Think you know pottery? Here are a few things that might surprise you…

1. Clay shrinks.
A piece can become noticeably smaller between making and its final firing.

2. Clay isn’t waterproof when it’s first made.
It needs firing to become ceramic.

3. Glaze can be completely deceptive.
It can look very different before and after firing.

4. Pottery takes time.
A piece may take days or even weeks to move from wet clay to finished work.

5. Kilns get incredibly hot.
Many ceramic firings take place at temperatures above 1,000°C.

6. Potters make mistakes.
Cracks, glaze problems and unexpected results are all part of learning.

7. Every piece starts with a lump of clay.
Even the most intricate ceramic sculpture has a humble beginning.

8. Handmade doesn’t mean perfect.
Small variations are often part of what makes a piece special.

9. Potters experiment constantly.
Glazes, shapes, textures and techniques are tested again and again.

10. You don’t have to be “good at art” to enjoy clay.
That’s probably the best bit of all.