Throwing a Lidded Jar from ONE Piece on the Potter's Wheel!

This video is a demonstration of throwing a lidded jar from ONE piece on the potter’s wheel. I explain cautions and things to avoid to throw a successful one piece lidded pot. Stable even centering and pulling are essential to throw these. If you need to review basic steps on throwing, my beginning playlist is linked below.
I happen to be using Standard 225 stoneware for this demo- as that is the clay my students use on the wheel.
For my whole playlist on beginning throwing, check out this link on my channel. • Beginning Wheel Throwing
For the great tools I used in the video (including the mudtools ribs and needle tools) check out this link to a live Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! docs.google.com/document/d/1X...
I made this video for my Ceramics III and Independent Study students at Mason High School. This is an independently student driven project to learn, often using our Pick A Passion Project..
I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 30 years, and I have been teaching for over 32 years, the past 25 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsA...
I started my KZbin channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!
Please subscribe to my channel if you would like to receive channel updates, or would like to learn more about clay and studio processes!

[@peterquynce4343]

Thank you so much for this video! My husband is a blind potter that has been having trouble with lids, and this technique should really help!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

That’s wonderful!!! I hope it will be helpful!!

[@YetAnotherPilot]

Love the idea of using the pot itself as a chuck to trim the lid!

[@triciac1019]

How nice of you to show us so many different options. These are beautiful!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Thanks so much 😊

[@dianeuranowski3694]

This was a great video! I did learn this for a girl in an pottery class a long, long time ago, but she just used a flat head screw driver with a very wide tip and it worked very well for her. Thanks again!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

That’s a lovely idea- it would give you nice precise corners!

[@sp4874]

This worked perfectly - this will be my ‘go to’ method from now on! Thanks! 😊

[@RebeccaSmith-tk4zy]

I appreciate your making this video. I had been watching another's and trying to feel my way through making these forms, but as a teacher, you break it down so logically and methodically. Thank you!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

You are so welcome! And thank you for the kind words!!

[@chrismorlan4129]

I’ve followed your videos for years and they’ve been so helpful. As I’m becoming a better wheel thrower I need help on how much clay to use. Can you please mention how many pounds you’re starting with when you do a project. I love the lidded pots video and all the choices and mistakes to avoid. Thanks for all you do to help the pottery community grow.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Sorry I left out the weight, Chris!!! I’d assume I was right around 2 lbs for the larger ones- and maybe 1.5 for smaller. The size will make a huge difference if the wall thickness is greater. My students use a bit more clay than I would as I throw thinner than they currently are able!

[@chrismorlan4129]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thank you. That’s very helpful!

[@kristinwade9873]

Fantastic demonstration! Thank you!😊

[@hlopez9696]

What a great video with explanations! Thank you. I will try this for sure ❤

[@annelythgoe1616]

Nice job. Appreciate your voiceover instead of talking through it live. Great instructions and a keeper!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Thanks for the kind words!! Yeah- I try to talk over a sped up video as often as I can to “get to the point”! It’s funny how many people get irritated when I speed things up and do that! 😂🤷‍♀️

[@monicacarlos7344]

This is a FABULOUS tutorial! Thank you!!!!

[@katwheeler9492]

Really well explained and helpful. Thank you x

[@jutakis]

I love these with lids. I’ve been thinking about trying this so I’m taking this as a sign, to do it! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Wonderful!! Good luck! I just love this way of making them!

[@carboncookie]

I was never successful with this method, but I will try once more with the help of your video! 🥳

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

awesome! Good luck!

[@vickiestadler4388]

Awe, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! :)

[@suestone6957]

Great video!

[@HGD70]

Very helpful to see the “what not to do!”

[@noelia6803]

Great examples! I always learn better new ways to throw, thank you!!!

[@chrisp7548]

This is such a great video! Spot on with the explanations!!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Thanks so much!

[@juliejoanlanne8322]

Just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful video ! Thanks to you, I have a beautiful jar with a lid that fits just perfectly ! 👌 You're a great teacher and even if I'm on the other side of the Atlantic, I love your video 👍 🇨🇵 ❤🇺🇲

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

You are so welcome! I am so glad that it was helpful to you!!!! :)

[@leesaah8424]

Thanks for such a good video!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

You are so welcome! Thanks for the kind words!!

[@CarisseH]

Wonderful tutorial. I do something similar, I use a small slab to close the piece. With the slab I can add decoration before attaching it. I learned it from another potter. All the other steps you show is the same. Thank you for showing the closed one piece. I’ll try that.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

A great variation idea with the slab! Thanks for sharing!!

[@catherinepoloynis]

I love this method... so ingenious, but first time I've seen this.

[@kyleeames8229]

12:03 Your goal was a jar, but now it’s a bowl! There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.

[@inlovewithJLT]

Wow, I've never seen this technique before!

[@pamboone4458]

This is great! I need to try it soon! Q:as you approach the end of your school year, do the kids keep throwing and glazing? Do you do a final firing after classes are over and they pick up their pieces over the summer? Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Pam- no- the kids stop in wet clay about 3-4 weeks before the end. They glaze- we fire and get everything graded and back to them. If I didn’t make them take their items with them by the end of the year, they’d never get them!!! I have to have my room disassembled and totally cleaned up by the last day for major over summer cleaning!

[@liianabanana6320]

You are awesome

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

How sweet- thanks for the kindness!

[@Shawn_Reid_Pottery]

Attempting to make and urn … these lids would be a fantastic feature … how my clay and what is the measurements?

[@grammyscat422]

This is a challenge but I’m determined! Just wondering about the drying process. First, after sealing up the cylinder, when the outside feels leather hard, the inside is still super damp. And after doing the trimming, shouldn’t the piece dry with the lid on? So how does the inside ever dry? PS you’re a fantastic teacher:) I doubt your students know how lucky they are!

[@michele519]

Question! When you bisque fired, was the lid on the jar? I just tried this and trimmed the lid; while leather hard, the lid was airtight. I poked a small hole in the top of the lid but do you think that’s enough? Should I trim some more so it’s not airtight? Thank you so much for a wonderful video!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

yes- I fire lids on! It's really not as air tight as you think! Lids will always allow air to pass. Just remember, moisture is what will blow things up in the kiln, rather than air! (Trapped moisture is the issue- so just candle to dry things out!)

[@wgamal]

I watch your videos and super inspired by your creativity, one issue that i need your advice with; how to keep motivated as I periodically lose passion as a starting potter. I really appreciate your advise. Thanks

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

oooh, that would be a great topic for a video! I guess my suggestion is keep striving to be inspired. I LOVE collecting pottery by other potters I admire. That in itself is a motivator to me to see new surfaces, forms, and combinations, and want to try my own take on things sometimes. You could just start a sketchbook with sketches of pieces you admire as a starting place, and then start to sketch variations... how can you change things from the original, but keep a nod to the original? Or, say for instance, you watched this video... now, go look up Amelia Stamps (like on instagram). I noticed about a week ago where she had a video up on this very one piece type form. Seeing the way she makes her forms and surfaces might be a source of inspiration! I know I keep a running list in my sketchbook of things I want to work on. My personal issue is just not having enough time. Looking forward to retirement when I can actually spend more time on my own pieces! ;) It takes baby steps but consistent practice to achieve dependable results- don't give up!!! But, it's certainly ok to take breaks an get your groove back!!!

[@wgamal]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment and thanks a million for your advice. I really appreciate that, I think it helps when you share your thoughts, feelings and achievements with others from time to time. It also pumps up some energy that you are not alone. 👍@@KaransPotsAndGlass

[@srhsmustangmudhole1156]

Great project and tutorial! I am curious how many lbs you are using here?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

probably between 2-3 lbs?

[@marymacdonald3506]

Great video. How much clay were you using? Thanks

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Based on the sizes I see- I’d guess 2-3 lbs- but I’m not sure! :)

[@justathought5155]

Could you talk a bit about those finishes? That matte black is very nice.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Sorry to disappoint- the dark ones are just leatherhard! The light one are bisqued- I've yet to finish glaze these! The clay is Standard 225- and the photo and lighting just made it look a bit darker than normal! If you are looking for commercial glazes, I would recommend either Mayco or Amaco matte black glaze for a similar look!

[@Matt-rm2zf]

Funny, I came here with the same question. Never seen such attractive leather hard clay!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Lol!!! :)

[@nancydoyle9801]

no air hole?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Do you mean is there an air hole when I fire it?? I wouldn’t need one- as the lid is cut, and that doesn’t seal it. It’s not airtight!