As a potter, your hands are indispensable tools. From shaping clay to intricate detailing, they endure a lot. Between studio tasks and exposure to the elements, they likely crave some serious tender loving care (TLC). Based on years of experience as a full-time potter, these are essential tips to maintain your hands, your most vital instruments, in top condition.
Potter’s hands often tell a story of hard work: split nails, dry and cracked skin, aching joints, and a persistent layer of clay dust highlighting every line and crease. Does this sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone.
For over seven years as a full-time potter, constantly immersing my hands in water and working with absorbent clay in all its forms has undoubtedly taken its toll. It’s not just the clay; the constant handling of drying packing materials like cardboard boxes, eco peanuts, and tissue paper significantly dehydrates the skin. Then there are the cuts from cardboard and the dreaded metal kidney rib – truly the worst! And let’s not forget the endless cleaning. The list goes on!
As potters, our hands are our most valuable asset, and prioritizing their care is crucial. I’ve compiled these practical tips to help you keep your hardworking hands in excellent shape and feeling their best. These recommendations include products I personally use and genuinely believe in, alongside helpful techniques.
Prioritize Rest and Scheduled Breaks
Pottery is physically demanding. Taking breaks is not just beneficial for our hands but also for our overall body and well-being. It’s no surprise our hands become sore and nails weaken when immersed in water for hours daily. Schedule breaks every 30–40 minutes. Remember to thoroughly dry your hands during these intervals. Try to vary your studio activities from day to day. While batching work can make this challenging, alternating tasks can significantly reduce the constant strain on your hands. Consider alternating throwing days with administrative or packing days.
Incorporate Hand Massage into Your Routine
Following breaks, hand massage is incredibly effective for alleviating achy hand and arm muscles after extended making sessions. While self-massage is beneficial, having someone else perform the massage can be even more relaxing and effective. Ask a partner, friend, or child. For a more in-depth treatment than a quick rub, consider visiting a professional massage therapist. You might even explore hand spa tools designed for massage to enhance this practice at home.
Choose the Right Hand Creams and Moisturizers
The market offers a vast array of hand creams, and I’ve likely tried countless. Friends and family frequently gift me hand creams, so I keep them readily available in my car, handbag, bathroom, kitchen drawers, and studio.
Here are some products that have proven effective for me. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is arguably the best hand cream I’ve used. It’s non-greasy and absorbs quickly. I also apply DermaGuard Skin Protector liberally before prolonged pottery sessions to create a protective barrier against clay. However, for severely dry, cracked potter’s hands, Sanctuary Spa Foot Balm has been a game-changer. Yes, foot cream on hands! It’s richer than most hand creams, smells wonderful, and effectively soothes and heals my skin. Consider using moisturizing gloves after applying cream for an intensified hand spa treatment overnight.
Practice Hand Stretches Regularly
If you’ve experienced a pottery-related injury or if pottery aggravates a pre-existing condition, consult a healthcare professional before trying these stretches, especially if you are experiencing pain. Pain is a signal that something might be wrong. Naomi Rudge, a certified yoga instructor with over a decade of experience and a close friend, guided me through specific stretches tailored for potters. Perform these stretches daily to maintain hand and wrist comfort.
Begin with hands in a praying position, elbows together, and hands in front of your face (1). Slowly lower your hands while keeping them together but separating your elbows (2). Feel the stretch in your wrists and fingers. This is a simple hand spa technique you can do anywhere.
Extend one arm forward, palm facing away, fingers pointing upwards (3). Use your other hand to gently pull back on your fingers. Repeat with both arms.
As suggested by Faye Deane, a Clinical Pilates Instructor, loop a hair band or elastic band around your fingers and thumb, forming a duck-mouth shape (4). Slowly open and close your fingers, keeping the band in place. Repeat for 2 minutes on each hand. This can be done passively, even while watching television, making it an easy addition to your routine hand care.
Start in a seated position with arms resting on your lap, palms facing up. Gently stretch your fingers as wide as comfortably possible (5). Slowly curl your fingers into fists, without clenching tightly. Bend at the wrists and pull your fists towards your body to feel the stretch down the backs of your forearms.
By incorporating these hand care strategies and considering hand spa tools to enhance your routine, you can ensure your hands remain healthy and capable, allowing you to continue creating beautiful pottery for years to come.
If you found this article on hand care helpful, you might also be interested in the Pilates for Potters video series created specifically for my Pottery Club. In this series of three videos, Faye Deane, a leading UK chiropractor and clinical Pilates instructor, guides us through simple exercises designed to help potters prevent injuries. Faye covers exercises for the lower back, neck, shoulders, and wrists, providing a holistic approach to potter’s well-being.
About the Author Kara Leigh Ford creates pottery inspired by the South West Coast of England. She lives and works from her studio in Somerset, UK, and teaches potters worldwide through her online Pottery Club. To discover more, visit karaleighfordceramics.com/community.
