(Part 2) Best ceramic & pottery supplies according to redditors

https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Precious-Metal-Clay-PMC3/dp/B001894CJ2

I started 3 years ago again with a tax refund. I already had a wheel in storage so that helped. I bought a beat up used kiln with good brick for 225.00 cut a hole in the bottom and top. I used a 1 lb coffee can to measure. You can see my Kilns here. I bought an electric to gas conversion kit and fire in my drive with two 20lb propane canisters. If you don't want to bother with the kit go buy a weed burner and shoot it into the kiln. I have been firing like this for the last two years and have sold pots all over the world. You can get a high pressure gas regulator from Mr. Heater for 25.00 Buy your clay and glaze off amazon prime to save on shipping charges. You can also save money by hand mixing your own glazes. Now at least you can hand build! After that look for a use wheel someplace. I do all of this from my small basement. If you got question let me know.

Edit: Be sure to follow good safety practices as glaze mixing and clay dust can be harmful. Also see you state and local regulations for outside firings depending on where you live. Never trust gas.

Budget? Im sure you mean it but what you are discussing here will be about $1500 in machines and tools + space and storage

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I'd recommend https://www.bigceramicstore.com/speedball-big-boss-formerly-creative-industries-big-boss.html as the wheel. It's a hundred and change more than a few of the cheaper models, but it will last and it will perform and she won't outgrow it unless she starts throwing pots as big as you are.

As for tools there's literally thousands of different tools all specialty and all with variations. To begin with, I would get a set like https://www.amazon.ca/Blisstime-Sculpting-Wooden-Pottery-Carving/dp/B07N64DQ9J/ref=sr_1_20?keywords=pottery+tools&qid=1566218688&s=gateway&sr=8-20 which will have variety. Even if the individual tools are cheaper it will give her an idea of what she likes.

I would also get a set of metal ribs, like https://www.amazon.ca/COMIART-Sculpture-Pottery-Molding-Ceramics/dp/B078C7KT4J/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=pottery+tools&qid=1566218688&s=gateway&sr=8-17 which are used for shaping curves and having metal ones with some give can be WAY better than even the nicest wood ones for some situations.

For space, I'd say 5x5 minimum work clearance for the wheel area. She will need to have a large bucket or bag of clay, the wheel, a large bowl or bucket of water, potentially a second chair and a large mirror where she can see both the work and her posture.

In addition she will need some sort of sturdy work table, because clay needs to be prepped like bread dough. Something with a resilient surface (Im a big fan of ikea butcherblock counterop) It doesn't have to be HUGE but smaller than about 2x2 and uncomfortable to work standing would be incorrect in my opinion.

If she does any hand building, which is coming back into fashion, she'll want closer to 2' by 6' so she can roll out slabs and still have work area.

Lastly, there are three stages of pottery before it's finished.

Leather, bone, and bisque.

She will need racks to hold anything going through those stages. I recommend something sturdy and on wheels, so that they can be pushed against a wall when full. Something like these https://www.amazon.ca/SortWise-Adjsutable-Shelving-SystemSort-Lockable/dp/B071ZDHJ1S/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=metal+shelving+wheel&qid=1566219480&s=gateway&sr=8-4 which can hold heavy pots but wont be tippy if they need to be moved.

Lastly, she'll need a kiln. This is where the magic happens. I can't really suggest one kiln in particular, as it's really dependent on how much she wants to do. You will probably want an electric kiln that uses a 240 standard oven plug. You'll likely need wiring for it.https://www.bigceramicstore.com/kilns/kiln-types/electric-ceramic/small-electric-ceramic-kilns.html?filter_kiln_cone=288&lm_manufacturer=13

The good news is used electric kilns are -everywhere- online for about half the price as new or less.check local kijiji or craigs ads, there will be some.

ALTERNATIVELY, depending on your area, you may have a local guild. There for a registration fee and mandatory classes (Locally mine was 3 courses ~6 weeks and $200 each for hand building, wheel throwing, and kiln use + a $200/year membership fee) She could have access to a full studio/wheels/kiln/tools/peers.

here is what i use: https://www.amazon.com/Pyrometric-Cones-Monitoring-Ceramic-Firings-Cone/dp/B076X72VJX/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=kiln+sitter+cones&qid=1565047844&s=gateway&sr=8-1

you can buy different temperature versions

Welcome back!
This polymer clay looks fun- I'd love to teach my daughter how to make her own figurines!

I just discovered this cool Nightmare Before Christmas colouring book, and it looks amazing!

And tip keep with the Spooky theme, here some affordable cookie cutters featuring Freddy Krueger and Jason!

Polymer clay pasta machine

Clay extruder - I have this one

Polymer clay blade/tissue blade

Xacto knife
Oven thermometer

Needle tool

Glass cutting board

I used this

http://www.amazon.com/A-M-Leonard-Random-Cobblestone-Mold/dp/B001FA86LY

as a walkway to my pool deck and branching off to my shed. I used regular Quickrete concrete and painted on a thinned out version of the concrete stain on top when it was still drying. I then came back once it was dry with another brushing. Once that was done I took portland cement and brushed it in the cracks and made a border so make it a little more solid.
I am extremely pleased with the results. My path gets heavy traffic during pool season and i even drive my riding lawn mower over it.

I purchased 2 and once I got into a rhythm was able to fill and go.

I can send you pics if you want to see the finished result.

FYI...my local Lowes has them a few dollars cheaper than Amazons listed price.

Normal Tools:

I've found my square tool with a lip on it: This one to be invaluable. I use it every time I craft to make a 90 degree cut.

X-Acto knives are a must when cutting foam (buy a box of 100 blades, foam dulls them QUICK). A box cutter for things like corkboard or cardboard.

A cheap clay set such as this can be useful when working with foam to add different types of impressions. The metal tool with prongs is good for making a wood grain effect.

Tiny hand drill such as This is useful for making small holes for wood posts, jail bars, etc.. I use this hand drill with a 3mm bit I bought elsewhere to put tiny magnets into my work to hold pieces together that are modular or detachable.

Paints:

I like to get house paints from Home Depot for major colors that I use a lot (grey for stone, brown for wood). I get the sample size containers that are really cheap for the amount of paint you get, and the paint is thick enough so you only have to use one coat most of the time. I use dental plaster bricks from Hirst Arts quite often and it takes several coats of cheap paint or just one coat of house paint to get the job done. I mix the house paint with cheap craft white paint for dry brushing highlights. For all the other colors I use the cheap($.50 - $1.00 / bottle) craft store paint. I wouldn't use that paint for miniatures, but works fine for terrain.

Brushes:

Get the cheap ones in a wide variety of sizes. You will be dragging and jamming those brushes into all sorts of places so they will get damaged. I also use the brushes for applying glue to terrain, or latex to wire armatures and they do not survive that process well. I never use any of the ones with the sponge tips.

I found this link on an Amazon description that may shed some light on silver clay. A buddy of mine is over in South Korea now with his wife who is from there. I sent him a text to see if she could tell me what it is.

https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Precious-Metal-Clay-PMC3/dp/B001894CJ2

https://www.amazon.com/2000RPM-Pottery-Machine-Making-Ceramic/dp/B07N9KMZ7N/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=mini+pottery+wheel&qid=1566473265&s=gateway&sr=8-7

Not sure if it’s exactly the same model, but pretty close.

It’s foam clay by CosplayPros! Very lightweight, easy to shape, sand, and prime with wood glue. Blends right in!

This one is very similar to the one I saw. I think the handles are through and through titanium, and if cast, could be threaded on the end pretty easily.

But I wouldn't even bother, natural wood is always better, especially if you burned in the tang!

Looks friggin sweet though, OP! Time to slay some dabs!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FH7TLP9

DIY USB Mini Clay Making Pottery Machine Handmade Clay Throwing Machine 1500RPM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L5FYS8K/

Regarding vacuum pumps, would it be something like this? https://www.riogrande.com/Product/RioVacuumTableforMoldMakingInvestingandCasting/705012

Like it would be used before you put the metal? or after?

Still looking for a good kiln, perhaps somthing like this to allow me to burn out my PLA and I think I could use this same device to melt my metal? https://www.amazon.com/Tabletop-Hi-Temp-Electric-Standard-Controller/dp/B07GWX18K9

Any thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Pottery-Machine-Brushless-Ceramic/dp/B07WC16TNH/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=pottery%2Bwheel&qid=1572064049&sprefix=pottery%2B&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNzNWVDUwRk45SUFXJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDc5MTE5MjJOQU9CWUdBSDNMUyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODUwMjY5VTNFTTgxS1JWTVlWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

I think it's just called a wire clay cutter

The wooden ones are definitely clay sculpting tools.

Example from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Modeling-Tools-Polymer-Sculpting/dp/B0796L45XB

You joke, but Amazon sells a number of different;y flavored dirt that people eat.

• Bentonite Clay Food Grade Powder - 2 LB Pure Natural Powder for Smoothies and More
  
  
• Red Nakumatt

Was it this tool by chance? The example images are actually exactly what I want to do!

I get amaco 38 stoneware clay off amazon, 50lbs for $21 and free shipping if you order enough. They have it with grog and sedona red clay as well:

amazon link

After trying two others, we (my 3-year-old maker queen and I) really like this one:
Walnut Hollow Clay Extruder with Easy Crank Handle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004478EWG/

Did a path in my parents backyard with something like this years ago. Just make sure that you dig in to the ground and then set them in sand/dirt after. We did not dig very far in to the ground, so when you brought the mower in to the backyard it would turn them over since the path was not 100% even.

It was pretty easy but I like I said make sure that you do it properly otherwise it will end up more of a headache.

I haven't used the Bondo spot putty, but there are several brands of putty used on plastic models that work pretty well -- Squadron, Tamiya, and Testors all have very smooth putties that are only a couple bucks a tube. They dry pretty fast, so be sure to work in small areas and have a plan. Using the back side of a spoon-shaped sculpting tool (like the one at the top here) helps get it packed into tight areas too. A cheap substitute is a low-end stainless steel crab fork, it will have a spoon on one end like that.

I'm using this stuff https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00114Q65C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The clamps look nice, but tough for an apartment where I don't have much space.

Sculpey isn't terribly expensive. I bought this color pack, but I only used about 1/4 of the grey and white to make the lanterns. If you buy the 2 oz blocks separately, which you can do at most art stores, they are a couple dollars each. You could also buy a large 1.75 lb block for a bit over $10, which is a better deal than buying a multicolor pack if you don't need so many colors.

She could probably argue it's a tool for cutting clay

https://www.amazon.com/Kemper-Tools-KETK35-Wire-Cutter/dp/B0001VNQHC

However she'll have to explain why she was in possession of it at a protest. Intent are everything when it comes to weapons laws in Canada.