1. Clay Throwing on the Wheel
Intro to Throwing Clay on the Wheel

2. STARTING
Wedge at least 3 balls of clay of equal weight (softball size)
Grab a bat, sponge, wire tool, bowl/bucket of water, needle tool, a rib, and wear a smock.
Keep the wheel at a consistent speed.
Lock your arms into your thighs

3. CENTERING Squeeze with both hands (formed like a C) to cone clay up
Keep LEFT hand as a C and “karate chop” with your RIGHT hand
Let go slowly
Repeat until it doesn’t wobble.
wobbling = not centered

4. OPENING UP
Pull towards your body (3 o’clock) from the center of clay with your 2 RIGHT fingers
Repeat a couple of times
Release slowly each time

5. PULL UP WALLS
Rest your LEFT handed thumb on the bump of your RIGHT hand’s thumb
Put your first and second fingers of your hands together
Your LEFT hand fingers are inside your clay, the RIGHT are outside
Slowly, pull up together with soft, even pressure at 3 o’clock
Release slowly
Compress the lid with a sponge
Repeat several times (3-4)
Finish rim with sponge.
Use a fettling knife to get extra clay off base.
Leave on bat to trim the next day.

6. Throwing on the Wheel Directions with Pictures

7. Miniature Hand Throwing
Lake Side Pottery Tips and Tutorials