Hey Rochester! Here are Some Great Gift Ideas for Potters in your Life!
Whether they're a beginner who just got hooked in their first pottery class at the Wheel & Slab Pottery Club, or an experienced artist creating beautiful work on the wheel and with slabs, one thing is certain: Potters love their tools and supplies!
We see it every day at the studio, new students fall head over heels for clay and are immediately eager to try new tools, texture stamps, and clay-related gear. You might feel like your gift won't compare to the gorgeous, handmade mug or bowls they’ve gifted you, but trust us, we know what potters need and want, and this list is sure to help you get a gift they’ll love.
Kevin Farrand, cutting and carving the base of a ceramic lamp during open studio at Wheel & Slab Pottery Club, in Rochester, NY.
Helpful Pottery Tools for New Pottery Students
Every potter loves tools, and there is nothing more fun that equipping yourself with gear to use in the studio. Below is a list of tools we think make great gift options, and will be sure to help your clay loving friend or loved one for many years to come! Many of these tools can be purchased online, or locally at Studio Sales Pottery in Avon, NY.
Banding Wheel: Banding wheels are great way to help a pottery decorate or finish pots pots in the studio. There are a variety of banding wheel types, but the best ones, like those by Nidec are quite heavy! Consider buying one locally in Avon, NY, if shipping becomes a concern.
Strong Arm Centering and Opening Tool: A great gift idea for hobbyist and production potters’ alike. This specially design tool aids in centering and opening clay, making the process simpler and easier! Made locally here in Fairport, NY, this clay centering tool is for everyone, but has made pottery especially possible for individuals dealing with disabilities, injuries, and chronic pain. It’s a a true difference maker for some studio potters!
Pottery Toolbox or Bag: Every potter needs something to put their tools in. A toolbox is great, and the Soola bag is very trendy for potters: soolla.co
Trim Tools: Trimming is a key part of finishing a pot, and better trim tools make the process more fun. There are several different brands that make nicer ones, including Xiem, Dirty Girls Pottery, and Kemper. A great selection of tools can be found online at places like cornellstudiosupply.com.
Mud Tools: This company makes great pottery ribs, trim tools, sponges, and more. The essentials starter kit has a bunch of great tools in it: mudtools.com/products/the-essentials, it including the Do-All-Trim tool that we love!
Pottery Forms: These are great for hand building different shapes, and allow people to make multiples of things easily. GR Pottery forms are big and have many different shapes and sizes to choose from: cornellstudiosupply.com/collections/gr-pottery-forms
Underglazes: Underglazes are used under a glaze to add color, and allow someone to do intricate detailed work. A glaze typically covers the whole pot and can have interesting finishes and colors. Velvet underglazes are highly regarded: https://cornellstudiosupply.com/collections/velvet-underglaze as are Mayco underglazes. Some places even sell start packs with a variety of color samples!
Glazes: Glazes great way of helping someone elevate their work. A glaze typically covers the whole pot and can have interesting finishes and colors. Check out Studio Sales Pottery in Avon, NY for a great variety of glazes. Just remember, its import to know what cone they fire their work to, so a gift card might be safer.
Bats: These go on the wheel and make it easier to move wet clay pieces around. The studio has some, but the supply is limited. So having your own personal ones can make moving and working easier. Here is a place with a variety of pottery bats: https://www.baileypottery.com
Self-Care Gift Ideas for the Hard Working Potter
Looking for something other than pottery tools as gift ideas? Well, here is quick list of self-care options that we are sure most potters would love.
A gift card for Pottery Classes and Workshops like the classes we have at Wheel & Slab here in Rochester, NY!
A gift card for coffee from their favorite coffee shop. Who doesn’t love a morning or afternoon pick me up?
Hand lotion! People don’t realie that working with clay can dry out your hands!
Snacks, and snack related items! Every potter loves a snack, but sometimes they get so tied up in clay they forget to eat. Think lunch box, water bottle, fruit gummies, etc.
Just remember, whatever you get them they are sure to love! Have some great gift ideas we missed or forget to put on our list? Contact us!
