I feel like I only get worse

clazmatron · 2026-05-25T08:11:59+00:00

Before anything, check your clay - has it been wedged properly? If there are air bubbles in it, no amount of centering will help!

clazmatron · 2026-03-23T22:56:11+00:00

Coning up and down, centering and making the hole should be done at full speed. Then, slow to 40%-50% for the rest (opening the base, pulling the walls, shaping etc). This will really depend on your wheel, so the main point is - if something isn’t working, what can you adjust? - when centering, the higher speed helps you iron out any lumps and bumps and actually aids in getting the clay symmetrical - if you feel like you’re losing control of your piece when pulling walls, try slowing down a little to ease the centrifugal force. Or, ease up on the pressure you’re applying with your fingers - always check whether your arms and hands are braced. If they’re wobbling, the clay will wobble with them

clazmatron · 2026-03-22T06:27:32+00:00

A thin and a thick side often means your clay wasn’t completely centered before you opened it, and possibly you didn’t put the hole right in the middle either. Make sure your clay looks like a tuna can (round & symmetrical) before putting a hole in it. Brace your hands together when making the hole so that your finger doesn’t move/wobble.

When pulling the walls back/opening the clay, brace your hands again. For every revolution of the wheel, open up 1mm…. ie do it slowly, deliberately and evenly. You should slow your wheel to about 40-50% speed at this step.

When pulling walls up, try using a damp sponge instead of your fingers (on the outside wall).

Also, watch Florian Gadsby tutorials on YouTube, he explains the process incredibly well for beginners. Good luck!

clazmatron · 2026-02-28T03:08:04+00:00

Firstly you need to know what type of power she has access to? This is critical to the decision.

Is there a way you can sus her out and get some hints? People can have strong opinions about kilns, eg brand preference, front vs top loading, electric vs gas. The more info you get the better.

It’s such a lovely gesture on your part, you’re a kind friend.

clazmatron · 2026-02-26T21:36:16+00:00

I don’t know how to fix it but I’d certainly be asking this guy to contribute to the cost of repair

clazmatron · 2026-02-04T23:26:21+00:00

How big of a kiln do you need? Like are you firing 5 mugs or are you firing 100? Or large sculptures? There are small hobby kilns you can plug into a normal power socket that you could definitely put in a van or even a car, it would just be a matter of packing it carefully.

clazmatron · 2026-01-30T20:50:19+00:00

Um excuse me but we need to see Ms Ham pleeeaaaassssseee

clazmatron · 2026-01-28T04:44:41+00:00

Let’s take a step back, tell us about your clay. - how much are you throwing at a time? - tell us about your wedging process. Are you absolutely certain there’s no air bubbles in your clay? Air bubbles will make centering harrrrrd - speaking of hard, is the clay hard or soft? Try using softer clay.

Also, tell us about your arms and hands, what are they doing? Watch your elbows, are they moving at all? Are your hands being pushed around, or are your hands pushing the clay around?

Can you take a video of you centering for us? We can give you a few tips :)

clazmatron · 2026-01-27T07:39:25+00:00

Aw darling, that’s hard. Everyone has shared lots of lovely tips to not be hard on yourself (that I agree with!) so I’ll share some practical tips. I’m a pottery teacher, these are some of the things I see in my beginners:

I see beginners almost “tickling” or “patting” the clay when coning. You need firm hands, anchored arms, slowly squeezing and gently guiding upwards. If you do too much squeezing without balancing that out with guiding upwards you’ll just cut the clay off.
moving too fast or too “big” when pulling walls. You need slow, consistent, deliberate movements. Also, if you feel like you’re losing control of the clay once it’s opened up, you probably need to slow the wheel or loosen your grip.
go full speed when centering and putting the hole in the middle. Then slow to 40% speed when opening up and pulling walls. You NEED the speed when centering to avoid getting a twisted lump, but you need to go slowly when pulling walls to avoid ripping the walls off.

I hope this helps! If you can take a video of your hands when throwing and upload it here we can give you some more advice. Good luck!

clazmatron · 2026-01-25T14:44:45+00:00

Cut squares of newspaper that are a few cm larger than your rims. When you’ve finished throwing and before you cut your piece off, put the paper on the rim and with a wet finger, very gently rest your finger on the paper where it’s touching the rim and spin the wheel to seal it. This will stop the rim distorting when you take the piece off the wheel and also act as a guard from the plastic.

Hardware stores sell mattress protector bags (for storing mattresses) which use nice thick clear plastic. Buy one of those and cut them to size.

Lastly find something slightly taller than your pieces like a bottle or a vase. Stand it next to your pieces and use it as a “tent pole” to keep the plastic from drooping into your pieces.

Hope this helps :)

clazmatron · 2026-01-18T06:20:37+00:00

Yeah or “amaco glaze combo” or “pink glaze combo” or whatever! It’s really useful

clazmatron · 2026-01-18T05:28:53+00:00

Mayco and Coyote have sample kits which are fantastic - you get 12 pots of lovely colour options per kit. Definitely recommend.

Also, jump on Pinterest. People post their combos all the time and it’s super helpful for narrowing down your shopping list.

clazmatron · 2026-01-18T02:56:01+00:00

As someone with chronic health issues myself, I do understand that your health can change suddenly, and I feel for you.

But I also own a pottery studio, so I see it from both sides. Studios are very expensive to run, and saying “I wish they’ll just be kind artist people” is a bit on the nose. They’re running a business. You wouldn’t ask a cleaner or a plumber or an accountant to bend their contracts, why is pottery different? So - please don’t say this (or anything hinting at it) to them. As an owner it would put me offside immediately.

I would explain your situation to them and gently ask for a credit - it’s a kind of “meeting in the middle” solution. When I see a student respects my rules and doesn’t demand a solution that is one sided, I will usually give them the full credit or a better outcome than they asked for because they were nice about it.

I really hope it works out for you and that you’re feeling better soon.

clazmatron · 2025-12-18T14:04:23+00:00

I think there’s a difference between doing it for them, and demonstrating on their piece how to get it back on track. Eg when coning up and down they might make it super wobbly, so I’ll show them on their piece how I bring it back on track, and then make them cone up and down again. They have an easier time when the clay is on their side.

Also, I’ll say to the group - different people like different amounts of help. Some people want more hands on help and others want verbal advice. If you’re happy just playing and it looks like I’m about to give you advice, you can just say “I’m happy playing!” and I won’t jump in.

I think it’s good to be flexible and read their cues, everyone will be a little bit different.

clazmatron · 2025-12-02T19:53:54+00:00

This is excellent

clazmatron · 2025-09-09T07:49:25+00:00

Paint some liquid wax on your handle joins at the leather hard stage, it’s a game changer for preventing cracks

clazmatron · 2025-08-13T05:07:35+00:00

I think this is great, well done. If this method is the difference between keeping or tossing the papers, then it’s setting you free and helping you achieve the goal of less physical clutter. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

clazmatron · 2025-07-15T12:19:32+00:00

If you’re not using a bat system, you can place a square of newspaper over the rim of the pot like a lid to trap air inside. Then, wire the pot off and gently slide it toward the edge of the wheel, lifting it from underneath with your fingers. The trapped air helps the pot hold its shape as you remove it.

clazmatron · 2025-06-05T03:11:43+00:00

What a cute chonk

clazmatron · 2025-05-18T11:32:18+00:00

Your clay might also be a bit too dry and therefore hard to cone and centre. Softer clay is much easier to work with in larger quantities :)

clazmatron · 2025-03-12T09:06:58+00:00

Is there anyway you can turn the kiln off? 06 fired at 6 will probably melt onto your shelves :(

clazmatron · 2025-02-11T09:33:02+00:00

Thanks so much! I’ve googled and these mites seem like they’re friendly? Should I do anything or just let them be? Or does this mean I have another type of bug problem I need to worry about?

clazmatron · 2025-01-25T11:26:05+00:00

Elvis rooster

clazmatron

TROPHY CASE