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Many customers, fellow potters, and teachers, whether experienced or novice, call for ceramic tips daily. After rummaging through my studio, or walking through many classrooms with a ceramic teacher, attending a national ceramic conference, or reading endless articles in the ceramic trade, I have been able to collect a few helpful ceramic tips. The most common questions for quick tips usually fall under the 4 major categories: work space, equipment and materials, and selling.

Your work space as an artist is very important whether you are a novice or a seasoned potter. Being a potter, you use entire body on a daily basis rigorously. It is important to remember when designing a studio that is conducive to bending, lifting, and moving about easily. Try an open or horizontal flow with designated stations and lots of shelves and storage. Arrange like areas together, such as tools and sketch space, raw materials and clays, work area and dry area, storage and displaying. Make sure there is ample lighting, including the wall space to brighten the room. Keep your area peaceful and centered. Music is always a great inspiration and motivator in the studio as a finishing touch. A great guideline for getting started on your studio would be the book Setting Up Your Ceramic Studio: Plans and Ideas from Working Artists by Virginia Scotchie.

I surf the internet daily for ceramic research. When purchasing equipment, I recommend reviewing sites like Ceramics Monthly and School Arts Magazines, or ClayArt's ceramic board. You will get a hands-on perspective of equipment in an unbiased forum. After you choose the brand you are looking for, price check the top three ceramic vender's for equipment and materials:

1. Laguna Clay Company
2. Big Ceramic Store
3. Bailey Ceramic Supply

Recycle. Recycle. Recycle. One of the best investments you can make is tin garbage cans lined with a heavy duty black leaf bag liner, one each Cone 06, Cone 6, and Cone 10 in red and white. Throw all your scrap clay into it and close the bag and tighten the lid. Once you get a full can you can pug your salvaged clay into new bricks and have a fresh quick batch of clay.

Save. Save. Save. Instead of throwing out your spaghetti sauce jars like the ones from Barilla, save the jars and put your left over glaze in them for safe storage. Instead of throwing out the plastic meat trays or the frozen products from the food store save them and use them as instant molds for platters, serving dishes, plates, bowls, etc.

Bulk. Bulk. Bulk. The best advice I can give any potter, new or old, is buy in bulk. All major ceramic supplies offer discounts at a bulk price. They might not advertise it, so it is best to call and ask what discount structure they have for the materials you are looking for. Most ceramic materials do not go bad and it will save you in the long run when that big commissioned order comes in.

Sell. Sell. Sell. Get your work out there. You would be surprised what people will buy. In the ceramic world, it is most true what one man's ugly piece is, is another man's treasure. Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder and people will impulsively buy something if it is priced low and you were thinking of throwing it out because of hairline fractures, pin holing or you just didn't like the way it turned out.

Set up a work schedule that allows you ample time for your projects. Remember there is design time, production, and packing up. It is best to allot yourself at least 4 to 8 weeks before a show. The more you create, the more repetition, the more efficient you will be and more seasoned you will become. Find all your local art festivals, craft shows, church and school benefits and art galleries and get your work out there.

Learn more about this author, Rosanne Sloane.
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