Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

The Work

Potters use a combination of traditional craft skills and mechanised processes to make pottery products. Traditional hand tools are still used in many instances, as this remains the most effective method of manufacture, but automatic tools are often used as they speed up the process. Some of the methods employed by Potters are set out below.  
 
The most common traditional manufacturing process is 'throwing' a pot. A pottery maker throws a lump of clay onto a wheel. This is shaped by hand and by the speed of the wheel, which is controlled by a foot pedal.  
 
'Jiggering' is a mechanised process used to make flatware, such as saucers. The clay is flattened by a thin metal spreader to form a 'batt' of the required thickness. The batt is then removed and thrown onto a rotating plaster mould. This is then either sprayed or wetted by hand, and a metal profile tool is pulled down to shape the ware.  

'Jolleying' is a mechanised process used to make hollowware, such as soup bowls. The clay is thrown onto a rotating mould, which is then eased up at the sides by hand. A profile tool is brought down to shape the ware. The mould is then placed into a drying cupboard.  
 
'Turning' is a finishing process where the turner operates a rotating machine called a lathe, on which the work has been placed. The ware is shaped using hand or automatic tools.  
 
'Casting' is a process where liquid clay or 'slip' is poured into moulds. The excess moisture is absorbed leaving a coating of clay within. Items may be cast in sections, which the caster will assemble, using slip as the bonding agent. This process is known as 'sticking up'.

A ceramicist can be employed by a major ceramics company as a ceramic designer, or may set up their own studio and work as a potter or ceramic artist. They often work on commissions, exhibit in galleries, or are employed as educators and lecturers.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
• Mix and apply glases to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
• Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
• Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
• Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
• Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
• Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
• Attach handles to pottery pieces.
• 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 sises.
• Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail sale.

Further Information

• Potter / Ceramicist - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Potter / Ceramicist - from: Ceramic Arts Network

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

The manufacture of pottery is a trained skill. The conventional way to become a potter is by apprenticeship to a master Potter. No previous experience is needed. Staff are paid as they learn and assist in all studio activities, spending several hours a day developing skills at making pots on the wheel.  
 
Another route into this area is to follow a course of study in pottery/craft skills. A number of institutions throughout the country offer relevant courses. The internet offers skilled and creative potters a pathway to operating as sole traders, selling their products directly, doing so will require a talent for sales and marketing as well as the core skills of a potter. The usual route towards a career as a ceramics designer is to complete a suitable degree or course.

Some Three-Dimensional Design courses combine ceramics with the study of another material, such as glass, plastic, metal and wood.

Training & Development 

FET centre Traineeship Advanced Pottery, Engineering Precision Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Computer-Aided Design, Welding Fabrication, Machine Tool Operations, CNC (Computer Numeric Control) Operator NFQ (minor module) & NFQ major award level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET Centre PLC courses Creative Ceramics Search FET courses, Fine Art, Design & Ceramics, Fine Art with Ceramics, Ceramics and Design Techniques - Advanced Search our FET PLC Coursefinder 

Higher education CAO Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles) at NFQ 8 Search our CAO coursefinder 

Both courses and employment are likely to require portfolios of work. Even if working for yourself you will need to develop a body of work to advertise and sell.

Professional Development 

Design & Crafts Council of Ireland 

Enterprise & Craft Business Development

Partnership Enterprise Development 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €40k

Salaries in this occupation can vary greatly, from those who sell their creations independently, often in combination with a second job, to those who earn stable salaries working for pottery manufacturers or craft workshops.

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ DEASP/ Morgan McKinley/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

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