- 1). Knead the terra-cotta clay for five minutes to release any trapped air pockets.
- 2). Place the clay onto the middle of the pottery wheel.
- 3). Wet the clay with a saturated sponge.
- 4). Place your hands firmly over the clay, and turn the pottery wheel onto low.
- 5). Brace your elbows onto your thighs, which will allow your hands to be steady in the center of the wheel.
- 6). Overlap your thumbs, making the clay pull up into a small cone. Apply pressure to push the cone to the center of the wheel.
- 7). Cover the cone with your fingers, keeping your thumbs over the top, and lightly press down to finish centering the clay.
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