to guide the stick. (Source: Document: 1740366455897-w9wujm-homestead.txt)

Conclusion

Creating pottery is a fulfilling endeavor that connects you to a timeless craft. Whether you're constructing a simple jar, a decorative candlestick, or a functional bowl, the process allows for creativity and self-expression. By following these basic techniques, you can embark on your pottery journey and produce unique, handmade pieces that are both beautiful and practical.

Crafting Pottery: A Beginner's Guide to Jar, Candlestick, and Bowl Creation