Best clays for starting off

So following on from the last waffling, I want to know if you'd like to have a go, last year I ran a small local pottery club and nearly everyone enjoyed making a basic simple mug. I reckon I could talk you through it in your home, without any expensive tools, or equipment. All you will need to pay for is the clay (from a pottery supplier or even from amazon) and firing (I can help you find a local kiln that rents space) you shouldn't pay much more than a quid to get a mug fired (2025) fancy having a go? You do? Woo hoo!!!

OK here's some info you'll need to get started.

CLAY

I recommend an earthenware clay to start with, why? Because they fire at lower temperatures so if you end up going crazy and buying a kiln (low fire table top kilns can cost around £300 to £500, higher temperature kiln cost 10x this) and they also are more simple to use for beginners.

Here's a few I have used....

Asraf Hannah clay. Available in 12.5kg

This clay I would highly recommend it has a strong structure to it, can be smoothed nicely and is very reliable in the kiln (the extreme temperatures when firing can lead to cracking & even mug explosions with some clays)

Raku clays,

Often quite rough to give them durability they fire very well and are strong for handbuilding. But may shred your hands a bit and have a rougher surface texture. Sometimes white or buff

Earthenware clay LTW

I get this clay from bath potters, it's quite a fine clay and very smooth, quite wet and clammy, gives a smooth finish and a lovely white colour, occasionally cracks though.

Alternatives…..

Pebeo 766303 fine modelling make sure its the one that says on the front for firing at 950-1030 degrees, this is a good starter clay, quite solid and reliable and comes in a 5kg pack for about £12.99 on amazon. The others are all 12.5kg which might be good it your planning to share. But a bit much to buy unless you're going all in! this is the first clay I ever used and I remember it being quite an easy starter.

Equipment-

Something to model around, like a straight sided short glass

Paper & masking tape

Scissors

A rolling pin

A sharp knife or craft knife

A kidney! This is the name for a flexible rubber oval that we use to smooth the surface, you could possibly get away with using a bank card or a silicon kitchen spatula.

A flat tray

A piece of fabric to use as a mat.

If you assemble all this together we can move on......