Safety First!
Before you jump into the clay there are a few safety items that need to be discussed first. When you sit down at a wheel you need to make sure you have an apron on. After putting on an apron you need to make sure that it is secured behind your back. If the strings of the apron are dangling below they could get caught in the wheel and cause injury. If you have long hair make sure your hair is tied back in a pony tail. Long hair, like apron strings can potentially get caught in the wheel head. Lastly your shoes. Because the foot pad or base of the wheel spins, you need to make sure you have secured shoes. Open toed sandals will not be allowed while working on the wheel.
Three Steps to Throw on the Wheel
1) Center 2) Open 3) PullThese are the three main steps to throwing on the wheel. Each of them is fairly simple but takes practice to get comfortable with them. The best way to learn how to throw is by watching, practicing, receiving direction, and then practicing more. Here I have posted several videos that do a good job explaining the basic ideas of these steps. Remember different potters do things differently. There is no "on perfect way" to throw a pot. Watch videos, watch your friends, ask for help from me. Find whatever techniques you are most comfortable with and then practice them. The most important thing is to keep trying, every time you try, you will get a little bit better!
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