Centering

For wheel throwing , once the clay is pugged and wedged it is centered on the wheel. This is a very critical step as it is the foundation of the pot. The pot is only as true and as strong as the centering.

The most important part of wheel throwing pottery is centering.

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Cindy demonstrates how to center clay on the wheel.

Opening

The next step is opening the centered clay so the potter's hands can begin to pull the clay up vertically from both inside and out.

The next step in wheel throwing pottery is opening the clay body.

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Cindy demonstrates opening the clay .From our DVD "A Down to Earth Look at How We Make Pottery" Every wheel thrown pot comes from a cylinder. Vases are tall thin ones and plates are short fat ones but they all begin as a cylinder.

Next Page - Throwing a Bowl, Trimming, and Drying