Read through this page and watch the videos to get some tips on clay technique, and how to use some of the clay tools we offer!

The most important info for working with clay is covered in the printed guide that was given to you. We’ve also included a copy of that at the end of this post. Remember, your clay will be going through the kiln where it will be fired to almost 2000 degrees. It is important that you follow all the “rules” when working with clay to give your piece the best chance of surviving kiln firing! Low fire clay is not like play-doh, or even like cookie dough, you can not just continue to roll it back together and rework it. Start your project with an intention in mind.

Using the skewer to cut clay

The bamboo skewers and several other clay tools will cut through your clay like a knife. Push gently to cut through your clay, but try not to push so hard you rip through the foam mat. If it doesn’t cut through fully the first time, repeat the same cut with a little more pressure. You can use a paper pattern on top of your clay to cut out a specific shape.

Scoring & Attaching

Whenever you want to connect two pieces of clay, you must use the score & attach method. Use a toothbrush or skewer to texturize, or score, both parts of the clay where they will be touching. Then dab some water on, and attach with slight pressure. For very small or delicate pieces that are hard to score, we also have slip available, which is like glue for clay. Ask an employee if you’d like to use some slip.

Rolling out a slab

To make a flat slab of clay, slightly flatten your ball of clay, and place it on your foam mat. Place a square wooden stick on either side of your clay, and roll over your clay with the wooden dowel. Use the sticks as a guide to get your clay to an even height. You can turn your mat 90 degrees and adjust the sticks occasionally to change the direction you’re rolling the clay in. Once it’s even with the sticks, you can remove them and continue to thin to about 1/4 inch, continuing to rotate your mat and apply pressure evenly so the slab stays at an even thickness.

Using textured rollers

Make sure your clay is dry. If you recently used water to smooth your clay, let it sit for 10-15 minutes so your surface is nice and dry. Trying to use the rollers, stamps, or lace when your clay is too wet will result in your clay sticking to the the tool. Once your slab is at the desired height and dry, use light-medium pressure with the textured roller of your choice slowly over the slab.

Using stamps

Make sure your clay is dry. If you recently used water to smooth your clay, let it sit for 10-15 minutes so your surface is nice and dry. Trying to use the rollers, stamps, or lace when your clay is too wet will result in your clay sticking to the the tool. Once your slab is at the desired height and dry, use light-medium pressure to stamp your design into your clay. If using letters, be sure to plan and allow enough room to finish your word/phrase, once stamps are done it is hard to remove them, you can try to smooth out with water but remember your clay can only get so thin and be reworked so many times.

Using lace for texture

Make sure your clay is dry. If you recently used water to smooth your clay, let it sit for 10-15 minutes so your surface is nice and dry. Trying to use the rollers, stamps, or lace when your clay is too wet will result in your clay sticking to the the tool. Once your slab is at the desired height and dry, gently lay the.piece of lace over the part of your clay were you want that texture to show up. Use the wooden roller to apply light-medium pressure over the whole slab, so it is pressed down evenly. Gently remove the lace.

Using cookie cutters

Make sure your clay is dry. If you recently used water to smooth your clay, let it sit for 10-15 minutes so your surface is nice and dry. Once your slab is at the desired height and dry, use the cookie cutter just like you would for cookie dough. The clay might stick into the cutter, use gentle even pressure to remove it. Try to place your designs close together so you are using as much of the clay as possible. Remember, you can just roll it back up and reuse it.