Getting Messy with Clay

One of the items on my 101 list is to try pottery.  Back in elementary school we had the opportunity to make things with clay but this was more in the “here’s a lump of clay, now shape it into something” department rather than really learning anything about pottery or even getting to try a potter’s wheel.  Now I must be honest and say that trying a potter’s wheel was not really a burning desire that I had but more something that I thought could be interesting and fun and when you are in the 80′s of your list, finding something fun and interesting is an important criteria.  Otherwise you end up with something that seemed good at the time (“yes, only 11 more things to think of”) but clearly wasn’t so great when it comes to doing it, like say shaving off an eyebrow.


As I glanced through my list at the beginning of 2010, I was looking for a task that would be semi-easy to complete.  I picked task 89. Try Pottery because I figured there would be a lot of places to have a go and it wasn’t like I had written anything about having to make something fantastic and wonderful.  I just had to try pottery…put some clay on my hands, spin the wheel, done, tick in the box.  However, my first hurdle was actually finding a venue.  I found a couple but these people only offered very long and expensive courses, which wasn’t quite what I was looking for.  Things were starting to look very grim when I happened to come across the details of a lady who had a studio in Amsterdam and also offered classes.  I sent her an email explaining my 101 list, the task in question and a request to visit her studio.  A few weeks later I got a response and a little while after that I was heading off in the direction of Amsterdam with a set of old clothes for getting clay on.


When I arrived at the studio, I will admit I was a tad nervous.  Sure I had seen the clips from Ghost and I knew roughly what you did but I also had grand visions of everything I touched collapsing or clay flying off the potter’s wheel and breaking all of her items in one fell swoop.  After a coffee and a chat on topics ranging from Norway (where Kari Ytterdal is from), Israel (where Kari studied pottery and sculpture), Holland (where we both were now living) and 101 lists, Kari took me through the steps of what pottery actually involves.

I had no idea that it can take a whole week, between the weighing, sculpting, drying, firing and glazing, to make an item.  I also had never seen the inside of a kiln before or even a potter’s wheel.  So it was all quite exciting.  Kari then showed me how she makes cups on the potter’s wheel.  The first one she made at a slower speed, explaining what she was doing as she went along.  At each stage I was thinking “oh my, I can’t do that” or “well that’s not going to go well for me”, so when she made her second cup at normal speed, I was really thinking it might be worth sneaking out the door.

Then it was my turn…gulp…Kari kindly centered the clay for me as that is the most important part of the whole thing and of course the most difficult.  Then she took me step-by-step as I made a bowl.  She did have to fix a few minor details here and there but my bowl did not fall over nor did my clay fly off the wheel and I must admit I was quite chuffed with myself.  I sponged out all the extra water, cleaned off the excess clay and then it was official…I had made something on the potter’s wheel!  Kari also let me make a second bowl and this time she left me pretty much to my own devices.

I was really quite surprised at how much I enjoyed myself and can easily see how relaxing and enjoyable pottery can be.  Kari was an excellent teacher and I really wish that her studio was closer to Rotterdam so I could sign-up for one of her classes.  She is going to fire and glaze my bowls for me and then I will go pick them up, so expect some extra photos then.  If you would like to check out Kari’s work or enquire about one of her classes, then please do visit her website at www.kariceramics.com.  She has some really lovely stuff and I am looking forward to receiving my bowls and also a couple of pieces that I ordered from her.


Off to look at potter’s wheels on ebay…


Cloggie In Training

You Might Also Like: