Exploring the World of Pottery: Trends, Tips, Ideas, and Fun Facts

Pottery, an ancient art form dating back thousands of years, continues to captivate artists and enthusiasts alike with its timeless appeal. Although many people think of the iconic Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze scene from Ghost when they hear the word pottery wheel, pottery has recently slipped its way into pop culture. From the SNL cast’s What's in the Kiln skit or Seth Rogan creating pots and ashtrays for his 10 million followers on IG, selling them on his Houseplant Website and producing his new Canadian pottery show, The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown, pottery is a hot as ever! Just doing a “quick” Google search for pottery videos or opening up TikTok or IG, can send you exploring for hours. Whether you're a seasoned potter or a novice looking to dip your fingers into the clay, there's always something new to discover in the world of pottery. Pottery isn’t just trendy, in addition to being a beautiful artform, pottery and ceramics have timeless and functional use.  From trending techniques to handy tips and creative ideas, let's explore the fascinating world of pottery. 

Trending in Pottery: 

Perhaps the pandemic brought out the artist in us all, or Seth’s 10 million followers find his pottery musings inspiring, pottery has experienced a resurgence in popularity. Many of the basics remain the same, such as coffee mugs and vases; however, here are some trends shaping the contemporary pottery scene: 

1. Minimalism and Modernism: We all know minimalism is hot and the same is true for minimalism in pottery. Potters following the minimalist, modern trend are focused clean lines, geometric shapes, and simple designs. These artist are exploring sleek, understated aesthetics that blend seamlessly with modern interiors. You can look for these designs with Reesha Zubair and Florian Gadsby  

2. Experimentation with Glazes: Pottery enthusiasts are pushing the boundaries of traditional glazing techniques, exploring innovative combinations and application methods. From metallic lustres to matte finishes, there's a world of possibilities to explore. 

3. Incorporating Textures: Texture adds depth and character to pottery pieces. Artists are experimenting with various techniques like carving, stamping, and imprinting to create intricate patterns and tactile surfaces. One fun trend, from the 18th century, is Sgraffito. Sgraffito is Italian for “to scratch.” Artist and potter, Sarah Anderson, is making Sgraffito a household name by traveling throughout the U.S. in her mid-century modern trailer to teach Sgraffito in local pottery studios. She offers one and two-day workshops. You can see Sarah’s work and schedule here. She will hold one of her workshops on Sunday, May 5th at noon at Mud Hut Pottery Studio in Riverside, CA. You can reserve your spot here. 

4. Sustainable Practices: With a growing emphasis on sustainability, many potters are turning to eco-friendly materials and processes. From using locally-sourced clay to implementing energy-efficient kilns, sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the pottery community. 

5. Online Communities and Workshops: The rise of online platforms has facilitated global connections among potters. Virtual workshops, tutorials, and social media groups provide opportunities for learning, sharing, and networking within the pottery community. 

Quick Tips or Hacks: 

For beginners and seasoned potters alike, here are some quick tips and hacks to enhance your pottery practice: 

1. Keep Your Clay Moist: To prevent your clay from drying out while working, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap when not in use. 

2. Smooth Edges with Water: Use a wet sponge or your fingertip dipped in water to smooth rough edges and seams on your pottery pieces. Be careful not to introduce too much water. Less is definitely more.  

3. Create Texture with Found Objects: Explore your surroundings for textured objects like leaves, fabrics, or even kitchen utensils to imprint interesting patterns onto your clay. 

4. Fixing Cracks: If your pottery develops cracks during drying or firing, don't despair. Mix a small amount of clay with water to create a paste, then apply it to the crack and smooth it out. 

5. Experiment with Recycling: Don't throw away scraps of clay. Instead, recycle them by blending them with water to create slip or reclaiming them to form new clay bodies. 

Pottery Ideas for Beginners: 

Embarking on your pottery journey can be both exciting and daunting. Here are some beginner-friendly pottery ideas to inspire your creativity: 

1. Pinch Pots: Start with the simplest form of pottery – pinch pots. Use your thumbs and fingers to shape a ball of clay into a vessel, experimenting with different sizes and shapes. 

2. Coil Pots: Coil building is another beginner-friendly technique. Roll out long, snake-like coils of clay and stack them on top of each other, smoothing the joints as you go to create unique vessels. 

3. Slab Construction: Cut flat slabs of clay and use them to construct boxes, trays, or even sculptural forms. Experiment with textures, shapes, and surface decorations to personalize your creations. 

4. Hand-Building Techniques: Explore hand-building techniques like slab construction, coil building, and pinch pottery to create functional or decorative pieces such as mugs, bowls, vases, and sculptures. 

5. Experiment with Surface Decoration: Once you've mastered the basics, experiment with surface decoration techniques like carving, stamping, sgraffito, and glaze painting to add visual interest to your pottery pieces. 

Fun Facts about Pottery: 

1. Oldest Pottery: The oldest known pottery dates back to around 20,000 years ago, discovered in China and Japan. 

2. Greek Influence: Ancient Greek pottery is renowned for its intricate designs and storytelling motifs, depicting scenes from mythology, daily life, and historical events. 

3. Raku Firing: Raku firing is a Japanese pottery technique characterized by rapid firing and cooling, resulting in unique glaze effects and unpredictable patterns. 

4. Wedging: Wedging is a process of kneading and compressing clay to remove air bubbles and ensure uniform consistency, essential for successful pottery making. 

5. Potter's Wheel: The invention of the potter's wheel revolutionized pottery making, allowing potters to create symmetrical and finely crafted vessels with greater efficiency. 

As you can see, pottery offers a rich tapestry of creativity, tradition, and innovation for enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're drawn to the latest trends, seeking practical tips, exploring beginner-friendly projects, or simply fascinated by the history and culture of pottery, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this ancient yet ever-evolving art form. So, roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and let your imagination take flight in the wonderful world of pottery.