Starting pottery can feel a little overwhelming at first, but once you have the right pottery equipment and supplies, it quickly becomes a fun and rewarding experience. At Abu Dhabi Pottery, the UAE’s first-ever modern pottery studio, we believe that learning should be simple, hands-on, and inspiring. Our hand-building classes, designed by Master Potter Homa Farley, are perfect for anyone who wants to explore the art of working with clay.
Here are five basic pottery equipment and supplies every beginner needs when learning hand building.
- Clay
This is the most important supply. Without clay, there’s no pottery. For hand building, the clay should be soft enough to shape but strong enough to hold your design. One of the first things we teach in class is how to wedge the clay. This step helps remove air bubbles and prepares the clay for shaping.
- Potter’s Rib
This is a small tool that has a significant effect. You use it to smooth and shape your piece. It helps you get clean surfaces and nice curves. Whether you’re making a simple cup or a part of a group project, the rib tool helps bring everything together neatly.
- Loop Tools
These tools help you carve and hollow out areas in your clay. They’re great for making your piece the right thickness and for adding details. In our team-building workshops, we often use them when each person is working on one part of a larger creation.
- Needle Tool
The needle tool works like a pencil for clay. It’s good for drawing shapes, scoring clay, or trimming small bits. It’s one of the first tools we give our students because it’s simple and useful in so many ways.
- Slip and Scoring Tools
Slip is a mix of clay and water that acts like glue. Before you attach two pieces of clay, you need to score the surface. That means scratching it up a bit so the pieces stick better. We teach you how to do this in a way that keeps your pottery strong and secure.
Why Learn Pottery at Abu Dhabi Pottery
We’re proud to be recognized as one of the UAE’s official Urban Treasures by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Our studio is led by Master Potter Homa Farley, whose artworks are part of three museum collections. She was also named one of the 69 noted alumni of the Glasgow School of Art.
Our classes welcome everyone – individuals, friends, families, and groups. Whether it’s your first time working with clay or you’re coming back to it after years, we’re here to guide you.
Let’s Create Something Together
At Abu Dhabi Pottery, we don’t just teach you how to create pottery. We help you enjoy the full process, from your first touch of clay to the final piece. Once your creation is shaped with the right pottery equipment and supplies and slowly dried, we fire it in our kiln and return it to you as a finished artwork.
If you’re ready to try hand building, come visit us. We’ll help you create something that you’ll be thrilled with.
Homa was born in Tehran, Iran where she spent her childhood and teenage years. She has lived in the UK, and currently resides between Spain and the United Arab Emirates.
