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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Pottery and sculpture can be a beautiful addition to an outside space. However outdoor conditions are not ideal for fired clay. Factors like heat, cold, rain, etc can affect your pottery resulting in wear and tear. So, should you avoid keeping your pottery outdoors or can they be protected from the effect of the weather?…
A purpose-built wedging table is an additional expense you might want to avoid. If this is the case, then don’t stress. There are many inexpensive ways to find the perfect clay wedging surface for your studio. A wedging surface needs to have a bit of grip on it. If it’s a very smooth surface like…
If you are starting to glaze your pottery, you may have heard about kiln cookies. What are kiln cookies and why are they important? Kiln cookies, sometimes called patties, are thin slabs of clay just a bit wider than the base of your pottery. You put them under your pots when you are glaze firing…