​Beginner’s Guide to Pottery: What You Need to Get Started

Pottery is an ancient and deeply fulfilling craft that allows you to create functional and artistic pieces from clay. Whether you're drawn to the therapeutic nature of working with your hands or looking to start a creative side hustle, this beginner’s guide will help you get started with pottery.

Why Try Pottery?

Pottery is more than just shaping clay—it's a mindful, creative process that connects you with the earth. The sense of accomplishment from making your own mugs, bowls, and planters is unmatched. Plus, pottery can be a sustainable and eco-friendly craft when practiced with care. I come from a fine arts background, so I love that pottery allows me to express my creativity and artistry while being able to create something functional.

Basic Types of Pottery

Before you dive in, it's important to understand the different methods of working with clay:

• Hand-building – A great place for beginners, this technique involves shaping clay using just your hands and simple tools. This method is a low cost way to begin learning pottery at home with minimal tools and space required. There are some great pottery tool sets on Amazon that I have bought multiple times because the value for the variety of tools is great. This set from Amazon comes with a nice roll up case to keep your tools organized, especially if you are taking them with you to a studio.

 

• Wheel-throwing – My personal favorite, wheel throwing uses a pottery wheel to create symmetrical forms like bowls, cups, and mugs. It is a very fast-paced way to make a lot of uniform pieces at once. Wheel throwing is easier to start learning at a community studio, so you don't have to invest in a wheel. 

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• Slip-casting – Involves pouring liquid clay (slip) into molds for precise shapes. I have recently begun exploring the possibilities of slip casting, and it is a great alternative to throwing if you have back problems and can't hunch over a wheel for too long.

Essential Pottery Tools & Materials

To start your pottery journey, you’ll need a few key tools and materials:

1. Clay

Choosing the right clay is crucial for your projects:

Earthenware – Easy to work with, but more porous unless glazed.

Stoneware – A versatile and durable choice, great for functional pottery. Stoneware has a little more strength when hand-building compared to porcelain because of the "grog" content. Grog is ground up pottery (that has already been fired) and adds stability to the clay while decreasing the shrinkage rate when fired.

Porcelain – Delicate and refined but more challenging for beginners. It has a smooth and buttery texture and shrinks more than stoneware when fired.

2. Basic Tools

You don’t need a ton of equipment to get started:

• Clay cutter – A wire tool for slicing clay.
• Rolling pin or slab roller – To flatten clay for hand-building.
• Needle tool – For scoring and fine details.
• Wooden or rubber rib – Helps smooth surfaces.
• Sponge & water bowl – Keeps the clay moist while working.

​This set from Amazon has everything you need to get started.

3. Pottery Wheel

If you're interested in wheel-throwing, investing in a basic pottery wheel can help you create symmetrical pieces. If you want to try throwing at home, I would suggest finding a used wheel or buying a lower cost beginner's pottery wheel.

4. Kiln (or Alternative Firing Methods)

A kiln is needed to harden and finish your pottery, but community studios often offer firing services. I recommend finding a local studio or community college and ask them if they have firing services. keep in mind that some studios may want you to only buy and use clay from them if they are firing your work. I have had three kilns, all of which I have received for free or bought second hand. Definitely check out your neighborhood chats and Facebook communities for used kilns! New ones are very expensive, and you may not want to invest in one if you are a beginner.

Alternative methods like air-dry clay or oven-baked clay can be used for small projects without a kiln. These pieces typically are not food safe, but they can be used for decorative objects.


Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Pottery Project

1. Prepare Your Clay – Wedge the clay to remove air bubbles. Wedging looks similar to kneading 
2. Shape Your Piece – Use hand-building or wheel-throwing techniques.
3. Drying Time – Let your piece dry until it reaches a leather-hard stage.
4. Bisque Firing – If using a kiln, fire your piece at a low temperature.
5. Glazing – Apply glaze for a finished look and waterproofing.
6. Final Firing – Fire at a higher temperature to set the glaze.

Where to Buy Pottery Supplies

• Local art stores – Great for hands-on selection.
• Online retailers – Blick Art, The Ceramic Shop, Amazon. Sometimes these can be a bit more expensive and have a smaller variety of choices
• Community studios – Often sell supplies and provide kiln services.

Tips for Beginners

✔ Start small—focus on simple shapes like bowls and mugs.
✔ Be patient—pottery takes time to master, so enjoy the learning process.
✔ Join a class or community—getting guidance from experienced potters is invaluable (even if it is just from YouTube videos!).
✔ Experiment with textures and glazes—pottery is all about creativity!

Pottery is a rewarding and grounding craft that anyone can enjoy. With the right tools and a little practice, you’ll soon be creating beautiful, handmade pieces that reflect your creativity.

Are you excited to start your pottery journey? Let us know in the comments what your first project will be!


-Nat & Drew