Pottery Basics - Centering, Opening, Pulling

I hope to share some tips in today's video that will help you with the basic steps of making any form on the pottery wheel.
I hope you enjoy the bloopers at the end and the highlight of them at the beginning.
Trust me I know I don't have to be someone that I'm not to get views or at least I refuse to as we've talked about before. I was poking fun at the whole idea.
Cheers!
Instagram: / matthewkellypottery
Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/matthewkell...
Facebook: / matthewkellypottery
Patreon: / matthewkellypottery
Intro music: www.bensound.com/royalty-free...

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

For those who may not understand ... I’m not changing and was mainly poking fun at the whole idea. I had fun making fun of the idea and laughing at myself. Cheers to all of the authentic people out there! Love you all - Matthew

[@louischinappi3526]

And we love you just as you are!

[@jackiemorrison6024]

You are perfect exactly the way you are!!

[@sammi-joreviews1135]

You are plenty enthusiastic! I’ve enjoyed watching your videos. They’ve helped considerably. Thank you for taking the time to share your gift. Now if you were suddenly left-handed, I wouldn’t have a problem. 😆🤣😂

[@lydiabosley9152]

Matthew - I personally like your straightforward, understated manner, and don't think you have to be a goofball entertainer to be a good pottery instructor! You share great tips and techniques from a style you have developed over decades and that's the most valuable thing you can offer your viewers/followers. Please don't feel like you have to put on a different persona, just be your best version of yourself and we can appreciate you for who you really are and for your great accomplishments!

[@annejohnson6814]

Don’t change I love your enthusiasm and the way you share. Ignore the haters it says more about them than it does about you

[@barbarac4138]

I learn more on your site than most of the others. You go into great detail, and I often catch tricks that I have not been doing.

[@maniacmikepepperhead3040]

I think your level of enthusiasm is fine. Fake enthusiasm turns me off to some of the channels on KZbin. That said, thanks for sharing your techniques. I've told people about how you put your clay on wheel to prevent cracks. Keep on being you!

[@harrymelamed848]

I like your level on enthusiasm. No changes needed

[@bryanjohnson1254]

People are just bags full of air…. Your work speaks for itself amigo. Awesome work👍

[@kathypowell8892]

You are one of the few potters on youtube I consistently return to and subscribe to. You give excellent instruction and love you technique and personality.

[@brucepeterson6973]

Matthew, I don't watch your videos for entertainment. I watch them for the great instructions you give. Your short and sweet instructions can't be beat. Thank You.

[@centralparkcoffeeco.cafeba6634]

There is nothing wrong with your style! Excessive energy is overrated and does not correlate to quality! You are one of the best on the net. Your followers know that!!

[@erinwithryder]

That was nice of you to try to accomodate the suggestion of those people who think you should show more enthusiasm. But if they want more enthusiasm, they can go watch other potters' channels. You have genuine passion for what you do. You are sincere and down to earth. You make great pottery. So I find it unreasonable to ask you to do extra that's probably not who you are. You are awesome as you are!

[@kennethdante]

I'm giving this video another look after a couple months on the wheel. Reminds me to keep my movements to repeatable steps. A lot of times I sit down and I'm doing things differently every time and also getting different results every time :/ :) I was in a groove a few weeks ago and then went on vacation. Ahgg! Back to basics.

[@darrellmelton1215]

Also, you have always had plenty of enthusiasm. You love your work and it shows in your videos.

[@claymazingartworks5682]

Absolutely great angles❗ I've learned a lot. Matter a fact, most things I've learned are because of your videos. You're a great teacher..❌ You explained everything perfectly.. Thank you..

[@jeff5048]

Thanks Matt for the instruction. I'm excited, and look forward to applying the techniques you demonstrate in this lesson to my next wheel throwing session!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You’re welcome

[@genboomxer]

I find it fascinating that we can each be on opposite coasts of the country, starring into inanimate objects, and still be interactive with each other. What a time!

[@pollyireland5767]

You have a sense of humor that clearly comes through on your other videos. And your enthusiasm level is perfect for you. Enjoyed the silliness, but enjoy your usual style more. Keep teaching and sharing with us, because you are excellent at it.

[@karri8998]

Wow....you are fast. Very impressive to watch. Thanks.

[@brianh.9688]

Whew. I'm glad that was just for fun. And it was funny, but as many here have said, I like your style just the way it is. Have you ever seen videos from Ingleton Pottery? You remind me of the USA version of him. Someone once commented that he is like a wizard on the wheel. That's how I would describe you. Watching you throw is awe-inspiring!!

[@ThatOldBiddy]

You attempts at enthusiasm - worthy of a Thumbs up!! Fantastic attempt.

[@gaspazha7045]

2 years after making your video continues to help potters just like myself. Thank you Matthew. Awesome video, including the bloopers! 🙏🏻

[@KatAtkinson]

You be you! I enjoy your channel

[@joanpcloutier5897]

This is a great video - you pull very different from what I learned. Going to try some of yours. Thank you!

[@TheMarnaiz]

Thank you so much for all of your videos; I really appreciate you taking time out to share your skills and expertise. And I really like your laid-back style - I'm not sure why some people want you to be something you're not. Strange. Btw, I love your accent. We Brits are always being told that Americans like our accent - but yours is just lovely.

[@mrmomtr]

Thank you I struggle as well - my mugs, bowls whatever are always thicker on one side. I have committed to throwing at elast 5 a day until I get it!! Absolutely love your work and your videos!! You have taught me a lot now I just need to "get it". Thank you

[@mrmomtr]

Also It's your quality that keeps viewers - all that excitement stuff wears off real fast - or at least it does for me.

[@SallyRoperPottery]

Mike Tre - thicker on one side means you have not centred your clay to start OR when you make the well, it is not centred. Once you learn to properly center clay, the walls of your pots will be even. Matt showed you the test ( using pointer finger ) to see of your clay is centred. It will be a eureka moment when you ‘get it’. Good luck.

[@jackiemorrison6024]

Excellent Teaching!!

[@joeybrazda364]

I really like roll at the bottom of the mug. Looks like it could double as a glaze catcher for some runnier glazes!

[@jerseymisfit]

You’re awesome! Love your channel. We need all the laughs we can these days. 🤪

[@eileenwosnack5592]

You are amazing. Thank you for taking the time to do these videos. I have been watching many of them and what I enjoy aside from your expertise, is that you just instruct, not chit chat and chatter. Thank you again.

[@terryscott9498]

you are a good teacher and very helpful

[@potteryworks]

Well you have 2 choices buy a coffee shop haha. or keep it real. I think your doing great, KEEP IT REAL! sharing your art. And your process.

[@makanivalur]

Always interesting to see how many different techniques there are in the world. Looking forward to seeing yours! Love your videos and I think your enthusiasm shines through your work and wonderful videos. Being fake is just annoying ;)

[@ThatOldBiddy]

Thanks for sharing your instructions. VERY helpful to someone like me who is just getting started. :)

[@ThatOldBiddy]

Love this mug design.

[@benpatterson4452]

I tell my students, take ten differenr potters and each one will do things slight different. And if they use a technique or process that is nothing like I showed them, and it works, they can't be wrong. I do compress the bottoms, of my wares, and tell students to do the same. Since I've done that, S-cracks have *mostly* become a non-issue. The students that still get them, probably neglected this step.

[@Handmadebygas]

This is a great video and thanks for the great tips as usual ✌🏼

[@GambolingwithMonique]

Hi, I would really enjoy seeing a video on using a rib to pull a bowl. I probably am not saying that right. I remember in an older video you mentioned it, I asked for it, you mentioned you might. Also, you are just fine the way you are, the information you share is valuable.

[@nikkia9506]

Nooo! Stay Matthew Kelly, don't be someone else! 😅

[@JV-sj8bc]

Thank you:) ur great to learn from. I appreciate your tips and tricks!

[@meganwong5117]

Thank you for uploading this great video! Very well explained :))

[@shirleycirio6897]

THAT WAS SO FUNNY!!!!! I Love your YTChannel even MORE NOW!!!!!

[@janetjohnson998]

You are perfect and authentic. Skills and mastery with your lovely self. Boom.

[@henedb]

Smart thing to turn the pug!

[@darrellmelton1215]

Love the way you center Matthew. I have a tough time with smaller amounts of clay though. I think part of the reason is the size of my hands, I wear 3x gloves. I just need more practice.

[@sethhenderson8]

Can’t wait for more videos.

[@wcouch8]

Loved this.

[@Handmadebygas]

This is awesome , loved you being silly!! By the way 🤣💜 thank you!!! Belly hurt laughing 😂

[@Scott2817]

You're amazing! I just found your videos and am fascinated by your skill and technique. I have one question, when do you cut the pots off the bat?

[@denisenoble4010]

Matthew thankyou. I found this really interesting and useful. Going back to basics is good from time to time, even made you think about what you do for a moment. A question? Why do you open up so wide when you make the mug, ? Love all you videos, the platter bowl video I watch regularly as that what I am to make myself keep you fingers crossed xx😊

[@catherineyoung3889]

Seems to me you are compressing the bottom as you open it up with your thumb, so I can understand why you've never had to make that an extra step. Can you tell me how high your standing wheel is in reference to your own frame? Waist high? Hip high? Just wondering how it enables you to get the leverage you need without making you stoop. Can I say I appreciate your practical, no-special-toys-necessary approach? (Love that kebab-skewer gauge!) And thank you for remaining yourself!

[@robbieteasdale1965]

I don't think people realize how difficult it is to get a stamped logo to look as clean and crisp as Kelly's.

[@clifforddalton3067]

Thanks Matt :)

[@MikkeldeMibSvendsen]

I hope you will share some images of the finished glazed mugs with. I like the design :-)

[@annettemeglino7232]

This was so incredibly helpful. Thanks so much for creating this basic video. When you open, how do you know how much to open. I know you just do it without thinking but if you had to give an estimate of how far you open up for a mug what would your guess be?

[@ThatOldBiddy]

Extra comment for channel support....

[@DeniseMP82]

Enjoyed seeing you be silly but don't think you need to change anything! Like your videos and your work, have learned some great tips.

[@stevehoffman4633]

Thanks Matt, Any tips on keeping your clay at the proper moisture point? I find if its to moist it needs to be thicker to get the height, to dry and its hard to center.

[@saralaitala3857]

Can you tell us the thrown dimensions of your 1 1/4 lb mug? Thanks for the enjoyable lesson.

[@donm6578]

When you glazed the bowls hanging on your wall, how long did you keep the glaze in before pouring out/ removing the pieces from the glaze bucket? The glossy pools of glaze at the bottom look great! Or is it an ash glaze that makes most of the colored glaze pool to the bottom?

[@mariopalombo2919]

I noticed in another of your videos that you can pull a wall with a wooden rib on the outer wall. Do you explain that technique in another video? If not can you provide an explanation of that technique.

[@KSCPMark6742]

A suggestion, could you try an over the shoulder camera angle? I'starting to see why my students sometimes stuggle, having to reverse what they're seeing.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

That’s a difficult one because my head gets in the way. I’ll see what I can do.

[@KSCPMark6742]

@@MatthewKellyPottery Very fun project btw. I tried and got a relatively nice result, thank you

[@mudbrains4881]

Hi Mathew What kind of clay do you use and what firing temperature do you fire

[@jeffwarrow4364]

I notice you don’t cone the clay (You address that). I like to hear you talk and the wheel spin; the music is a distraction. Why is it people feel that we always have to have music playing. That’s true even in the studio I work out of: frustratingly. I prefer no music. The sounds from the environment is pleasant. You shoot from different angels; what a great idea. Your videos are great. I like your mild mannered approach.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Sorry about the distracting music. I’m still learning when and how best to use background music. Cheers!

[@natashacloutier3285]

No more enthusiasm needed. I don’t like it when people act like idiot so whoever said that to you can go to a few other channels of people that are after likes because of their humor. I think serious potters really just want to learn and we appreciate you for who you are not for who you aren’t. You have helped me so much. Just wanted to give you some appreciation. And, I would love to know what type of clay you use usually. ❤

[@kennethdante]

This laguna b-mix 5 I am using is super buttery but has some wonky centering characteristics. It is stubborn as all get out and seems to really cling to its shape and resists being centered unless I cone it up at least once. If I do that it centers right away. Seems to make the clay "give up". I've gotten to where I wedge each ball right before throwing which seems to help. I know I still stink at this and I know you are legend beast on the wheel but I can't help but think my clay is a bit more stubborn. I can have my hands full of slip and water and it's still can be grabby unless I use a sponge directly on the clay to create a slip layer. Is it possible some clays are harder to center? the 266 standard I've used doesn't seem to care as much if I leave them in balls overnight or all day. The b-mix balls turn into jerks.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Yes there are definitely clays that fight you to center and throw more than others. I have been through that even as a very experienced potter. Although the more experience will mitigate a bunch of that.

[@chrispya1]

Laguna b-mix is all I've used so far, and it does work better with some wedging even if it's right out of the bag.

[@telissalong2976]

Thanks for getting down to the basics of what makes you so efficient in making your pottery. It takes me 10 times as long as it does you to make a mug (if not more). I like the way you have a gauge there. I need to do that instead of getting out the ruler and all. I love your videos and the outtakes. They are really funny! You try to talk so fast...lol I see that I need to set up my workflow a lot differently, also. I run out of room much too soon. Where do you store your finished items until they are sold? Hey, it's the little things that we pick up that make the time we watch the videos well worth the time spent! Thanks for giving me something else to focus on during this time. We ARE laughing with you, as I can't imagine what I would do or say trying to do a video.

[@telissalong2976]

Oh, and for your enthusiasm, you've always had that nailed by being who you are and loving what you do. I don't watch for the bings and bongs...they just drag out videos with nothing significant to say.

[@MrChanyyy]

LIKE LIKE

[@BasilWallace]

How much clay are you using for these mugs?

[@BasilWallace]

That's somewhere around 1 to 1 1/2lbs

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I use 1 lb for my normal mugs but these were 1.25 lbs

[@claymazingartworks5682]

You're adorable just the way you are♥️

[@genboomxer]

Curb your enthusiasm. ;-)

[@osmanyreyes8373]

More enthusiasm??? Pottery is interesting enough on its own. You don’t need anything other than a good camera (which you do), and a good angle.

[@emilyransdell2185]

A novelty keepsake for a pandemic? You do know that over 200, 000 have died, right? I dunno, I really like your videos and work but this notion makes me cringe.

[@emilyransdell2185]

I just noticed the date -- never mind. Who could have imagined in April what this would become.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thank you for the second response. You are correct, no one knew. At the time everyone was just amused at the term “social distancing”

[@chrispya1]

I thought it would be worse, but I'm a math/ science teacher and have read up on pandemics.

[@pollyireland5767]

You have a sense of humor that clearly comes through on your other videos. And your enthusiasm level is perfect for you. Enjoyed the silliness, but enjoy your usual style more. Keep teaching and sharing with us, because you are excellent at it.