Potters, Manufacturing

Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.

Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.

Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.

Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.

Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.

Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.

Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.

Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.

Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.

Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.

Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.

Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.

Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.

Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.

Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.

Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.

Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.

Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.

Operate jigger machines to form ceramic ware, such as bowls, cups, plates, and saucers.

Teach pottery classes.

Design spaces to display pottery for sale.

Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.

Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail.

Attach handles to pottery pieces.

Load glazed pieces into kilns for firing and unload finished pieces.

Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces using tools such as spray guns.