Throwing+on+the+wheel

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Throwing the clay wheel steps 1. Throw the clay down close to the center of the wheel. You want the clay to stick well, so give it a good toss onto the wheel. 2. With the wheel spinning slowly, pat the clay into a cone, forcing it to the center of the wheel. 3. Get the wheel spinning at a moderate to fast speed. Wet your hands and the clay. Begin to force the clay in to the center. 4. Using the left hand as a guide, press down with the right hand forceing the clay downward. 5. Use both hands and your body to keep your arms from moving with the clay, press the clay on both sides to force the clay upwards. 6. While pressing down with the thumb use your other hand to help hold your thumb still. Also, press your arms into your side to help hold your arms still. 7. Use both hands to widen the opening. If water pools on the inside use a sponge to remove the water. 8. Cutaway the bottom to be about 1/4 inch thick and the walls about 3/4 of an inch thick ready to pull up the wall. 9. Pull the walls up by squeezing the clay and pulling up - all in one motion. The speed at which you pull up will be affected by the speed of your wheel. The faster the wheel is spinning the faster you can pull up. In the beginning it is better to start slowly then when you feel more comfortable move onto a faster speed. 10. Repeat the pulling until you get the walls to the desired thickness. Usually about 1/4 inch thick. 11. Trim the base of the piece with a wood tool that has been cut on a diagonal. 12. Use a pointed needle to cut away and even the top if necessary. 13. Placing your fingers on the inside and gently pressing out will widen your piece and be careful. Remember your piece is spinning and if you pull too far it may fall. 14. Use a wire or fish line to cut the bottom before you set this aside to firm up. When the water evaporates the piece will shrink. The cut will allow the bottom to shrink and keep the bottom from cracking. 15. Turn the piece to be trimming over. Be careful not to set it down to hard and dent the top. 16. Spin the wheel and check to see if the piece is centered. Adjust the piece as necessary to center it. 17. Press clay balls around the top of the piece to hold the piece in the center while you are trimming. 18. With the wheel spinning, draw two lines where the foot will be left after trimming. 19. Trim the inside of the base and the outside. 20. Use a sponge and your finger to smooth the area that was trimmed. 21. If the piece has a handle or something that obstructs your ability to flip the pot over, use a post to elevate the piece from the inside Thanks to []