Oxford Clay

Katherine Tomlinson

Chats about pottery with an environmental focus. Tune in for pottery tips and a discussion of issues in the handmade pottery industry today. Oxford Clay creates resources for Potters seeking a more environmentally friendly pottery practice.

Oxford Clay website: www.oxfordclay.co.uk

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20 episodes
Updated July 26

Episodes20

Newest first

July 26 · 12 min
125. What is a Pottery Maker's Mark and How to Do One
A maker’s mark in pottery tells everyone (including yourself!) that you made that beautiful pot! There are several different ways of creating maker’s marks on your pottery. Join me for this episode where I talk you through the different options. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
July 12 · 17 min
124. How to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Ash Glazing in Pottery
Ash glazing can have a negative environmental impact due to the particulates created when plants are burned. However, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of Ash glazing in pottery. Join me for this episode, where I talk you through some things I think about when creating ash for ash glazing to reduce its environmental impact. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
June 28 · 14 min
123. How to Pick Your Clay When Making Pottery
There are so many different types of clay out there. How do you know which one to use for your pottery? Join me for this episode, where I talk you through some different things to think about when picking your clay to make your beautiful pottery! Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
June 14 · 17 min
122. How to Pack a Pottery Kiln
Packing a pottery kiln may seem like a tricky task, however, it's really very simple! Join me for this episode where I talk you through how I pack my electric kiln for a bisque and a glaze stoneware firing. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
May 31 · 2 min
121. How to Make a Pottery Glaze from Tomato Stalks
There are many things that are normally thrown away that can actually be made into a pottery glaze! In this episode, I tell you about a stoneware pottery glaze I’ve made by collecting tomato stalks from vine tomatoes bought at the supermarket over a period of six months. Of course, you could use tomato stalks you’ve grown yourself, too! Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
May 17 · 12 min
120. Do you Need to Wash Ash for Pottery Glazing
Some Potters wash or rinse ash before making ash glazes in pottery; however, do you really need to do this?! Join me in this episode some key points regarding the debate in pottery as to whether to wash ash or not for pottery glazing. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
May 3 · 23 min
119. A Total Beginner's Guide to Making a Pottery Glaze
If you’ve ever wondered how pottery glazes are made, this episode is for you! In this episode of the podcast, I talk you through how to make a pottery glaze from start to finish, from where to find a recipe, how to get the ingredients to weighing them out, mixing them together and finally sieving and storing the glaze. The free glaze-making guide mentioned in this episode is here. The glaze recipe website referred to in this episode is: https://glazy.org/ Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
April 19 · 15 min
118. 8 Top Tips for Making Pots on the Potter's Wheel
In this episode, I tell you about eight of the most important things I’ve learned from years of making pots on the pottery wheel. Take what resonates in this episode and leave what doesn’t. ✨Do it your way that feels right for your body. ✨Wedge or knead your clay really well before making anything - this will help to centre the clay. ✨Anchor your arms on the wheel basin as you need a strong stance to be able to control the clay. ✨Water, water, water, water! ✨Clean the pottery wheel after centring the clay before you start shaping your pot. ✨Go at the right speed for the stage you’re making - fast for centring and slow for shaping your pot. When you start bringing the clay up go at the speed the clay wants to go at (usually slowly!). ✨Try throwing two separate shapes to create pots that would be difficult to make otherwise, such as vases with long necks and wide bases. The pieces can be joined at the leather-hard stage on the potters' wheel with slip. ✨Leave lots of time for tidying up the pottery wheel to make this part of the process as enjoyable as possible! Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
April 5 · 13 min
117. 3 Ways To Use Pottery Classes
Pottery classes are wonderful and can be used in different ways according to what you want to achieve! Join me for this episode of the podcast, where I talk about three ways to use pottery classes. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
March 29 · 25 min
116. A Total Beginner's Guide to Making an Ash Glaze in Pottery
Have you ever wondered how a pottery glaze is made from plant ashes?! Join me for this episode of the podcast where I talk to you about how pottery glazes are made from plant ashes - from start to finish! Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
March 15 · 15 min
115. Where to Get Ash for Ash Glazing in Pottery
Ash glazes in pottery have been used for thousands of years and can create beautiful effects. Join me for this episode of the podcast, where I talk about some places to find Ash for Ash glazing in pottery. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
March 1 · 16 min
114. How to Make Your Kiln Firings More Efficient in Pottery
Firing an electric pottery kiln is one of the most energy-intensive parts of making ceramics. But there are ways to make Kiln firings more efficient. Join me for this episode of the podcast, where I tell you about some things I think about when firing a pottery kiln to maximise its efficiency. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
February 15 · 2 min
113. How to find Vegan-Friendly Glazing Brushes in Pottery
It can be difficult to find large brushes for pottery glazing that are vegan. Synthetic makeup brushes provide a fantastic alternative! Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
February 1 · 15 min
112. How to Cut Clay When Making Pottery
Join me for this episode where I talk to you about some great ways of cutting clay! Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
January 18 · 18 sec
111. 5 Mindset Shifts to Help You Learn to Make Pottery on the Potter’s Wheel
Learning how to make pottery on the potters wheel can be quite a frustrating process! I’m still learning all the time, and these mindset shifts have really helped me: ⭐ There's no ‘right’ way - your way is the right way! Trust your body to make pottery the way that feels good to you. ⭐Making pottery is a creative process. You don't have to make pottery ‘perfectly’. There are opportunities to continue to craft your pot at the turning/trimming stage. ⭐The learning journey of making pottery on the potter’s wheel is not linear, it's normal to feel like sometimes your skills are ‘going backwards’ - but this is not the case! ⭐Don’t compare your skills to someone else’s ⭐Keep going!! - Don't let frustration get you down, one day, you will be able to make exactly what you want. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
January 4 · 2 min
110. A Great Way of Holding Slip Casting Moulds Together
In this mini-episode, we’ll be talking about a great way to hold small slip casting moulds together…with a jersey hairband! Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule)
Nov 9, 2025 · 18 min
109. How to Fire an Electric Pottery Kiln
Join me for the final episode in the making a raw-glazed mug on the potter’s wheel series! In this episode we’ll be talking about how to fire an electric pottery kiln. We’ll discuss the stoneware glaze kiln firing schedule, including ramp speed and soak time at the maximum temperature of 1260 °C. I talk about the duration of a stoneware glaze firing and describe the various stages of the kiln firing process. At the end of the episode, we’ll make a well-earned cup of tea in our finished mug!! Thank you so much for joining me for this series, it's been so much fun creating it and sharing it with you 💖 All these episodes can be viewed as videos in the ‘How to Make a Raw-Glazed Mug on the Potter’s Wheel’ YouTube playlist here. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule) ------------------------------------
Nov 2, 2025 · 11 min
108. How to Load an Electric Pottery Kiln
We’ve glazed our mug and now it's ready to fire! In this episode, I show you how to load or ‘pack’ an electric pottery kiln, including our mug, of course. I’ll talk you through the kinds of things I think about when loading a kiln for a glaze firing. Such as checking the base of each pot for glaze residue, where to place each item and how to use kiln props and kiln shelves. All these episodes can be viewed as videos in the ‘How to Make a Raw-Glazed Mug on the Potter’s Wheel’ YouTube playlist here. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule) ------------------------------------
Oct 26, 2025 · 23 min
107. How to Raw Glaze Pottery
Following on from last week's episode of the podcast, where we made a stoneware glaze suitable for raw glazing, join me for this episode, where I apply the glaze to the mug! Raw glazing is similar to glazing bisqueware pottery, but greater care needs to be taken not to over-wet the greenware, or it will disintegrate your beautiful pot! I talk you through how I glaze my bone-dry mug - (mostly carefully and slowly!) All these episodes can be viewed as videos in the ‘How to Make a Raw-Glazed Mug on the Potter’s Wheel’ YouTube playlist here. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule) ------------------------------------
Oct 19, 2025 · 22 min
106. How to Make a Pottery Glaze for Raw Glazing
Join me for an exciting episode on the podcast this week, where I talk you through making a stoneware pottery glaze from start to finish! If you’ve ever wondered how to make a pottery glaze suitable for raw glazing, this episode is for you! The glaze in this episode can be applied directly to greenware pottery and fired straight up to stoneware temperatures - a pottery technique known as ‘raw glazing’. This glaze can also be used as a regular stoneware pottery glaze and applied to bisqueware pottery before firing to stoneware glaze temperatures (1260oc). Full details of the stoneware pottery glaze recipe made in this episode and the electric kiln firing schedule required to fire it can be found in this free guide. All these episodes can be viewed as videos in the ‘How to Make a Raw-Glazed Mug on the Potter’s Wheel’ YouTube playlist here. Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube ✨Support the Podcast ------------------------------- Resources for Potters: ⭐ Pottery Paperback Books available from Amazon Free Pottery Guides: 🆓 Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): 🆓 Download the Free How to programme an Electric Kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule) ------------------------------------