Troubleshooting Common Pottery Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Troubleshooting Common Pottery Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)
Let’s face it, pottery is one part magic, one part mud, and five parts oops. Whether you're elbows-deep in your first wheel-throwing class or halfway through glazing your ceramic masterpiece, mistakes happen. And that’s totally okay.
At Creative Insight Pottery, we believe mistakes are just creativity in disguise. This guide is your go-to guide for troubleshooting common pottery mistakes, with friendly tips and fixes you can try whether you're in our Waterdown studio or practicing at home.
So roll up your sleeves (again), and let’s turn those wobbles into wins.
1. Cracking: When Your Pottery Breaks Your Heart (Literally)
The Problem
Your piece looks perfect… until a crack appears during drying or firing. Oof.
Why It Happens
Uneven drying (thick and thin areas)
- Too much water in the clay
- Drying too fast
- Air pockets or trapped moisture
How to Fix or Avoid It
| Stage | Fix |
| During Building | Keep wall thickness consistent and avoid over-wetting the clay. Compress joins (especially on slabs and coils). |
| During Drying | Let pieces dry slowly under plastic. Avoid breezy areas or heat sources. Flip them occasionally. |
| Before Bisque Firing | Always let pottery reach the dry stage; cold clay = wet clay. Be patient! |
Bonus Tip
Try a mindful pottery class that focuses on slowing down. Suitable for your pots, and your nervous system too.
2. S-Cracks: The Sneaky Bottom Crack
The Problem
A mysterious crack in the shape of an “S” appears at the bottom of your pot. Not the vibe.
Why It Happens
Poor compression at the base during wheel throwing.
Fix It Like a Pro
- Use the heel of your hand or a wooden rib to gently but firmly compress the base after throwing your form.
- Wedge clay thoroughly to avoid hidden stress points.
- Consider trimming a foot that distributes weight more evenly.
This one comes up a lot in our beginner wheel-throwing classes in Waterdown. We fix it together, no shame here!
3. Glaze Crazing (Or, The Spiderweb You Didn’t Ask For)
The Problem
Fine crackles appear across your glazed surface, sometimes immediately, sometimes months later.
Why It Happens
Crazing occurs when the glaze shrinks more than the clay body during cooling.
The Fix
- Switch to a glaze with a better thermal match for your clay.
- Bisque fire slightly higher to reduce porosity (if your clay allows).
- In the studio? Ask an instructor! We test our glazes regularly to avoid this.
Fun Fact
Some potters embrace crazing for decorative purposes. We call it "controlled chaos."
4. Bubbling or Pinholes in Glaze
The Problem
Your beautiful glaze is now a bubbly, pitted mess.
Common Culprits
- Dust or oil on bisque ware
- The glaze was applied too thickly
- Poor ventilation during firing
- Underfired bisque
Quick Fixes
- Wipe bisqueware with a damp sponge before glazing.
- Apply thinner glaze coats (dip once, not thrice).
- Fire with a more extended hold at peak temperature to allow gases to escape.
Pro tip
Clean hands = clean pots. Finger oils sneak onto the bisque without you noticing!
5. Warping (a.k.a. My Mug Now Looks Like a Picasso)
The Problem
Your once-round bowl is now an oval. Plates wobble. Lids don’t fit.
Possible Causes
- Uneven drying
- Thin edges
- Over-handling before the clay is firm enough
- Using soft slabs without supporting forms
How to Fix It
| Material | Strategy |
| Slab Work | Use templates, bats, or molds to guide shape. Let the slabs rest before assembling. |
| Thrown Pieces | Trim evenly, avoid lifting from the rim, and dry upside down or on a flat surface. |
| General Rule | Let pieces reach leather-hard before you get handsy. Clay is soft, not invincible. |
Want to get better at this? Check out our pottery classes in Burlington or Waterdown, focused on slab work and form.
6. Air Bubbles: Clay's Little Saboteurs
The Problem
Your pot explodes in the kiln. Cue heartbreak (and apologies to everyone else in the firing).
Why It Happens
- Trapped air in poorly wedged clay
- Sealed hollow forms without vent holes
Avoid Disaster
- Always wedge your clay before use, even if it looks okay.
- Add small pinholes to vent hollow sections.
- When in doubt, ask your instructor. We’ve all been there.
This is a teachable moment, not a tragedy. We’ve seen exploded pots and lived to tell the tale.
7. Handles That Crack or Fall Off
The Problem
Your handle separates like a bad breakup just before or after bisque.
Likely Causes
- Attaching when the clay is too wet or too dry
- Forgetting to score and slip
- Uneven shrinkage between the body and the handle
Handle It Like This
- Use the score-and-slip method generously
- Compress joins with a modeling tool or rib
- Dry slowly, with handles supported by foam or soft padding
Handles are their own art form. We cover this in full in our parent-child pottery workshops because it’s never too early to learn.
8. Uneven Thickness: The Wobbly Cup Problem
The Problem
Your cup looks fine until you pick it up; it’s thick on one side, paper-thin on the other.
Causes
- Rushing through, throwing, or hand-building
- Not using a thickness guide
- Not feeling with both hands while working
Fix
- Slow down and feel the clay. (Mindful pottery in action!)
- Use calipers or guide tools
- Practice with scrap clay, it’s worth it
Building awareness of even pressure makes a huge difference. That's a skill we focus on in our beginner pottery classes.
9. Centering Woes: My Clay Just Won’t Behave!
The Problem
You try to center the clay on the wheel, and it’s doing the cha-cha instead.
Why It Happens
- Too much water
- Not enough pressure
- Uneven hand pressure
- Wrong posture
Centering Tips for Beginners
- Lock your elbows to your thighs; your core does the work
- Keep hands damp, not dripping
- Apply steady, even pressure from the top and side
- Don’t fight the clay, coax it gently.
Want guided practice? Try our wheel-throwing classes in Ontario, offered weekly for all levels.
10. Glaze Too Thin or Too Thick
Symptoms
- Too thin: patchy, matte, dry-looking surface
- Too thick: runs, cracks, or crawls
Tips
| Issue | Fix |
| Too Thin | Dip longer or add a second coat. Check the glaze's specific gravity (if advanced). |
| Too Thick | Add water to thin the glaze, stir thoroughly, and strain out chunks before using. |
Studio Hack
Keep a small test tile log. Label it with glaze, clay, and results. Future-you will thank you.
What If It’s Still Not Working?
Hey, that’s normal. Pottery is part art, part science, and part personal growth exercise.
When in doubt, join a class. At Creative Insight Pottery, we offer:
- Drop-in sessions (bring a friend or come solo)
- Mindful pottery classes (great for stress relief)
- Parent-child workshops
- Corporate pottery classes (team-building with a creative twist)
- After-school kids camps
- And of course, pottery classes near you in Waterdown, Burlington, Hamilton, and beyond
We’re here to help you build skills, community, and confidence one blob of clay at a time.
Clay Happens Let’s Shape It Together
Mistakes are a natural (and beautiful) part of learning pottery. Whether your bowl cracked or your handle slipped, every challenge is a chance to grow your skills and laugh a little.
If you’re ready to turn confusion into confidence, visit Creative Insight Pottery. We offer friendly, supportive pottery classes for beginners and beyond in Waterdown, Burlington, Hamilton, and surrounding areas.
Explore drop-ins, workshops, and mindful experiences at www.creativeinsightpottery.com
Because clay isn’t just something you work with, it’s something that works on you.