Start pottery
Shape wet clay on a spinning wheel into bowls, mugs and plates, then fire it hard in a kiln. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need for your first bowl.
Space neededA spare room or a studio class
First projectA small bowl in about a week
Skill levelEasy to start, fun to master
Good forQuiet hands-on time, any age
The video that hooks everyone
Throwing and trimming a clay bowl
A lump of clay is thrown into a bowl on the wheel, then trimmed, with cross-sections that show what the walls look like inside. The ASMR version lets you hear every sound of the work. Press play and see why it hooks people.
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Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't.
Starter kit
01Potter's wheelSpins the clay. Tabletop wheels fit small rooms.
02Stoneware clayOne 25 lb bag makes plenty of practice bowls.
03Beginner tool kitSponge, wire, needle tool, rib and loop tools.
04BatsRemovable wheel plates. Lift a fresh bowl off without squashing it.
05Bucket + spongesWater for throwing, and for wiping up wet.
06Plastic bagsSlow the drying so bowls are ready to trim.
07Apron + old clothesClay gets everywhere. That's part of the fun.
08One food-safe glazeMade for your clay's firing temperature.
09Studio firingMost community studios will fire your work for you.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Skipping the wedgingAir pockets left in the clay can crack a pot, or make it burst in the kiln. Wedge every lump first.
- 2Too much waterA puddle in the bottom softens the clay and the bowl slumps. Sponge the water out as you go.
- 3Trimming at the wrong timeTrim when the bowl is leather-hard: firm like cheese. Too soft and it tears, too dry and it chips.
