Sometimes you come across something that instantly feels right. That is exactly what happened to me with pottery.
A little while ago I joined a workshop at Dieuwkeramiek. I had always been curious about throwing on a pottery wheel and wanted to try it for myself. During the workshop we were allowed to sit behind the wheel and try to throw our very first cylinder. It sounds simple, but it really isn’t. Centering the clay, slowly pulling up the walls and trying to keep everything balanced takes a lot of focus and feeling.
After throwing, we also glazed our pieces. That moment when the clay suddenly gets color and you start imagining what the final result might look like. I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it this much, but I absolutely loved it.
So much that I signed up for another workshop not long after. This time it was a full day from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon, entirely focused on working at the pottery wheel.
During this workshop we were allowed to make four pieces of our choice. We started again with a simple cylinder, but this time we cut it open afterwards. This allowed us to see how thick our walls were and where we could improve. It was surprisingly educational.
After that we moved on to the real pieces. I first made a small vase where the top narrows slightly again. And honestly… it turned out pretty well, if I may say so myself.
After the vase I made a tea cup, a candle holder and a plate. What I love about throwing is how calming it can be. You completely focus on the clay and the shape forming under your hands.
That day was fantastic and definitely made me want to continue.
So I took the next step.
I ordered a beginner pottery wheel from Amazon (US) / or europe model, a model from Vevor. It should arrive soon and my first clay is already on the way as well. My plan is to create a small pottery corner in my attic where I can practice.
I have no idea what my first pieces at home will look like. Maybe crooked, maybe collapsed, maybe surprisingly good. But that is part of the process.
I am really looking forward to continuing this new hobby.
And who knows, maybe I will share my first homemade pottery pieces here soon.
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