Other Supplies
In addition to clay, pottery wheels, and kilns, you’ll also need some basic supplies such as:
Cutter Wire – This is a thin wire for cutting the clay.
Scrappers – A scrapper is similar to a wire cutter, but it’s for cleaning the excess clay off your creations.
Needles – A needle adds details to your pottery pieces.
Ribbon Tools – Ribbon tools make impressions in the clay.
Fettling Knives – A fettling knife is a special scraper that allows you to smooth out clay.
Sponges – Sponges clean surfaces and shape the clay.
Calipers – Calipers measure the size of your creations.
Palette Knife – This is a thin knife used to mix glazes.
Chamois Cloth – Chamois cloth smooths the clay.
Towels And Aprons – You’ll also need some towels and aprons to protect your clothes from the clay and glazes.
Glazes And Underglazes
Glazes and underglazes are the two types of finishes you can apply to your pottery. Glazes are usually a transparent or translucent finish that gives your pottery a glossy appearance. Underglazes are opaque pigments that can be used to create different patterns and designs on your pieces.
You can purchase both glazes and underglazes at most art supply stores. Make sure to read the product labels carefully to see what each one is made of and whether it’s food safe.
Displaying Your Pottery
Now that you’ve created some beautiful pottery, you’ll need to find a way to display it. You can choose to hang your pieces on the wall or set them on a shelf. If you’re going to hang your pottery, make sure you use proper hangers designed for ceramic pieces.
If you’re using a shelf to display your pottery, be sure to leave enough space between each piece, so they don’t touch. This will help keep the pieces from getting damaged over time.
Conclusion
Getting started in a pottery hobby can be a bit daunting, but with the right tools and supplies, it’s doable. Take your time and experiment with different types of clays, glazes, and underglazes to see what you like best. Creating pottery is a fun and satisfying hobby. It allows you to express your creativity while also building useful products. Just make sure you have enough space to work, the proper tools, and plenty of clay! And most importantly, have fun!