Throwing a Vase with a Blown Belly on the Potter's Wheel

In this short video, I demonstrate how to throw a vase form from a narrow cylinder. Once the form is established, I also show a possible finish to the form by blowing air into the inside to give it a roundness and a belly that changes the character of it. I do make a goof however, as my clay is super plastic, and I blew in it just a little too forcefully, and I blew out a few holes! All is not lost if I want to make a decorative pierced vase! ;-) I could have made another video, but I thought it would be nice to discuss what I do with mistakes sometimes when I wasn't expecting a particular outcome!

This video is for my students in Ceramics I, II, and III (Wheel Throwing) at William Mason High School, in Mason, Ohio as well as anyone in the general public that just wants to learn a bit more about working with clay! If you want more specific information on other methods of throwing, or even just the beginning stages of centering, dropping, or opening, check out some of my other videos!

I started my Youtube channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!

Please subscribe to my channel if you would like to receive channel updates, or would like to learn more about clay and studio processes!

[samanthavauter]

I had no idea you could blow into the vase to round it out! Thank you so much for showing that. I’m gonna try this in my next pottery class.

[Zellie]

I loved the way that you blew the vase out! I have not seen this technique before. I even like the way it cracked. Very artistic!

[shinichitokuyama]

Thank you very much for sharing from Japan 🇯🇵

[maryfisher]

Blowing it up was new to me. Very cool!

[helenangus]

Oh wow Karen that was wonderful. A great technique thank you.

[davidkline]

That's really cool at the end. Thank you for the blowing tip.

[SReeves]

LOVE IT!   I will be giving this a whirl tomorrow.  

[Bolognamonster]

you make this seem so easy 😭😭 i stg wheels are wayyy harder than i’d ever imagine

[claymazingartworks]

LMBO Crazy is always good❗😂. I haven't seen you around lately ( clay buddies ) I always enjoy your videos and definitely going to do the trick in front of my husband he'll be amazed ..he's amazed anyway, He loves to watch me on the wheel ...

[laytontabtablet]

This really helps me because I have pottery class

[pennyfitzgerald]

What did you do right before your very first pull? I think I'm missing that step - one of my many problems 🤦🏻‍♀️

[mnoyanz]

Thanks for sharing. Ill follow your instructions.

[stephanievanorden]

I have taken one pottery class and I had the biggest contribution to the “reclaim” pile in the class.☹️

[lynnt]

I tried this (great success) using brown clay, lots of grog. Because of the blown sides, would this be suitable for raku?

[mashuu_]

when i try to narrow the top part, the clay ends up folding. any ideas on how to prevent that from happening next time?

[THE_BLUE_MENACE]

What kind of clay are you using? how does it just react with the air like that

[emmatoftbraun]

Hi,
My mother and I just bought a potterywheel and I LOVE the shape you give the vase after you have blown it. How much do you blow? (much or not so much :-).
Thank you for an incredible blowing tip!

[sTRipEiSLaNd]

i really like the feeling of your wheel. please tell me make and model.

[sydneyhenderson]

Would you recommend using soft clay for smallish vases or more sturdy clay?

[charliegregg]

How many pounds were you using?
What type of clay, is it Iceman or a porcelain type clay?