Clay Throwing on the Wheel Intro to Throwing

Clay Throwing on the Wheel Intro to Throwing Clay on the Wheel

STARTING • Wedge at least 3 balls of clay of equal weight (softball size) • Grab a bat, sponge, wire tool, bowl/bucket of water, needle tool, a rib, and wear a smock. • Keep the wheel at a consistent speed. • Lock your arms into your thighs

CENTERING • Squeeze with both hands (formed like a C) to cone clay up • Keep LEFT hand as a C and “karate chop” with your RIGHT hand • Let go slowly • Repeat until it doesn’t wobble. • wobbling = not centered

OPENING UP • Pull towards your body (3 o’clock) from the center of clay with your 2 RIGHT fingers • Repeat a couple of times • Release slowly each time

PULL UP WALLS • Rest your LEFT handed thumb on the bump of your RIGHT hand’s thumb • Put your first and second fingers of your hands together • Your LEFT hand fingers are inside your clay, the RIGHT are outside • Slowly, pull up together with soft, even pressure at 3 o’clock • Release slowly • Compress the lid with a sponge • Repeat several times (3 -4) • Finish rim with sponge. • Use a fettling knife to get extra clay off base. • Leave on bat to trim the next day.

• Throwing on the Wheel Directions with Pictures

• Miniature Hand Throwing • Lake Side Pottery Tips and Tutorials