Potters, Manufacturing

• Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.
• Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
• Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
• Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
• Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
• Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
• Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
• Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
• Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
• Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
• Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
• Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
• Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
• Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Potters, Manufacturing.

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Potters, Manufacturing.