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Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
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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.
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Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
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Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
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Design spaces to display pottery for sale.
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Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
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Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
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Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
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Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
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Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
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Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
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Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
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Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.
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Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
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Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
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Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
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Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
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Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail sale.
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Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
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Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
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Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
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Teach pottery classes.
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Attach handles to pottery pieces.