How to get into ceramics/pot making

[Miikeboyle]

Hey.

Does anyone here make their own pots? I was interested in maybe doing a beginners course in ceramics/pottery and having a go myself.
I’m keen on Shohin sized pots. What skills should I be looking at learning? Wheel, hand building?
And it it a hobby I could eventually do completely at home or would I be required to be associated with somewhere for kiln use?

Thanks.

[Keels]

Hi Mike,

There are a couple of good potters on here that can give some great advice. I find if your a member of a bonsai club they normally put on a potting class. I have done a few at CBS over the years with Graham Cook.

[greg27]

You'd need a kiln for firing, but there are some places that offer a firing service so you could take your pot there and pay to have it fired. A Google search should hopefully bring up something close to you.

[shibui]

All methods are used to build pots. Wheel is usually limited to round pots. Slab build is often used to make rectangle, hex and oval pots. I have also seen some interesting coil built pots.
Many bonsai pots are slip cast in plaster moulds. That means you can make more of the same shape and size.
There's really no limit to how to make pots. Most beginner ceramic courses will cover the basics and you should be able to make whatever project you want but ask the questions before you sign up.
Some potters do contract firing but they will probably need to know that you know what you are doing. One exploding pot can ruin a whole kiln of other work. Again, ask the questions before you sign up for any course and look out for others in the area that may have occasional kiln space.

[Keels]

This might help. It's a really good video of pottery in Japan by Bonsai Empire.

https://youtu.be/IXtwwCqGGxY

[Starfox]

If you have the dollars and space then you could do it from home and throw yourself in the deep end although it probably would be a good idea to take some local courses if they are available. But I'd tell them what you want to do first otherwise they'll have you making cups, bowls and plates all day long.

You can also buy either electric or gas hobby kilns for home or you can probably save a little if you wanted to build one from scratch. For a rough idea here is some... other models are available. https://firedartaustralia.com.au/ceramic

Books are also an excellent idea which would give you some idea what you are getting yourself into before you get started although as far as I know there is not one specifically regarding Bonsai pottery. If there is I'd like to read it.
That said there are many books to choose from so it's a bit of a minefield, I can recommend 'The Potters Bible' from the first link as I have that. Not had the chance to put any of it to use though. If others can recommend any books as well that would be good.

https://ceramic.school/five-pottery-books/
https://artshow.com/books/books_ceramics.html
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Boo ... books/5168

[Miikeboyle]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I think taking a class would be my best bet to get an into and see if it’s something I can do. I managed to grab a copy of the Potters Bible and a copy of Hand Built: a potters guide to get me informed.

I’d love to see some pots any of you have made or are working on at the moment with some info on them like size, material, glaze, cook temps etc.

Thanks.

[kcpoole]

Where in Sydney are you?
Boris Lomov and a few others here attend classes at Baulkham hills
PM him to get the details if close enough

Ken