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Ikea Genomsnitt Scale

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  There are a few tools which seem to be more versatile in the ceramics business than a scale. I originally purchased this scale from Ikea  so I could weigh my clay in an attempt to make pieces more similar in shape. Starting with the same size ball of clay has done wonders for my craft; possibly even a borderline superstitious obsession but, has no doubt assisted me in improving my technique over time. By taking the same amount of clay and seeing how far you can stretch the walls up without making them too thin, or working on making sure the clay makes its way from the bottom to the top in nice even lines. It's all part of the craft and can be both magical and defeating.  I did however, end up using my scale for many more things including weighting out glazing materials, weighing my finished pots for online sales/shipping costs. I also used my scale to take measures for pricing out my pottery by documenting the amount of glaze and clay each piece takes. This particular m...
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XL Spiral Pro Mixing Paddle

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Of all of the tools I have contemplated adding to my studio, the XL mixer should have been sooner on the list. I take all my greenware scraps (pieces not yet fired in the kiln) in various states of dryness from trimming, failed throwing and other miscellaneous pieces I'm not happy with, for whatever reason, and throw them into a bucket with water (usually the remnants from throwing).  Once the clay has had a chance to reabsorb the water,  I use this tool to mix my reclaim into a buttery consistency before dolloping it out on plaster bats to dry out. Using a mixer means I have to add quite a bit of water and the reclaim has to sit out for longer to dry but I chose a mixer this size on a corded drill so that I would have more power. The paddle itself has too large of a circumference for most corded drills which meant I actually saved when I bought my corded drill instead of a battery operated one.  Using a mixer means significantly less wedging. It's also really helpful for...
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Shimpo VL-Whisper Potters Wheel with Leg Extenders

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I got my first taste of throwing on a wheel through an introductory pottery class offered by the local city arts and culture services programs. I remember the instructor telling us the wheel could spin either way, and then confusing myself about which direction was the best direction for me.  Like many new potters I sent clay flying because I had way too much water in all the wrong places. I made all the rookie mistakes, but I loved every second I spent in the studio. The instructor took us through a variety of techniques, and my passion for wheel throwing bloomed. There were a variety of wheels to test drive, which was great for determining what kind of features I wanted in a wheel of my own.  Ultimately, I realized I preferred standing to sitting, in much the same way I prefer to work at a standing computer desk rather than sitting. When I decided I was investing in a wheel of my own, I opted for this model and I have zero regrets about waiting for her to arrive, or paying e...
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