Guides
Designing a Ceramic Toothbrush Holder with a Drip TrayA ceramic toothbrush holder might seem humble, yet designing one well involves real decisions about drainage, weight, scale, and daily use. In Australian…
How to Dry Complex Sculptures Slowly Without CrackingDrying a complex clay sculpture is a gradual balancing act. A thin leaf, thick torso, hollow vessel and projecting limb may all lose water at different speeds,…
The geometry of Catalan mosaics in modern clay wall artCatalan mosaics offer a rich visual language for contemporary ceramics. Their broken tiles, rhythmic patterns and sun-washed colours can be translated into…
Making a Ceramic Oil Lamp Inspired by Ancient Mediterranean DesignsAn oil lamp can be a small sculpture, a useful light and a direct connection to ancient Mediterranean craft. Long before electric lighting, makers shaped clay…
Building a Simple Pugmill Alternative with a Meat GrinderClay preparation can become one of the least enjoyable parts of a small pottery studio. Wedging takes time, stiff scraps are difficult to combine, and air…
Fine detailing on leather-hard clay with a needle toolA needle tool is one of the simplest instruments in a ceramic studio, yet it can produce remarkably delicate results. On leather-hard clay, it can draw veins…
Creating a Ceramic Spoon Rest With a Leaf Vein ImpressionA ceramic spoon rest is a small project with plenty of room for character. Its shallow bowl catches drips beside the cooktop, while a pressed leaf creates a…
The colours of the Pacific Northwest forest in glazeThe Pacific Northwest forest offers a rich visual language for ceramic artists: moss softened by rain, cedar bark darkened with age, lichen spreading across…
How to Make a Ceramic Whistle With a Stopless Finger HoleA ceramic whistle is a small, rewarding project that combines pinch-pot building, hollow-form construction and careful sound design. Unlike a simple clay…
How to Trim Thin-Walled Pottery Without Losing the FormThin-walled pottery has an appealing lightness, but that delicacy makes the trimming stage unforgiving. A foot ring that is too deep can puncture the base,…