Pottery Basics

Whether you are new to pottery or need a refresher on the basics, we've got tips on everything from firing temperatures to types of glazes.
What is slip casting and how to do it?
How to Slip Cast Ceramics
A potter's studio work table with hand crafted bowl and utensils.
How to Find or Create a Small Pottery Studio
GIF of plants growing out of pots
The History and Uses of Terracotta
illustration of types of pottery clay
The Basics of Pottery Clay
Bowl women potters are making in studio
Guide to Creating Pottery With Clay
Pottery Tools
A Quick Guide to Basic Pottery Tools
Plates, dishes, bowls and vase arrangement
The Difference Between Pottery and Ceramics
Close up of female potters hands making bowl
Buying a Potter's Wheel
Brushworks on ceramics
10 Beautiful Brushwork Ideas for Ceramics
How to do Salt Firing and Salt Glazing
How to Do Salt Glazing
women glazing pottery in studio
Temperature Ranges for Firing Glazes
Agateware and how is it created
What Is Agateware and How Is It Created?
pottery on a shelf
Ceramic and Glaze Colorants
Handmade pottery on shelves
How to Master Ceramics Glazes for Beginners
production process of pottery. Application of glaze brush on ceramic ware.
Common Causes of Glaze Defects on Clay
Smiling mature woman placing pottery vase in kiln in studio
Governing Oxidation and Reduction Atmospheres When Firing Pottery
group of bright ceramic dishes
Fluxes for Ceramics and Glaze
Handmade with love
What Are Underglazes Used in Pottery?
Female potter sharpening bowl in studio
4 Ceramic Glaze Ingredients
Hands in the earth
The Types of Low-Fire Clay Bodies
close-up of clay and pottery tools for modeling
The Three Main Pieces of Equipment for Potters
Male's hand holding wet, grey modelling clay.
Slumping and Draping Slabs
Native american pottery
A Guide to Native American Pottery
Pottery making kiln
Electric Kiln Basics
Young woman serving Chinese tea
What Is Celadon Pottery?
Press molds and their uses
Press Molds and Their Uses in Pottery
man glazing pottery in studio
Single Fire Glazing in Pottery
How to use a Press Mold: Tips and Tricks
How to Use a Press Mold to Make Pottery
The beauty of Delft pottery in Europe
The Beauty of Delft Pottery in Europe
Illustration of raku firing
What Is Raku Firing and How Is It Done?
Green glass beads
How to Incorporate Glass in Your Ceramics Work
What is leather hard clay and why is it so important?
What is Leather-hard Pottery?
What is grog in pottery?
What Is Grog in Pottery?
A pair of hands detailing paper clay wings
How to Use Paper Clay
Illustration of Sgraffito art on a building
What Is Sgraffito?
Detail of the traditional Talavera mosaic used to decorate a public fountain in a street of Puebla, Mexico
How to Make Your Own Ceramic Tiles
A decorated and fired piece of pottery using engobes
How to Use Engobe in Pottery Clay
A woman using a potter's wheel in pottery
Can You Have Mold Reactions to Clay?
pottery scoring tools
Scoring in Clay Pottery
Older black man forming pottery on wheel in studio
Basic Pottery Hand Building Techniques
Ceramic Greenware
Low-Fire Pottery Firing Process
Pottery making kiln
How Temperature Changes Clay
Pottery drying on shelves, showing placement for good air circulation.
How to Dry Pottery and Clay Objects
Pottery class observing glazing demonstration
5 Easy Ways to Glaze Your Pottery
Raku pottery being fired outdoors at night
Raku Pottery
Smiling mature woman placing pottery vase in kiln in studio
Firing Schedules and Ramps in Pottery
painting a mug
Techniques for Using Wax Resist and Emulsions in Pottery
Pottery slip decoration
Slip Decoration Techniques in Pottery
Woman decorating pottery
How to Underglaze Pottery
Lots of handmade tableware - ceramic cups, plates at pottery shop
Slip Definition for Pottery and Ceramics
Ceramic stains
How to Use Ceramic Stains
Man dip glazing his fired work
How to Mix Glazes for Pottery
Mature woman painting pottery in studio
Understanding Crystalline Glazes in Pottery
Woman making a clay pot
How to Use Local Clays in Your Pottery
White ceramic plates wrapped in bubble wrap stacked in a moving box
Packing Pottery and Ceramics for Safe Shipping
Woman decorating pottery
Decorating Basics for Potters
Female potter making clay coil at table
How to Build Clay Coil Pots
This pottery jar is decorated using the horse hair technique.
Horse Hair Pottery
Potter in workshop opening kiln
Different Types of Kiln Construction
Potter at work
Important Features of an Electric Potter's Wheel
A Woman Potter Scuipting on a Wheel - Making a Cup
Major Pottery Wheel Brands
Majolica table top
Majolica
Thrown pottery lid
What Is Wheel Thrown Pottery?
Pottery drying on shelf
Bone Dry