Simon Leach teaches us how to make a teapot in ceramics in this video. After you have created the basic pot for the tea, you will need to poke several small holes into the side of it where it will be poured. After this, you will need to create the spout and mark where it's going to go on the pot while it's still wet. Now, key the area on the pot where the spout is going to go, then apply water to it and push the spout onto the area. Push along the sides gently until the spout is stuck on comp...
Simon Leach teaches us how to put handles on your ceramics in this tutorial. The key thing is to never let the handle fall as you are adding it to a cup, always keep it supported. Look at the handle as you are placing it on and think about proportion and size. If it's sticking out too far it's going to get knocked off. You need to have an elliptical shaped handle when you are shaping them so they can be gripped properly. Don't score the bottom part when you are joining the handle to the botto...
Ceramics can be fun! Learn how to create clay pottery such as pinch pots, coil pots, and mugs in this free arts and crafts video series.
Ceramic pieces are some of the oldest art forms in human history. Learn about the ceramic tools you'll need to start throwing pots in this free clay tools video series.
Check out this ceramics video sequence to learn how to shape tall pottery using a potter's wheel. Follow these easy steps by Andy Ruble to create shapelier, taller pottery. This video is great for ceramics enthusiasts.
Simon Leach from Simon Leach Ceramics provides some great workshop footage on preparing to glaze Raku ceramic pots. This tutorial video provides answers on the beauty and function of Raku pots, as well as some great ideas for home decoration. Simon walks you through the process of glazing these pots, including important specifics about proper materials and methods, easy recipes for making your materials and tools at home, as well as common mistakes that you should avoid when glazing your cera...
This instructional ceramics video is designed to help the beginning through advanced ceramic student improve their throwing skills. Learn hand/finger placement when pulling cylinders. Perfect your ability to collar ceramics well with these tips from Andy Ruble. Collar all sorts of tall, fun little items.
This video demonstrates how to make a miniature ceramics mold using resin. The object being made is a small saucepan for a doll house. A product called "AMAZING Mold Putty" is used. It is non toxic and can even be used for food. It comes in two tubes. One is yellow and one is white. Take a blob from each tube and make sure they are of equal size. Blend the two blobs together. You must work fast because the material becomes completely hard in 30 minutes. You probably have only three or four mi...
Simon Leach teaches the secret to glazing the inside of a bowl. You will need: brush, glaze, sponge, water, stick or whisk. Using a brush, dust the inside of the bowl to be glazed. Remove any clay that remains stuck on the bowl by using a blade or knife. Stir the glaze from the bottom using a stick or whisk Add water to the glaze if it appears too thick and stir again from the bottom. Pour the glaze into the bowl, careful not to get any over the edge. If any glaze goes over the edge of the bo...
Using a potato peeler on ceramics is fast, simple and gives your piece a unique look. While your pot is still soft, take a potato peeler and "peel" your pot in small sections working around the pot. You don't want to press too light or too firm, it might take some practice. Keep your cuts random to add to the charm.
Check out this instructional ceramics video to learn how to throw a big ceramics bowl with clay. Learn how to center a larger piece of clay: get into a ball, slap it on the wheel, center it as best as you can before you get it wet. Practice your ceramics making skills with this tutorial.
Try using a blowtorch to dry the outer portion of a ceramic pot. While the clay is still on the pottery wheel, cut light marks into the outer wall of the pot. Dry the outermost layer of wet clay with a blowtorch. When you continue to stretch and form the wet clay on the wheel, witness an interesting cracking effect.
This instructional video demonstrates how to center a piece of clay on a pottery wheel. Using electric pottery wheels, a steady hand is necessary to prevent the clay from flying off center. It helps to lock one's elbows to control the clay and eventually sculpt a perfectly centered cylinder.
This instructional painting video demonstrates how to paint a bronze effect on ceramics. You can use this technique on just about any surface, such as wood, canvas, metal, plastic, or paper. Apply gold metallic paint, Bitumen, cadmium yellow paint and primary blue paint. Dry the metallic surface with a heat gun if you have one.
Watch this helpful ceramics video to learn how to throw a few types of lids for wheel thrown pots. Our guide forms a gallery lid, using calipers to measure the inside distance of the rim of the pot. The calipers can then be used to adjust the width of the lid piece.
If you've created the ceramic version of Michelangelo's "David" and want to preserve the work as well as let others know the pottery piece as the product of your own two hands, then watch this video by Simon Leach to learn how to create a ceramic seal.
Ceramic domed toad homes are wonderful accents to any garden that also provide a dark retreat for garden friendly toads. Learn how to create these
In this video, we learn how to make a ceramic slab plate. First, roll out the ceramic. After this, place the clay on butcher or newspaper and smooth it out with a plastic card. Repeat this on the other side. Next, use a paper template to help cut your design or use a circular object. Cut slits to help remove the surrounding clay. Use the excess clay to build support pieces then curve the edges of the plate up and place the support pieces underneath. Use a piece of leather to smooth the edges....
This excellent three part series takes you from beginning to end on how to make ceramic coggles, or small wheels. You'll learn how to properly spin your glan, glaze your result, as well as how to properly light your kiln. This series is great for any ceramic student, at any level.
Check out these great videos to learn how to make a ceramic pinch mask. The second eye is made by using porcelain for the white of the eye and black-mountain for the pupil. The head itself is Maya red clay. They are all high-fire cone 10 clay. All the parts are plastic clay, fresh from the bag, thus eliminating the need to score and slip.
A perfect idea for a gift this holiday season! Throw a mixing bowl or ceramic serving dish on a pottery wheel. Make sure you use a non toxic glaze, with no lead in it, if you're using it to store or serve food!
A bud vase is a small vase, about as large as a bottle, which holds small flowers - or buds. This tutorial shows you a few different methods you can use to throw one of these small vases on a pottery wheel.
In this clip, we learn how to throw a small, 7.5 inch-wide ceramic kitchen bowl with a pouring lip using two pounds of clay. If you're interested in making this bowl yourself, or just want to learn more about ceramics, watch this video guide from Simon Leach.
In this video we learn how to decorate a ceramic lamp base with Simon Leach. First, grab a small paint brush and then apply paint to it. Once you have this, start to paint your chosen design onto the pot. Painting a leaf or a plant will be the most appropriate for a large jar or lamp base. Use a brush that will move along the pot and create unique lines. Go all around the pot until your design is finished. Let this dry and then rinse your pot off when you are done. Let your personality shine ...
In this tutorial, Simon Leach teaches us how to double dip or glaze ceramic. This trick will save you a lot of time, just make sure you practice a lot. First, mix your glaze up in a large bucket and grab your pot that you want to glaze. Now, place your piece into the glaze and then flick the wrist to lift the piece up quickly. Don't let the glaze go over the base of the piece or it will become too messy. Now, dip the piece back in, getting some glaze on the inside and swishing the liquid arou...
Printer toner has enough iron oxide in it to allow ceramic artists to transfer the images onto unfired clay. Then, when you fire the clay, the image will be transfered onto the piece, without having to deal with extra painting or glazing.
Starting with just a lump of clay and some water on a potting wheel, you can end up with a lovely clay pot! This video shows you how to make a trivet, so you can safely rest hot dishes on your table or countertop.
Simon Leach is in the house, or rather on his deck, teaching us how to fashion and then attach handles to ceramic hanging wall vases he threw previously. If you make pottery, and want to attach your ceramic works to your wall, this video will show you how to do it.
Simon Leach's series of high-quality pottery videos marches on. In this installment he teaches us how to dry some high-quality clay that he has just acquired from a cement works, and also how to decorate some hanging clay wall pots he made in a previous installment.
If you are a homemade ceramics enthustiast, chances are at some point you've thrown a pot where the bottom has come out too thin. This video from Simon Leach teaches you how to throw a false bottom for just such a pot so that the precious time you've invested into th piece of pottery doesn't go to waste.
Simon Leach teaches you how to do ceramic trimming and sealing. You wet the top of the pot and place it on the wheel. You push down on the bottom, sealed side, when the wheel is spinning. You use the trim tool to cut into the base side. You do this at an angle and make sure you hold the trim tool like a stake knife, not like a pencil. You empty out the leg until you are pleased with it. You round off any sharp corners and you have to put the last piece, the seal. On the bottom you take a piec...
In this video, potter Simon Leach offers tips on how he decorates the ceramic pots that he has made. This video offers some great suggestions on decorating pottery that you have made, or have purchased unfinished. This video does not teach any specific decorating techniques, but focuses more on the process of a potter when contemplating decorating their creations. This video does cut off at the end, so do be sure to watch the continuation of Leach's tips in which he gets into more specific de...
Raku pottery artist Simon Leach feels that while most people who work with ceramics are taught how to make them, very few are taught how to decorate them. Simon will show you how to draw inspiration from your ceramic pots that will lead you to the perfect decorations. He shows you both how to decorate a ceramic pot in order to enhance its shape, while also showing you that sometimes it is the decoration that truly makes a ceramic pot special.
Raid the thrift stores and the hardware stores and turn something that's old and useless into invaluable works of art. Armed with markers and your own artistic skills you can change fussy old dinner plates into something worth eating on. Watch this video to learn more about how to make painted plates and tiles with ceramic paint pens. Give the gift of your genius, and spread the smiles around.
When you're putting a handle on a mug, you need to think about the state of the clay of both the mug and the handle. The ceramic clay needs to be a bit harder and drier than right after coming off the pottery wheel or being sculpted, but not so dry that the clay won't stick. Check out this video pottery-making tutorial and learn how to attach a handle onto a ceramic mug.
Throwing a ceramic teapot consists of several small components combined into a finished product. Learn to throw a teapot with clay in this free ceramics video series.
A ceramic lantern is a great project for beginning potters. Learn how to make a lantern with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video series.
Ceramic bottles with spouts can hold cooking liquids such as oils and sauces. Learn how to create handmade spouted bottles with this free instructional ceramics video series.
A ceramic water bowl with candlestick holders is a unique centerpiece that incorporates both water and fire. Learn how to make your own candlestick bowl combo with this free ceramics video series.
Ceramic cylinders make the foundation for many other pottery forms. Learn how to throw a cylinder shape on the potter's wheel with this free ceramics video series.
