Throwing Basics

1. Wedge Clay well, form into a round ball.

2. Throw the Clay onto the center of a bat on the wheel.

3. Center the Clay: Brace arms on legs, have wheel speed medium-fast. Place hands around base of clay, slowly squeeze clay to center and cone up.

4. Push clay down: With the heel of your left hand, push the left side of clay and with the side of your right hand press down on top of it.

5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until clay is centered.

6. Open up clay: Slow wheel, place thumbs together, push down into middle of clay. Leave 1/2" clay at bottom - measure with needle tool.

7. Create floor: Start in center, pull fingers of right hand outward. For cylinder, keep floor flat. For bowl, let fingers curve up wall to establish curve.

8. Pull walls: Slow wheel. Left hand inside, right hand outside (3 o'clock). Right hand pushes at base to move clay up & rises just above left. Gently squeeze and let hands travel up with clay. Keep clay in cone shape.

9. Shape: To shape in: outside fingers above inside, press slowly out and up. Use a rib to refine and smooth curves, also to remove water from surface.

10. Finish: Trim rim to level. Trim excess clay at base. For bowls leave clay at base to support walls. Pull string under base.

Remember:

• Keep your elbows down!
• Keep the clay lubricated with water, use less water when shaping.
• Keep your hands touching, using them together as one for better control.
• Use your entire body to work the clay, focus on the center.
• Always move your hands into/out of contact slowly while the wheel is turning. Jerky motions will result in an uneven pot.
• Only touch the pot when the wheel is turning.
• The higher and wider you go, the slower you must go.
• Centering the clay is the hardest and most important part of throwing. If it's not centered your pot will be wobbly and uneven.