Pottery has been an essential part of human history for millennia. Indeed, a huge part of the history of pottery can be found in prehistoric, pre-literate cultures. However, much of it can be found throughout the spans of time following those societies. The Ancient Greeks, Ancient Romans, and Mesopotamians all used pottery for art, communication, decoration, and transport. It was the latter who invented the pottery wheel between 6,000 and 4,000 BCE, forever revolutionizing the art of pottery.
Pottery has been with us all this time. Admittedly, it lost something during and following the Industrial Revolution when machines took over the production of eating, storage, and transport vessels, but for many, it remained an essential form of expression. For others who thought the form vanished from common use, 1990’s Ghost gave birth to a whole generation of people who wanted to try their hand at this ancient art. If you are one of the many Americans who have always wanted to throw pottery clay but never knew how, ceramics supplies professionals can give you the knowledge and the pottery supplies to make your dreams come true.
The Know-How
Perhaps the most important thing ceramics supplies professionals can impart is their knowledge. For instance, did you know that there are three main forms of pottery? Earthenware, Stoneware, and Porcelain are the three main types, though a fourth, referred to as Porcelaneous-Stoneware, has been created using a combination of two forms. Each type has distinctive characteristics. For example, Earthenware is fired in a pottery kiln at temperatures ranging from 1,000°C to 1,200 °C.
Having noted the differences, there are also things every form of pottery has in common. For instance, each piece of pottery requires shaping to achieve its desired look and function. As your ceramics supplies specialist can tell you, pottery can be shaped by hand, through injection molding, casting, or throwing on pottery wheels. Ceramics, in general, are inorganic, nonmetallic solids prepared through applying heat in kilns, like Skutt kilns, and subsequently cooled.
The Tools
After your ceramic supplies professional has provided you with the knowledge you need to get started, you can begin crafting your own works of art. Remember, however, that you are a beginner and you need to start slow for the best results. After all, learning to throw clay on pottery wheels for beginners and how to fire that clay appropriately in an electric kiln takes time and patience. Perfecting and finishing your pieces by using etching pottery tools and glazes is another step that will take time to learn and perfect. Communication with your ceramics supplies specialist is key here for optimum safety and results.
Whether you want to be the next Maddock, Cooke, or Davenport, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, as Confucius once said. Your ceramics supplier can give you the knowledge and tools you need to take that first step. Before you know it, you will have grown into a competent, unique artist.