Wednesday, June 30, 2010

PW for Children

Believe it or not, there are potter's wheels for sale out there that are targeted towards children. These adorable toy sets include an actual working wheel, foot pedal, clay (no baking required), paintbrush, sponge, cutting string, crystal mosaic pieces and other tools. Working with clay together is a great way to get some good quality time with your children.

These pottery wheels are made of plastic, but have a big impact when working with clay. Most of the wheels for children operate from the power of batteries or AC adapter. This power is what turns the clay, so an AC adapter is probably the better choice. If you use batteries as your main source of power you are sure to go through plenty of them! The pottery wheel generally has an adjustable tool arm that you can use to help shape your clay. The clay that is included with your pottery wheel kit will not require any firing or baking. This means that you can create your very own piece of artwork on the wheel and then simply let it dry to complete the process.

To get started on your creation together, simply place a small amount of clay on your Brent pottery wheels. The key thing to remember when working with your clay is to make sure that it is always wet. If your clay isn't wet enough it will make working with it rather difficult. Keep a small bowl of water nearby to dip your fingers in. Turn your pottery wheel on and begin shaping the clay into whatever piece you choose to make. The wheel kit should include plenty of pottery tools to add a special touch to your pieces. When you and your child feel that you have made the perfect piece, simply use the wire tool and slide it underneath to separate it from the wheel. You will then need to place your clay into a safe place where it won't be harmed while it dries completely.

Once your clay piece has dried, it is time to decorate it. Working with the clay is a lot of fun for kids, but decorating the finished product can be just as fun. There are so many different ways you can finish your piece. Use the special paint included in your pottery wheel kit in place of high fire glazes. This will result in a finish that doesn't require firing in a kiln. You can paint someone's name, stripes or other shapes that you dab with a sponge onto the clay. There are so many different ways that you can choose to decorate that your child's imagination will begin to run wild

No comments:

Post a Comment