Pottery Wheel

Pottery on the wheel, often called throwing, is the craft of shaping a pot from soft, wet clay on a spinning disc known as a potter's wheel. As the wheel turns, you use your hands and a little water to centre the clay, open it up and lift the walls into a bowl, cup or vase. No, you don't actually throw the clay across the room.

People have been making pots on wheels for thousands of years, and it's still one of the most satisfying ways to turn a lump of clay into something you can hold.

First the clay is wedged, which means kneading it like bread dough to push out air bubbles. Then it's pressed firmly onto the middle of the wheel head.

Centring comes next, and it's the trickiest bit. With wet hands and steady pressure, you ease the spinning clay into a smooth, even mound that doesn't wobble. Then you open it by pressing your thumbs down into the middle to make a well. Finally, you pull up the walls, gently squeezing the clay between your fingers as you lift, and shape it into your pot. A sponge, a wooden rib and a wire to cut the finished pot off the wheel are the classic tools.

Traditional potters use clays such as earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, which are fired in a very hot oven called a kiln to make them hard and waterproof. Air-dry clay is a handy alternative. It hardens on its own as it dries, with no kiln needed, and can be painted and decorated at home once it's fully dry. It's great for decorative pots and keepsakes, although it isn't made for holding food or water.

Yes, and grown-ups love it just as much. It's hands-on, a bit squishy and wonderfully messy, which children tend to adore. The wheel does the spinning, so it's all about gentle hands and patience rather than strength. Wobbly pots are part of the fun, and your Activity Leader will help each of you get the clay centred and growing. Watching a pot rise under your fingers is a proud moment at any age.

Wear clothes you don't mind getting a bit of clay on, as splashes are part of the process. Roll up long sleeves, tie back long hair and take off rings, bracelets and dangly jewellery, so nothing can catch on the spinning wheel.

You might also like Primitive Pottery, Wabi-Sabi Pottery and Terrazzo.

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