Recreation as time went on became a luxury. As technology advances, it also affects the lifestyle of the people thus becoming more fast-paced. Not so many people had quality time for themselves and even while on travel which is supposed to be the time for rest seemed impossible not to feel stressed.

An increasing number of people find other ways to be free from stress. Some opt for watching television series or movies on Netflix, watching videos on Youtube, interacting with friends on social media, uploading videos on Tiktok, wagering in an online casino or listen to music in Spotify. Some people who have a green thumb opt for gardening and pottery.

Definition of Pottery
Pottery is defined as a process of forming clay bodies and other ceramic materials into an object, mostly pots, and vases using hand or wheel-thrown techniques to create a unique artifact. Nevertheless, pottery is more than that. Pottery has a lot of benefits to the mind and well-being of an individual. It takes patience, discipline, and artistic imagination to create a masterpiece. Artistic imagination can be innate but it can be developed as well.

Some people find their calling in pottery and many declared that it helped them mold their character and they were able to apply it in their daily lives.

When did Pottery begin?
Pottery has been known to mankind since 29,000 BC during the Neolithic period when the products were said to be in a hand-formed-clay vessel without any decorations or designs and they were used in practical means. The first potter’s wheel was introduced in Mesopotamia sometime from 4,000 to 6,000 BC so, for utilitarian purposes, it became part of the art. In other countries also in 4,000 BC, countries such as China, the Middle East, and Europe had designed potteries that were used for decorations.

Getting Started

Pottery making doesn’t have to be perfect or like a masterpiece. It will start crude but that is just a first step. As you progress, you’ll be able to be in harmony with your pottery wheel and your clay, and in time, you might be able to create your very own masterpiece. It is not that complicated though.

The three techniques of pottery:

1. Hand-building pottery
This type of ceramic technique is to make any forms such as mugs, plant pots, or vases by hand using clay.

2. Wheel-thrown pottery
This type of technology uses a potter’s wheel wherein a mound of clay is placed at the center of the spinning flat wheel while you are forming a pot. It begins by pressing down your thumb at the center deeply to create a wide hole.

3. Slip casting
This type of technique is used for commercial pottery and is intended to be sold to consumers. Slip casting is a mixture of liquid clay poured in plaster molds and is expected to form a layer. It takes 24 hours to make per piece.

There are also three main groups of clay-based pottery:

a) Earthenware
It is made with clay and has not been fired to the point of vitrification (to convert it into a glassy substance) so it is slightly porous and courser.

b) Stoneware
It is dense pottery fired at high temperatures so it is non-porous and resistant to liquids. It is thicker than other dinnerware and can withstand high heat. Stoneware products are microwave–safe as long as it does not touch the sides or the door of the microwave.

c) Porcelain

It is vitrified pottery which is usually translucent and has a white, fine structure that is suitable for decorations because of its smooth, glassy structure.
Four ways of starting pottery

· Pinching pottery
It is created by forming a ball of clay in your hands and pressing your thumb in the middle to create a hole while your fingers pinch the walls of the clay repeatedly to form a pot.

· Coiling Pottery
It is clay that is rolled to form a long coil and placed on top of another different shape to form a pot. Then by using your fingers you blend them and smooth them.

· Slab building Pottery
This is a construction technique where clays are rolled into thin sheets to form shapes. This is hand-building pottery and you can use slabs to create beautiful shapes.

· Carving Pottery
This type of hand-made pottery is being done by people who are a bit used to pottery making. They have progressed from simple techniques to carving a solid piece of clay to make a form and type of design of their choice.

Pottery requires dedication, patience, and diligence. The outcome of the masterpiece is surreal on the part of the pot maker, many say it was a great achievement but for the majority, it brought inner relaxation and fulfillment.