Learning to throw pots?

darrellw

My 10 year old daugther is really interested in learning to throw pots on a wheel. She took a Parks & Rec ceramics class, but they did only one project on the wheel. I found a good ceramics store that has a much more in-depth class (eight 2-hour sessions), but they won't take anyone under 16 .

Given that I was going to take the class as well, we were looking at $400 for the two of us. That would pay for most of the cost of a wheel (though we would still need supplies, kiln fees, etc). Is throwing something that we would have any chance of figuring out on our own (or with a book or video), or is it one of those things that you just need a hands on instructor?

BTW, this is Bonsai-releated, as she has a couple of trees and wants to make pots for them .

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notgnimer

Hi Darrell

They say jokingly, in throwing the first 25 years are the worst! it get easier after that.

The only way to learn to throw, is to throw, and throw repeatedly, practice is the key. Two eight hour session will give you a very basic knowledge of what to do, and you will probably make a pot, but you seriously need to put the time in to hone your skills. I am not trying to put a downer on you, and I wish you the best. To be honest I would buy a cheep wheel and a load of clay, or if you are lucky dig some local clay, set yourself up in the garage and just make pots. Don’t bother buying a kiln to start with you can fire pots in a sawdust kiln, which you can build quite cheaply, you can get books from the library that show you how to build them. These kilns don’t fire to a high temperature but you will get a finished pot and they are great fun to build and fire with the kids. Then if you find you have a talent for the craft then invest in more equipment. The main thing is to enjoy the making of pots. I hope you get there, because there is nothing more satisfying as making a piece of functional ware from what is basically refined mud. And there is no more satisfying way of making a pot than throwing.

Good luck with it, and good potting, Tony Remington

Joanie

If you don't mind joining yahoo groups, here is a good one:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/potterbarter/

It is a buy/sell/trade list just for potters. Always wheels being listed on it, all over the country. I'm on it, and it gives you just one email a day if you choose the option of "daily digest".

You can have your pots fired at a school, too. Burning a sawdust kiln may not be an option in your area... and the school can make sure that the conditions are right so that your pots survive!

Good luck!
Joanie

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darrellw

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the info.

So about the time I have some decent trees, I should be able to make some decent pots!

-Darrell

notgnimer

Hi Darrell

I am sure you will achieve it a lot sooner.

Tony

darrellw

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would post a quick update. I found a lady who teaches pottery out of her home, who was willing to take me and my daughter. The best part is that she is only 10 minutes away. We took our first lesson yesterday, and had a blast. Already trying to figure out where a kiln will fit in the garage

-Darrell

Ian_Homer

Darrell,

That sounds great !

You must post up some pictures of your early work when it has been fired.
My college teacher insisted on me making a "mug" as one of my first attempts on the wheel. Never got finished and disappeared off the drying shelves one week never to be seen again..... someone must have liked it !

Enjoy !!!!

Best wishes,
Ian.

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Rock Chester

That a great way to have fun with your daughter and learn a fun skill. Watch for used kiln in the local paper. I got a great one at a way reduced price. A "fire" sale so to speak! oooooooooooooooo that was bad