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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125 episodes
Updated July 26

Episodes125

Newest first

Jan 21, 2024
45. 10 Best Slip Casting Tips
Slip casting is a fantastic way of making pottery. It allows Potters to make the same shape of pot over and over again, saving time and effort. Slip casting also allows Potters to make sets of items and standardise their making process to ensure they can consistently replicate the quality of their pots. At Oxford Clay, I've been slip casting for a number of years now and have experienced a lot ups and downs with learning the process! In this episode, I talk about the 10 best slip-casting tips I’ve learned over the years, from making your own casting slip to adding paper to the slip recipe to strengthen the clay! The stoneware slip-casting slip recipe mentioned in this episode can be found in the book Eco-Friendly Pottery: 30 Simple Ways to Make Your Pottery Practice More Ethical and Sustainable, by Oxford Clay available on the Oxford Clay website or on Amazon. Links for the Eco-Friendly Pottery Book with the slip recipe: Amazon Oxford Clay website 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) ------------------------------------
Jan 7, 2024
44. How to Make a Plaster Mould in Pottery
Plaster moulds are a great resource for Potters. Moulds can be used in pottery to press clay into (a press mould), smooth clay over (a hump mould), or pour liquid clay into (a slip casting mould). Plaster moulds allow Potters to make lots of the same shapes of pots simply and accurately. At Oxford Clay, I use a one-part plaster mould for slip-casting my work. In this episode, I talk through the step-by-step process of how I make my plaster moulds, by casting the profile of an enamel pie dish into plaster of Paris. You’ll hear how achievable making your own plaster mould really is! 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) ------------------------------------
Dec 24, 2023
43. What is a Clay Body?
What are clay bodies made from and do you need to make your own as a Potter? Have you ever heard the term ‘clay body’ and been curious about what it means? Well, the ‘clay body’ and clay are the same thing! In this episode, we investigate what clay or clay bodies are made from, how they’re made and three reasons why a Potter may choose to make their own. 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) ------------------------------------
Dec 10, 2023
42. 5 Tips for How to Have Original Creative Ideas in Pottery
If you've ever felt blocked creatively in pottery or like nothing you’re making is any ‘good’ (who hasn’t?) this episode is for you! We discuss five tips for getting your creative flow back and generating original ideas in pottery. Some of them are just about getting out of our own way and not believing the thoughts our brains like to generate about our pottery practice. 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 26, 2023
41. Simple Material Swaps to Make More Eco-friendly Pottery
There are many simple pottery material swaps Potters can do to make their pottery practice more eco-friendly. In this episode, we explore some easy pottery materials to switch from less eco-friendly to more environmentally friendly ones. 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 12, 2023
40. Prioritising Your Creativity with Emily Marston from Emily Marston Ceramics
In this episode, I speak to Emily Marston from Emily Marston Ceramics. Emily runs pottery workshops in Oxford for beginners, and handbuilds pottery and ceramic jewellery from her Oxford-based studio. Join us for this conversation about the highs and lows of making pottery! Emily tells us about her own creativity, the joy she gets from seeing other people make and fire their pottery at her workshops, and the things she does to prioritise and nourish her own creativity. I hope it inspires you to prioritise and nourish your own creativity too. Check out Emily’s Pottery here:https://www.emilymarstonstudio.co.uk/ Find out more about Emily’s pottery workshops here: https://www.emilymarstonstudio.co.uk/ceramicworkshops Follow Emily on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/emilymarstonstudio/ 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 29, 2023
39. What is the Difference Between Earthenware and Stoneware in Pottery
Earthenware and stoneware are terms used in pottery to describe different clays and glazes. You may have wondered what the difference is between earthenware and stoneware in pottery. In this episode, we discuss the difference between earthenware and stoneware pottery and the temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit that classify each category. 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 15, 2023
38. 3 Amazing Pottery Books To Inspire You
In this episode, we discuss three excellent pottery books and how they have inspired both my pottery and my creativity in general. The books cover paper clay, natural glaze making and slip casting. Perhaps they will inspire you too! The Books talked about in this episode are: The Essential Guide to Mold Making & Slip Casting, by Andrew Martin, 2007, Lark Ceramics Books Natural Glazes: collecting and making, by Miranda Forrest, 2018, New Ceramics Paperclay: Art and Practice, by Rosette Gault, 2018, New Ceramics 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 1, 2023
37. How to Stop Cracking in Pots
There is nothing more annoying than finding out that one of your beautifully made pots is starting to crack as it dries, or that the handle is starting to crack off your beautifully made mug. In this episode, we explore why cracking in pottery happens and how to stop it. I go through the top tips I’ve learned to stop cracking in hand-built pots, pots that are thrown on the wheel, and pots that are slip-cast (which are notoriously prone to cracking!) 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) ------------------------------------
Sep 17, 2023
36. What is a Kiln Firing Schedule?
Have you ever wondered how a pottery kiln actually fires pottery? How does a kiln know how much to heat when, and for how long? Well in this episode we discuss what a pottery kiln firing schedule is and the key terms used to describe the different stages of kiln heating and cooling. We also go through an example of what a kiln firing schedule looks like for a bisque and stoneware glaze 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) ------------------------------------
Sep 3, 2023
35. Cultivating Abundant Creativity with Ruth Harris from Catkin Tree Studio and Field and Fabric
Ruth Harris runs two creative businesses, Catkin Tree Studio, and Field and Fabric. Ruth and I first met as fellow vendors at the Didcot Craft Fair in 2021 when we were serendipitously placed on stalls next to one another. Since then, I’ve followed Ruth’s work and have been so inspired by her approach to cultivating such a diverse and abundant creative practice. Join us for this episode of the podcast where I ask Ruth all about how her own creativity works in her businesses. Ruth explains what inspires her and some tips for listeners on how they can cultivate their own abundant creativity. Check out Ruth’s businesses here: Catkin Tree Studio Field and Fabric Follow Ruth’s businesses on Instagram here: Catkin Tree Studio Field and Fabric 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) ------------------------------------
Aug 20, 2023
34. A Potter’s Secret Weapon: Baking Equipment!
Did you know that Potters can use equipment originally designed for bakers? There are so many amazing pieces of equipment that bakers use for baking, cake decorating and sugarcraft that Potters can use too! Cake fondant has nearly the same consistency as clay and can be pressed, moulded and shaped in nearly the same way. In this episode, we explore some of the best baking and sugarcraft equipment that Potters can use in their practice. 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) ------------------------------------
Aug 6, 2023
33. 3 Pottery Tool Swaps for More Eco-friendly Pottery
There are many things Potters can do to switch their tools from less eco-friendly to more environmentally friendly ones. In this episode, we explore some easy swaps Potters can make, from paint brushes, and eliminating chamois leather from their practice to the ever-useful sponge. 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) ------------------------------------
Jul 23, 2023
32. Packaging Pottery Plastic-Free
Pottery can be safely packaged and sent in the post without the use of bubblewrap. This allows the receiver to recycle all of the packaging easily and if it is disposed of in landfill, paper and cardboard packaging will fully biodegrade. In this episode, we explore the method I use at Oxford Clay to safely package work for sending in the post without the use of plastic bubble wrap or plastic tape. Find out how to package pottery using one hundred per cent paper and cardboard packaging which is sealed with paper tape and vegetable starch glue. 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) ------------------------------------
Jul 9, 2023
31. How to Assess The Environmental Impact of Any Pottery Material
It can feel overwhelming trying to understand if the pottery materials you use have a negative impact on humans, animals or the environment. In this episode we explore a simple framework you can apply to any pottery material to better understand its environmental and social impact. Read a more detailed explanation of this framework in this book: https://www.oxfordclay.co.uk/shop/p/eco-consciouspotteryglazingebook Find out the energy mix of a country or region using this report: https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html 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) ------------------------------------
Jun 25, 2023
30. How to Read a Pottery Glaze Recipe
Glaze recipes may seem complicated to read but they are actually very simple. In this episode, we explore the principles of a glaze recipe and how to read them, how to weigh out the ingredients, including any colouring oxides and how much water to add when making a glaze. We also explain what to do if you accidentally add too much water to your glaze. 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) ------------------------------------
Jun 11, 2023
29. 5 Tips For Pulling Handles in Pottery
‘Pulling’ a handle may seem like a very difficult thing to do in pottery, but it is actually very achievable. Pulled handles look amazing and can really elevate the beauty of a pot. In this episode we explore what pulling a handle actually means, how handles are pulled in pottery, and five of the most helpful things I’ve learned for fantastic pulled handles. 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 28, 2023
28. 3 Tips For Rolling Out Clay
Rolling out clay is a brilliant skill in pottery, you can use the slab to build a slab pot, or push clay into a plaster press mould to make a bowl or plate. In this episode we explore three tips to help you roll out clay to ensure a smooth bump-free, crack-free clay slab. 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 14, 2023
27. How Potters Can Make Their Own Colouring Oxides
Commercial metal oxides used by Potters to colour their work are some of the most environmentally harmful pottery materials. However, Potters can circumvent these supply chains by making their own metal oxides from recycled metal! In this episode, we explore the process of making Iron Oxide (rust) and Copper Oxide (verdigris) from scrap metal and how Potters can use these homemade colourants in their work. The course mentioned in this episode: https://www.oxfordclay.co.uk/shop/p/make-your-own-metal-oxides-from-recycled-metal-mini-course The book mentioned in this episode: https://www.oxfordclay.co.uk/shop/p/eco-consciouspotteryglazingebook 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) ------------------------------------
Apr 30, 2023
26. What is Slip Casting?
An amazing way for Potters to create consistent shapes in their work. Slip casting is a fantastic resource for Potters who want to create the same shape of pot, multiple times. In this episode, we explore what slip-casting is, how slip-casting moulds work, and where to look if you want to learn more about this amazing pottery practice. 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) ------------------------------------