The Pottery Process Simplified

I have worked with hundreds of students, and many of you come for the experience. Pottery process can be as light or as deep as you want it to be. From my side, I see people and couples walk into the studio to spend time together, take turns at the wheel, cheer each other on, smile, laugh, and get messy with clay. It is always a little frustrating, always harder than it looks, and always fun. And honestly, I do believe we all have a pottery gene in us. I will write about that another time.

I also get many emails asking if someone can come in, make a cup, and pick it up a few days later. Pottery sadly does not move that fast. So here is the simplest version of the wheel based process!

1. Wheel throwing

When you come for a private class or couples workshop, you spend your time on the wheel. This is called throwing. You shape a few pieces, choose your glaze at the end, and go home happy, proud, and usually still a bit covered in clay. But the pieces you make that day are only the beginning. They are soft rough drafts.

2. Drying to leather hard

After you leave, your pieces start to dry. They need to reach a stage called leather hard, where they feel firm but still workable.

3. Trimming

At this point I put each piece back on the wheel and trim it. Trimming is a bit like wood turning. I clean the lines, refine the bottom, and if it is a mug, I add the handle here. Then everything dries slowly until the clay is bone dry and no longer cold to the touch.

4. Bisque firing

The fully dried pieces go into the kiln for their first firing. The bisque firing removes all remaining moisture and strengthens the clay. It takes many hours to heat and many hours to cool.

5. Glazing

After bisque firing, I glaze each piece. Glaze is basically liquid glass. It can be very simple or very playful, depending on what you chose in class.

6. Glaze firing

Then the pieces go back into the kiln for their final firing. Again hours of firing, hours of cooling. This is where the colour, shine, and surface develop.

7. Finished piece

Finally everything is ready. Your piece becomes strong, functional, and fully finished.

Pottery has its own rhythm. At any stage there can be surprises. Clay can crack if it dries too quickly. Glazes can behave in strange ways. Things can shift in the kiln. Pottery requires patience, attention, and a gentle touch. When done slowly and properly, the whole process usually takes ten days to two weeks.

So next time you hold your finished piece, you will know exactly how much time, care, and behind-the-scenes work went into it. And maybe this little explanation makes your pottery journey feel even more meaningful and fun.

Cheers and goodbye.