@harleyweiglestudio: I don't think centering is the hardest part of learning the pottery wheel. I think the first pull is. After teaching hundreds of university students, I've found one exercise that consistently helps beginners understand pulling in a fraction of the time. The biggest breakthrough? I actually have them press TOO hard on purpose. Just like learning to drive a manual transmission, you don't truly understand the "sweet spot" until you've experienced what too much feels like. Once you intentionally tear the clay, your hands begin to recognize the correct amount of pressure on every pull after that. If you're struggling with pulling walls, give this method a try and let me know if it helps. What should I explain next? #harleyweiglestudio #potterytutorials
I think the hardest thing is waiting for the leather hard stage for trimming - it always feels like there's only a 60 minute window where this moment exists 😂
2026-07-02 21:42:08
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Qwn :
Pulling is absolutely the hardest thing for me. I’ve got the hang of centering — watching a lot of potters do it here helped so much — but pulling is… not going well 😅
2026-07-02 22:58:14
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Austin!🏺 :
So helpful
2026-07-03 04:43:03
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Copperhead 👩🏻🦰 :
Thank you! The pulling is soooo hard for me.
2026-07-25 23:10:41
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stollidewitt :
What do you recommend I buy if I want to start doing pottery at home?
2026-07-23 00:32:05
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Layla Tripod :
Thank you so much
2026-07-04 18:08:15
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bibip1017 :
Super helpful! How do we pull to close the top?
2026-07-02 21:03:23
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X :
Once I locked my arms in centering became piece of cake and I can make a mean bowl, but gosh do I have a hard time pulling my walls up 😭 for sure using this as a reference
2026-07-06 17:15:15
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cricket :
this is so helpful
2026-07-18 02:16:19
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Kenna Fitz :
Thank you for this ! I struggle with pulling
2026-07-22 16:45:37
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Lil' Ms. Peculiar :
yaaaas. those darn walls are my current nemesis.
2026-07-05 13:52:52
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Peggy Lynn Marchetti :
I find that the hardest for me is once I open the clay and go for a pull I get a wobble and it’s off center.
2026-07-03 02:08:06
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sarah_m :
I thought to get the bubble you first dig at the bottom with the outside hand and kinda scoop it up? is that incorrect?
2026-07-04 13:06:30
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SarahMartin :
Absolutely true .. centring you get in some classes .. but pulling .. oh gosh .. that is difficult
2026-07-03 20:12:04
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susisusisusisusi :
Pulling is the hardest thing!! Love the video!
2026-07-03 10:03:33
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Kyra :
Idk, I think it’s very individual. Pulling and opening made sense to me pretty early on. Centering took me quite a while to really get the feel for it. I would often even finish the centering between opening and my first real pull, because manipulating the clay that way just clicked in my brain better.
2026-07-04 21:39:18
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Purity_Ceramics :
You actually made it very easy, thanks I’ve been struggling with pulling the clay 👍🏼
2026-07-03 21:19:58
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Peggy Lynn Marchetti :
Great Post!
2026-07-02 23:29:28
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GoodWalkies :
For me, the hardest thing is realizing when something isn't actually centered. Or is centered at the top but not the bottom. The centering work is somehow easier than the judgement about it & when the clay is ready to open.
2026-07-02 23:41:17
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💥🪩🐢 :
Centering IS the hardest 😭
2026-08-02 10:07:09
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