Craft ceramicists and potters shape clay into objects. They use a number of methods to create items ranging from culinary and household items to decorative objects.
Pottery and ceramics makers employ a variety of techniques in their work. In order to create an object they may:
- Throw or mould softened clay, while rotating it on a wheel. This is the traditional method of making pottery employed by craft potters
- Carry out a jiggering process. This is used to make flat goods such as plates. It can be carried out by hand, but is often partly or fully automated. A flat piece of clay is placed on to a rotating mould and a metal profile or pattern is pushed down to squash the clay into the required shape
- Carry out a jolleying process. This is used for making hollow items such as cups, by hand or by machine
- Cast an object, which involves pouring liquid clay (or 'slip') into moulds to form items such as bowls, or sections of products such as teapots. They are then joined together using the liquid clay as an adhesive
- Finish an item, by turning and shaping on a lathe, using either hand tools, semi-automatic or automatic processes.
