Since the closing of the local ceramic supplies I have had to order materials from Melbourne – the closest large city to me which is 100kms away. Subsequently this involves postage and transport costs – a real doozy when it comes to ordering clay by the ton! I also constantly have people asking me where they can buy clay, glaze, tools – and I refer them to the companies in Melbourne, or Ebay.
Then it struck me – why don’t I start selling some tools, and build up a variety of different stock over time. So I began researching costs and products, and ordered some tools in bulk. I already have clay as I buy it by the ton for myself and classes. I am trying to keep the prices competitive to those of the Melbourne companies and Ebay.
So I have opened an online shop via my Facebook ClayMotion page. Currently I have come clay and tools available. The clay must be picked up from my studio, but the tools can be shipped, and postage is free Australia wide. I also ship internationally with a flat $8.00 shipping fee.
You can check out my shop here, and the products I have for sale are pictured below. Happy shopping 🙂
Hi Dawn, good to know about your shop.
I am interested in buying some clay for making wide shallow pots -appr 20″ Diameter.
I have had trouble with this shape cracking across the bottom in the firing… a mix or stoneware and red raku has been suggested a remedy.
Do you agree with this idea? Will you stock red raku?
Regards Trevor
Ps I hope you can order/ buy without using facebook?
Posted by Trevor Wheeler | July 18, 2012, 4:52 pmHi Trevor… no you don’t have to buy over Facebook… I do have a “real” studio!!
There are many reasons for bowls and plates cracking : from clay type, through to not compressing the base while throwing to not mopping up excess water while throwing, etc…
The raku idea may be a solution, but doesn’t necessarily have to be red. Raku clay has more grit in it, so has a more open clay body and so is more resistant to cracks, so it doesn’t really matter what colour it is. It is also rougher to throw with.
At the moment I have a few bags of white raku clay as I use it in my pit firings… I will be getting more, so that is not a problem.
I am on the outskirts of Ballarat… and there is nowhere around this area to buy materials… I presume you are nearby?
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | July 18, 2012, 8:52 pmThanks Dawn, where in Ballarart?
Do you have trachyte dust or some other material to make textured pots?
Posted by Trevor Wheeler | October 8, 2012, 9:21 pmHi Trevor… I am on the outskirts of Ballarat , in Dunnstown. I don’t have trachyte dust , but I do sell BRT a textured clay which contains trachyte. It is a beautiful clay to work with 🙂
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | October 8, 2012, 11:48 pm