Mindful Pottery Wheel Workshop for Beginners

Forming Clay Spheres

• Wedge clay thoroughly to form uniform spheres

• Maintain proper hand moisture to prevent cracking

Centering & Opening on Wheel

• Anchor elbows while centering clay

• Thumbs press downward at 45° to create opening

• Maintain 1cm base thickness

Basic Cylinder Formation (Cups)

• Instructor demonstrates:

• Consistent wall thickness (6-8mm)

• Proper finger positioning

Bowl Formation Techniques

• Transitioning from cylinders to bowls:

• Outward pressure with supporting hand

• Creating gradual curves

Vase Throwing Methods

• Advanced cylinder stretching:

• Collaring methods for neck formation

• Weight distribution principles

Cutting Off Process

• Using cutting wires/kicking tools:

• Proper wire angle (parallel to bat)

• Transferring to ware boards

Molding the Clay Into Special Shapes by Hand

Shaping the clay using the strength of the hands

Wood Tool Carving

• Sgraffito approaches

• Texturing methods

Drying Preparation

Place the piece on the tray, then clean your hands as well as the machine and other tools.

Looking for relaxing things to do in Melbourne? Experience relaxation and mindfulness as you play and shape pottery on the spinning wheel at Heer Pottery studio.

This is a hands-on experience, but please know it's mostly unguided. You will have free time to familiarise yourself with the potter's wheel and try your hand at experimenting with different techniques, working by yourself at your own pace.

• 1. For the first 30 minutes, your teacher will introduce you to the magic of the wheel, familiarise you with essential setups and provide you with insightful tutorial cards to guide your journey.

• 2. In the next hour, you will be immersed in a therapeutic clay crafting experience by yourself. Let your creativity flow and mould your masterpiece. (Our teacher will be there to create a supportive and unobtrusive environment, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your creative process. If any questions or ideas pop up, feel free to ask!). Please note this time is for you and is self guided

• 3. Then, in the last 20 minutes (picking up work and cleaning machines), the teacher will help you take your pieces off from the wheel and together, as a community, we'll tidy up our workspace, ensuring everything is in place.

By the end of the class, you'll be able to take every piece home just on same day!

Just a heads-up! While our workshop doesn't cover the firing process, the good news is that your creations will air-dry beautifully. You can use them as charming decorative plates for your watches, keys or jewellery. It's...