The Right Tools Can Make Or Break Your Pottery

Carpenter, surgeon, chef or potter, the tools youagain and again until you are satisfied with the end
use can make the difference between justresult. Find a wheel that works well for your
getting by and being a master in your field.pottery style and you will have an invaluable tool
Imagine if the carpenter tried using a rock in placein your studio.
of a good solid hammer. What if the surgeon hadSimilar to using a rock in place of a hammer,
noting but a butter knife in place of a precisionthere are many objects that will do a comparable
scalpel? How would a top chef produce gourmetjob as the texturing tools designed specifically for
food in a tin can over a candle flame? And canpotters. But when you want clean, professional
the pottery artist get the results they desire withresults, nothing beats a good set of tools.
no wheel? These are the essential tools of theseWhether you choose plastic or metal tools or
crafts; the basics necessary to do the job well.even want a combination of professional tools and
To stand out from the crowd of pottersa few found objects, get yourself a collection of
however, there are many more tools availabletexturing tools. You will create a style of pottery
that can both make your job easier and makethat is unique and representative of you.
the end results superior. To prevent you formThis last tool of the trade may seem a bit
going hog-wild and buying every gadget under theextravagant. But if you have established yourself
sun we take a look at some of the most usefulas a professional potter or are very serious about
ones on the market today.your hobby an electric clay extruder can be a
If you are a serious potter, either as atime and money saver. Moist clay can be mixed
professional or as a hobbyist, then you know theand blended quickly and thoroughly for throwing
role potter's wheels play in producing your art.and sculpturing. You can also use it to reclaim
Whether electric or foot powered the wheelhardened clay by missing it with water before
allows you to form and mold your clay with ease.passing it through the extruder. You will wonder
If you have never used a wheel before it willwhy you wasted so much time in the past hand
take some practice before you are completelymixing clay and why you just threw out clay that
comfortable working your clay. But that is thehad dried up.
beauty of clay; it can be formed and reformed