I got a tip once, that has saved me so much time. I thought, “If I’d have known that earlier, I could have saved myself a lot of grief!” So here are a few things that I’ll share that I wish I’d have known early on.  

#1 Avoid big mistakes - test carefully 
Pots will break, glazes will run, and many other things during the process of creating pottery will go wrong. Little things going wrong are just a part of the process. The key is to avoid big things going wrong. For example, I lost an entire bisque load just before a show because I put in something that was too wet and it exploded. So if you feel like you might be rushing, don’t! It’s not worth it. Avoid ruining your kiln and shelves by testing new glazes and new clays carefully. I typically put them in a test bowl just so they won’t ruin shelves and kiln if they run.

#2 Store kiln furniture on it’s edge
I bought some new kiln shelves from a local supplier. Laid them in the trunk of my car. When I got home, one was cracked in half. If I’d have set them on their edges, I would have not lost that shelf.

#3 Some tools save a lot of time and effort
Grinding the bottom of pots has always been a pain for me. First I got a diamond disk and put it on my wheel, but it didn’t work all that well. Finally I realized that a table grinder was very inexpensive. For very little money I bought one and have used it for so many things since. It takes up very little space. Don’t forget to wear safety goggles every time, even if it’s just a tiny bit. I was grinding a bottom, hardly anything and I debated putting on my goggles. Sure enough a bit about the size of a pea flew up and hit my glasses right where my eye would have been.  

#4 Have a consistent way to keep glaze tests
I’ve tested lots of glazes over the years. Then, in an effort to keep things clean and organized, I would toss the ones that I thought I’d never use. Several times, I’ve had to rebuy and retest glazes again. Just because you aren’t going to use it now, doesn’t mean you might not use it later. I have found that a simple circle disk about inches in diameter with a pattern stamped on the bottom half works best for testing. I also cut a hole in the top to hand them. I usually dip them once and then when dry dip them half in again. This give me the whole picture of what the glaze will do. These are easy to store. I write what the glaze was on the back. The only thing missing is how will the glaze run on a vertical surface. For this I usually throw a test cup and fire it on a test plate or scrap shelf.

#5 Keep a small journal to store key information
There are times when knowing exactly what you did comes in handy. How much clay do I use to throw this specific size bowl? How much plaster do I use to make these bats? What are my favorite suppliers, etc. I think about how many times I’ve had to start from scratch, and it just makes sense to write this stuff down.

#6 Buy better tools
I had some tools that I have kept and used frequently for 30 years. I have other tools that last a few months. While we don’t have to spend a fortune on tools, there are times when a nicer tool will last significantly longer than other tools made of softer wood. Hardwood ribs and tools last a long time, and cost just a little more.  

#7 Use a weigh scale
About the only way to throw a set of items is to weigh the clay. You start with the exact same amount of clay, you throw it to the same height and width, and they will come out close. Otherwise, it’s hit and miss. You also need a scale for shipping, even if you don’t too much, it’s way easier to weigh it yourself. You will also need it if you are mixing your own glazes, making plaster bats and molds, etc.

#8 Temperature can changes things
I bought a bunch of new glazes and tested them. Once I determined that I was going to use them a lot, I bought them in large quantities. Then, the weather got cold and I noticed crystals and other things in my glazes. Turns out, freezing ruins the glazes. Also, the gallon of wax resist turned into a lump. So, if you don’t have a studio with temperature control, bring stuff into the house during freezing temperatures. Freezing can affect some clays, but I find it doesn’t really do much with my clay. However, one time, I was trimming some bowls and found hard specks in them. I thought it was a rock or plaster. Turns out it was ice! So, thrown stuff will freeze and ruin too.

#9 Cats are not good pottery buddies
I like cats and dogs both. And I like when they keep me company in the studio. However, one day I had thrown a very large platter and it was drying for trimming. I turned around and the cat had walked across it spoiling the lip and leaving little kitty racks. Darn cat! Also I found they like sharpening their claws on my kiln lid. They really ruined it within a few days. I had to cover it with something to keep them from doing it. Now they don’t get on it at all. I suppose they still make good pottery buddies.

#10 Don’t take too long to center
Centering adds water and softens the clay. This makes it harder to work with as you pull it. How many years did I struggle pulling and not able to get my shapes. I thought it was all the fault of my skill or inherent in the clay body. Turns out, if I center fast, completely, but fast, then miraculously the clay handles better. By fast, I mean cone up two or three times. The key is that you do have to center completely.  

#11 Do what you love
I have sometimes felt like I would just like to make pottery and give it away. Not a very practical business model. But still, I think it’s important to do what you love. Sometimes I give a cup to a young person and it makes them so happy. Other times, someone is sharing a challenge they are facing and I give them encouragement. I love being a good friend. Making a lot of money isn’t as important as other things to me. Don’t get me wrong, I still charge for my pottery. But I also recognize that it gives me a lot of satisfaction when I can share something that is impactful to their lives. Sometimes, it’s a set of bowls that they use all the time, sometimes, a simple act of replacing a broken mug at no charge. We’re all in this together!

Want more great tips for beginners? Check out How to Soften Clay to Make it Easier to Throw