Wedge and knead the clay to remove air bubbles that would otherwise burst during firing. Cut a large ball of clay in half on a wedging wire mounted on brackets. Slam the two halves together. Wedge the clay 10 or 12 times. Examine the clay for air bubbles each time you wedge it. When you no longer see bubbles, vigorously throw the clay onto the work table and knead it like dough.
Roll up the ball of clay and slam it onto the center of the potter's wheel. Start the wheel spinning slowly as you force the clay into a cone shape. Wet your hands in a bowl of water. Push the clay toward the exact center of the wheel as you increase the turning speed. Use your body weight to control the clay until it spins evenly without wobbling.
Press the top of the clay downward with the palm of one hand while you shape the sides of the clay with the other hand. Squeeze the base of the spinning clay cylinder with both hands to raise it upward. Stick your thumb in the center of the clay mound while bracing it with the other hand. Widen the opening with both hands.
Pull up a symmetrical, hollow cylinder of clay with your fingers on the inside wall and your thumb on the outside. Leave a quarter-inch of clay on the bottom. Press your fingers and thumb together and pull the cylinder up until the walls are a quarter-inch thick.
Leave a narrow base, and widen the center of the amphora using a wooden potter's rib on the outside wall and your hand inside. Squeeze the top of the amphora with both hands to narrow the neck. Form a collar on the top of the neck with your fingertips.
Wet two strips of clay and pull out the handles. Form a groove down the center of the handles with a finger. Dissolve some clay in water to make slip. Use the slip as glue to attach the handles. Press the ends of the handles into the amphora and clean the joints with a sponge.