Pick your method. This is very important to do first as it determines what kind of clay you'll be working with. Don't rule out clays that need a kiln -- you can buy a small one for your home if you're serious about this hobby. Here is the rundown on the methods and varieties of clay used with each:
Oven bake, air dry, or polymer clay. These do not require use of a kiln; they either air dry or are baked in a standard oven. Due to expense, they are best used for small items such as jewelry, ornaments, etc. The oven and air dry clays are similar in look and feel to normal clay. Polymer clay comes in many bright colors (kind of like playdoh!), and can be made into beautiful designs which become plastic-like when fired.
Handbuilding with standard clay. The possibilities are endless for hand built ceramics. It does, however, require the use of a kiln. But otherwise the investment needed is very low. Clay itself is inexpensive, about $6-10 per 25 lb bag. A rolling pin, newspapers or cloth, and other ordinary household items are all that are required. With a book on handbuilding, most anyone should be able to start making pieces on their own.
Wheel throwing with standard clay. Again, a kiln is required. And once you are an experienced thrower you will undoubtedly want a large kiln, since you will produce pieces much more quickly than in handbuilding. You can learn to throw from books or even better, videotapes, and some people do, but it is difficult. Most people with no experience, buying a wheel and trying it out on their own, would get frustrated and give up. However, if you are patient, you can build your throwing skills, never firing anything (a large kiln is expensive -- but maybe you have access to one?) but instead recycling the clay to be thrown again. It is tempting to want to finish each piece at the beginning, because you are very proud of it, but soon you will hate the look of those early pieces! So not even firing them at all would be a fine strategy.[1]
Pick your method. This is very important to do first as it determines what kind of clay you'll be working with. Don't rule out clays that need a kiln -- you can buy a small one for your home if you're serious about this hobby. Here is the rundown on the methods and varieties of clay used with each:Oven bake, air dry, or polymer clay. These do not require use of a kiln; they either air dry or are baked in a standard oven. Due to expense, they are best used for small items such as jewelry, ornaments, etc. The oven and air dry clays are similar in look and feel to normal clay. Polymer clay comes in many bright colors (kind of like playdoh!), and can be made into beautiful designs which become plastic-like when fired.Handbuilding with standard clay. The possibilities are endless for hand built ceramics. It does, however, require the use of a kiln. But otherwise the investment needed is very low. Clay itself is inexpensive, about $6-10 per 25 lb bag. A rolling pin, newspapers or cloth, and other ordinary household items are all that are required. With a book on handbuilding, most anyone should be able to start making pieces on their own.Wheel throwing with standard clay. Again, a kiln is required. And once you are an experienced thrower you will undoubtedly want a large kiln, since you will produce pieces much more quickly than in handbuilding. You can learn to throw from books or even better, videotapes, and some people do, but it is difficult. Most people with no experience, buying a wheel and trying it out on their own, would get frustrated and give up. However, if you are patient, you can build your throwing skills, never firing anything (a large kiln is expensive -- but maybe you have access to one?) but instead recycling the clay to be thrown again. It is tempting to want to finish each piece at the beginning, because you are very proud of it, but soon you will hate the look of those early pieces! So not even firing them at all would be a fine strategy.[1]
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