Opening your own pottery workshop is a rather interesting line of home business. Before organizing the business, it is necessary to decide what the workshop will produce, and in what quantity you are going to start selling products. Clay products will always be in demand, since many of us today are adherents of a healthy lifestyle, others want to learn various old recipes, and still others love handicrafts.

Equipment for the organization of pottery business.

Approximate investments in the organization of the workshop will be about 350 thousand rubles. You will have to purchase a clay mixing machine, a potter's wheel, molds for casting, equipment for firing products and scales for dosage.

But first you will have to study the special literature on pottery; find out where it is better to buy clay; see what kind of clay goods are sold in local stores. You will also need brushes and paints for the design of finished products.

Starting a pottery business.

The main difficulty in opening a workshop is that you need to be quite a competent specialist in this field. Ordinary practice is not enough, in this area special skills are required. Moreover, it does not matter what you will do - management and business management or participate in the creation of goods. The skills of the industrial process and understanding of its features is an important detail in this business, the success of the workshop will depend on it. So there's definitely a lot to learn!

There are several ways to do this:

1. You can enter an art academy, in which you will certainly receive a lot of knowledge that guarantees success in such a matter. However, this will take a long time.

2. Use the services of a tutor, pottery master. He quickly teaches all the intricacies of the case.

3. You can enroll in specialized courses in pottery.

Workshop space.

A room for a pottery workshop requires at least 50 m. You will also need a warehouse in which finished products will be stored, with an area of ​​​​approximately 15 m.

We are hiring employees.

If there is not enough starting investment to create a business, then you can start manufacturing products yourself. However, in this way, it is most likely not possible to achieve quick results. When labor is distributed among employees, productivity, of course, is many times higher. For example, one worker will knead the material, the second will sculpt, the third will fire the finished product, and the fourth, if necessary, will paint the products.

Manufacturing of pottery.

At the first stage of manufacturing the product, kneading is performed. A variety of clay is used for production: white with impurities and red. Then the production process is carried out. To do this, use a stucco board, potter's wheel and molds. The formed craft must be allowed to dry and then burned.

The production technique should be well known, since the quality of the modeling and the incorrect time allotted for drying the products will lead to the fact that 20% of the finished products will be defective.

Realization of finished products.

The main partners in this business are wholesale warehouses, where there is always a demand for typical products. At the same time, depending on the degree of demand from wholesalers, it will be necessary to produce the required amount of pottery. In addition, one should take into account the fact that most customers today pay the cost of the goods only after their sale, these conditions are especially applied to new manufacturers.

In this material:

Pottery and souvenirs made of clay are a commodity for which there is a growing demand. Having your own pottery workshop is a great business idea with little investment. This line of business is popular all over the world, especially in regions where tourism is developed. A business plan for a pottery workshop will help you understand all the intricacies of pottery and set up your own production.

The relevance of the idea to open a pottery workshop

Ceramics has been used by man for over 5,000 years. Not only dishes are made of clay, but also terracotta figurines, sculptures and even jewelry.

In ancient Greece, pottery was painted by craftsmen who were known throughout the ecumene. Nothing has changed since then. Ceramic dishes have not yet gone out of use, like other clay products.

Food is cooked in ceramic dishes. They eat from it, and also use ceramics as a decor item.

Today, pottery is a product, the demand for which is increasing from year to year.

Why this business is relevant:

1. Market demand exceeds supply. There are many factory-made dishes, but hand-made ones are not enough to satisfy the needs of every customer.
2. Development of tourism. In regions with a favorable tourist climate, this business is most relevant. For example, in the south of Russia and in the Crimea, painted ceramic vessels are in great demand - copies of ancient ceramics from the Greek city-states of the northern Black Sea region. Local craftsmen make copies of amphorae, kiliks, kanthars, lekythos, table dishes and successfully sell them not only in the local market, but throughout Russia.
3. Low competition. Increases the chances of an entrepreneur to quickly take their place in the market.

Technology of pottery production

To produce pottery, you need to master the craft, this will take time.

The production of ceramics includes the following steps:

1. Clay mining. Mining locations in each region may vary. This is the most responsible process. Clay is mined in the countryside. But not all breeds are suitable for pottery. For example, it is strictly forbidden to use clay, which is coated with houses and stoves - it is too rough. It is necessary to find a deposit of pottery clay, it will need a lot. The best option is to go to the village and ask the local old-timers where they used to get clay for the production of tiles and bricks.
2. Soaking. When the supply of raw materials is organized, it must be prepared for production. This process includes soaking and filtering. This is done to rid the clay of third-party substances and make it more ductile.
3. Manufacture of forms of ware, figurines, other products.
4. Drying them. Products dry for several days at room temperature. Drying is necessary so that the product does not crack during firing.
5. Roasting in a kiln. The minimum temperature is 600 degrees. But for good firing, the oven is heated to 800-1200 degrees.
6. Enameling, painting.

Methods for the production of blanks:

1. Modeling. The product is made without a potter's wheel. For ceramic vessels, separate parts are fashioned, which are attached to each other. Other products are made in the same way - terracotta figurines, clay toys, souvenirs.
2. Potter's wheel. The most common production method. The use of a potter's wheel allows you to make the product better, bring out its ideal shape. In addition, the circle allows you to speed up the process, which is important for business.
3. Warm-up. Plaster molds are made, clay is stuck on them.
4. Casting. Liquid clay is poured into the mold and removed after drying, only then the firing takes place.

Additional sources of income

The sale of finished clay products is not the only income of the pottery workshop.

Additional sources of income:

1. Master classes. The master potter tells visitors how his products are made, what stages of preparation they go through. In addition to this, visitors make their own souvenirs and, with the help of a craftsman, burn them in a kiln. Such a master class is divided into two sessions: the production of clay blanks and their firing the next day, after drying. In addition, during the master class, the volume of sales of finished products increases.
2. Pottery training courses. These are long-term sessions, designed for several months. During this time, the client is fully acquainted with pottery and, upon completion of the course, can independently make clay products.
3. Exhibitions. People who are interested in buying ceramic products come to events.
4. Production to order. For example, in Russia there are many collectors who order copies of masterpieces of Greek and Chinese vase painting in such workshops. The cost of such products is much higher than usual.

Where to start a business?

Registration

The first step is to register the business with the tax office.

There are two registration options:

1. Registration of a legal entity. Suitable for large businesses.
2. Obtaining the status of an individual entrepreneur (IP). The most common registration method.

Let's take IP as an example.

Step-by-step instructions for registration of IP:

1. Select OKVED codes. They tell the authorities in which area the business is registered.
2. Choose a taxation system.
3. Write an application in the form P21001.

IMPORTANT! The application must include an email address. Scanned documents will be sent to you. Since April 2018, sending by regular mail is not carried out.

1. Pay state duty.
2. Collect a package of necessary documents.
3. Apply locally or online.

Required documents:

1. Copy of the passport.
2. A copy of the TIN code.
3. Original receipt of payment of state duty.
4. A completed application in the form P21001.

Room search

The location of the premises does not matter if there is no outlet nearby. Most of these workshops are located in residential or industrial areas.

The workshop should be opened on the ground floor, in the basement or in the private sector - so as not to disturb anyone. In addition, this arrangement is convenient - it will not be necessary to lift the workpieces up each time, they weigh a lot.

The required area is 70 m², of which 15 m² will be occupied by finished products and the same amount by blanks.

IMPORTANT! There must be a pottery kiln in the room. It is necessary to build a chimney in such a way that it does not interfere with anyone, so it will not be possible to establish such production in a residential building. An alternative is to use a muffle furnace.

The most convenient place is an old factory or the private sector.

Equipment and consumables

To open a workshop for the production of ceramic products, you will need the following equipment:

• Potter's wheel;
• bake;
• scales;
• furniture for storage and drying of finished products.

Necessary materials:

• clay;
• paints;
• enamels;
• glaze;
• brushes.

Staff

To organize a business you will need:

• potters;
• helpers;
• artist;
• the seller of the goods;
• cleaning woman.

How to sell finished products?

Ways to sell finished products:

1. Own store or outlet.
2. Museums. Souvenir shops of large museums are an excellent market for selling copies of archaic products.
3. Wholesale supply. For example, to all-Russian networks of souvenir shops, to places where tourism is developed.
4. Production of ceramic products to order.
5. Internet. Contextual advertising, social networks, targeted advertising, promotion of your own online store.

How much can you earn in a pottery workshop?

Investment in the project

Initial investments include (in rubles):

• purchase of equipment - 150,000;
• purchase of furniture for the workshop - 50,000;
• purchase of raw materials - 70,000;
• advertising - 50,000;
• rent of premises - 20,000;
• payment of state duty - 800.

Current expenses

Monthly spending (rub.):

• payment of rent - 20,000;
• salary of employees - 150,000;
• utilities - 12,000;
• payment of taxes.

Income, profit calculation and project performance evaluation

The profitability of a business depends on the following factors:

• location region;
• the quality of the products;
• the success of the advertising campaign;
• reputation of the workshop;
• ways of selling products - own store, wholesale deliveries, etc .;
• volume of production;
• additional activities - courses, trainings, exhibitions.

If you produce quality products and sell them competently, the business will quickly pay for itself.

High-quality ceramics is much more expensive than ordinary dishes, especially with a beautiful ornament.

The average retail price of one product is 800 rubles. Wholesale price - 500 rubles.

The workshop produces an average of 1,000 units per month. With the automation of production, the productivity of potters increases.

Expected monthly earnings - 600 thousand rubles. This amount deducts utility bills, employee salaries, rent and taxes. Net profit - 300 thousand rubles per month.

If you produce from 1000 units of ceramic products monthly, the business will pay for itself in 2-3 months.

A pottery workshop is a great idea for a business. This business idea is best suited for creative people for whom entrepreneurship is not only a way to make money, but also an opportunity to do interesting things. The advantages of this business are small investments, minimal risks and quick payback.

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Pottery originally developed as a craft that served to make containers for meals or vessels in which bulk and liquid materials are stored. Today it is a processing by molding on a specially designed potter's wheel, after which the glaze is applied to the dried product, then the obligatory one follows. In this way, objects are made that are used in any field: household, construction, decorations, jewelry, souvenirs. These products are called pottery ceramics, they can be found in any corner of our planet.

There are three main production classes in pottery technology:

• production of building bricks;
• making pottery or stoneware;
• the development of more refined faience or porcelain items.

Based on the production technology, all classes of pottery are similar to each other, but there are a number of nuances that affect the final result. The main difference is the grades of clay that underlie the product.

Story

As mentioned earlier, pottery originated from a craft that served solely to make vessels for storing materials and food. Over time, it developed, enriched and appeared before us today no longer in the form that our distant ancestors saw it. Thanks to technological discoveries, new articles of dressing began to appear, they led to the emergence of such items as refractory bricks, stoneware, tiles, tiles, drainage pipes, architectural decorations and numerous other products.

Due to the fact that society began to finish and decorate the usual clay products, pottery moved from the category of craft to the category of art. The manufacture of clay pots has been popular in antiquity ever since mankind became acquainted with the material common on the planet - clay and its properties.

The Old Testament contains several references to the profession of a potter and his products. The most ancient vessels made of clay, even in the prehistoric era, got off with a human hand and, accordingly, were of irregular shape. A little later, there are round and oval items, obviously made using a potter's wheel. History has not preserved information about the exact appearance of this circle, but it has been mentioned since antiquity.

It is known that the first porcelain products appeared in Asia two thousand years ago. This indicates that the pottery industry in China developed much more rapidly than in the rest of the world.

Each nation had its own traditions associated with this craft, which turned into an art. So in African countries at the beginning of the twentieth century pots were made by hand, clay was dried in the sun, and the product was fired with a bundle of straw and fire.

As for Europe, here until the eighth century pottery was in complete decline. Only the Spanish Moors gave it a push, around the same time there were products that were covered with glaze.

Pottery flourished around the thirteenth century. The most striking surge occurred in Italy, where majolica was invented - a type of ceramic that is made from fired clay. Florence gave the world such a master of pottery as Luca della Robbia, his sculptures and other works are considered the pride of the nation in our time.

Using the technologies of the sculptor Robbia, the Tuscan factories have taken another step forward - faience products. They were first burned with fire, then they were covered with white glaze, on which drawings were made, after which the product was subjected to a second firing, stronger than the first. From majolica, they began to make not only architectural decorations, but also flowerpots, figurines.

After the decline of pottery in Italy, France took over. It was here that the clay kiln was invented.

In the Middle Ages, earthenware was created and used only by the poor, the upper classes used pewter, silver, and gold. Pottery was also widely used in church decoration. Here it was used to create jugs. Churches of Novgorod, as well as churches from the time of the Romanovs, are decorated with similar items.

At the end of the eighteenth century, entire factories began to appear around the world that were engaged in pottery.

Ceramic products

The main difference between the varieties of ceramics is the composition of the mass, as well as the type of glaze from which they are made. Pottery comes in two types: dense and porous.

Dense - these are products that, when fired, due to high temperature, merge into a homogeneous solid mass. At a break, such a product resembles glass. It is translucent and does not absorb liquid, and when it hits steel, it gives sparks. An example of dense pottery is porcelain.

Porous, on the contrary, break easily, let the liquid through. Among such products is faience.

There may be products that do not belong to any type, but are something transitional between these two types.

Dense

• Hard porcelain. The mass is fused, translucent, fine-grained, elastic, homogeneous, hard, it will not succumb to the action of a knife. Such porcelain contains kaolin, chalk, quartz and feldspar. It is subjected to a double firing: first, a weak one for glazing, then a strong one after coating.
• Soft porcelain. It is also called French. Its content is an almost transparent lead glaze. A double firing is also necessary here, only very strong at first and weaker at the end.
• Unglazed porcelain, or biscuit. It has the usual porcelain mass.
• Pariyan. By weight it is close to soft porcelain, has a yellowish tint, and is hard to melt.
• Carrara. White, translucent. Its mass is a cross between stone products and paryan.
• Stone products. They have a dense fine-grained mass. There are ordinary and delicate products, mostly white.

porous

• Delicate faience. It is a mixture of refractory clay and silica. It is covered with transparent glaze. The mass is opaque, ringing.
• Ordinary faience, or majolica. This is a red-yellow mass, which, after firing, is covered with an opaque tin glaze.
• Products from ordinary and refractory clay. This includes bricks, tiles, drainage pipes, etc.
• Burnt stone mass, or, as it is also called, terracotta. Its composition is purified clay and ground fragments of finished products. It is used to decorate vases and other products.
• Ordinary pottery. The mass is produced from clay, clay marl, and also from opaque lead glaze.

Materials for pottery

To make brick, porcelain, faience, you need to do the following work: make a clay mass, shape it, dry it, burn it and cover it with glaze. The main material for the manufacture of products is clay. Potters prefer to use potting clay, which has the right viscosity and its temperature resistance is ideal for creating products. Despite the fact that the clay itself has a high level of plasticity, the addition of auxiliary materials is mandatory due to the fact that during firing it is rapidly and unevenly compressed, which turns the product into an awkward thing. To make the simplest product, sand, ash, sawdust are also needed; for better quality products, fireclay is needed - a powder that is obtained from crushed products.

For the production of ordinary pottery, previously mined clay must be left for one to two years in air or in water. After that, it is kneaded in wooden boxes, in factories and factories this is done by special machines. This action is necessary in order to clear the clay of stones or debris. After the clay is taken out of the boxes, it is piled into heaps, which are cut into thin slices with a knife. They are again placed in boxes and are re-kneaded, cleared of impurities that could remain on it. Higher grades of products, especially colorless ones, require components that must be perfectly cleaned. The basic rule of a benign clay mass is its uniformity. For the purpose of high-quality cleaning, the clay is divided into small pieces, which are poured with water and, after a day of “soaking”, are thrown into kneading machines. The teeth of this machine, during rapid rotation, cut clay, and a stream of water passing through this chamber carries away very small pieces into a special pool, large ones remain at the bottom. The pool is designed for the next level of cleaning, here coarse particles are deposited, after which another jet carries them into the second pool. In it, the clay is finally sifted out. This technology uses only warm water, because it separates the clay pieces better, and the cleaning process is noticeably accelerated due to the optimal temperature.

The proportions of the components are determined for each type of product separately. Mixing of funds also occurs in different ways: dry, with knives or with jets of water. When this homogeneous mass is obtained, a large number of unwanted bubbles still remain in it. This problem is eliminated either with special equipment or with the help of feet, which simply trample the clay until the desired consistency is obtained.

Burning

In a narrow sense, ceramics is the same clay, but fired. Accordingly, when they say "ceramics", they mean products made from inorganic materials (often clay), as well as their mixtures with various additives, which are produced under the influence of high temperatures and subsequent cooling.

The firing process triggers irreversible changes, after which the material turns into ceramic. Under the influence of high temperature, small particles are fused in those places where they come into contact.

In the production of porcelain, technologies undergo significant changes. This is due to the difference in materials, the required temperature and the different properties of the components. Each source material has its own proportions, as well as a certain temperature regime:

The technology of roasting products is carried out by various methods. Nevertheless, the kiln firing process is a centuries-old, unchanging tradition. Depending on the temperature and duration of the process, products of different quality are obtained. Therefore, the maximum temperature in the production ovens does not change until the production of a whole batch of products is completed.

Moreover, the appearance of the finished product also depends on the composition of the atmosphere in the kiln. You can cause one or another degree of air oxidation. With the help of specially set parameters, it is even possible to achieve that the potter's clay will change color from brown to green.

Glaze application

Some pottery works are not glazed at all. These include bricks, tiles, terracotta, pots. The so-called glazing is carried out in order to protect clay products from excess moisture. The same result was achieved in antiquity by milk roasting - a method of giving products a beautiful look and water resistance.

Not the most expensive clay products are glazed in their raw state at the same time as they are fired. This is called antling. The essence of this action is that during firing, salt is thrown into the oven, which turns into vapor and settles on the product. In the place where it lands, a fusible compound is formed, called fort.

Another way of coating is that the glaze, crushed into a fine powder, is sprinkled on the product. Often these are products of rough manufacture: pots, unfired pipes, and so on. Before coating, the product is smeared with flour paste and fired.

The essence of the third method is that the product is doused with glaze, which has the consistency of cream. A similar method covers solid products that practically do not absorb liquid. For example, some types of porcelain and faience.

And the last way is that porcelain and faience products are placed in a container with glaze. This method is intended for those products that are subjected to weak firing and initially absorb liquid. The glaze is ground into a fine powder, mixed with water. In this liquid, resembling milk in consistency, a product is placed that absorbs this mixture. It is possible to make a drawing on such a glaze.

Art therapy

In the modern rhythm, everyone finds their own way to relax. One of the most beautiful and unusual methods is to do pottery. There are two ways to try yourself in this art. The first is to buy a potter's wheel and the necessary materials to practice on your own. A pottery workshop in your own home is not only stylish and fashionable, but also incredibly exciting for you, your loved ones and friends. In this case, you can feel like a free artist, try different forms based on video tutorials.

The second way is the school of pottery. In the class of beginners like yourself, you will have the opportunity to try on the role of the creator of the beautiful, the artist and the sculpture.

Psychologists say that pottery is a great way to cope with stress, become more balanced and attentive. Art therapy, according to experts, is one of the best methods of dealing with depression and other nervous disorders. Spending time at the potter's wheel helps to organize thoughts, distract from small everyday troubles and find a way out of a difficult life situation. "Full dedication to the cause will not solve your problems, but it will definitely help you find ways to solve them," the doctors say in one voice.

DIY products

In every house there are clay, ceramic or porcelain products. In conditions of mass production, it is difficult to surprise someone with factory-made dishes or a flower vase.

Pottery is an incredibly fun and exciting activity for the whole family. You can have fun, learn a new business, develop skills and dexterity.

Having visited the first pottery master class, you will be able to make a pot yourself. Attentive teachers are usually patient with newcomers, guiding them and helping in everything. Pottery helps to cope with minor stresses, distracts from everyday hustle and bustle. And the products that you make yourself will be a reason to be proud of another victory over yourself. In addition, after you work around the circle and blind your pot, you will have the opportunity to paint it with your own hands. Here you can show all your imagination. Such a product will be a wonderful gift for a loved one.

Parties, birthdays and corporate parties held for such an unusual activity are popular. This is a good opportunity to communicate, get to know each other better and see the creative potential of your friends. In addition, such a holiday will surely be remembered for its unusualness, originality, and products made independently at the potter's wheel will be an excellent gift in memory of a wonderful day. And someone, perhaps, will discover a talent in himself and seriously take up this business in order to open his own museum of pottery in the future. Children will especially like this activity. If they are good at sculpting from plasticine, then you should try to send them to a pottery school. This will help develop hand motor skills, have a beneficial effect on the mood of the baby, and also allow you to discover the child's creative potential. An interesting and exciting hobby develops attention, imagination and thinking.

Hobby or business?

In today's world, pottery is very popular. They belong to the category of products that are always in demand and relevant. Each house has dishes, vases, pots, various figurines and souvenirs. For many centuries, growing into art, is popular and in demand. Therefore, the passion for pottery is increasingly growing into a real business. Our own pottery workshop is a very profitable business, because the main raw material - clay - is a free material that literally lies just under our feet. Beautiful, original, designer products can bring a good income to the manufacturer. The master of pottery is a profession for the soul. You can diversify the world around you, get a unique hobby that will bring you profit, and also reveal your creative potential.

Pottery is popular all over the world. Despite the fact that it has been around for several decades, it will never go out of fashion.

* Calculations use average data for Russia

So, if you are planning to open your own production of ceramic products, but at the same time do not have sufficient funds to organize a full-scale enterprise, you can start with a pottery workshop. Currently, this direction is of great interest to entrepreneurs. Experts note the growing interest in this area. Moreover, consumers are interested not only in handmade pottery, but also in the process of their manufacture as an original hobby.

Whether you're going to make do with your savings or plan to attract investors, make sure you have a detailed business plan before you start tackling organizational issues. Of course, ideally you should be well versed in all the intricacies of this craft. But even if you have no experience in this area, but it is of interest to you, you should not give up your idea. In this case, you will act not as a master, but as an organizer and leader. But in any case, you should have at least a general idea about the process of making ceramic products.

First of all, you will need a suitable room. It can also be located far from the city center. The main thing is that it is convenient for you and your employees to get there. Most pottery workshops are opened either on the outskirts of the city (or even in the suburbs), or even in the region. But the latter option is suitable for larger enterprises that save on the delivery of raw materials by locating their production close to the clay extraction site.

Earn up to
200 000 rub. a month, having fun!

2020 trend. Intelligent entertainment business. Minimum investment. No additional deductions or payments. Turnkey training.

There are certain requirements for the area of ​​the workshop. It must consist of at least two rooms. The first area of ​​at least 50 square meters. meters is allocated for the production workshop, and the second with an area of ​​20 square meters. meters is used to store raw materials and finished products. The work area must be equipped with a good ventilation system. It is best if your workshop has one more separate, third room, where the glazing of products will take place. The glaze contains lead and other harmful substances, so you need to work with it in compliance with safety regulations and using respirators. Ideally, the premises should be your own. But if there is none, then you will have to rent a suitable one for several months. The rental price will be from 35 thousand rubles (the exact amount depends on the region, location, area and condition of the premises).

When a suitable room is found, you can start searching for equipment. There are a lot of nuances here, so if you are not a specialist in pottery, seek help from one. Otherwise, there is a great risk of acquiring not what you need.

The main equipment includes potter's wheels, equipment for kneading clay, scales for dosing clay mass, molds for products (for example, for making magnets, photo frames and other small items), tools and special kilns for firing finished products. You will also need work tables and chairs for potters, racks, shelves and cabinets for storing products and raw materials. The set of tools for pottery includes stacks, strings with handles, rolling pins, knives, compasses and calipers, spoons, potter's knives, etc. One potter's wheel will cost from 30 thousand to 50 thousand rubles. A machine for kneading clay costs about 30 thousand rubles. Another 5-7 thousand rubles will be required for the purchase of scales and about 5 thousand rubles for tools.

Some craftsmen make a muffle furnace with a heating temperature of up to 950 ° C on their own from a household electric stove. To do this, a case is made from a steel sheet with a thickness of 0.5-0.9 mm according to the diameter of the electric stove, and a lid is attached on top by drilling several holes in it for steam to escape. The muffle bowl is made as follows. First, a mold is made of cardboard, which is impregnated with paraffin or wax. A clay mass is applied to the inner surface of the mold with a layer of 1 cm. After drying, the clay cup is separated from the mold, dried again and fired. Its lower part should fit snugly against the electric stove. The finished muffle cup is placed in the housing. The space between the muffle and the body is filled with asbestos chips. To control the firing process, a peephole with a diameter of 20-25 mm is made with a shutter. The structure itself is installed on an asbestos base.

However, it is still better not to take risks and purchase muffle furnaces. The cost of one furnace is from 50 thousand to 100 thousand rubles. Even in the case of a small workshop, it is desirable to have at least two or three ovens.

The purchase of the first batch of raw materials, impurities, glazes, paints, etc. will require about 50 thousand rubles. In a small workshop of about 50 sq. meters three masters can work simultaneously. The salary of each of them starts from 10-15 thousand rubles, depending on the region, employment, qualifications, etc.

Ready-made ideas for your business

The income of the pottery workshop consists of two components - the sale of the pottery itself and its manufacture to order, as well as paid workshops, excursions, and the rental of working premises and equipment. The wholesale cost of a simple item made of clay made by stamping (for example, a magnet) starts from 60-70 rubles at a cost of 25-30 rubles. At the same time, such magnets are sold at retail at a price of about 170-190 rubles. A visit to a master class with learning the basics of working with a potter's wheel costs from 350 rubles per person. The average number of participants in one master class is five to six people. The cost of renting a pottery workshop, along with all the necessary equipment, starts from 1000 rubles and more. Of course, you can make money on training and renting a workshop only if it is located in a large city, where there is practically no competition in this area and there is an interest on the part of people in pottery. You can sell finished products through small-scale wholesale companies (as production volumes increase, it will be possible to think about large wholesale), through retail chains, individual stores (flower shops, toy stores, souvenir and gift shops), retail outlets and stalls (including souvenir shops in city shopping centers, railway stations and airports), points in the markets, through your own shop at the workshop, as well as through online stores (but this option is only suitable for selling small souvenirs). The dream of all small manufacturers of souvenirs is to become a supplier of large Russian retail chains. Clay souvenirs are original and in demand, and there is no competition at the federal level. But for cooperation with retail chains, the minimum lot of goods must be at least a thousand pieces of the same name, which is quite a large amount for a small workshop, even if we are talking about small things, like stamped magnets. Another difficulty is related to the specifics of any semi-handicraft production, which include unstable product quality and non-compliance with delivery times.

Clay is an amazing natural material, warm, delicate and pliable, which can turn into anything from a primitive, at first glance, children's toy to an amazing vase or an elegant candlestick. Working with clay has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relaxes, relieves. So clay modeling is not only an interesting creative activity that can turn into a favorite hobby. It is also a way to relieve accumulated negative energy, relieve tension, relax, and get a lot of positive emotions.

Of course, at home it is difficult to compete with modern ceramic production, with its latest technologies, sophisticated equipment, and new finishing materials. But it is possible to create products that are simple in terms of technology. Any of them will keep the warmth of your hands, a part of your soul and will be a real work of art in its own way. After all, there is no other exactly the same plate or vase anywhere else in the world...

Workshop in the country

Working with clay is a pretty messy thing. In the sense that then you have to wash everything and everything. And if you can sculpt figures at home, in a city apartment, then creating your first masterpieces on a potter's wheel in an apartment is not very convenient. Do you have a strong desire to get in touch with amazing natural material and try to master (albeit clumsily so far, if only as entertainment) one of the oldest crafts - pottery? There is no better place than a cottage for this. It is here that it is much easier to organize the workspace, to place everything you need. It is at the dacha or in the village that the work behind the potter's wheel will be more organic, fitting into the surrounding landscape, as a touch to the origins, to folk history and culture.

Currently, there are entire specialized stores at the service of beginners and "advanced" ceramists, where you can buy everything you need, from potter's wheels and various types of clay to a kiln for firing finished products. Don't worry, we won't need the oven just yet. This piece is expensive and at first it is not at all obligatory. To begin with, it makes sense to learn how to make the simplest forms on a potter's wheel and dry them properly. And you can burn your creations, for example, in schools of children's creativity or ceramic workshops, where there is the appropriate equipment. Or at first, leave it without firing at all. If the pottery "hooks" you seriously, if you feel that it is yours, then you can already think about the oven. By the way, in the village you can make a wood-burning kiln on your own by asking the master for help or using special literature.

Required Tools

It is clear that the potter's wheel is the main device, without which we can not do without. Since some obscure genius invented and created the first potter's wheel, about 7 thousand years have passed. Since then, the principle of operation of this device has not changed at all. A potter's wheel is a small disk made of smooth material (wood, plastic, stone, metal, etc.) with an axis rigidly attached to the bottom. A gear is attached to the opposite end of the axle, thanks to which the disk can rotate. The first potter's wheels were handmade. Then came the legs. They are more convenient because they allow you to free both hands of the master for work. Most modern pottery wheels are electric. They are quite comfortable and facilitate the physical work of the potter. Although some masters claim that a real potter's wheel is still a foot one. Only on it you can smoothly and flexibly adjust the speed of rotation, which is very important for sculpting.

Now there is an opportunity to purchase a potter's wheel of industrial production. As a rule, such circles are quite convenient to work with. But there are homemade amateurs who make such circles on their own.

For more or less serious creativity, battery-operated children's potter's wheels that have appeared on sale will not suit you. They belong to the category of toys, with some experience they can make only very tiny items (for example, doll saucers). Batteries won't last much longer.

Stacks are also useful for work - special wooden or plastic tools for removing excess material and more thorough work on the details. In addition, you will need a wire with handles at the ends for cutting the product from the potter's wheel, for cutting clay and other works. Instead of wire, the thinnest guitar string will do. Its length should be approximately equal to the width of the shoulders.

Song of Clay

Clays are very different both in origin, and in mineral composition, and in the content of various impurities. The industrial classification divides them into kaolins, clays, crackers (refractory clays) and shale clays (poorly soaked in water). There is such a thing as "fat" (plastic) and "skinny" (dry) clay. For pottery, clay must be sufficiently "fat". Otherwise, it will be poorly molded and crack during firing. Moreover, the thinner, more elegant the product, the more oily clay is used for it. The color of the clay also varies. It can be red, brown, green, blue, white, gray and even chocolate or dirty black. The color of clay is given by oxides of various metals: aluminum, iron, titanium. If their total number does not exceed 1%, the product will be white both before and after firing. If the oxide content is more than 1%, the finished product will turn red, even if the raw clay was green or blue.

Perhaps for beginner potters, the best way out is to buy ready-made clay in specialized stores or at ceramics factories. Most often, pottery clay is sold in powder form. It has already been cleaned of impurities and has all the necessary additives. It just needs to be cooked right. It is better to learn more about how to do this from the consultants in the store.

Before starting work, even with clay completely ready for use, one more very important operation must be done - “kill”. Roll a clay roll on a wooden board and tear it into two parts with a movement similar to twisting clothes. Then, with force, throw the pieces on the table, fold them, roll them up and tear them apart again. The procedure must be repeated 20-25 times. This is done in order to remove air bubbles from the clay and achieve a uniform consistency. The remaining air will be very disturbing when working on the potter's wheel and can break the finished product during firing. A lump of clay can not be torn apart with your hands, but cut with a wire. By the way, many masters consider this method more correct. After that, we proceed to the so-called spiral kneading. It is done like this. The prepared piece of clay is placed on the table, both palms are placed on top. The main load should fall on the lower parts of the palms. Press your palms on the clay, as if pushing it away from you, at the same time slightly turn your palms counterclockwise. If everything is done correctly, you will hear light pops of bursting air bubbles. Then release the clay and slightly rotate the whole lump clockwise, returning to its original place. The operation is repeated 30-40 times. Try to avoid folds, they can hide unnecessary air.

Finally our clay is ready. Let's start sculpting. Be prepared for the fact that at first you will not succeed. This is fine. If possible, watch a craftsman working on a potter's wheel, or better yet, take a few pottery lessons. Now there are more and more such creative courses and master classes. If this is not possible, you will have to master the skill by trial and error. An explanatory self-instruction book with a step-by-step description of the work and pictures-diagrams is very useful in this. It should be noted that the main way to master pottery is repeated repetition. Try to get your hands to perform mechanical work almost automatically. Look at your work as a student exercise. And don't despair. As you know, it is not the gods who burn the pots. In pottery there are no strict rules on how to make pottery, and skill comes with experience.

So let's try. Cut a piece of clay with a wire, give it a rounded shape and place it in the center of the machine, slightly pressing it to the surface. If the clay is off-center, correct it with your hands and then run the potter's wheel. The clay must be placed exactly in the center, otherwise it will rotate unevenly and, in the end, will jump off the circle. Perhaps this is the most difficult thing for beginners - to learn how to lay out the clay strictly in the center. The centered piece appears to be almost motionless, the clay should not flex or move. The correct setting of the potter's hands is very important. Elbows should be pressed to the body, and bent hands with slightly close wrists should be kept on a rotating piece of clay. You need to try to relax your hands as much as possible, the movements should be soft and smooth, without sharp jerks.

The movements that you will make with your hands depend on what shape you want to get. Let's say we decided to mold a jug. Having pressed down the clay, make a bun or a small dome out of it, smoothed from the sides. Now squeeze the clay with both hands and, while lifting them, transform the dome into a cone, and then back into a dome. With the thumb of your right hand, mark the center at the top of the dome and begin to gradually press your finger into it vertically. The rest of the fingers are outside the dome. Squeeze some water out of the sponge into the hole. To push the clay apart, lower the fingers of the left hand inward to the bottom of the recess, and place the fingers of the right hand on the outer wall. Press with your left hand on the surface of the product. Hands should be constantly moistened with water. Extend the cylinder to the desired final height. Touch the bottom of the product with the end of the middle finger of the left hand, and press the bent index finger and thumb of the right hand to the outside. To stretch the walls, move your hands from the bottom to the top. Try to keep the walls the same thickness. The main task at this stage is to get an even, hollow cylinder with a bottom. Then we begin to transform it into a vase, jug or other intended product. There are certain rules for this:

• if you press on the inside of the cylinder, then its walls will stretch with the expansion of the form. Hands should be both inside and outside the cylinder, one against the other, together determining the thickness of the wall and the amount of pressure;
• in order to stretch the neck of the jug, it is necessary to grab its top from the outside with both hands and squeeze it to the desired size;
• if the jug is supposed to have a narrow neck, be careful not to accidentally widen it too much;
• water that collects at the bottom of the product can be conveniently removed with a sponge worn on a wire;
• try to carve a thin edge of the product, round it with your fingers to the outside and wrap it. So you get a decorative detail characteristic of pottery;
• if you need to make a spout, grasp the edge of the jug with two fingers of your left hand and press between them with the index finger of your right.

The larger the pottery you want to get, the more difficult it is to make. Therefore, it is better to start with small saucers and plates. To do this, you need to lay out a clay disc of small height in the center of the potter's wheel, corresponding to the size of the future plate. The bottom should be made most carefully, because for flat products it is the most vulnerable point. Clay here needs to be pressed down harder. Then lift the clay from the outer edge with your thumb and forefinger to form a rounded rim. After that, we begin to smooth the side of the plate, slightly squeezing the clay and at the same time stretching it to the sides. Do not thin the walls of the product too much, otherwise they will crack and “swell” during firing.

Drying and decorating

When the product is ready and you are satisfied with it, cut it off the circle with a special wire with two handles. Pull the wire twice under the bottom of the product, then slide it off the circle and transfer it to a stand moistened with water. Now comes the next important step - drying. The main task is to ensure that the clay dries evenly, otherwise it will crack. Therefore, avoid drafts and direct sunlight. Wipe the product with a damp sponge or wet hands, removing all kinds of irregularities, then cover with a damp cloth and put to dry in a closed box (preferably galvanized).

After about a day, when the product dries a little, it is taken out of the box, carefully cleaned with fine sandpaper and proceed to the finishing work. For example, the surface of a jug or vase can be "smoothed". To do this, rub it with some smooth object. In this case, the top layer of clay is compacted and begins to shine. After firing, such dishes shine even more. On soft clay, textured finishes can also be performed. Stamps are cut out of wood or rubber. By pressing them into wet clay in a certain sequence, you can get a unique pattern or ornament. Interesting prints are obtained by pressing coarse burlap to the clay. You can also apply a pattern or drawing by scratching. It is performed with an awl, knife or other sharp object.

In addition, engobe painting is a very popular type of pottery finishing. Engobes are specially prepared liquid clays. Such painting is carried out on a raw, dry and even fired product. The decorating composition is applied with a brush, spray gun or the product is immersed in a container with a solution. After such painting, the products are fired at a temperature of 700-800°C.

A higher degree of finishing is glazing. Glaze is a thin, glassy coating that is formed when silicate compounds are melted onto the surface of a clay product, and can also be purchased from specialty stores or pottery factories. They protect ceramics from contamination, make it more durable. Glazes are very different: transparent, colored, colorless. Enamel is a type of glaze. It is opaque and is used as a base for ceramic paint. Enamel is applied by pouring, dried, and then the ceramics are painted with special paints. When the paints are completely dry, the product is fired.

For roasting, special electric kilns are usually used. If you have access to such equipment, firing is carried out as follows. After drying and decorating, the product is placed in an oven for 1.5-3 hours for additional drying at a temperature of 150°C. First, the temperature in the oven is raised slowly until all the moisture has evaporated. Then every 30-40 minutes the temperature is raised by 50°C and brought to 400°C. When the product begins to turn red, the temperature is increased more sharply - by 100 ° C every hour and brought to 800-900 ° C. This heat is maintained for an hour and the furnace is turned off. In the first hours, cooling should proceed slowly until the temperature drops to 450-400°C. When the temperature drops to 200°C, the oven can be opened. The product is removed only when it has cooled to room temperature. The whole cooling process usually takes 10-12 hours. Now, if necessary, the product is painted with glazes, and then the whole firing process is repeated again so that the glaze melts.

Clay consumption

It is very useful to know how much clay is needed to make this or that product of a certain size. As a rule, beginners take too much clay, and this is one of the reasons for possible failures. To make a tea saucer with a bottom diameter of 13 cm, we need about 800 g of clay, for a dinner plate with a bottom diameter of 23 cm, the weight of clay will increase to 1400 g. For a 9 cm mug or a 0.2 l jug, only 350 g of clay will be required. A half-liter jug ​​will turn out from 500 g of clay, and a teapot from 1000 g. Add a spout (250 g) and a lid (250 g) to the teapot. It is recommended to keep a kind of diary where you will write down information on each of your products: how much clay was required for the product and parts (lids, spouts, handles), some features of the technology, etc. Here you can also sketch interesting products seen in museums or at exhibitions, make sketches of your own vases and jugs, which so far exist only in your imagination. Such records will help to improve skills, not make gross mistakes, and save for many years a lot of useful information, which otherwise will certainly be forgotten.

It is clear that it is very difficult to learn how to work on a potter's wheel after reading just one short article. You will need a lot of time, hard work and a good mentor or sensible tutorial. And who knows, maybe your wonderful works will not only decorate the house, but will also take their rightful place at ceramics exhibitions.

Victoria Beloborodova