Released by Gilbert in 1972, Potterycraft was a plastic tabletop pottery wheel that encouraged experimentation, discovery, and creativity among children interested in ceramic arts.
The set reflected the era’s broader enthusiasm for hands-on activities, including macramé, latch-hook rugs, candle-making, string art, and other forms of creative expression. Gilbert’s toy version of a potter’s wheel brought a traditional craft into the playroom, allowing children to shape, decorate, and display their own pottery.
The toy consisted of a motorized base with a rotating pottery wheel. A toggle switch on the back powered a small rubber drive wheel that pressed against the platform, causing it to spin. The set also included three pounds of air-dry potter’s clay, two double-ended shaping tools, five water-soluble paints and glazes, a paintbrush, a sponge, and an instruction booklet. Two D-cell batteries were required but not included.
Because the clay air-dried, no baking or firing was required. Although the materials were advertised as non-toxic, the instructions cautioned against using the finished pieces for eating or drinking.
The instruction booklet encouraged parents to become familiar with the equipment and basic pottery techniques before children began. It identified the components, explained how to operate the wheel, demonstrated how to make a simple pinch pot, and encouraged practice as children developed their skills. A mail-away refill form made it easy to reorder clay and other supplies.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
Potterycraft can be found on the secondary market in varying conditions. Collectors should be aware that some materials may have deteriorated with age: paints and glazes can harden, sponges may disintegrate, and the clay is often no longer usable. Battery compartments should also be examined for corrosion or other damage caused by batteries left in the unit over time.
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