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Basic Beginner Advice


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I have always wanted to learn to create pottery, but with small children at home I just don't have time to take a class. Thankfully, I've found some great Youtube videos with handbuilding lessons and I've watched dozens of them already. However, I really don't know where to buy clay or what kind to buy. Can anyone help? Am I making a mistake by trying to learn through videos?

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I really don't think you are making a mistake trying to learn basics through videos. Learning how to join two pieces of clay together is only a small part of it, but a beginning. Your biggest problem would be to have the facility to fire, even if doing alternative type pit firing.  So to start, maybe you need to tell us a little more about where you live, what you envision doing at least for a beginning, so that others may horn in with advice. Suppliers are often regional, and if you live in the north east, you really don't want to ship clay from Texas. There may be a supplier in your back yard! Also as a start, you may look at some ceramics suppliers on line that handle tools and equipment to get an idea of what you are getting in to. You may also find some used equipment at the usual resaie lists. Getting in to clay is a journey, and if you get bit, like most of us do, a life long passion that you won't be able to walk away from. So be careful, and good luck.

 

best,

Pres

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Knowing where you plan to fire your pottery would be helpful . . . and what firing options are available at that place, e.g., low fire  (generally Cones 06 to 04), medium fire (Cone 6), or high fire (Cone 10).  Firing will tell you what type of clay is appropriate.  Also, what are you looking to make? 

 

Some recreation centers offer parent/child pottery classes.  Might be worth checking out. 

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Hey, when I started 40 years ago, all I had were books.  I started without ever having seen a pot made.

 

You're way ahead of me already, with all the good youtube videos available, so go for it.  Pres is right that you need to get access to firing as a priority, but if nothing else, a bonfire in the backyard can work for unglazed low-fire earthenware.

 

Books are still very helpful, so read every one you can get your hands on.

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Thank you! For starters, I'd like to try to create a coffee mug or a bowl. I found a few youtube videos with instructions This is the coffee mug video I liked-

 

I live near Birmingham, Alabama and you are correct, I am having trouble locating a place to fire but I think I probably won't fire my first few pieces anyway.  I think my first few are going to be just to practice, but I really don't want to practice on the wrong kind of clay. I know from experience, that when you begin to learn a new craft, if you use low quality materials you can sometimes be turned off altogether. Yarn for instance- learning to knit with garbage yarn will make anyone *think* they hate knitting, when in reality if you learn with good yarn and good needles, many will find it to be quite enjoyable. I imagine clay is the same way so I want to be sure my practice pieces are made using good materials.

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Different clay bodies mature or become vitrified (water-tight) at different temperatures.  So, if you plan to fire your work to Cone 6 (around 2232 degrees F) and you want it to be used functionally, then you would want a clay body that matures at that temperature.  A clay that matures at a higher temperature will seep water if only fired to Cone 6.  Conversely, firing a low fire clay body, like earthenware or low fire clays, could result in the clay melting or bloating at Cone 6 because the temperature was too high. 

 

Clays also vary . . . some are smooth, others are coarse.  Which works best for you is a personal decision.  If you are just looking for a block of clay to practice building skills, try either a low-fire earthenware (red or white) or a mid-range stoneware.  Make a cup, recycle the clay to make another, etc. 

 

Check the yellow pages for clay supplies, clay distributors . . . they exist in Alabama (Alligator Clays, for one).  Some suppliers offer firing services, or they may be able to link you with a pottery guild or group that does or has members who take in work for firing.  Once you get firing lined up, you'll be able to choose a clay body for work and glazes for decorating, etc.  In the mean time, you will have worked on and improved your hand-building skills.  Expect failure . . . I hand-build most of my work and work failing is part of the learning process. 

 

Check out the library for a basic pottery making book that describes clay bodies, etc.  The more you know about the materials you use (strengths and limits), the better you will be able to make things.  The ceramic arts daily section has a selection of freebies and videos that might be helpful. 

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The one thing about starting with a good general pottery book is that it has a beginning, middle and end and that means it will introduce you to pottery and then generally progress through each area and explain. One you have worked through a good tutorial type book the videos will likely make more sense. Have fun!

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some of the best books were written a number of years ago.  look for those that start with an explanation of materials, check that there is a glossary in the back and maybe some charts of various kinds that you will not understand yet.  these are the best kind to start with.  

 

there are many recent books that assume you just want to learn a particular skill and so they are limited to that subject only.  they assume you will understand the terms used so you just might not be able to follow the process.  get the language down so you know what is being said in the videos.  the easiest way is to get one of the comprehensive books and study that glossary as you read the entire thing.  

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I'm not in the area, nor have I used them, but a quick web search turned up Forstall Art Center.  Per their website, they sell Highwter and Standard Clays, both of which make good products.  They also offer firing services, but you have to purchase the clay from them.  

 

http://www.forstallartcenter.com/clay-and-kilns.html 

   

Have fun!

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Hi springmama,

I live in Decatur, AL, about an hour north of Bham. One of my studio partners sells Laguna clays, all sorts if you're interested in those. (I love their clays and his prices are great!) Your other best options for clay are Atlanta or Nashville. Cahaba Clayworks, just outside of Bham (Leeds?), would be a good place to start for firing services, etc. I'm not sure what they offer exactly, but I know they do a lot of things. And the potters there are excellent. If they don't fire for folks, they certainly will know who does. Alabama Art Supply in downtown Birmingham also carries a few glazes and clays. Good luck and go for it!

 

Martha

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Thanks again everyone! Martha-I don't think I could drive up to Decatur, Leeds, Atlanta or Nashville anytime soon, but thanks for the advice! We're about 30 min south of Birmingham in Pelham.

 

I did go to Forstall Art center yesterday and I bought 25 lbs of clay. One of the books I ordered is due to arrive today and I'm excited to get started!

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Red Dot Gallery in Bham offers classes and studio time.  Also in Columbiana Shelby County Arts offers classes.  So both of these might have firing capabilities.  Forstall has Mayco and Speedball glazes, Alabama Art supply has Amaco glazes and clay.  They also have tools.  Both stores have very nice people.

 

Greetings from Wilsonville.

Happy pottering.

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Thank you! For starters, I'd like to try to create a coffee mug or a bowl. I found a few youtube videos with instructions This is the coffee mug video I liked-

 

I live near Birmingham, Alabama and you are correct, I am having trouble locating a place to fire but I think I probably won't fire my first few pieces anyway.  I think my first few are going to be just to practice, but I really don't want to practice on the wrong kind of clay. I know from experience, that when you begin to learn a new craft, if you use low quality materials you can sometimes be turned off altogether. Yarn for instance- learning to knit with garbage yarn will make anyone *think* they hate knitting, when in reality if you learn with good yarn and good needles, many will find it to be quite enjoyable. I imagine clay is the same way so I want to be sure my practice pieces are made using good materials.

I watched the video which I found very helpful too.  I was also wondering if anyone knows what kind of material or surface the table is, nothing sticks to it?  It almost looks like a black concrete?

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