The internet is a wonderful place where people can learn many things. Unfortunately, learning the basics of pottery is not one of them. There are a large number of videos on working clay and throwing pots. These videos are done well and often have great tips and tricks. Many of them are very useful for advanced students that want to learn new techniques.

One of the main reasons these videos cannot always assist a beginner is because they are incomplete. Few instructors want to make mistakes that will be posted where anyone in the world can see them. Instructors tend to leave out the mistakes that can happen to even an experienced pot thrower. Learning about these mistakes and how to avoid them is very important when learning the basics of pottery. Rather than wasting time and energy, it is best to take a real class or at least attend several demonstrations.