Learning to throw is a real slice of humble pie- maybe the whole pie if we’re being honest? I first learned by watching videos on Instagram, but over the years I’ve narrowed down my top 10 must haves for throwing.
- A wheel: pretty hard to throw without one! I’ve got a Brent.
- A mirror: the mirror helps me keep my posture while seeing literally every aspect of my piece. I use a large mirror (used to be for my kiddo) from Amazon (affiliate link), but truly anything will work!
- Water Bucket: I’m partial to the 2.5 quart buckets, but really anything that holds water works! Ideally, having a rim that you can use to scrape slip off your hands is really helpful!
- Sponges: So. Many. Sponges. My personal favorite are also the cheap ones. I’ve spent a lot of money trying better sponges hoping I’d like them, and I always end up back with the round yellow ones. I am who I am.
- Needle Tool: Okay, this is where I’m partial to not the cheapest one on the market! The Mudtools Mud Shark is worth every penny. In fact, I accidentally left mine at a community studio and instead of waiting a week to go back and get it, I literally just ordered a second so that I would never be without it! My second favorite are actually the tiny Kemper ones, though they’re going out of business :(
- Ribs: So again, really personal! But I LOVE my Mudtools yellow and red rib for throwing. I also live by my 6inch steel rib.
- Wood Knife Tool: I use this for all of my finishing- cutting off the skirt, beveling the edge, and doing a final straight check! (& Yes, I know Kemper Tools is closing, if I find another knife I love as much as this one, I'll update!)
- Wire Tool: I’ve used Dirty Girls Wire Tools for years, and I’m never going back. We are in real trouble if they stop making these. I really love the ultra thin for wiring pieces off the bat- it really does keep more clay on your piece!
- Bats: I find it MUCH easier to throw using bats. It allows me to let pieces firm up before moving them! I use both the Studio Pro Space Saver system and Speedball bats. I started with the Speedball bats (until I started throwing more at a time and needed more bats- I made the choice to move to the StudioPro system, but still use Speedball bats for larger items!) I also love using my Xiem Bat Mate to help keep things from moving!
- CLAY! Yeah…. You kinda need that!
BONUS:
If you’re trying to throw a lot, and throw consistently, a small scale (affiliate link) and a laser level (affiliate link) (and tripod) are incredibly helpful! & If you're looking to level up your wooden ribs, Garrity Tools are the absolute BEST!
xo Amanda