When you’re brand new to the world of ceramics, it can be difficult to know where to begin. There are so many techniques to master, glazes to test out and firing techniques to explore.
The good news is that we’ve got you covered. In our pick of the best pottery ideas for beginners, you’ll find plenty of creative ceramic ideas to get you fired up!
All of our suggestions are easy to follow and suitable for pottery novices. Some of them are also suitable for children to attempt.
If you don’t have access to a kiln, many of these ideas can be made using air dry clay.
20 easy pottery ideas to make
1. Coil pottery
Coil pottery is one of the easiest techniques for any new potter to try – and you don’t need a wheel to get started!
Coil pottery has many advantages – it allows you to build strong pots and work more slowly than you would with a wheel. However, you do need to spend time smoothing the coils together to get a good finish.
2. Pinch pots
Pinch pots are usually very small, but it’s a simple idea for any new potter to get to grips with. You take a ball of clay and work it into the shape you want using your fingers.
This easy pottery idea is great for kids to try too!
3. Slab pottery
Once you’ve mastered a few basic pottery techniques, you’re ready for something more challenging.
Slab pottery can be used to make structured creations, but you can start small and make a vase or a cup using this method.
4. Pottery painting ideas
Make your pots shine by adding your own spectacular hand-painted designs. It’s a great way to familiarise yourself with different glazes and learn how the colours change in the kiln.
Get in touch with your artistic side using these pottery painting ideas.
5. Egg cups
Egg cups are often made by beginners as they’re a great introduction to wheel throwing techniques. They’re small and quick to make, so you won’t feel too upset if it goes wrong!
This fantastic video tutorial from Ingleton Pottery guides you through the whole process step by step.
6. Candle holder
Looking for slab pottery ideas? This easy tutorial from Crockd on YouTube demonstrates how to make elegant candle holders using the slab method.
7. Jewellery dish
Keep your earrings neat and tidy by making your own lovely jewellery or trinket dish! These are super simple to produce and they also make wonderful gifts.
Follow this trinket dish tutorial by Lia Griffith to make your own. These can be made using air dry clay if you prefer.
8. Vase
There’s something really special about displaying a bunch of fresh flowers in your own handmade vase. There are a few different ways to make vases – you can use the coil or slab methods to shape your vase or use a pottery wheel.
This video from Pottery Crafters on YouTube shows you how to throw a vase on a wheel.
9. Mug
Sip your favourite drink from a handmade mug! Mugs are lots of fun to make and decorate. You can make it whatever size and shape you like, then embellish it with your own original designs.
Follow Florian Gadsby’s brilliant guide, which covers the whole mug making process from beginning to end.
Mend shattered ceramics using kintsugi
Don’t worry if you accidentally break a pot, you can transform it into something beautiful using the Japanese art of kintsugi. Learn how to fix broken pots the kintsugi way with Gathered.
10. Milk jug
If you’ve managed to make a mug, a milk jug shouldn’t present any challenges! You just need to learn how to add a lip to your jug to make it easy to pour.
Craft a practical milk jug using this guide from Leach Pottery in Cornwall.
11. Soap dish
Stop soap scum from messing up your bathroom by making an easy clay soap dish. If you’re looking for pottery ideas to make, they don’t come much easier than this!
Once glazed, your soap dish will be simple to clean and it’ll help keep your bathroom spick and span. Follow the tutorial from TheClayStudio on YouTube to make your own.
12. Spoon rests
Do you know a messy cook? Maybe it’s you or someone you know! You can end the kitchen chaos by making them their very own spoon rest.
Spoon rests are a very basic pottery idea and even beginners can whip them up in no time at all.
Follow this video by KaransPotsAndGlass on YouTube to see how it’s done.
13. Paint palette
Treat the artist in your life to a handmade paint palette using this clever idea from mikylacreates.com.
You can add more indents for paint if you wish. The water pot with a dip to rest the brush is a lovely touch.
14. Cookie cutter decorations
Roll out your clay and use cookie cutters to make cute clay decorations. Then you just need to make a hole in the top to hang up your finished ornaments!
You can use stamps or patterned rolling pins to give your finished decoration a little extra texture too.
Try this clay cookie cutter ornament tutorial from inspiredbycharm.com to make your own!
15. Clay spoons
Clay spoons can be both pretty and practical! You can follow this clay spoons tutorial to make ones that are purely decorative.
We wouldn’t recommend using polymer clay or air dry clay for anything you intend to use in the kitchen, as they’re unlikely to be completely foodsafe.
16. Christmas pottery makes
Christmas is the time of year when crafting really comes into its own. Make a whole host of clay Christmas decorations by downloading these templates from Etsy.
- Buy the Christmas pottery projects from Etsy
17. Clay coasters
Clay coasters are a great way to get kids into pottery. They’ll love pressing different items into the clay to see what marks they can make on the surface.
For a more grown-up twist, try pressing flowers and leaves into the clay to make a host of interesting patterns.
Learn how to make clay coasters with redtedart.com.
18. Beads
Beads are a breeze to make using clay. Roll the clay into balls, then use a wooden skewer to make a hole in the middle. Experiment with different shapes or carve into the clay while it’s still soft.
Follow the YouTube tutorial from Pursuits Studio to make longer clay beads.
19. Tea light candle holder
Brighten up the night with your own sweet tea light candle holders. We love Jen Walshaw’s adorable Valentine’s tea light idea, which uses air dry clay.
You could easily recreate this look using potter’s clay. Just bear in mind that you should add a base if you’re planning to use real candles, as the metal casings can get very hot. Alternatively, just use LED candles!
20. Clay mushrooms
This pottery idea for beginners is purely decorative, but these clay mushrooms from ceramike.com would look amazing in your home in the autumn.
Why not look up mushroom varieties and make your own matching fungi?
Get creative with clay using our pottery ideas for beginners
Pottery is an incredibly creative craft, but if you’re new to it it can be difficult to know where to begin.
Using our favourite pottery ideas for beginners, you can experiment with different techniques and discover your own unique ceramic style.
Become a better potter with our pottery techniques guide
Want to take your pottery skills to the next level? Explore our pottery techniques guide, which covers everything from wheel throwing to firing methods.
