Don’t Give Up When You Have a Bad Day on the Pottery Wheel: Every Potter's Journey

We’ve all been there—sat at the wheel, ready to create something magical, only to watch our carefully centred clay wobble, collapse, or somehow morph into something unrecognisable. It’s enough to make anyone want to throw in the towel (or the clay). But here’s the thing: bad days on the pottery wheel are part of the journey, not the end of it.

Embrace the Process, Not Just the Outcome

Pottery is about much more than the finished product; it’s a craft that teaches patience, resilience, and flexibility. There will be days when things go wrong, and no amount of trimming or tweaking will save your creation. But that’s okay! Each time you sit down at the wheel, you’re learning something new—whether it’s how to better centre your clay or how to deal with frustrations.

The Reality of Pottery “Fails”

Scroll through Instagram, and you’ll see perfect pots, smooth as butter, and beautifully glazed. But the reality of any potter’s life is that behind every flawless piece are countless 'fails' that didn’t make the cut. Pottery, like any art form, has its ups and downs, and those “flops” you create are just as valuable. They teach you what not to do, helping you refine your technique.

In fact, the more “failed” pots you create, the closer you are to mastering the wheel. Each wobble, crack, and collapse is a step towards improvement.

It's All Part of the Learning Curve

If you’re new to pottery, it’s easy to feel disheartened when things don’t go to plan. But think about it—no one ever masters something on the first go. It takes time to understand the quirks of clay, the right amount of pressure to apply, and how the speed of the wheel affects your work. You’re building muscle memory with every spin of the wheel, even if it doesn’t feel like it on tough days.

Tips for Getting Through a Bad Pottery Day

1. Take a Break: Sometimes stepping away for a while helps. Let your mind reset, have a cup of tea, and come back when you’re ready.

2. Reflect, Don’t Criticise: Instead of beating yourself up over a collapsed pot, ask yourself what went wrong and how you can adjust next time.

3. Enjoy the Mess: Pottery can be messy—embrace it! On those days when nothing is going right, enjoy the tactile sensation of clay in your hands. Sometimes the joy is in the process, not the outcome.

4. Practice Makes Perfect: Remember that pottery is a skill honed over time. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. What seems impossible today might feel natural next month.

5. Join the Community: There’s a whole world of potters out there who’ve had exactly the same frustrations as you. Sharing your bad pottery days with other potters—whether online or in person—can remind you that you’re not alone. Plus, you might even get a few helpful tips on how to overcome those tricky wheel struggles.

Turning Bad Days Into Breakthroughs

Sometimes the pots that don’t turn out as planned lead to your biggest breakthroughs. A wobbly rim might inspire a new design, or a crack in the glaze could push you to experiment with new techniques. Creativity often comes from the unexpected, so don’t be afraid to embrace those “happy accidents.”

In the end, pottery is as much about enjoying the journey as it is about crafting that perfect piece. So, the next time you have a bad day on the wheel, remember: every potter has been there. Keep going, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process.

After all, it’s not just the pots that grow—it’s the potter too.