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Wheel Throwing Video – Fitting Form: How to Alter Wheel Thrown Pottery Using Darts

By Lorna Meaden, February 19, 2010 Read Comments (30)

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There are so many wonderful ways to alter wheel thrown pottery into interesting shapes beyond the round. One of these techniques, darting, borrows from sewing and is a great way to take a simple cylinder and give it a little oomph!

Today, Lorna Meaden, past and future Potters Council workshop presenter, demonstrates how she darts a wheel-thrown pitcher to alter the shape. She also explains how darting can work really well on pots with handles because of the extra negative space that is created between the handle and the dart. As a bonus, she also quickly shows a really cool way to make a beautiful refined foot that requires little or no trimming. Enjoy! – Jennifer Harnetty, editor.

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To learn more about Lorna and see more images of her work, visit www.lornameaden.com.

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30 Comments on "Wheel Throwing Video – Fitting Form: How to Alter Wheel Thrown Pottery Using Darts"

Christine Templeton July 7, 2012 at 4:38 pm -

I love this site. Thanks Lorna, for sharing your techniques.
marzieh October 15, 2010 at 2:12 pm -

It was good. I liked it very much.
susan June 20, 2010 at 1:18 am -

I like this effect.
casey March 28, 2010 at 2:29 pm -

I love it! The darting was cool although you coulda just make it square with your fingers pushing out from the inside in a square but the darting gives it a unique design moer of a shark edge so 4 sharp edges and 6 roungd edges the contrast is very nice!
Dusty March 1, 2010 at 10:57 pm -

Thanks for more great inspiration! I can hardly wait to try it!
Christine February 26, 2010 at 3:27 pm -

I am intrigued at the transformation from the original form to the division of alternate shapes. An inspiration to a beginner!
Dawn February 23, 2010 at 2:49 pm -

Very engaging production..thank you. Most potters nearby use these months to experiment with new methods before the high production season/shows begin. So I watched the video at least three times, spent a couple of days attempting, happily. But did note, along with Caroline’s comment above that some footage must have been lost. The transformation of cylinder to angled piece was not addressed. I’m extremely grateful for these videos, they often spark a new direction. Perhaps they were marked with string and ruler, then paddled?
Genevieve February 22, 2010 at 9:18 pm -

Another and simpler way of darting is simply pinching then trimming off the extra clay.
georgia February 22, 2010 at 9:37 am -

I’m a fan of Lorna and this was a great demo. Thanks for sharing it. Look for Lorna at The Clay Art Center in Port Chester, N.Y. in October
Charmaine February 22, 2010 at 4:39 am -

Agree with Suzi – Interesting foot… Thanks for sharing Lorna.
Caroline February 21, 2010 at 5:11 pm -

Nice video, interesting to learn new ways of altering thrown items. But how did she get from the cylinder shape to the octangle shape to know wher to put the lines in?
Karen February 21, 2010 at 7:32 am -

Thank you for showing!
Catherine February 20, 2010 at 4:32 pm -

So much to learn. I would love to learn more on the basics of throwing and centering clay on the potters wheel. Thank you so much Lorna for sharing your talents. Beautiful.
Marilyn February 20, 2010 at 12:34 pm -

An excellent video except for one thing–you can’t hear what she is saying. My sound was turned all the way up and I could barely hear her.
Suzi February 20, 2010 at 10:07 am -

The foot is a nice solution to pieces I don’t want to/can’t trim………..thanks.
Dee February 20, 2010 at 9:45 am -

As a beginner in pottery, I enjoy watching the experts work their magic. I know then with more practice there is hope for me!
Delores February 20, 2010 at 4:09 am -

Very nice . I love your explanation of each process . Thanks for sharing with us. Delores
Loretta February 19, 2010 at 10:14 pm -

Jennifer, That’s EXCITING!! Thanks! I will definitely stay tuned. Love CAD!!
Liz February 19, 2010 at 4:38 pm -

Wonderful. I wish you were closer. I’d love to attend a workshop. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work. Liz Hoffmann
Karen February 19, 2010 at 4:08 pm -

Very very nice! Thanks for sharing!;-)
Jennifer February 19, 2010 at 3:50 pm -

Loretta – I think I might have some footage of the scoop making process, but I am not sure I got everything. If I didn’t, I will try to get it at the Porcelain II workshop! Stay tuned. Gillian – The iced tea pitcher above is an example of this form finished and glaze fired. It is not the exact piece she made at the workshop (I don’t think that got fired), but it is the same process. – Jennifer Harnetty, editor.
K February 19, 2010 at 3:41 pm -

I love her work. Now I saw how she alters a form, at least one way. I understood she uses Mishima to draw fine lines. Would you please tell us more about the wax, latex and graze part. I am so ready for Soda firing. Thank you again Lorna.
Linda February 19, 2010 at 3:00 pm -

really great. thanks
herut February 19, 2010 at 2:26 pm -

I enjoyed the demo. very enlightening and neat.
Gillian February 19, 2010 at 1:36 pm -

A photo of this piece after the glaze firing would be nice – but I know that demo pieces don’t always get that far.
ali February 19, 2010 at 1:01 pm -

love your work Lorna !
Kim February 19, 2010 at 12:39 pm -

I love that foot ring! One thing I don’t like about trimming a foot ring when it’s leather-hard is the recentreing of the piece. I find it difficult, especially when my piece gradually gets off-centre in the throwing process.
Brigitta February 19, 2010 at 12:28 pm -

Hi, I was always curious how these various shapes in cylinders were accomplished. Thanks for sharing – Video was very enlightening. Would love to see more of altering methods of wheel-thrown pottery.
Loretta February 19, 2010 at 11:57 am -

That was enjoyable, love her work! Not to be greedy, but I am very curious to see a demo of how she makes the scoops that she includes with some of her pieces. Those are awesome!
Zygote February 19, 2010 at 11:17 am -

It was nice to finally get to see a quick working demo of that process. Great presentation Lorna… Thanks!