My 2018 Holiday Gift List for Potters
This is a list of the best things I’ve found over the the past year that would make great gifts four yourself or your fellow potter!
Handmade Pottery
Being a potter is not just about making or teaching pottery but it is about supporting other potters by purchasing and enjoying their work. Yes, I can and you too may be able to make most any pottery form out there but there is something wonderful about holding a piece in your hands made with love and care by a fellow potter.
Diamond Core Tools Semi Flex Diamond Pads
These wonderful little pads will sad glaze or fired clay off your pots easier than any other pad I have tried. They are 1/2 ‘ thick and flexible so they can easily work on curved surfaces. Another great thing is that they work wet or dry so they make prepping bisque ware for glazing a breeze. I have the 60, 120, and the 240.
Buy Direct From Diamond Core
Georgies Interactive Pigment Set
This set is a great way to try out all 8 of Georgies Interactive Pigments with 4 of their signature glazes. Everything in this set is beautiful although I am partial to the Autumn Foliage, Winter Storm and Indigo pigments with the Eggshell Wash Glaze!
Buy Direct From Georgie’s
Mud Tools White Finishing Sponges
I recently discovered theses white finishing sponges and they have changed my life! They are so amazing at finishing and detail work, similar to a chamois but in sponge form. What I really love about these is that they keep the grog from coming to the surface I groggy clay. This is the only sponge I have found that does this! I use these for hand building and for throwing. Makes a perfect stocking stuffer!
Get Yours Now
Sketch Notebook and Micron Pen
A great notebook is a must have for making quick sketches, jotting down ideas, drawing out patterns and glaze recipes. I use mine for everything. I usually get a new one every 3-4 months and date the inside cover that way I can always go back and reference it. This is where I put my ideas for future ClayShare classes, suggestions from members, contact info for potential sponsors and more. It is basically my daily journal and where I keep everything organized in one place. They are great if you want to start getting into the habit of daily drawing or journaling.
Get the Notebook
Get the Pens
Amaco Glazes
Amaco has the largest selection of brush of glazes anywhere. The glaze color combinations are limitless. I use their Potters Choice, Celadon, Satin Matte and Shino Line of glazes. All are intermixable and they respond well to layering. Some of my favorites are Obsidian, Storm, Smokey Merlot, Seaweed, Iron Luster, Deep Firebrick and Indigo Float.
Buy Them Here
Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Here in Vermont our winters are long and very very cold. Although I do everything I can do to stay warm my hands get so cold it can be hard to work in the studio. My solution: an electric hand warmer that you can plug in to charge. I keep this in my pocket and when my hands are not covered in clay I use it to warm up my hands. These are a nice way to keep you hands warm on cold days!
Get Yours Here
Jess’s Chun Glaze
My signature glaze, developed over years of testing and based on and Ancient Sung Dynasty glazes described as the color of the Summer sky after a rainstorm. This glaze pairs well with everything I’ve tested it with ad make a lovely liner glaze. It looks stunning with many Clayscapes glazes particularly Pitch Black, Clinton Pottery Red, Cream and Shadow Blue.
Available At Clayscapes Pottery
Marvelous Molds, Knit Texture
These molds will give you amazing texture and details in your clay. They are made in Cleveland Ohio and are of the highest quality. Yes, they may be a bit more than other molds out there but they are totally worth it! My favorites are their knit line of molds although they are all fabulous.
Shop Marvelous Molds
Bailey Extruder
An extruder is another creative way to make pottery without a wheel. A wall mounted extruder will let you make coils handles, test tiles, mugs, pitchers, spouts, bowls and more. Bailey has a large selection of affordable wall mounted extruders and die in various sizes. I have the 4″ and am adding a 5″ extruder to my studio soon. If a large extruder is out of your budget then check out one of the many small hadn’t extruders available.
Check Them Out Here
GR Pottery Forms
These drape mold forms are wonderful studio helpers for making plates, platters, bowls, trays, baking dishes, pie plates and more. I have too many favorite to list them all here but you can not go wrong with the hexagon stacking set or any of their sets.
Get Them Here
ClayShare Premium Membership
Give the gift that you will use all year long! With over 200 classes, thousands of videos, resources, tips, techniques, exclusive offers and coupons from sponsors, ClayShare is well worth the membership fee.