This printable worksheet is perfect for middle or high school art classes and shows multiple ways you can slump a clay slab to create a sculpture. The front of this worksheet shows step-by-step instructions on how to roll out, prepare, and decorate your slab. In addition, it shows four ways to slump...
A year ago my pottery adventure started and I learned so much in that year. There are lots of practical things I wish I knew before I started my own studio, so here are my tips and tricks!
When it comes to pottery, sometimes setting up your own studio is the way to go. It’s actually not too expensive, and you only need a few things to begin.
Sharing some top tips and advice about how I set up my own pottery studio as well as some behind-the-scenes photography of how to throw on a wheel.
I've been doing this pottery thing for a good 2 years now and over that time I've collected some things that I can't live without in the studio. I hope you enjoy this blogpost, if you have any question: let me know! 1. Plaster boards I use my plaster boards every day. Mostly to wedge my clay, but also use them to recycle clay or to dry out pieces that I’ve thrown on the wheel but flopped. I have a few different kinds of plaster boards. One big one (45 by 45 cm), which I use mostly to wedge clay. I use two smaller ones to recycle clay. 2. Plastic buckets You can’t have enough plastic buckets! I have buckets everywhere in the studio. Some with lids, some without. The ones with a lid are for glazes, the ones without lids are to collect dried out pieces of clay or my throwing water. I also have a few rectangular buckets for my clay (they are the perfect size) so they don’t dry out when I’ve opened them . 3. Shelves, shelves and shelves When you don’t have a lot of space, even in you do have a lot of space, shelves are the perfect way to store your pieces. In every step of the process. I have one big shelving unit for my freshly thrown pieces and greenware. And some other shelves for the bisque ware. It’s the easiest way to see what you have made and to see what you still have to do. 4. A pegboard This pegboard is from Ikea and I love it. I mostly use it for all of the different kinds of tools I have as you can see. You can change it around if you like and add more things to it if needed. And it looks nice ;). 5. Plastic covering materials I have a big bag of plastic bags and covers to use for my leather hard pieces. The bag is actually a laundry bag, I like this one because it’s a little flexible, which is nice if you want to have that specific plastic bag or covering that’s at the bottom of the pile. I have different kinds of plastic material. I have plastic bags, which are perfect for smaller pieces like mugs, but I also have big sheets of thick plastic material which I use to cover big batches of for example rainbow dishes. 6. Canvas sheets I have around 5 sheets of canvas laying around in the studio, I use them to roll out clay and to dry slabs of clay on. They are made from thick material, so when I roll out my clay they stay in place. I like this material a lot, because they also pick up a lot of moisture from the clay, but not too much. I bought these in a local fabric store and cut them into smaller pieces. 7. Wooden boards These wooden boards are so useful in the studio. I use them to move around freshly thrown pieces or to dry out slabs of clay. My kiln is in our garage, so I also use these boards to move around greenware and bisque ware. When you go to your local hardware store you can buy big wooden sheets which they can cut for you in your preference. I recommend to get at least 8 mm thickness otherwise the wood can warp (which you don’t want with flat pieces). 8. A wheel bat system If you’re a thrower, like me, I highly (highly!) recommend you to buy a wheel bat system. I did not have one when I first started throwing on the wheel and it’s just so hard to get your pieces of in a good shape.. Mine is from Hartley & Noble, it’s a bit expensive but totally worth the money. If you are still doubting about what things to buy for you studio, this must be one of the first purchases. 9. A giffen grip This one is also kind of a big investment, but I am so happy I have it in the studio. It’s such an easy way to trim your leather hard pieces. I use my Giffin Grip for other things as well, like glazing incense holders or waxing the bottoms of mugs. 10. Plants or other decorative things And last but not least: plants and decor items. Your studio is your happy place and I want to be surrounded by beautiful things when I’m working. It gives me the right energy to work and I like to watch after all the plant babies in the studio. Apart from plants I like to buy items from other makers that I want to give a special place in the studio.
Keeping your pottery studio organized can be hard work. Studios are a potter’s personal creative space, and like all creative spaces – they can get…
Sharing some top tips and advice about how I set up my own pottery studio as well as some behind-the-scenes photography of how to throw on a wheel.
It all begins with an idea.
I've been doing this pottery thing for a good 2 years now and over that time I've collected some things that I can't live without in the studio. I hope you enjoy this blogpost, if you have any question: let me know! 1. Plaster boards I use my plaster boards every day. Mostly to wedge my clay, but also use them to recycle clay or to dry out pieces that I’ve thrown on the wheel but flopped. I have a few different kinds of plaster boards. One big one (45 by 45 cm), which I use mostly to wedge clay. I use two smaller ones to recycle clay. 2. Plastic buckets You can’t have enough plastic buckets! I have buckets everywhere in the studio. Some with lids, some without. The ones with a lid are for glazes, the ones without lids are to collect dried out pieces of clay or my throwing water. I also have a few rectangular buckets for my clay (they are the perfect size) so they don’t dry out when I’ve opened them . 3. Shelves, shelves and shelves When you don’t have a lot of space, even in you do have a lot of space, shelves are the perfect way to store your pieces. In every step of the process. I have one big shelving unit for my freshly thrown pieces and greenware. And some other shelves for the bisque ware. It’s the easiest way to see what you have made and to see what you still have to do. 4. A pegboard This pegboard is from Ikea and I love it. I mostly use it for all of the different kinds of tools I have as you can see. You can change it around if you like and add more things to it if needed. And it looks nice ;). 5. Plastic covering materials I have a big bag of plastic bags and covers to use for my leather hard pieces. The bag is actually a laundry bag, I like this one because it’s a little flexible, which is nice if you want to have that specific plastic bag or covering that’s at the bottom of the pile. I have different kinds of plastic material. I have plastic bags, which are perfect for smaller pieces like mugs, but I also have big sheets of thick plastic material which I use to cover big batches of for example rainbow dishes. 6. Canvas sheets I have around 5 sheets of canvas laying around in the studio, I use them to roll out clay and to dry slabs of clay on. They are made from thick material, so when I roll out my clay they stay in place. I like this material a lot, because they also pick up a lot of moisture from the clay, but not too much. I bought these in a local fabric store and cut them into smaller pieces. 7. Wooden boards These wooden boards are so useful in the studio. I use them to move around freshly thrown pieces or to dry out slabs of clay. My kiln is in our garage, so I also use these boards to move around greenware and bisque ware. When you go to your local hardware store you can buy big wooden sheets which they can cut for you in your preference. I recommend to get at least 8 mm thickness otherwise the wood can warp (which you don’t want with flat pieces). 8. A wheel bat system If you’re a thrower, like me, I highly (highly!) recommend you to buy a wheel bat system. I did not have one when I first started throwing on the wheel and it’s just so hard to get your pieces of in a good shape.. Mine is from Hartley & Noble, it’s a bit expensive but totally worth the money. If you are still doubting about what things to buy for you studio, this must be one of the first purchases. 9. A giffen grip This one is also kind of a big investment, but I am so happy I have it in the studio. It’s such an easy way to trim your leather hard pieces. I use my Giffin Grip for other things as well, like glazing incense holders or waxing the bottoms of mugs. 10. Plants or other decorative things And last but not least: plants and decor items. Your studio is your happy place and I want to be surrounded by beautiful things when I’m working. It gives me the right energy to work and I like to watch after all the plant babies in the studio. Apart from plants I like to buy items from other makers that I want to give a special place in the studio.
Ceramicist Megan Leihgeber, owner of Maya Blu, constructed her backyard studio with the help of YouTube Videos. Take a look to find out exactly how she did it.
An easy to follow step by step guide with everything you need to know about how to start a pottery hobby. From choosing your technique to firing your pots.
It all begins with an idea.
how to start making ceramics at home
Inspiring creativity with Latina style and sparkle - crafts, DIY, recipes, and storytelling by Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica!
This Step-by-Step Home Pottery Studio set up guide will walk you through everything that you need for your Home Studio.
Setting up a home pottery studio with a budget and limited space is completely doable. Here are 15 top tips on creating your pottery space.
Ever have a beautiful piece come out of the kiln only to not remember how you glazed it? Stay organized in the ceramics studio with ClayNotes, now available as a digital download! Keep track of: - piece name & serial number - sketch of your piece - number made - type of clay - greenware decoration steps - date bisque fired (and a checkbox to check when the kiln gets unloaded) - bisque decoration steps (with handy icons to circle which area of the piece was glazed, and checkboxes to select whether the glaze was applied as dip1x, dip2x, pour, paint, or spray) - date of glaze fire (and a checkbox to check when the kiln gets unloaded) - greenware & final dimensions - modifications to make for next time - final piece rating (1–5 rating) Booklets can be printed on 8.5x11 paper and folded to form a booklet or cut in half.
It all begins with an idea.
How to Decorate your Ceramics with Kentia Naud Learn how to use… ✔ Silk Screens, ✔ Slip Transfers, ✔ Paper Resists, ✔ Stencil resists, ✔…
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea.
Opening a New Art Room: An Art Teacher's Cheat Sheet Physical Space % %
How to spiral wedge clay, with Hsin-Chuen Lin.
It all begins with an idea.
Here are kiln tips for beginners, part two! If you are new to having a kiln, these tips will come in handy!
Let's be clear, this is not a guide to the ideal pottery studio. This is, however, a guide to the very basics. The down and dirty, bare bones basics that will get your hands covered in mud and making. Carve Out a Space First, you need space. You really can't skip this part. However, you need less space than you might think. The minimum space needed would include: Just enough room to move around safely A work-space for hand building and/or room for a wheel A small shelving unit for tools and drying wares A place for a kiln Typically, a kiln needs a 12-18 clearance between it and any nearby flammable objects, like walls, which is important to keep in mind when choosing a space. And, you need to make sure the area is well ventilated so that any toxic fumes can make their way outside. Keeping dust to minimum will save your lungs, and this means wet mopping often. The ease in which you can clean and maintain the space should be a factor to consider. Get a Kiln You can make all the pots you want, but at some point, you will need a kiln to fire your work. But, it doesn't have to be fancy. Check your local classified ads - Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are great places to start. Check out my guide to Buying a Used Kiln! PRO TIP: Watch out for ceramic molds. Many times, used kilns will come with a caveat that you must take EVERYTHING. Beware! Unless you have a passion for slip-casting, steer clear! They take up space, are excellent spider nests, and are heavy AF. Okay, so you have your old janky kiln...now what? Well, you need to be able to power that baby. On the side of every kiln there is a metal plate that states the requirements it needs. This is important. You need to have the proper amperage and outlet in order to have it function properly. This is a place you can't skimp . Hire an electrician to make sure your kiln is installed properly. Shelving & Storage Space Next, you need a place to put things. Like everything else on a budget, this doesn't have to be pretty. You can go to your local discount box store and get a plastic shelving unit for $15 bucks. It will work, for now. You need enough space to put anything you are drying, plus, enough room to store things like: A Few Kiln Shelves and Kiln Posts Bags of Clay (A large storage tote works great!) A Water bucket (Reuse a laundry soap container by cutting off the top!) Basic Clay Tool Kit (Most include: a sponge, a needle tool, wood potter's rib, a loop tool, a ribbon tool, a wood modeling tool, a wire clay cutter and a steel scraper.) Bottles of Commercially Made Glaze Wax (for waxing your bottoms) Brushes (for applying glaze and wax) A Towel A Wheel (optional) To be honest, if you are just starting out, this is not essential for a pottery studio! (Or, if throwing just isn't your thing!) Again, head over to the classifieds - if there isn't anything now, keep looking, they come up often and for dirt cheap! THAT IS IT. Certainly, there are better ways to do this. Again, this is not the ideal setup. This is the bare bones, making due with what you have, solution to a pottery studio at home. From here, you can slowly upgrade and expand your little makeshift pottery studio into a sanctuary.
Every pottery studio needs gadgets. Working can be made much more enjoyable if you have the right gadgets. Pottery studio gadgets can help make your…
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea.
If you want to start selling your handmade ceramics then read this post first! Today I’m sharing how to price your products, different challenges you might face, shipping tips, and more. Advantages I’m assuming that if you’re reading this post, then you’re already fairly skilled at making ceramics, whether that’s with throwing, hand-sculpting or your chosen technique. That’s a skill that many people don’t have, so you’re already in a good position to make beautiful items that others can’t make for themselves. So Many Options Pottery is a broad category with so many different options. You can create almost anything
Make and use a Damp Box when you need to keep your pottery wet enough to trim or work on later. Easy to make, Easy to use.
Here are kiln tips for beginners, part two! If you are new to having a kiln, these tips will come in handy!
Sharing some top tips and advice about how I set up my own pottery studio as well as some behind-the-scenes photography of how to throw on a wheel.
During the summer of 2018, i built a pottery studio. here’s how I did it (in brief)…
The Clay Conundrum: How to Teach Hundreds of Students While Staying Organized Physical Space % %
