How to make pottery?

You could not help but notice the new fashion trend of our days - “handmade”. Do you think that the popularity of this occupation is unreasonable, and people do it for fun? Of course not. There are many reasons for such an interesting and useful activity. You can consider this on the example of making dishes with your own hands. In this article, we will consider options for making pottery.

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Do-it-yourself dishes

How to make dishes at home? First you need to decide on the material from which we will make something. The most common raw material for making dishes with your own hands is clay. Let us hit all the intricacies of this matter and analyze a few examples.

Becoming a master is easier than it sounds

Clay dishes are a combination of beautiful and practical. Such an inventory is the oldest and had no alternatives for a long time. In ancient times, people did not use firing to create dishes, but then they learned how to make pottery.

Pottery copes with the preparation of a variety of dishes and is an integral assistant to the hostess. She:

• durable
• heat resistant;
• environmentally friendly;
• beautiful.

Important! Some believe that the material used to make items draws bad energy through a combination of water, earth, air, and the sun.

And to do something with your own hands is the most pleasant thing, because you put your soul into such things, and questions like: “did the manufacturer do the job properly?”, Of course, will not arise. Is it so difficult to make clay dishes? No, soon you will see for yourself.

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Making a clay plate with our own hands

Now, in order, we will consider all the nuances of making clay dishes.

Material preparation

The first step is to prepare the material with which we are going to work. Simply follow these tips:

1. It is necessary to find clay, but in order to determine whether it is suitable for making dishes: you need to take a small ball of slightly moist clay, roll it into a tourniquet between your palms and bend it in half. If no cracks appear at the bend, then such material can be safely dealt with.
2. Put the right amount of clay in a deep container and pour water to the top.
3. Do not be afraid to go too far with the amount of material procured. Nobody forbids you to use the surplus in the next modeling and make something else out of clay.

Clay elutriation

Elimination will allow clay to become more plastic, fatter and cleaner.

Important! Most often they produce elutriation with such clay, which contains sand in large quantities, because of which it becomes less ductile.

What exactly needs to be done:

1. We take a deep dish, put clay in it and fill it with water in a ratio of 1 to 3, leave the material moisturized all night.

Important! Water should completely hide the clay in the container.

1. In the morning, bring the mixture to a state of uniform consistency. Let the solution stand for several days. Further work can only be started when the water becomes brighter.
2. Drain the water through the rubber hose.
3. Scoop out the clay to the bottom layer. The layer itself does not need to be touched, because only stones and sand will remain there. Pour the composition into a wooden box and leave it in the sun to evaporate unnecessary moisture.
4. When most of the water has evaporated, you can begin to mix the clay.The material should dry until it accepts the consistency of the dough and begins to stick to your hands. Now the finished clay, which should be covered with polyethylene, remains to wait for modeling.

Important! Be sure to remove air before sculpting. To do this, knead the dough with your hands. A little water should be added if the material is very hard.

Let's move on to the next stage, where you will make pottery.

Pottery making

Items can be made from clay tows or flat pieces. We advise you to do the dishes in the first way. We take a rolling pin and a piece of clay, roll it out and give it any desired shape. In this way, you can easily mold bowls or shallow dishes.

In order to make a pot or a vase from the material, you should adhere to a different technology:

1. We make the bottom for our dishes as described above.

Important! The bottom should not be too thin. The most optimal thickness should be approximately 2 cm.

1. We cut the clay into pieces, using a rolling pin we make bundles of them.
2. We put the end of the tourniquet on the bottom and press firmly so that it fastens to the bottom.
3. We lay the rolled bundles on top of each other, pressing new layers.
4. Moisten the harnesses with a small amount of water if the material hardens.

Important! You can create bizarre vessels of various shapes using these methods of sculpting.

Drying

Do not rush. Hurry can lead to the formation of cracks and wrinkles on the surface of the dishes, which can lead to marriage during firing. Making clay dishes is not difficult, but patience is indispensable. Just follow all deadlines, and the result will please you.

For at least two days, the dishes should be dried upside down in a room without drafts, then transfer the product to a warm oven and dry until the moisture has completely evaporated.

Important! Dishes may burst during firing if you do not completely get rid of moisture.

Product firing

There are special ovens for various purposes that you can purchase and install at home. But we were talking about an easy and affordable way, so we will firing on a regular fire:

1. We cover the dishes with wood and set them on fire.
2. We are waiting for eight hours at least.

Important! The longer you keep the product in the fire, the stronger it will turn out.

If you did everything right, then at the exit you will have a beautiful ceramic product, characterized by high strength. It is worth noting that the manufacturing method does not require special costs. Making clay dishes is not difficult, and constant practice will make you a master of pottery.

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Five reasons to sculpt

Still don't see a reason to do needlework? Soon you will change your mind!

Reason # 1: uniqueness

It is up to you to decide exactly how your clay plate will look. Imagine what the guests will be surprised when, instead of the purchased service from the “Utensils Center”, you will get a set that you made yourself. Such things will instantly attract attention.

Reason number 2: environmental friendliness

Did you know that harmful materials are still used in the manufacture of cookware? Glaze from the same lead gives the product an alluring beautiful shine. There is not much lead there, but using such dishes is more expensive.

Moreover, such products are even banned in some countries. Think about it 100 times before buying a cheap and bright cup or bowl.

Important! Do not forget that there are natural colored clays: blue, green, black.

Reason 3: Replenishment

Your service will not suffer from a broken mug or plate, because you can always restore loss. With the advent of a new friend or family member, nothing prevents you from replenishing the collection with a new product. If necessary, you can absolutely always do something new and useful. And when viewing holiday pictures, you can see a beautiful vase in a souvenir shop and easily recreate houses. Great, right?

Reason # 4: quality

There are frequent cases of online purchases that disappoint you immediately after opening the package. A beautiful pattern began to come off the mug after washing, and the plate was scratched by cutlery.

With the own production of dishes, especially when processed in a ceramic workshop under the watchful eye of a specialist, such disappointments are completely excluded. You will be taught how to handle clay correctly, step by step will explain all the nuances of manufacturing technology that will help make your dishes the highest quality and practical.

Important! Such products will not be afraid of a dishwasher or microwave. Over the years of use, you will not see any cracks or peeling paint.

Reason # 5: saving your family budget

Even if you made just a couple of mugs, then this knowledge will be enough for you to correctly understand dishes, materials and glazes. If any seller starts to assure you of the enormous cost of a blue clay coffee pair, then you can safely repulse and do not let yourself be deceived.

But you can also see the author's jug of high-quality materials, a unique shape and painting, and immediately understand why it costs a large sum of money.

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Stock footage

Well. Now all doubts about needlework have disappeared? Still would. Creating clay dishes is not only profitable, but exciting! No one will stop you from making money on this or just pleasing yourself, your friends and your loved ones. The most beautiful thing is that this lesson does not require special investments, with the exception of one - the soul! Putting your soul into the process, you will experience indescribable delight when you drink tea from a saucer, which you made yourself. I wish you creative success!