Shopping

It is easy to get carried away with combing through dollar stores and tag sales for things to use in the studio- Textures, Shapes, Pans, Mixing Bowls. My favorite place to shop for studio wares is at the higher end kitchen supply places. Near me there is a Sur La Table and they often have a clearance section with some great items.  I generally only buy if it's on sale. Both of these were seriously marked down. Yesterday I picked up two very nice wooden tools. Very excited to try them out. 

The wooden rolling pin is meant to be used for making home made ravioli. I suspect it will prove to be a nice pattern maker and more. The second item is meant to be used to cut home made pizza - directly on the stone (this way you don't ruin your  knives). Wouldn't work for me - rarely use the stone. 

The Pizza cutter is much like a giant rib and I think it would be rather fun to use for big plates and platters. Time will tell. 

Tools - The VERY Basics

I promised some of my students that I would list the basic tools they should have in their kit.  One woman I know had trimming tools that were so dull- she may as well have been using a butter knife. Sometimes students use only communal studio tools and never realize or know just how much easier it is to use good , sharp, appropriate toos.

First - my disclaimer. This is not a complete list , not a comprehensive list. It is meant to be a start for the serious beginner or intermediate student. Pin tool, wire, towel, gum - all that goes without saying.

Tools are very personal and as you develop as a potter you find the ones you love and hate. I Like tools that feel good in the hand and do a good job. I am a Bison fan and a Bamboo fan.

TRIMMING

• Loop
• Double tipped - small round and triangle
• Triangle

All Ceramic Supplies sell these

 

This is totally helpful for getting the bottom of a pot really flat. Love this - Bambootools.com

 SPONGES

• Get a big Grout Sponge and cut it into 2" and 1" squares and triangles. 
• I also like a few round ones 
• I always keep the very small, tight pore makeup triangles that you can buy in the drug store.

RIBS- Ribs come in a variety if firmness. There are really rigid ones and there are floppy ones. Have some of each. I like the ones with the holes for your fingers- easy to grip for newbies.

• Rubber
• Wood
• Bamboo

Kemper and Lots of other companies make rubber ribs.

Great shape for bowls and rounded things and makes a nice chubby rim. My favorite

These are great all around for cleaning up and never get water logged.

 Another favorite. Bambootools.com

OTHER

LOVE THESE

Metal rib that is serated all around. Fantastic for scoring stuff.

ALL TIME FAVORITE for hand building. The YUMI from bamboo tools. This one I keep several of because I use it so often. Afraid I will misplace it and freak out:)

LASTLY

It's called a "colour shaper" - bought it at Blick. I think it is meant for pastels - blending the colors.   Like a paintbrush with a rubber tip. Great for finishing off seams on things. This was the most expensive tool in the lot.

A Good Brush

A good brush is hard to find and building your own collection of special brushes for different jobs can take years. Linda Stauffer makes some really beautiful brushes. They are sold through Etsy. I think the prices are very reasonable.Check these out....