All About Bowls

Your workshop recording will apear here after I have process, downloaded, & uploaded the link here.
I hope you enjoy access to this recording. You will have access through the end of August 2025!
I will also add links that are referenced in the workshop, tools, and more.

FB Clay Q&A Creative Pottery Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/creative.pottery/

Clay Body- White Stone: Deb uses White Stone made by Clay Art Center in Tacoma, WA
A cone 6 very smooth porcelain-like stoneware with an off-white color in oxidation. Made without grog to give a porcelain feel. Cone 4-6. Wet Color gray-white, Oxidation Color slightly off-white, Reduction Color gray/white, Texture smooth, Shrinkage 11.0%, Absorption 1.5%. https://clayartcenter.net/product/cac-whitestone-mid-range-porcelain-cl059/

Creative Pottery by Deb Schwartzkopf
Deb’s Book is now available to purchase, and Bonus Content available for download now!
Please leave a review on Amazon, regardless of where you purchased your book! 
Book Bonus Content (12 page PDF Download) Two projects that did not fit into my book, which is now in print! https://ratcitystudios.com/bonus-content

Interfacing: Sew-In Stabilizer: Suggested heavyweight thickness #50
https://www.onlinefabricstore.com/product-group-interfacing-and-stabilizers

Each tool makes a different mark and imparts the intention of the artist.

Here are a few of Deb's favorite essential tools! If you are taking a beginning clay class, this might be a few more than you need. 

Try out a basic tool kit first and then add to your collection.
Basic 9 Piece Tool Kit OR Basic 17 piece Tool Kit

A. Plastic - Thin is good as it does not scuff fresh soft clay as much.  I like to use dry-cleaner bags or the thinnest painter's drop cloths from my local hardware store. 

B. Hole Punch - When you are making a citrus juicer or colander, these make the punching simple.

C. Wooden Tools - Great for smoothing and mark making

D. Rasp - Shred the edges down or taking uneven clay away on leather-hard pots.

E. Loop Tools - These are for trimming, carving clay, or making handles!

F. Knife Tool: Dolan 220C -This is a thin metal blade with a wooden handle.  This is one of my favorites and this particular one was passed down to me by a special pottery mentor Kris Bliss. Alternatives to this are:

G. Pin Tool - Use this to find the thickness of clay when throwing or for popping small air bubbles. It can also use this as a cutting or scoring tool.

H. Scoring Tool - Simply the BEST! Wonderful for scoring carefully and not making a mess of a pot.  It has small tines attached to a metal handle.

I. Wooden Rib - These come in all shapes and sizes.  I use a big one with a soft curve for plates.  Smaller ones are great for bowls, making texture, and undercuts when throwing. They can also be great for compressing slabs.

J. Serrated Metal Rib - When I make bisque molds, this tools helps me blend the coils together.  It can also be used as a scoring tool for larger areas of clay.

K. Metal Rib - a helpful smoothing tool on leather hard clay, when throwing, or compressing slabs.

L. MKM Dividing Tool - These come in large and small sizes.  Align the rings with the rim of your pot and use a pin tool to poke even or odd divisions.

M. Rubber Ribs - MudTools makes fabulous ribs and a bunch of other fun tools.  Each color has a different firmness that is helpful for smoothing and compressing clay.

N. Rolling Pin - Once I have a slab generally the thickness I want, I use a rolling pin to refine the thickness.

O. Paint Brushes - Soft full brushes hold water well and I use them for adding water to the surface of a seam before I score or for applying glaze.  Stiff Bristle brushes, like this old long oil painting brush are great for smoothing hard-to-reach seams.

P. MudTools Baby Bump - This is important for compressing seams in hard to reach areas

Q. Spray Bottle - A handy tool for hydrating pots 

R. Scouring Pad - I prefer Scotch-Brite as they last longer. I cut them up into smaller pieces and use them to wet sand away unevenness.

S. Sponge - I follow up the wet-sanding with a Scotch-Brite with a sponge and always make sure there is no standing water in my pots.

T. Cut-Off Wire - An essential tool for cutting down a block of clay or removing a pot from the wheel head.

U. Calipers - When making lids or sets, calipers help with a perfect fit.