To expand my pottery skills I signed up for Wheel 102 which was a class intended to help students learn how to throw larger volumes of clay as well as learn how to make a closed vessel.

A closed vessel is made on the wheel by first creating a cylinder, collaring it in to then bring the edges together until they touch and eventually close. This traps the air inside and allows you to manipulate the share further by pressing on the interior air pocket. One uses this technique when making jars or teapots as it helps improve the odds of the lid and the pot fitting together properly.

Learning to throw more clay helps potters make larger items. It takes a combination of technique , practice, and raw strength to control the clay as pieces grow in weight, width, and height.