How Pottery Is Made

Pottery is a collective name for ceramics, stoneware, porcelain and earthenware, as all four types are made in potteries. It is made from clay, formed while it is still wet and soft, and then exposed to high temperatures. After the exposure to high temperatures the material becomes hard and can be used in our day-to-day lives. Different minerals can be mixed with the clay during the process of making pottery, to create various effects.

The clay material is not the same in all parts of the world, which is why pottery from different regions in the world has varying characteristics. The porcelain made in China centuries ago is one of the most expensive types of pottery sold at auction to private collections.

Today, many people are interested in learning how to make pottery as a hobby. There are special art classes that teach pottery making techniques and decoration methods. The process of making pottery is not too difficult, but it does require some knowledge and equipment.

The most important piece of equipment for many people who make pottery as a hobby is the potter's wheel. A mass of clay is placed in the center, and then the wheel is powered (either manually or electrically) to move at a consistent speed. The mass of clay is then formed into a vessel, perhaps a vase, pot or another piece of pottery.

Before the potter's wheel was invented, the clay shapes were built from the base up. Some potters still use this old technique to create unique pieces of pottery, as with this method it is very difficult to make two pieces that are exactly the same. Not all art has to be symmetrical, however, and it requires a lot of talent and a good eye to make an item this way. Some of the most interesting exhibitions in art galleries are exactly like this – non symmetrical, modern art masterpieces.

Today, machines substitute for the human hand in the mass production of pottery. This speeds up the clay shaping process by a significant margin, and for better or worse – makes them uniform and removes any unique traits.

Once the clay is shaped into the desired form, it can be further decorated, glazed, polished and colored. There are many materials that can be used to decorate the clay and add textures – sand, different minerals, varied colors of clay etc. There are very few limitations as to what can be made with the clay form at this stage – the designs can be countless.

Once the object is ready and prepared for the final stage, it is exposed to heating at different temperatures, at or above 1000 degrees centigrade. This makes the clay extremely hard, and once this stage is finished, the product can be called pottery. Sometimes the item has to be fired more than once; this is a requirement if there are different materials used that have to fuse together to create the desired effect.

Finally, the pottery product is made and can leave the place where it was produced and go to stores, art galleries or directly to our homes.

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