Pottery guides and how-to articles from Houston Pottery Studio. Learn centering, throwing, glazing, trimming, and more.
The most critical skill in wheel throwing. Centering clay on the potter's wheel requires p...
Bowls are one of the first forms you'll learn to throw. From centering to opening to pulli...
Trimming refines your thrown pieces by removing excess clay and creating a foot ring. Lear...
A well-pulled handle makes or breaks a mug. Learn the technique of pulling, shaping, and a...
Your first guide to ceramic glazing. Understand what glazes are, how to apply them, and wh...
Proper kiln loading is essential for even firing and preventing disasters. Learn about con...
Wedging prepares clay for use by removing air bubbles and creating a uniform consistency. ...
From throwing the cylinder to pulling the handle to choosing a glaze. A complete guide to ...
Plates are deceptively challenging to throw. Learn about bat work, even thickness, foot ri...
Coil building is one of the oldest pottery techniques. Roll, stack, and smooth coils of cl...
A slab roller creates even sheets of clay for construction. Learn thickness settings, canv...
Underglazes let you paint directly on clay before applying a clear glaze coat. Learn brush...
The cylinder is the foundation form for mugs, vases, and tumblers. Master even wall thickn...
The teapot is considered the most challenging pottery form. Body, spout, handle, lid, and ...
Pull, score, slip, and attach. The process of adding handles to mugs, pitchers, and casser...
Don't throw away your scraps. Learn to dry, slake, and wedge reclaimed clay back to workab...
Vases are elegant forms that challenge your throwing skills. Learn collar techniques, shap...
Create ceramic planters with proper drainage holes. This guide covers wheel-thrown and sla...
Understanding glaze chemistry helps you predict and control your results. Learn about flux...
Improper drying causes cracks, warping, and explosions in the kiln. Learn slow-drying tech...
Wax resist creates clean lines and patterns on pottery by preventing glaze adhesion. Learn...
Creating a matching set of mugs, bowls, or plates requires consistency. Learn measuring te...
Understanding kiln temperatures and cone ratings is essential for pottery. This guide cove...
Stoneware, porcelain, earthenware, or raku body? Each clay type has different properties. ...
A guide to the tools every potter needs. Wire cutters, ribs, needle tools, trimming tools,...
Cracks happen. Learn to identify crack types and repair techniques for greenware, bisquewa...
Lids require precise measurement and planning. Learn gallery lids, drop-in lids, and cap l...
Beyond glazing, there are many ways to decorate pottery. Carving, stamping, slip trailing,...
Bisque firing transforms raw clay into a porous but durable state ready for glazing. Learn...
Dipping, pouring, brushing, and spraying are the four main glaze application methods. Lear...