by Maya Chen

## Getting Started with Wheel Throwing Wheel throwing looks magical but it is really about patience and practice. ### What You Will Need - 1-2 lbs of stoneware clay - Bucket of water and sponge - Wire tool and rib tool - Access to a pottery wheel ### Step 1: Wedging Your Clay Before touching the wheel, wedge your clay thoroughly. Press and fold to remove air bubbles and create uniform consistency. Think of it like kneading bread — 50-100 pushes should do it. ### Step 2: Centering This is the hardest part and the most important. Wet your hands, slap the clay onto the center of the bat, and start the wheel at medium-fast speed. Cup both hands around the clay and push firmly inward and downward. The clay should stop wobbling and spin smoothly. ### Step 3: Opening Once centered, push your thumbs down into the middle of the clay to create an opening. Leave about half an inch of clay at the bottom for the floor of your bowl. ### Step 4: Pulling Up the Walls Squeeze gently between your inside and outside fingers as you slowly pull upward. Each pull should thin and raise the walls evenly. Three to four pulls should give you a nice bowl shape. ### Step 5: Shaping Use a rib tool to smooth and refine the shape. A wooden rib for the outside, a rubber rib for the inside. ### Step 6: Cutting Off Slow the wheel, use your wire tool to cut under the base, and carefully lift your bowl onto a board to dry.