Week 7 Readings

Today I want to talk about making pottery at home without any specialised equipment. It is actually quite easy to do.

Tools

You might think you need a wheel or specialised tools to make pottery. You do not. The most important pottery tools you have are your hands. You can make pottery using only your hands, although simple tools can be helpful.

Tools you likely already have at home:

• A paring knife for trimming rims
• A butter knife for scraping and smoothing
• A spoon for burnishing and smoothing
• A credit card for scraping clay thinner or smoother

These tools work well when clay is damp or leather hard.

Tools you can make yourself:

I use a gourd scraper that I shaped with a rasp. Similar tools can be made from coconuts or plastic containers. Any rounded, slightly flexible material can work as a rib.

Basic tools you can buy:

Inexpensive hand-building tool kits often include:

• A metal rib
• A wooden shaping tool
• A wire cutter
• A sponge

These are generally affordable and widely available.

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Working Base

You need a base to support your work while shaping it.

If making a flat-bottomed pot, such as a mug or vase, use a small board. A simple square of plywood works well.

If making a round-bottomed pot, you need a “pookie,” which is a bowl-shaped mould. You can:

• Make your own
• Use a plastic or glass bowl lined with cloth
• Use a wooden bowl

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Work Area

You can work at a kitchen table if you are careful. Use:

• A work board (plywood)
• An old towel underneath to protect the table

The towel prevents scratching and helps contain mess. After working, you can take the board outside and rinse it clean.

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Firing Without a Kiln

A common question is: Can I fire pottery in my oven?

No. Household ovens do not reach high enough temperatures to turn clay into ceramic.

However, pottery can be fired outdoors using:

• Bricks
• Charcoal briquettes
• A small contained fire setup

This method produces minimal smoke and can reach sufficient temperatures for basic firing.

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Making the Bowl

I start with locally sourced clay. You can also use commercial clay.

1. Flatten a piece of clay into a pancake shape.
2. Press it into the pookie to form the base.
3. Roll a coil about the thickness of your thumb.
4. Attach the coil using a bonding pinch.
5. Smooth the seam carefully to prevent cracking.
6. Continue pinching until the walls are evenly thin.
7. Use a rib to smooth the inside.
8. Trim the rim evenly with a knife.
9. Smooth the rim with wet fingers.

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Stone Smoothing

After partial drying:

• Use a wet smooth stone (or spoon) to smooth the surface.
• Later, use a dry stone to polish slightly damp clay.
• This compresses the surface and refines texture.

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Outdoor Firing Process

Once fully dry, the pot must be preheated to remove moisture. Moisture left inside clay can cause it to crack or explode during firing.

For firing outdoors:

1. Lay down sand to protect pavement.
2. Stack loose bricks to create a firing space.
3. Add charcoal fuel.
4. Place the pot upside down on bricks.
5. Use a metal container to prevent fuel from touching the pot directly.

Keeping fuel from direct contact reduces black carbon staining and produces warmer red-orange tones.

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Temper and Thermal Shock

If using wild clay, add 20–30% temper (sand or non-plastic material). This helps protect against thermal shock during rapid temperature changes.

Commercial clay may require added sand if firing outdoors.

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Result

After firing, the bowl turns a natural red colour from the clay body. This demonstrates that pottery can be made and fired at home without specialised equipment.

Thank you for watching.