First of all, welcome!!!! 🎉 We are so glad you are here. You have joined the most supportive, warm and laugh-filled pottery community on the internet!! 😂 This is a place for people who are brand new to clay — there are lots of terms that can be confusing. There is so much good stuff here and we want to make sure you find your way through. 📍 Check these links out 👇 • 🏺 Our Vision — what we're building together • ✨ Get Inspired — watch real beginners just like you finding their feet • 😃 Pot Together — meet a buddy, or when you're ready, pot from home together with someone on the same journey as you Do not feel shy about posting any questions!! Help us understand how to make this better for every new member. We invite you to drop a comment below so we know where you're starting from 👇 🙋 Never touched clay 🌱 Super new — just getting started 🎨 Been to a few classes We'll see you in the studio. 😃 — Ness

I spent years trying to solve three problems that wreck handmade tiles. Maybe you've had them too — or maybe you're scared of them before you've even started. ⚠️ Too heavy — falls off the wall ⚠️ Too thick — cracks ⚠️ Uneven drying — warps 🧻 I tried toilet paper. 💸 I tried specialist fibres that cost a fortune. Still wasn't right. Then one day I walked past my dam at the horses. 🌾 Growing wild in the water — completely free, treated as a pest — was the answer to all three. A reed. Fine, natural, and already perfect. 👇 Here's what it actually does — → Keeps tiles light, so they stay on the wall where they belong → Lets you work thinner, so far less cracking → Helps the tile dry evenly, reducing warping through the whole piece → So fine the tile surface stays completely smooth → Grows in dams and ponds — harvesting it actually helps the environment → Costs absolutely nothing 🙋 If you're a beginner, I know what you're thinking. What if my tile falls off the wall? What if it cracks in the drying? What if it warps and I've wasted all that work? These are the right fears to have. They're real. And they all trace back to the same thing — weight and thickness. 💡 This solves both. With something that grows wild in a dam. 📍 This photo is my property in Tasmania, Australia...Those reeds in the background — that's them. The dam. The horses. The material inside every tile I make. 🌿 Mother Nature spent a long time perfecting it. I just figured out how to use it. 💬 Want to know exactly how I prepare and use it? Drop a comment below and I'll walk you through it. Or tell me — which of these three scares you most right now? ⚠️ Falling off the wall · ⚠️ Cracking · ⚠️ Warping

🏺 Build Your Basic Toolkit You don’t need dozens of tools to start pottery—just a few essentials can go a long way 🎨 🔧 Must-Have Tools 🧵 Wire Cutter Used to cut clay from blocks or remove pieces from the wheel 🧽 Sponge Helps control moisture and smooth surfaces 🔪 Needle Tool Perfect for trimming, cutting, and detail work 🪵 Wooden Rib Used for shaping and smoothing clay 🏺 Optional (But Helpful) - Loop tools for carving - Brushes for glazing - Turntable for hand-building 💡 Keep It Simple Many beginners overbuy tools. 👉 Start small → Learn → Upgrade later 🌿 Final Thoughts The right tools make pottery easier—but your creativity matters more than anything 🏺 👇 What tools are you currently using? Drop a pic below!

🏺 Mastering the Pottery Wheel Using a pottery wheel is one of the most exciting parts of pottery—but also one of the hardest to learn at first 😅 🔑 Step 1: Centering the Clay Centering is the MOST important step. If your clay isn’t centered:👉 Your piece won’t form correctly This takes practice—don’t get discouraged. 🌀 Step 2: Opening & Shaping Once centered: - Press into the middle - Slowly pull the walls up - Shape your piece carefully 👉 Keep your hands steady and controlled. 💧 Step 3: Control Your Water Too much water can weaken your clay. Use just enough to keep things smooth—but not slippery. 😅 Common Mistakes - Clay wobbling (not centered) - Walls collapsing - Moving too fast 👉 Slow, steady movements win here. 🌿 Final Thoughts Wheel throwing takes time—but once it clicks, it’s incredibly rewarding 🔥 👇 Have you tried the wheel yet? What’s been your biggest challenge?

🌱 Getting Started with Pottery Starting pottery can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right basics, anyone can begin creating beautiful pieces from clay 🎨 🏺 What You Need to Begin You don’t need a full studio to start. Basic essentials include: - Clay - A few simple tools - A workspace (even a table works!) Many beginners start with hand-building, which requires minimal equipment. 🎨 Basic Techniques There are two main ways to create pottery: ✋ Hand-Building - Pinching - Coiling - Slab building 🌀 Wheel Throwing - Requires a pottery wheel - Great for bowls, cups, and symmetrical pieces 💡 Common Beginner Mistakes - Using too much water 💧 - Not wedging clay properly - Rushing the process 👉 Take your time—pottery is about patience. 🌿 Final Thoughts Pottery is a skill that grows with practice. Start simple, stay consistent, and enjoy the process 🏺 👇 What’s the first thing you want to make?