Opening up the center of the clay can be a tricky task. If you do not manage
to keep your hands totally still, the hole in the center will wobble around,
even though the outside of the clay appears to still be centered.
Here is how to do it:
Cross your thumbs over the center of the clay. Gently press down with your
top hand, keeping your bottom hand completely free of wobbling.
It helps to hold your arms close to your side to avoid wobbling.
Make a cone-shaped hole all the way down until theres approximately a
quarter of an inch of clay between your finger and the bat.
Spread the bottom of the hole out by pulling with both hands to widen the
opening.
If water pools at the bottom of the hole, use a sponge to soak it
up.
The walls should be about ¾ of an inch thick, and the floor ¼ of an inch
thick on order to be able to pull up.
Step Three: Pulling
If centering and opening was done well, pulling the walls up will not be too
difficult. The speed of the wheel should be at a slow to medium-fast speed.
Pulling up the walls usually will take two or three pulls. Don't try to pull
it up in one pull.
Hand placement is the key to pulling up the walls.
The thumb is placed on the outside of the pot, with the fingers at the same
height as the thumb on the inside of the pot. The other hand is locked around
the first hand in order to keep it still.
Here is how to do it:
Pull the walls up by squeezing the clay and pulling up—all in one motion.
The speed at which you pull up will be affected by the speed of your wheel.
The faster the wheel is spinning the faster you can pull up. In the beginning it
is better to start slowly. Then, when you feel more comfortable, move onto a
faster speed.
Repeat the pulling process until you get the walls to the desired height and
thickness, which is usually about ¼ of an inch.
Once you reach your desired height and thickness, trim the base of with a
wooden tool that has been cut on a diagonal.
If necessary, use a needle tool to cut away and even the top.
By applying gentle pressure on the outside of the piece, you can narrow the
opening and create a jar-like shape. Inversely, placing your fingers on the
inside of the opening and gently pushing out will widen the mouth of the piece.
Be careful. Remember your piece is spinning and if you pull too far it may
fall.
Use a wire or fish line to cut the bottom before you set this aside to firm
up. When the water evaporates, the piece will shrink. The cut will allow the
bottom to shrink and keep the bottom from cracking.
After the piece is cut and shaped, let it set until it is leather hard. Then
you are ready to trim the base.