| |
-
Pottery involves the creation of items from clay, through a process of
shaping, decorating and firing; the latter requires the item to be
put into a special oven to harden the clay and decorative finishes, so as
to make them durable and usable.
-
The items may be plates, vases,
jugs and other hollow vessels or pots, or statues and ornamental items of
different kinds.
-
The shaping process may take place using a special
revolving surface (the potter's wheel) designed to help produce an even
shape, or by manipulation using the hand and other tools.
-
Much of the preparation can be done at home, though the firing requires
access to a special oven. The only competitive activities are through acquiring qualifications and/or exhibiting your works.
|
Craft Potters' Association of Great Britain 0207 437 7605
Pottery Summer School www.dougcamel.clara.net/
|
We have not managed to identify any magazines dealing specially with the craft
of pottery. The following general craft magazines may be of help.
Popular Crafts
Practical Craft
|
-
Find a local pottery group
or club (see organisations above).
-
Take a class or course at your local
adult education
centre.
-
Consult books or magazines
on different types of pottery.
-
Check in your local library/paper
or education centre for more information.
|
Skills and people
-
It is easy
to start doing pottery though there are many skills that you can learn if
you so wish. People of all ages and both sexes can take part.
-
You can do pottery completely on your own, with much of the preparation
and decoration at home. The firing can even be done at home, if you
can either afford or make a special oven, or use polymer clays which can
be fired in an ordinary domestic oven.
-
But many people choose to join a pottery
group or class, which gives them stimulus, a chance to learn, and social
contact, as well as access to a wider range of materials and
equipment.
-
You can do pottery with people of any age and either sex
and all levels of ability.
Equipment or clothing
-
A supply of clay, basic shaping tools, and decorative material (colours
etc) are the key requirements, together with access to a firing
oven.
-
A potter's wheel is not an essential though it is
desirable for making certain types of pots.
-
This equipment may be
provided at the group or class to which you go.
A place or facilities
-
A special place is not necessary to do pottery. The only
essential is enough space in which to work and keep the materials and
equipment, plus access to a firing oven as required.
-
Serious potters
and groups may have a special studio for this purpose and have their own
ovens.
|
|