Throwing Plates on The Pottery Wheel Using Plaster Forms

Making Dinnerware Plates

One of the main focuses of my pottery journey includes the creation of unique dinnerware sets. Throwing plates can be very taxing on the shoulders and back especially as we get older. This is a method that I use which is by no means fool proof but it is much easier on the body.

Here's a quick video that shows how I throw my plates on the pottery wheel using plaster forms. They still need to be trimmed after they are leather hard but this is how they start out. Using a rolled out slab of clay cut to fit, it's placed on the plaster form that is attached to the wheel head. Some pro's and cons: Pro's of this process are, more consistency in size and it's far less wear and tear on my shoulders. The disadvantages are, warping when drying, space needed for drying, expense of plaster forms and storage. There is a decent learning curve but if you make a lot of dinnerware it may be worth the investment. I bought my forms at www.theceramicshop.com.

www.andoverpottery.com