How to Start Pottery at Home

Choose Your Space 🏠

Before diving into equipment, let's talk space. Key consideration? Dust control! Best options:

• Garage with concrete floors
• Spare room with vinyl or epoxy flooring
• Garden shed (with proper weatherproofing)
• Spots with good ventilation and windows

Pick Your Clay!

Three main types from Laguna Clay:

• Stoneware: Perfect for beginners, intermediates, and pros alike - super durable, great for functional ware.
• Earthenware: Great for decorative pieces
• Porcelain: For when you're ready for a challenge

Your Wheel Companion 🎡

• Speedball Artista ($550-$600): Perfect for beginners, handles 20-25 lbs
• Speedball Clay Boss ($1000): Great for hobbyists, centers up to 100 lbs
• Soldner S150 ($2750): The legendary professional wheel

Kiln Corner 🔥

• Jen Ken 11/9: Perfect for small spaces, standard outlet
• Olympic 1818HE: Popular mid-size option
• Evenheat HF 2327: For serious production

Essential Tools

• Basic Amazon Tool Kit ($8-15)
• 5-Star Full Tool-Kit ($15-25)
• Ribs and More ($8-12 each)
• Cleaning Sponges ($7-15)
• 3-Bucket System 5-Gallon Buckets
• Small collapsible bucket ($10-15)
• Paint Brushes ($8-10)
• Shredder for Trimming ($8-20)
• Wedging Boards ($20-30)

Organization Station

• Rolling shelf from Penguin Pottery ($400)
• Wooden Ikea Shelves ($150) (Honestly alllll the shelves)
• DIY Wedging Table
• Wedging and Storage Table by Bluebird Clay

Safety First

• 3M N95 masks ($8-15)
• Austin Air Purifier to protect from clay dust
• Respirator Mask ($8-20)
• Good ventilation
• Always Clean Wet
• Mop > Vacuum (Never sweep)
• Wet Vac with HEPA filter (Vacuum Sparingly)
• Keep kilns away from flammables
• Regular cleaning routine (always clean wet)