Getting Started In Pottery

Want to try pottery but don't know where to start?
Follow our guide!

Never used clay before?
Start with a small bag of School and Studio All Purpose Clay to get a feel for it. Some prefer an oil based (non-drying) clay like plastin, or an air drying clay, however they don't have the same 'feel' as standard clay and can't be fired. Grab a set of basic pottery tools too and just have a go!

Start with some basic techniques: Pinch, coil and slab building.
Making a pot or small figure with these techniques is a good project for beginners.

The next step is to get a kiln so you can fire your work to make it durable. We sell a great range of quality kilns for both beginners and experienced potters. Just contact our friendly team for advice.

Now you can think more about the right clay for your work. Confused by the choices? Try starting our Vitraclay School and Studio All Purpose or our Vitraclay Terracotta Clay. It is ideal for small hand building and modelling projects. Got a specific project? See our 'Which Clay?' page for help.

Want to glaze your work? Simple pre-mixed brush-on glazes are a good place to start. Just choose one which fires at the same temperature as your clay. Biscuit fire your piece before adding the glaze and firing to the top temperature for your clay.
Your first piece is made!

Congratulations! You are now a potter! What next?

Try adding texture to your work with one of our texture tools. For slab building and curved objects texture rollers are good, or experiment with decorating ribs and modelling tools.

We supply lots of tools and glazes for decorating, such as slip trailers and brushes, as well as brush on and dip glazes in a variety of inspiring colours. Experiment and see what you can create.

Why not try adding decals to your piece for that professional looking finishing touch?

You might want to try throwing. You will need a potter’s wheel for this. It is a great skill to master and means you can produce work much more quickly than with hand building methods.

Need any more help?
Take a look at our Knowledge Base for tips, guides and inspiration!