nadin_reader_GD219

T O O L S
the tools to know
everything you need to start your own studio
by jenni fritzlan
Clay Roller | A roller can be used
in many different ways, such as to
smooth a piece of clay to find large
imperfections, but is typically used
to roll new clay flat.
carving tools
Setting up a pottery studio will
require some investments, but
once you have the equipment, with
minimal maintenance, it will last for many
years. For the hobbyist, setting up shop
and some tools on. For a wheel throwing
studio, you will need a space large enough
to have a wheel, a work table, a clay storage
area, (ideally under the work table),
shelves to keep your work on, a sink
Wire Clay Cutter | This tool is
usually used to remove a piece from
a table or wheel after being thrown.
could be as simple as acquiring a wheel,
a work table and a small shelf unit to store
your work in progress.
But for the serious potter, setting up shop
will require quite a bit more. Before you
begin purchasing equipment and tools,
Continued on page 50
Ribbon Tool | The ribbon tool is used to
carve or sculpt small areas of a piece. The
metal top comes in many different shapes
and sizes, so an artist must be careful and
thoughtful about picking the correct size
for what needs to be carved. Usually these
tools have a wooden or plastic handle,
making them light and easily transported
as well as cleaned after use.
you will need to determine where you will
be able to set up your new shop.
Some questions to consider would be: Do
I want to make wheel thrown pots or just
do hand building? Do I have a place to
put a kiln and if so, is there an adequate
power supply to the location? Will I glaze
my pots in my studio, or will I need to
take them somewhere else to glaze and
fire them?
If hand building is the only
thing you want to do, an extra
room in your house or a corner
of the garage would be an ideal
place to set up a small studio.
All that would be required would be
enough space for a work table (a 40 x 80
inch table is ideal), a small electric kiln
and a shelf to keep your work in progress
32 | atelier 2020
Photography courtesy of unsplash.com
Potter's Rib | The potter's rib (left) is
primarily used to sculpt and shape
a piece; this is very helpful when
throwing on a wheel.
Needle Tool | The needle tool (right)
is good for fine details and is one of
the best tools for signing the bottom
of a piece before firing or bisque.
Loop Tools | Loop cutting tools
come in a myriad of sizes, just like
the ribbon carving tools. The loop
tools are characterized by their large
looped cutting top. Generally, this
tool is used to carve of large pieces
of clay off of a piece.
Smoothing or carving
tool, generally for
sculpting.
atelier 2020 | 33