10 Common Pottery Mistakes Beginners Make
Everyone makes these mistakes. Learn how to avoid the most common pottery errors and fix them when they happen.
Top 10 Pottery Mistakes
- Not wedging clay (air bubbles explode)
- Overworking clay on wheel (too wet, collapses)
- Uneven wall thickness (warps, cracks)
- Trimming at wrong stage (too soft/hard)
- Glazing the bottom (sticks to kiln)
- Firing wet clay (explosions)
- Adding too much water (clay gets mushy)
- Not bracing arms (wobbly centering)
- Rushing the drying (cracks form)
- Giving up too soon (practice needed)
Not Wedging Clay Properly
CAUSES KILN EXPLOSIONS
The mistake:
Skipping wedging or not wedging long enough. Air bubbles trapped in clay expand during firing and cause pieces to explode in the kiln.
Why it happens:
Beginners don't understand why wedging matters. It seems like unnecessary prep work. "The clay looks fine to me!"
How to fix it:
- ✓ Wedge for 2-3 minutes before throwing
- ✓ Use spiral wedging or ram's head technique
- ✓ Slice clay in half - no air bubbles visible = ready
- ✓ Never skip wedging, even if clay looks fine
Overworking Clay on the Wheel
VIOLATES THE 3 PULL RULE
The mistake:
Centering clay with 10+ pulls instead of stopping at 3. Excessive pulling makes clay oversaturated with water, causing it to collapse when throwing walls.
Why it happens:
"Just one more adjustment will fix it!" Beginners make many small, tentative adjustments instead of fewer confident pulls.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Follow the 3 pull rule - max 3 centering attempts
- ✓ Use firm, confident pressure (not tentative pushes)
- ✓ If not centered after 3 pulls, wedge and restart
- ✓ Add water sparingly - just enough to lubricate
Making Walls Unevenly Thick
CAUSES WARPING & CRACKS
The mistake:
Thick bottom, thin rim. Or thick on one side, thin on the other. Uneven walls dry unevenly, causing warping, cracking, and weak spots.
Why it happens:
Can't feel wall thickness through your hands yet. Pulling up walls unevenly. Not checking thickness as you work.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Use consistent pressure when pulling walls
- ✓ Check thickness with calipers or pinch test
- ✓ Aim for 6-8mm thickness throughout
- ✓ Pull from bottom to rim in smooth, even motions
- ✓ Remove thick bottom with trimming later
Trimming at the Wrong Clay Stage
TOO SOFT OR TOO DRY
The mistake:
Trimming when clay is too soft (deforms) or too dry (cracks). Leather hard is the ONLY correct stage for trimming.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Wait 12-24 hours after throwing before trimming
- ✓ Test: Clay feels cool, slightly damp, doesn't stick to hands
- ✓ Can carve clean lines without crumbling
- ✓ If too dry, wrap in damp cloth for 2-4 hours to rehydrate
Glazing the Bottom of Pieces
RUINS KILN SHELF
The mistake:
Leaving glaze on the bottom 1cm of pottery. During firing, glaze melts and fuses the piece permanently to the kiln shelf. Studio owners hate this.
Why it happens:
Dipping pieces in glaze without thinking. Not realizing glaze becomes liquid glass at 1200°C and sticks to everything.
How to fix it:
- ✓ ALWAYS wipe bottom 1cm clean of glaze
- ✓ Use a damp sponge after dipping/brushing glaze
- ✓ Check the foot ring - zero glaze allowed
- ✓ Wax resist on bottom prevents glaze sticking (pro tip)
Firing Clay That Isn't Fully Dry
KILN EXPLOSIONS
The mistake:
Rushing to fire pieces before they're bone dry. Moisture trapped inside clay turns to steam during firing and causes explosions.
Why it happens:
Impatience. "It feels dry enough!" But the inside of thick pieces stays damp for days.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Wait 5-7 days for thick pieces (1cm+ walls)
- ✓ Test: Clay feels warm, not cool (no moisture)
- ✓ Color is lighter/paler when fully dry
- ✓ When in doubt, wait another 2 days
Adding Too Much Water While Throwing
MAKES CLAY MUSHY
The mistake:
Constantly sponging water onto clay. Too much water makes clay slippery, soft, and weak. Walls collapse mid-throw.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Add water sparingly - just enough to lubricate
- ✓ Dip hands in water, don't pour water on clay
- ✓ Sponge out excess water from inside piece
- ✓ If clay gets mushy, stop throwing and start over
Not Bracing Your Arms While Centering
WOBBLY, WEAK PRESSURE
The mistake:
Trying to center clay with floating, unbraced arms. Results in weak, shaky pressure that doesn't actually center the clay.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Lock elbows against your sides or wheel splash pan
- ✓ Use your whole body, not just hand strength
- ✓ Lean into the clay with core engaged
- ✓ Stable base = strong, steady centering
Rushing the Drying Process
CAUSES CRACKS
The mistake:
Drying pieces too fast (sunlight, heater, fan). Uneven drying causes cracks and warping. Slow and even wins.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Cover pieces loosely with plastic for 24-48 hours
- ✓ Dry in cool room away from direct heat/sun
- ✓ Thick pieces: dry 5-7 days minimum
- ✓ Rims dry faster - cover them extra
Giving Up Too Soon
BIGGEST MISTAKE OF ALL
The mistake:
Quitting after 2-3 failed attempts. "I'm terrible at this. I don't have the talent." But pottery isn't talent—it's practice and muscle memory.
Why it happens:
Expecting instant results. Comparing your session 1 to someone's session 50. Not understanding that everyone's first pots are wonky.
How to fix it:
- ✓ Commit to 10 sessions before judging your ability
- ✓ Keep your ugly first pots - you'll treasure them later
- ✓ Progress isn't linear - session 7 might feel worse than 5
- ✓ Focus on the process (meditative making), not the product
- ✓ Everyone struggles at first. Everyone.
Mistake Prevention Checklist
Before You Start:
- □Wedge clay for 2-3 minutes
- □Check clay moisture (not too wet/dry)
- □Prepare workspace and tools
While Throwing:
- □Brace arms for centering
- □Stop at 3 pulls maximum
- □Add water sparingly
- □Check wall thickness as you work
Before Firing:
- □Wait 5-7 days for pieces to fully dry
- □Test: Clay feels warm (no moisture)
- □Wipe bottom 1cm clean of glaze
Related Questions
Why do my pottery pieces keep cracking?
Cracks are caused by uneven drying or uneven wall thickness. Dry pieces slowly and evenly (cover with plastic for 24-48 hours). Make walls consistent thickness. Join pieces with slip when both are the same moisture level.
How do I stop clay from collapsing on the wheel?
Stop overworking the clay. Follow the 3 pull rule. Use less water. Brace your arms for stability. Pull walls gently and evenly. If clay gets too wet, wedge and start over.
Master the 3 pull rule →Is pottery hard to learn for beginners?
Pottery is beginner-friendly but requires practice. Hand-building is easy (3-6 sessions). Wheel throwing is moderately difficult (6-10 sessions to center consistently). These mistakes are part of the learning process.
See the learning timeline →Avoid These Mistakes With Expert Guidance
Instructors catch these mistakes before they become habits. Take a class where you get immediate feedback and corrections. Learn the right techniques from the start.