Lesley
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Are Dishes with Crazing Safe to Use? 3 Hazards to Consider
Crazing looks like a very fine network of cracks in the glossy glazed surface of your ceramics. If you run your finger over the fine cracks, it will most likely feel smooth. But are dishes with crazing safe to use? No, dishes with crazing are not safe to use for food and drink. The tiny…
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Choosing Letter Stamps for Clay – A Potter’s Review
Using lettering on my pottery is one of my favorite things. Over the years, I have tried out various different letter stamps for clay, with varying results. To save you money and frustration, I thought I would review some of the letter stamps for clay that I’ve tried, and let you know what I think…
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Can You Fire Air Dry Clay? – Do’s & Don’ts With Air Dry Clay
Some air dry clay can look and feel a lot like regular pottery clay. But do they behave in the same way, and can you fire air-dry clay in a kiln? No. Most air dry clay, like DAS modeling clay or Crayola Air Dry Clay, cannot go in the kiln. However, there are different types…
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How to Store Pottery Clay
Using clay that’s in good condition makes pottery making a lot easier. To keep it in good shape it’s important to know how to store pottery clay. Here are some essential tips on storing clay, so it’s in tip-top condition. You can store pottery clay either in a dry state or a moist state. If…
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Does Pottery Clay Go Bad? 5 Tips to Keep it Fresh
If you have bought some pottery clay you may be wondering whether it will go bad and if it has an expiration date. Well, the answer to that question is good news. No, pottery clay does not go bad, in fact if you store it well, it can last indefinitely. Clay can harden, or go…
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What Do You Call Someone Who Makes Pottery?
One of the most common names used to refer to someone who makes pottery is the word ‘potter’. However, not everyone who makes pottery uses this particular word to describe themselves. There are a number of terms in use. So, what do you call someone who makes pottery? There are a number of terms used…
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Magic Water for Pottery – How to Make It and Use It
Joining pieces of clay can be tricky. Clay seams can split or crack as the clay dries or is fired and handles can separate. Luckily there are a number of things you can do to prevent this from happening. A simple way to avoid cracked joints in clay is to make some magic water for…
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How to Make a Ceramic Slab Box – A Step-by-Step Guide
This is an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to make a ceramic slab box. Once you have learned the process below you can adapt it to make boxes in any shape, size, and design. In this guide, I will cover how to make a simple slab box, and a textured slab box too. This is…
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3 Ways To Fix Cracks in Bone Dry Clay – They Really Work
If your pottery has cracked whilst it is drying, don’t worry, all is not lost. Here are 3 things you can do to fix cracks in bone dry clay. Why is Fixing Cracks in Bone Dry Clay a Challenge? Fixing cracks in bone dry clay is a challenge because the clay is so dry. If…
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What to Wear to Pottery Class – 11 Tips On The Ideal Outfit
One of the joys of pottery is that it’s a chance to get your hands dirty. But you don’t want to look like you’ve been bobbing around in a mud bath after a class. So, what should you wear to a pottery class? Ideally, you want to wear clothes that are older, so you won’t…
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Pottery Tools Guide – An Owners Review of 18 Top Tools
If you are starting out making pottery, it really helps to have a selection of essential pottery tools. You have probably noticed that you can buy bundles of tools, but it’s not always clear what each of these tools is for. So, I’ve put together this list of tools that I use almost every day…
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What is ‘Slip and Score’ in Pottery – And How is it Done?
If you have started making pottery, sooner or later you will need to join two pieces of clay together. Maybe you need to attach a handle to a mug or join two slabs of clay. The best way to achieve a secure bond between separate pieces of clay is the ‘slip and score’ method of…