Lesley
-
Is Pottery Clay Eco-Friendly? – or is it Costing the Earth?
For many years, humans have been making jewelry, vases, plates, jugs, and drinking vessels out of clay. And still today, given the vast variety of materials available, clay is one of the most beautiful and durable options. Clay can be beautiful, practical and can take a variety of forms and shapes. Aesthetics aside, there has…
-
How to Make Marbled Pottery – 4 Easy Ways to Marble Clay
The first time I saw marbled clay I was intrigued and I wanted to know how it was done. It’s a beautiful way of blending colors on your pottery. So, I wanted to write about the different ways you can make marbled pottery. It’s really pretty simple. You can marble pottery by coloring the clay…
-
How to Get Glaze Off Kiln Shelves? – Easy Glaze Removal
Finding that your glaze has run off your pottery and onto the kiln shelf is not unusual. Especially if you are learning about glazing, or using an unfamiliar glaze. Most potters have a kiln shelf or two that have been damaged by running glaze. In practice, it is not ideal for your pottery or your…
-
How to Make Colored Clay – 3 Easy Methods with Images
It is simple to make colored clay, and the results can be really stunning. It is one of my favorite ways of decorating my pottery. You can make lovely marbled agateware or nerikomi from the clay you have colored. To make colored clay, you need to add a stain or oxide to your clay. Stains…
-
How Much Stain to Use in Colored Slip? – Making a Test Tile
I love using colored slip to decorate pottery. It has a velvety finish that you don’t get with most underglaze. If you want to make your own decorating slip, you’re probably wondering how much stain to use in colored slip? How much stain to use in colored slip, depends on a few factors. They…
-
Why Has my Wheel Head Corroded on my Pottery Wheel?
Many people value the aesthetic value of wheel heads. As such, people dedicate their time and resources towards wheel head maintenance. But wheel heads are still prone to corrosion. Perhaps this has left you wondering why has my wheel head corroded on my pottery wheel despite regular maintenance. This article demystifies the causes of wheel…
-
How to Make Colored Slip – 3 Easy Ways to Color Clay Slip
Colored slip is a great way to decorate your ceramics. But it can be expensive to buy, and you may not find exactly the color that you want. So perhaps you are wondering how to make colored slip. To make colored slip, you mix a powdered oxide or stain with clay slip. The amount of…
-
How to Remove a Pot from the Wheel – Without Crushing It!
So, you’ve just thrown your first pot on the wheel and you are feeling proud. But how on earth do you get it off the wheel without squashing it? This post is all about how to remove a pot from the wheel without damaging your pottery. To remove a pot from the wheel, tidy up…
-
7 Ways to Build a Kiln for Pottery – Easy DIY Kiln Ideas
There are numerous ways to build a kiln for pottery in your backyard. It needn’t be expensive or complicated. In essence, you are making a chamber that can get up to high temperatures and stay there. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and is not intended as advice about building a kiln. Kilns can…
-
12 Top Tips to Start a Pottery Hobby – A Beginners Guide
If you want to start a pottery hobby, it can be hard to know where to start. Like all new ventures, it can feel like there is an overwhelming amount of information to learn. But take heart, you only need to take one step at a time. I have put together this handy list of…
-
8 Ways to Fix Handles that Crack on Mugs as Clay Dries
The key to drying pottery clay without cracks is to dry it slowly and evenly. Mug handles are notorious for cracking at the joint because drying handles evenly can be tricky. So, what do you do if your mug handle has cracked at the joint? Here are some simple ways to fix handles that crack…
-
How to Make a Plaster Hump Mold for Clay – Easy Drape Molds
Plaster hump molds for clay pottery can be expensive to buy, but they are simple to make. And you can make beautiful pottery with a hump mold, very easily. Here is how to make a plaster hump mold for clay. Plus, how to make a lovely drape mold pottery bowl with your DIY mold. The…