A superb video, thank you. You cover all the things a beginner asks and the two cameras help no end, getting the hand placement right. I've gained so much watching your tutorials. Looking forward to the next.
So many good pointers to remember. You are welcome from Florida for the beautiful cloud formations and of course for the fog which quietens the day for contemplation of when the view is wonderful when you can see it. Thanks for sharing Vaughan.
Your videos are so jam packed with so much good information! Even though I have done about 60 mugs, I still learn so much from you. I sure am not as consistent to size and shape as you are. My bottoms are not as thick as they used to be, so that is a good thing. I love the way you make and attach your handles. Love how you share your scenery with us. It's so peaceful to me! Thank you!
I am new to pottery and to your TH-cam videos. Thank you so much for so much wealth of information! Looking forward to using your tips next time I sit at the wheel.
Thank you so much for this video, Vaughan. I have had a tabletop Shimpo Aspire wheel for two years but not quite gotten a hang of throwing. Watching your video makes me want to have a go at it again when my studio gets warmer. At the moment it is 7°C (44°F) in there and my clay is extremely cold. But I will watch this again in the spring for sure.
I took about 9 years away from learning fundamentals of wheel throwing in college, and picked it up again two years ago- if you stick to it, and are able to get through frustration sometimes, you will be so glad you gave it another chance!!!
@@tyrannosaurusgirl1612 You have to do it every day and punch through the initial difficulties. Make a hundred cylinders, keep 10 and wedge the clay, repeat. I did this 50 years ago and in three months I was selling pots to a craft store. Good luck.
Great suggestion! Trouble is I do not do it. I have a Giffin grip that is instant and I have grabber bats with circles drawn on them, so the piece is centred by placing it on one of those circles and holding my thumb on the pot to stop it moving.
Wow! Very impressive how you saved the wobbly wall and came out slim and smart looking mug!! Certainly a master of pottery :-) 2 thumbs up. This video is very detailed. Hope I can eventually pull the wall so successfully and confidently. Many thanks!
I truly can’t thank you enough for every single video you have made for us!! I finally got a wheel and tried it the first time watching someone else’s beginner video and I centered the clay the first time!! But I couldn’t figure out why my fingers were gouging the clay so much. I only made 3 balls of clay because I don’t have a splash pan of the wheel yet. Then as I was cleaning up I realized the wheel had been set backwards!!! Can’t imagine how much better it would have gone had it been going the right way. The way you teach this is soo simple!! The other videos I’ve seen make it so confusing on how you have to hold your hand wrists fingers etc! Just great how this video came out just when I needed it Vaughn! I will try my hand at some throwing later today and let you know how it goes. Also a question, do we need to compress the rim as beginners? Also I see you don’t wedge your clay before making the ball. If the clay is straight out of the bag do we need to do that? Also he first time you showed centering you comes up, should we do that if the clay doesn’t center for us at first? Thanks sooo much!!! One last question. What kind of clay are you using and what do you recommend for beginners? Sandy grog stoneware?? Ok one more. Sorry, what exactly are you supposed to do with the pots you make after you’ve made them? This isn’t like handbuilding at all. You put the pots in a damp closet? Are they covered with anything? Could you show the closet? How long do you keep it in there until you need to turn it over, what do you keep the pieces on while they are drying? I guess I’m not actually asking how long but to what consistency should the clay be at each point? And then when do you trim it? I haven’t found any videos of how the entire process goes but I will look. Thank you so much Vaughn. You are just an amazing teacher!!
Centering is crucial. You will be tempted to cheat and pull the wall up even if it is not centered. It will just be a wobbly pot and make learning to throw take longer. Get 20 balls of clay and center each one, then pull a wall and work on it until it goes off center or collapses. Repeat. Eventually you will get a perfect cylinder. My favourite clay is B-mix 5 from Laguna Clay compay. I would avoid grogged clays while learning, they absorb water faster and collapse easier. Once thrown the pots take a few hours before you can turn them upside down, depends on humidity. I have a studio tour video and one that shows my damp cupboards.
What we do at a studio I go to is once it is thrown, we run the wire underneath the pot to release it from the bat. We then let them sit out if we are doing orher things to let them get a bit stiffer. Then we run the wire under it again so we can remove it from the bat without pushing it out of circle. We turn it upside down to let the bottom firm up. Sometimes we can trim the bottoms on the same day (within a few hours) if we have a fan on it, or use a blow dryer or heat gun on it. But the studio air is usually pretty dry and some things can dry enough to trim the bottoms the same day. Otherwise we put it on wooden shelves they have and cover it with plastic, making sure air doesn't get in to dry it out. It can last days covered like that, depending what plastic you use. Sometimes we keep our work on the bat and wrap the whole thing. We don't have a wet cupboard. We take our things out to dry as much as we need so we can trim the bottoms and write our names on them. I take in grocery bags and restaurant bags for people to use. It's funny, but the big plastic bags you get from Taco Bell kept my things as moist as when I put them in it and they were on the shelf for a week. I need to try to remove my things how Vaughn does it. He is a great teacher! It's important that the clay of the body is about the same moisture as the handles you are attaching.
@@micheledickey4066 yes she did give a nice reply. When something has been trimmed, the walls will be somewhat trimmed and ready to attach the handle. I make my handles up before I start to trim and wait until the are the exact same state of wetness. This s because things shrink faster at first during drying so the handle will stay attached.
Really been enjoying your videos! I'm a total beginner, I've only taken two classes so far but I'd love to spend more time on a wheel outside of a weekly class. I can bring pieces to the studio for firing, but would an inexpensive wheel at home be more detrimental than beneficial? Would I be doing a bad thing buying a $200 8" wheel?
Thank you again for another fantastic video. I don't think you have ever shown us how and when you deal with the base of your pots as you don't turn them. Please can you show us? Thank you.
I think I have shown it in several videos, I use a Giffin grip to trim but I showed several ways to trim in one video. I used to just sponge the bottoms but I actually like trimming. Thanks.
Thank you for the reply. My fault for not making my query very clear. I assume that you don't turn your mugs once they have a handle on, I wondered how you delt with things when you don't turn them. I've seen your turning/Griffin grip tutorials which are brilliant. A Griffin grip is on my Christmas list!!
Can I ask you what you do with all of your clay bits and bucket of water? Do you have a reclaim bin? I’m just beginning to put a small studio together in my home and I’m not sure what the best way to deal with trimmings and the mucky water.
You can recycle all the clay slops. In a small studio you could try hanging a jeans leg ( I cut up a pair of jeans and get two legs). Tie a piece of wire around the bottom to stop the clay running straight through, then hang the leg on nails . Pour your slops into the leg, when full let it drain, as the level falls add more slops. Eventually the leg is full of firm clay that you can wedge up. Just remember to put a bucket under the leg to catch all the water that drips.
Good afternoon Vaughan. I have a question not sure if you can help but have you bought casting slip from Pottery Supply House ever. I bought a pail and its very very thick any ideas how I can think it. I've tried looking up on their web site but can't find anything that'll help.
I have never kneaded the clay before throwing for 45 years. New clay straight out of the bag is de-aired, pugged clay is de-aired. Kneading is supposed to make the clay easier to centre by loosening the platelets of clay. If you have trouble entering you should knead. Wedging or kneading puts a lot of stress on the wrists and contributes to Carpel Tunnel issues, consider that an unnecessary risk. My teachers always made us wedge, I think they were just trying to slow us down.
I am a beginner! I have been binge watching your videos to expand off my class. Wonderful work!
A superb video, thank you. You cover all the things a beginner asks and the two cameras help no end, getting the hand placement right. I've gained so much watching your tutorials. Looking forward to the next.
Glad it was helpful!
As always, a master potter giving a master class! So generous and helpful - thank you! 🙏🏼💙
You are welcome.
So many good pointers to remember.
You are welcome from Florida for the beautiful cloud formations and of course for the fog which quietens the day for contemplation of when the view is wonderful when you can see it.
Thanks for sharing Vaughan.
Your videos are so jam packed with so much good information! Even though I have done about 60 mugs, I still learn so much from you. I sure am not as consistent to size and shape as you are. My bottoms are not as thick as they used to be, so that is a good thing. I love the way you make and attach your handles. Love how you share your scenery with us. It's so peaceful to me! Thank you!
Thanks I have had some good opportunities to film the seashore recently. I am glad the videos help.
@@Vsmithpots that is wonderful!
@@triciac1019 Thanks.
I am new to pottery and to your TH-cam videos. Thank you so much for so much wealth of information! Looking forward to using your tips next time I sit at the wheel.
Wonderful, thank you! I love seeing around your studio too, so peaceful
Thanks Sally, it is getting quieter again now the cooler weather is coming.
I just want to thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us.
You are welcome.
I have been making mugs but was struggling abit so this video was just what I needed! Thank you!
You are welcome
Thank you so much for this video, Vaughan. I have had a tabletop Shimpo Aspire wheel for two years but not quite gotten a hang of throwing. Watching your video makes me want to have a go at it again when my studio gets warmer. At the moment it is 7°C (44°F) in there and my clay is extremely cold. But I will watch this again in the spring for sure.
I hope you can get used to the wheel. Try fastening it to a table so it does not move around as you center.
I took about 9 years away from learning fundamentals of wheel throwing in college, and picked it up again two years ago- if you stick to it, and are able to get through frustration sometimes, you will be so glad you gave it another chance!!!
@@tyrannosaurusgirl1612 You have to do it every day and punch through the initial difficulties. Make a hundred cylinders, keep 10 and wedge the clay, repeat. I did this 50 years ago and in three months I was selling pots to a craft store. Good luck.
@@Vsmithpots that is GREAT advice, thank you!!!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Thanks for another great video
Thanks for watching.
Great videos!! Helped me a lot. I love you whimsical pottery
Thank you for this really top notch video, most appreciated. If you're taking requests, I would love to see a video from you on tap centering.
Another excellent video Vaughn... you have helped me so much with your videos
Great suggestion! Trouble is I do not do it. I have a Giffin grip that is instant and I have grabber bats with circles drawn on them, so the piece is centred by placing it on one of those circles and holding my thumb on the pot to stop it moving.
Thanks.
Vaughan u do good.
Thanks
Your videos are very helpful . Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Ta! This was helpful for me. I love all of your videos.
Thanks.
Wow! Very impressive how you saved the wobbly wall and came out slim and smart looking mug!! Certainly a master of pottery :-) 2 thumbs up. This video is very detailed. Hope I can eventually pull the wall so successfully and confidently. Many thanks!
Thanks and good luck.
Great details on how to succeed at throwing. Thank you.
Thank you.
I truly can’t thank you enough for every single video you have made for us!! I finally got a wheel and tried it the first time watching someone else’s beginner video and I centered the clay the first time!! But I couldn’t figure out why my fingers were gouging the clay so much. I only made 3 balls of clay because I don’t have a splash pan of the wheel yet. Then as I was cleaning up I realized the wheel had been set backwards!!! Can’t imagine how much better it would have gone had it been going the right way. The way you teach this is soo simple!! The other videos I’ve seen make it so confusing on how you have to hold your hand wrists fingers etc! Just great how this video came out just when I needed it Vaughn! I will try my hand at some throwing later today and let you know how it goes. Also a question, do we need to compress the rim as beginners? Also I see you don’t wedge your clay before making the ball. If the clay is straight out of the bag do we need to do that? Also he first time you showed centering you comes up, should we do that if the clay doesn’t center for us at first? Thanks sooo much!!!
One last question. What kind of clay are you using and what do you recommend for beginners? Sandy grog stoneware?? Ok one more. Sorry, what exactly are you supposed to do with the pots you make after you’ve made them? This isn’t like handbuilding at all. You put the pots in a damp closet? Are they covered with anything? Could you show the closet? How long do you keep it in there until you need to turn it over, what do you keep the pieces on while they are drying? I guess I’m not actually asking how long but to what consistency should the clay be at each point? And then when do you trim it? I haven’t found any videos of how the entire process goes but I will look. Thank you so much Vaughn. You are just an amazing teacher!!
Centering is crucial. You will be tempted to cheat and pull the wall up even if it is not centered. It will just be a wobbly pot and make learning to throw take longer. Get 20 balls of clay and center each one, then pull a wall and work on it until it goes off center or collapses. Repeat. Eventually you will get a perfect cylinder. My favourite clay is B-mix 5 from Laguna Clay compay. I would avoid grogged clays while learning, they absorb water faster and collapse easier. Once thrown the pots take a few hours before you can turn them upside down, depends on humidity. I have a studio tour video and one that shows my damp cupboards.
What we do at a studio I go to is once it is thrown, we run the wire underneath the pot to release it from the bat. We then let them sit out if we are doing orher things to let them get a bit stiffer. Then we run the wire under it again so we can remove it from the bat without pushing it out of circle. We turn it upside down to let the bottom firm up. Sometimes we can trim the bottoms on the same day (within a few hours) if we have a fan on it, or use a blow dryer or heat gun on it. But the studio air is usually pretty dry and some things can dry enough to trim the bottoms the same day. Otherwise we put it on wooden shelves they have and cover it with plastic, making sure air doesn't get in to dry it out. It can last days covered like that, depending what plastic you use. Sometimes we keep our work on the bat and wrap the whole thing. We don't have a wet cupboard. We take our things out to dry as much as we need so we can trim the bottoms and write our names on them. I take in grocery bags and restaurant bags for people to use. It's funny, but the big plastic bags you get from Taco Bell kept my things as moist as when I put them in it and they were on the shelf for a week. I need to try to remove my things how Vaughn does it. He is a great teacher! It's important that the clay of the body is about the same moisture as the handles you are attaching.
@@triciac1019 What an awesome reply!! Thank you so much for your time!
@@micheledickey4066 yes she did give a nice reply. When something has been trimmed, the walls will be somewhat trimmed and ready to attach the handle. I make my handles up before I start to trim and wait until the are the exact same state of wetness. This s because things shrink faster at first during drying so the handle will stay attached.
I always wish you would show final finishing before firing. Do the mug handles need touch up when they are drier
When I trim I rub my fingers over the handles and rim to smooth out any roughness.
@@Vsmithpots thanks for the reply
Really been enjoying your videos! I'm a total beginner, I've only taken two classes so far but I'd love to spend more time on a wheel outside of a weekly class. I can bring pieces to the studio for firing, but would an inexpensive wheel at home be more detrimental than beneficial? Would I be doing a bad thing buying a $200 8" wheel?
Any wheel would be helpful, you just need practice. Send me a photo of it if you need a second opinion.
@@Vsmithpots how very nice of you to do that!
Thank you again for another fantastic video. I don't think you have ever shown us how and when you deal with the base of your pots as you don't turn them. Please can you show us? Thank you.
I think I have shown it in several videos, I use a Giffin grip to trim but I showed several ways to trim in one video. I used to just sponge the bottoms but I actually like trimming. Thanks.
Thank you for the reply. My fault for not making my query very clear. I assume that you don't turn your mugs once they have a handle on, I wondered how you delt with things when you don't turn them. I've seen your turning/Griffin grip tutorials which are brilliant. A Griffin grip is on my Christmas list!!
@@neildeelangton3235 I really like trimming on the giffin grip, you can create accessories yourself for trimming awkward forms like teapots.
Your ceramics show up on ebay!!1
2sept22
Can I ask you what you do with all of your clay bits and bucket of water? Do you have a reclaim bin? I’m just beginning to put a small studio together in my home and I’m not sure what the best way to deal with trimmings and the mucky water.
You can recycle all the clay slops. In a small studio you could try hanging a jeans leg ( I cut up a pair of jeans and get two legs). Tie a piece of wire around the bottom to stop the clay running straight through, then hang the leg on nails . Pour your slops into the leg, when full let it drain, as the level falls add more slops. Eventually the leg is full of firm clay that you can wedge up. Just remember to put a bucket under the leg to catch all the water that drips.
I love to watch your videos and I love that view! I'm a potter in Maine. Do you wedge your clay when you've cut it straight from the bag?
No, I hate wedging, I do wedge pugged/recycled clay if I am going to pull handles with it, this clay is quite short.
@@Vsmithpots Did you mention in the video what type of clay you used?
@@gsandau B-Mix5 by Laguna
@@Vsmithpots I just started using that recently. It's my favorite clay. The bare clay looks gorgeous when fired.
Good afternoon Vaughan. I have a question not sure if you can help but have you bought casting slip from Pottery Supply House ever. I bought a pail and its very very thick any ideas how I can think it. I've tried looking up on their web site but can't find anything that'll help.
That cheat made me laugh out loud.
It is sometimes really helpful on larger lumps of clay where throwing rings seem to direct your hand and fingers to repeat the same path.
Do you recycle all the clay you scrape off your hands into your water bucket?
Yes, I did a video on the process.
16:02
20:48
What brand/type of clay do you use Vaughan?
B-Mix 5 from Laguna
Should you knead the clay first ? Terry. Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
I have never kneaded the clay before throwing for 45 years. New clay straight out of the bag is de-aired, pugged clay is de-aired. Kneading is supposed to make the clay easier to centre by loosening the platelets of clay. If you have trouble entering you should knead. Wedging or kneading puts a lot of stress on the wrists and contributes to Carpel Tunnel issues, consider that an unnecessary risk. My teachers always made us wedge, I think they were just trying to slow us down.