Pottery Without a Wheel: What You Can Make at Home
You do not need a wheel to make real pottery. Most of the world's pottery history was made by hand, and many working potters still build most of their pieces without one.
If you have a table, a bag of clay and a few cheap tools, you can start today.
Choose your clay
The big decision is whether you want your pieces to be fired in a kiln.
- Kiln-fired clay (earthenware or stoneware) becomes hard, waterproof ceramic after firing and glazing. You need access to a kiln, usually through a studio or a firing service.
- Air-dry clay hardens on its own and needs no kiln. It is fine for decorative pieces, but it is not durable or watertight, and it is not a good choice for anything that touches food or liquid.
If your goal is to make mugs, bowls and plates you can use, plan on kiln-fired clay. Our clay selection lesson helps you pick a body, and the guide to types of pottery clay compares earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.
A minimal home kit
- A board or canvas to work on
- A sponge and a bowl of water
- A needle tool or wooden skewer
- A small rolling pin
- A fettling knife
- A scoring tool and slip
- Plastic bags for storing clay
That is it. Our minimalist gear guide shows what is worth buying later.
Three methods that work on a kitchen table
Pinch pots. Press and pinch a ball of clay into a bowl. It is the simplest method and a good place to begin. See our pinch pot tutorial.
Coils. Roll ropes of clay and stack them into walls. Good for vases, planters and larger pieces. Read coil pottery for beginners.
Slabs. Roll flat sheets and cut, bend and join them. Ideal for plates, boxes and tiles. Start with slab building for beginners.
Ten things to make first
- A pinch pot
- A trinket dish
- A set of coasters
- A small planter with a drainage hole
- A spoon rest
- A tea light holder
- A ring dish
- A tile with texture
- A small vase from coils
- A card holder from slabs
Drying and storing clay at home
Keep unused clay wrapped in plastic and slightly damp, as in keeping your clay fresh. Dry finished pieces slowly, away from direct heat or drafts, and turn flat shapes so they dry evenly. Most pieces need a few days to a week or more before they are bone dry. Our drying timeline explains the timing.
Getting your work fired
Most beginners do not own a kiln, and that is fine. Options include:
- Community studios that fire members' work, often for a fee by piece or by size
- Ceramic classes that include firing in the course fee
- Firing services that accept work from local potters
Ask what clay and glaze they allow, what their firing schedule is, and how they charge. Many studios have a rule that you must use their clay or approved clay, so ask first.
Keep track as you learn
Handmade pottery changes a lot between wet clay and fired. Photograph your pieces at each stage and note the clay, thickness and glaze. A pottery journal such as Claybook lets you do this for every piece, and you will quickly see what is working.