Pottery has made a comeback over the last few years, more particularly in unskilled circles.
From experimenting with dough as kids to sculpting, there is definitely something intrinsically human about molding and touching clay.
Making pottery into a hobby is still a very popular one.
What Is Pottery?
Pottery involves the process of forming objects and vessels with ceramic materials and clay. These objects are fired at a very high temperature which gives them a durable and hard form. The main types include porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware.
Can Pottery Be A Hobby?
Pottery is a fantastic hobby. People create beautiful pieces that capture attention and intrigue. This often makes pottery an inviting hobby, but many people are afraid to create pieces since they are under the impression that pottery is an expensive hobby.
What Types Of People Like Pottery?
People that enjoy pottery tend to be individuals that are realistic, meaning they are usually thrifty, practical, genuine, stable, persistent, and independent. They also usually enjoy mechanical, athletic, physical, and tactile activities.
Some of these people also tend to be artistic, meaning they are expressive, articulate, sensitive, intuitive, and creative.
RELATED READING: Good Hobbies for Sensitive People
Benefits: Why Pottery Could Be A Good Hobby?
If you are someone that does not enjoy sports or physical activities and you are looking for a hobby to help you relax or deal with anxiety or stress, arts and craft are probably one of the best options for you.
Pottery is a highly recommended hobby if you are looking for something to make you feel happy and relaxed.
Are There Drawbacks To Choosing Pottery As A Hobby?
There is a bit of money involved if you choose to take up pottery as a hobby. Here are some of the drawbacks associated with taking up pottery as a hobby:
- Creating Pottery Pieces Can Be Messy – Making pottery is a messy activity, especially the cleaning-up part.
- You, Will, Need A Large Space – If you plan to set up an area to make pottery at home, you will need space.
How To Start Pottery As A Hobby
Making pottery from home can be fun and something that the entire family can enjoy. Whether you are interested in making pottery professionally or as a part-time hobby, you will first need to invest in the right equipment and materials.
Regardless of the type of objects you plan to create, there are a few basic items you will need to help you get started.
Equipment Needed
Clay
Clay is one of the more important ones, while a pottery wheel will also help to make your pottery-making processes easier and to help shape your objects. A kiln is also needed to dry the clay and transform your objects into pretty ceramic pieces.
Pottery Wheel
Ceramic artists and potters use various types of pottery-making techniques, which mainly depend on the items they plan to make. If you plan to make pottery from home, you can still do so without equipment like a pottery wheel.
But keep in mind that this will limit you to creating pieces shaped by either your hand or based on a mold.
If you plan to turn pottery into a hobby, and especially if you plan to make cups, jugs, plates, or ceramic-ware round pots, you will need a pottery wheel.
Kiln
A kiln is an oven that produces a temperature that is high enough for firing things such as bricks and pottery. It dries the wet clay and transforms it into a ceramic piece once you are finished shaping it.
Before choosing what type of kiln to purchase, first consider the factors such as what type of glaze you plan to use, the quantities and size of your pieces, and the space that you will need for the kiln.
Tools
Even though you can make pottery from home with only clay, a kiln, and a pottery wheel, a variety of tools are very useful to create more well-shaped, professional-looking, and precise pieces.
Here are some tools you may want to include in your pottery kit:
- Needles: Used for piercing, trimming, carving, and measuring thickness.
- Ribbon Tools: Used for carving and trimming when you shape the clay using your hands.
- Cutter Wire: Used to divide clay blocks into chunks.
- Fettling Knives: These are versatile tools that can be used to pierce, sculpt, trim, and separate molds.
- Scrappers: Used to smooth your clay pieces.
- Chamois Cloth: Used for compressing clay while it is on a pottery wheel which helps to create smoother surfaces.
- Brushes: Used for various purposes but more importantly for applying slip or glazing.
- Calipers: Used for measuring the distance between each side of a clay piece.
- Aprons and Trowels: Making pottery from home often gets messy! An apron and trowels can help to keep your space and yourself clean.
- Sponges: Sponges are commonly used for cleaning and shaping surfaces.
Start-Up And Ongoing Costs
As mentioned above, these are the main tools and equipment you are going to need if you would like to start making pottery from home. When you add these costs together, pottery is a hobby that could end up costing you around $1,400.
It makes sense for some people that buying a pottery wheel and a kiln to get started could be one of the more expensive hobbies.
But once you have paid for the initial investment, restocking is going to be a lot cheaper, and you will also be spending less.
Can You Make Money From Pottery?
Most professional potters tend to be self-employed, which means they decide on how many hours they like to spend on their hobby. You can make money from selling your works to art galleries, at craft fairs, or setting up your own studio showroom.
You can also choose to sell your wares online. But in most cases, self-employed pottery makers will have their own art studios where they create and sell their pieces.
In addition to self-employment, you can also pursue a career in becoming an instructor, becoming a pottery-making teacher, or hosting workshops.
Some potters also work for private-sector industries, such as pottery manufacturers. Pottery makers, particularly those with formal education, also land up working in art museums, art foundations, and art galleries.
For more information, read our ultimate guide to making money from your hobbies here.
Similar Hobbies To Pottery
There are a few creative hobbies that share similarities to pottery. One of these is sculpting, which involves producing sculptures.
But, if you have decided to start a hobby involving clay, pottery is a great option since you can either choose to attend classes or spend a bit of money to get your own pottery studio set up in your home.
Alternative Hobbies To Pottery
Pottery may be a popular hobby, yet there are many other types of hobbies that are just as fun and enjoyable. If you love working with your hands and you are creative, other hobbies you can choose include painting, mosaics, or sculpting.
If you prefer creative activities that involve a bit of physical activity, you may be interested in trying woodworking, carpentry, or gardening.
Where To Learn More
There are lots of places and sources where you can find out more about pottery. Online resources typically include blogs, YouTube videos, and websites where you can find useful guides and advice.
You can also attend pottery classes to make sure this is a hobby you would like to pursue. Here are a few links to help you get started to turn pottery into your next favorite hobby.
Sources: