# Pottery Making Basics
## Getting Started
Although you can technically start making pottery at home with just clay, a pottery wheel, and a kiln, there are endless tools that can help you create more precise, well-shaped, and professional-looking pieces.
A skilled instructor makes the pottery-making process look simple. However, with some dedication and the right approach, you can learn pottery quickly by yourself at home with the help of free online resources and courses.
### Tips for Beginners
- Get your hands on some basic pottery tools, including a pottery knife, rib, wire cutter, and sponge.
- Buy Pottery Clay and choose between a pottery wheel, hand-building, or slip-casting method to start learning the basics.
- Most learning nowadays happens through ideas and inspirations available online.
## Learning on Your Own
You might try and enroll in a pottery class or learn from a friend, but self-teaching is also an option. On average, expect to pay $20 to $40 per class, with courses starting from $100 and up. Learning pottery is, in general, not an expensive endeavor.
### Basic Skills and Practice
Once you learn the basic skills of making a pot, practice is essential to increase the quality of your work. Clay always offers more to explore and create.
### Online Classes
With the internet providing an abundance of pottery videos, taking online pottery classes is an excellent way to learn the basics at your own pace. Resources such as YouTube, books, and Craftsy offer tutorials and opportunities to engage with a community of potters.
## Pottery as a Business
- Novice potters report annual earnings of just under $20,000, while master potters make an average of $47,500 annually.
- Most businesses take anywhere from 2-5 years to really get going.
- On average, potters who earn from their own studios can make anywhere from $20 to $50 an hour.
## Additional Resources for Learning Pottery
**Top Free Online Pottery Classes**
- *The Best Online Pottery Classes in 2024*: A roundup of the best classes for those new to pottery or wanting to use a pottery wheel.
**Pottery Books for Beginners**
- Comprehensive guides covering basic to advanced pottery techniques.
### Learning Through Online Resources: YouTube and Books
YouTube is a treasure trove of pottery tutorials, demonstrating various techniques from handbuilding to wheel throwing, allowing you to learn at your pace. Pottery books offer in-depth guides on all things pottery, from techniques to projects.
### Pottery Without a Kiln
Is it possible to do pottery without a kiln? Yes, but alternative firing methods without a kiln come with their own challenges.
## FAQs about Learning Pottery
**Is it hard to learn pottery?**
While starting can be challenging, through practice and exposure to various techniques and approaches, most people can learn to create simple pieces.
**Is pottery making an expensive hobby?**
It can be initially costly if you decide to buy a kiln and pottery wheel, but restocking materials later on is often cheaper.
**Can you make money as a potter?**
Yes, although it may start slowly, pottery can become a profitable business.
**How much does a pottery set cost?**
Pottery wheels vary in price from just over $400 to almost $1,500, depending on the model.
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