Working with your hands and creating something from clay is not only relaxing, it’s also a great way to build vocabulary. “Pottery making” introduces useful English terms related to art, shape, tools, and process. As an ESL learner, these words can help you talk about creative hobbies, visit studios, or follow DIY videos online. Let’s jump right in!

5 Vocabulary Words

1. Clay (Noun): A soft, thick natural material used to make pottery and ceramics.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. We used brown clay to make our first bowl.

     2. Keep the clay wet while shaping it.

     3. She bought a bag of clay from the art store.

2. Wheel (Noun): A spinning surface used to shape pottery by hand while it turns.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. I learned how to throw a pot on the wheel today.

     2. The instructor turned on the wheel and gave us clay.

     3. Using a wheel takes practice and patience.

3. Kiln (Noun): A special oven used to bake pottery at high temperatures so it hardens.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. After shaping the mug, we placed it in the kiln.

     2. The kiln reaches temperatures over 1,800°F.

     3. You must fire the pottery in a kiln to make it durable.

4. Glaze (Noun/Verb): A liquid coating applied to pottery before firing to add color and shine.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. I used a blue glaze on my finished bowl.

     2. The vase turned shiny after I glazed it.

     3. Glazing gives the piece both beauty and protection.

5. Mold (Noun/Verb): A hollow form used to shape clay; or the act of shaping clay by hand.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. He used a mold to make identical plates.

     2. You can mold the clay with your fingers or tools.

     3. We let the molded pieces dry before glazing them.

Over the weekend, I took a pottery making class for beginners. We started with soft clay, which we learned to mold with our hands before trying the wheel. Once my little cup was shaped, the teacher showed us how to paint on a glaze. After it dries, everything goes into the kiln for firing. I can’t wait to see how my piece turns out!