Handmade Pottery

Handmade pottery is one of the oldest crafts knownwater and makes the piece retain its shape, the color
to man with the earliest artistic pottery dating backof the pottery at this time is dependent on the clay
to 25,000 B.C. give or take a few centuries. The firstand the kiln temperature. The second firing
Pottery crafted for functional purposes, handmadeincorporates a glaze that is usually unique and often a
pottery vessels, were used to hold water. All of theclosely guarded secret of the particular potter. Most
ancient pottery dating back before about 3,000 topottery that is painted is done so between the 2
4,000 B.C. would have been hand carved pottery,firings. The truly unique and beautiful colors of many
meaning that it was formed or molded all by hand inhandmade pottery pieces are dependent on many
a stationary manner. We know this because the firstfactors including the type of clay used which is often
Pottery Wheel was not invented until about this time.tied to a geographic area. Polish pottery and
The invention of the first Pottery wheel significantlystoneware from the Bolshevik city of Poland for
changed how pottery was created and the newinstance is famous for its white clay. Atlanta in the
process know as 'hand thrown' created new potteryUS is known for its vibrant red clay. The source Clay
forms in many round, symmetrical and interestingand the types of glazes and methods for applying
shapes. Vases, bowls and cups for drinking could nowand also other substances used in the firing process
be created more easily and in a more uniformedsuch as sawdust, sand, etc., help to determine the
manner. Archaeologist have unearthed enoughuniqueness of handcrafted pottery.
antique pottery to be able to understand theOK, so we've determined handmade pottery dates
technology and skill level possessed by ancientback for a long time and there are many interesting
potters.aspects of its history and sure the pieces created
The act of hand crafting pottery continues to beare great to collect but what about the satisfaction
practiced today by hundreds of thousands of pottersof the act of making pottery? Even novices can
across the globe. Handmade Pottery is made forenjoy a class in handmade pottery to better
both functional purposes and for artistic expression.appreciate the special work performed by the
There are hundreds of styles and techniques availablethousands of excellent potters and artisans creating
to modern day potters but they all follow the samepottery art around the world. Children especially will
general steps of handcrafted and hand thrownenjoy the opportunity to try to create and decorate
pottery. And of course because some pottery, suchan object made from a lump of sticky dirt. Adults
as Polish Pottery or Polish Stoneware, is hand paintedand kids can also enjoy the activity of painting their
even uniformed pottery of similar shapes and sizesown pottery, an activity where they don't make the
can have a unique appearance. Though some modernpiece from clay but rather paint an unglazed piece of
day potters may use an electric pottery wheel aspottery such as a plate, a coffee mug, etc., and then
opposed to a kick wheel or manual potter's wheelreturn to pick it up after it has been fired. Most
the basic steps of how to make pottery have notpeople who have not seen this process would be
changed in hundreds of years.amazed at the before and after appearance of the
Pottery is first thrown on the wheel (or handpiece they left at the shop and the one that they
shaped), then fired at extremely high temperaturesfound upon return.
exceeding 1,500 degrees. The first firing removes