Category: Pottery Tips
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Terracotta, Stoneware, and Porcelain: Choosing the Right Clay
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Each clay body—terracotta, stoneware, and porcelain—has its own personality, working style, and final look.
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Beginner’s Guide to Underglazing: Everything You Need to Know
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Learn the difference between underglazing on leatherhard clay vs. bisqueware in this beginner-friendly pottery guide from Potterings, a West Seattle ceramics studio.
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The Art of Patience: Why Slow Drying is Your Pottery’s Best Friend
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There’s one golden rule that can make or break your pottery: slow drying. It might be tempting to rush your freshly sculpted masterpiece from the handbuilding table straight into a warm, airy spot. After all, you’re excited to see it fired, right? However, for beginning potters especially, understanding the critical…
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10 Successful Glazing Tips Using Mid-Fire Glazes (Cone 5/6)
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Glazing is where your pottery transforms—adding color, depth, and personality. But for beginners, glazing can feel overwhelming. At Potterings, we help new handbuilders find their confidence, especially when it comes to mid-fire cone 5/6 glazes. We use several glazes from Mayco, Amaco, Seattle Pottery Supply, and Tacoma Clay Art Center.…
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How to Keep Your Pottery from Sticking to Kiln Shelves: A Beginning Potter’s Guide
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If you’ve ever opened the kiln to find your beautiful bowl permanently fused to the shelf, or you’ve received a piece of pottery back from your community studio with kiln wash stuck to the bottom (or worse!), welcome to the club. One of the most common beginner (and experienced potter)…
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Master the Rib: Your Best Pottery Tool for Potters
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Today, I want to shine a spotlight on one of the most unassuming yet incredibly powerful tools in your kit: the pottery rib. For many beginning potters, the rib might seem like just a flat piece of wood or rubber. But trust me, once you understand its potential, it will…
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Why Does Pottery Explode in the Kiln? A Pottery Instructor Explains!
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The Frustrating Reality of Pottery Making As a pottery instructor, one of the most disheartening experiences for both myself and my students is opening the kiln after a firing, only to find a shattered, exploded piece of pottery. It’s a moment that can feel like all your hard work has literally…
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How to Make a Bell Flower Windchime: A Beginner’s Guide to Pottery
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If you’re new to pottery and looking for a fun and creative project, making a bell flower windchime is a great way to start. This simple yet elegant piece will not only enhance your pottery skills but also add a charming touch to your home or garden. Follow this step-by-step…
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How to Make a Pottery Mug Handle: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginner Potters
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Introduction: One of the most essential and satisfying aspects of pottery is creating a functional, beautiful mug with a handle that fits just right. Whether you’re a seasoned potter or just starting out, learning how to attach a handle to your pottery mug is a crucial skill. In this step-by-step…
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Prevent Clay Warping in Pottery: 10 Simple Strategies Every Beginner Should Know
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10 Tips to Prevent Clay from Warping: A Beginner’s Guide to Pottery Welcome to the world of pottery! If you’ve just started, you may have noticed that one of the most common problems beginners face is clay warping. Warping happens when your clay piece distorts or loses its intended shape…