This is the first step of my new wheel series I am working on this summer! I am remaking my wheel videos on my new SKUTT wheel!!! Here is a link to my wheel- available from most good pottery suppliers. https://skutt.com/products-page/potters-wheels/classic/
The first step is WEDGING your clay in preparation for throwing. Whether you are using brand new clay, or recycled clay, I recommend to my students to do at least a little wedging to get it to a perfectly even consistency for throwing. You absolutely do NOT want bubbles lumps, or slip embedded areas, as the inconsistency of these would make throwing an even form difficult if not impossible at times.
Remember that wedging is a push-turn type of action. I have another video explaining two different types of wedging- one that is two handed and symmetrical which people refer to as rams head- or another which is more one handed dominant and looks more like a conch shell. Each person needs to develop their own preference for the best way for them. Here is the link to that other video: ttps://youtu.be/ZPwNAYvnK9w
Two tips I mention in this video are: #1 when wedging, don’t flatten the clay too much- folding over on itself will often cause bubbles- just rotate it into itself more gently to avoid air pockets. And… #2 Rotate your wedged ball SIDEWAYS to eliminate the spiral directly on the bottom. This is especially helpful for plates and wide objects.
My new series will offer new videos with tips and tricks to successfully wheel throw pieces- from beginner to intermediate to advanced. I will be offering a good deal of EXPLANATION within the videos to help people understand the mechanics of why things work the way they do! I often tell my students they learn more from their mistakes than from their successes in throwing. In these videos in my series, I will try to distill my best tips I have learned from my successes and failures, and my students' struggles as well. Two things have led me to becoming the potter I am today. Countless hours of making pots, (and explaining how to make pots), and understanding and learning from my failures when pots didn’t work out! These are the things I want to share with you- to help YOU become a better potter!
Please subscribe to my channel to get the latest updates on this video series, AND, subscribe to my NEW wheel throwing playlist too! (I am keeping it as a separate list from the old wheel throwing playlist!) Here is a direct link to the new playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj0pNzEmvM_qbxpokQPWmnsAHarrSKSgS
Check out your local pottery suppliers- I love my favorite local supplier- Cornell Studio Supply in Dayton… give them a call, they’re super helpful! (And tell them I sent you!) https://cornellstudiosupply.com/
For the great tools, materials, and suppliers I recommend check out this link to a live searchable (control F) Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XbYPQjjJnHrQG5xyWGMHZkEcZj5N8VnUAbFZdJRrRmU/edit?usp=sharing
I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 33+ years, and I have been teaching for over 30 years, the past 22 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsAndGlass
I started my Youtube channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!
Please subscribe to my channel if you would like to receive channel updates, or would like to learn more about clay and studio processes!
I am in a partnership with Skutt - as they sent me the new wheel to use for the videos! I am not receiving any compensation from them beyond the wheel.