Potters, Manufacturing

• 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.
• Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
• Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
• Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
• Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
• Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
• 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.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• 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.
• 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.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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