20/05/2026
4 Mistakes Beginner Make ✨
If you’re at the beginning of your pottery journey then take a look at some of the mistakes you might be making and why they could be a problem.
Solutions provided below 👇
Not centring your clay – It’s so important to centre your clay before moving on. If your clay isn’t centred, the rest of the process is going to be super tricky. A great way to check is by putting your hand into a claw shape and placing it over the top of the clay. If you feel a wobble or knocking, then your clay isn’t centred.
Rushing the process – You should be moving your hands at the same speed as the wheel. If you move too fast, you can knock your piece off centre or create uneven, wobbly walls. A great way to avoid this is to make sure that each time the wheel comes back around, you move your hands slightly higher when pulling your walls.
Adding too much water – Adding too much water can saturate the clay, making it floppy when pulling up your walls and causing it to collapse. Try adding a little water at a time, and use the slip already on your hands to reduce friction.
Pulling walls unevenly – A great way to avoid uneven walls is to match the speed of the wheel. Another tip is to apply more pressure at the bottom and gradually reduce the pressure as you pull higher up the walls. Keep your hands steady and imagine they’re moving in one straight line upwards while squeezing.
