Clay

In this video, we will show you how to make a whimsical Fairy House from start to finish. Here, you'll find the tools and glazes you'll need to bring your creative vision to life. And, we'll give you ideas for designing a unique Fairy House of your own! Hint: a sprinkle of creativity and a wish on your kiln will be an invitation for the fairies to play! Enjoy!

Wayne Higby is an acclaimed ceramic artist, beloved Professor of Ceramic Art at Alfred University, and Director of the Alfred University Ceramic Museum. Wayne Higby was born in 1943 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He received his BFA from the University of Colorado/Boulder in 1966. The landscapes of his youth were a lasting influence in his life and work.

Ephraim Pottery's Kevin Hicks tells us about the collaborative studio he founded, "Right now is a profound time of appreciation. My studio has spent the last 24 years refining our collaboration model and the mood in the studio is dynamic and thriving. The future seems as wide open as it has ever been."

Today on the Bailey Blog we'll show you how to create ceramic animals! In this five minute video we'll demonstrate making an animal figurine from start to finish. You'll see how we do everything from forming the clay to applying glaze and firing in a test kiln. And, we'll be sharing our material choices with you so you can be ready to put this project to use with your class or at home! This project would be excellent for children or young adults. We hope you enjoy! 

The potter's life as lived by Gerry Williams was exceptional. Gerry Williams will always be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the field of ceramics.

Forty years of innovative ceramic work began with functional earthenware made with red clay he dug from New Hampshire's mudflats. Always changing and evolving, his lifetime body of work includes red earthenware, porcelain, and stoneware; gas-fired and wood-fired; functional ware, sculptural forms, wall plagues, and bold political sculpture. His original research in wet fire technique and his photo resist technique were groundbreaking.

Co-founding both Studio Potter and Phoenix Workshops with his wife Julie in 1972, the Williams were able to share Gerry's love of and enthusiasm for our humble medium worldwide. A potter's life well lived, indeed.

“That was the nice thing about clay,” he said. “If you didn’t like the way something really was, you could always fix it up,”

The exuberant, playful work of David James Gilhooly made him an international sensation in the late 60s through the early 80s. His whimsical ceramic creations began with animals, including zebras and anteaters, and then there were frogs, lots and lots of frogs.

"I love that working with clay is a metaphor for life and involves important life skills such as patience and being “centered”. I’ve learned and re-learned these lessons and sure enough, pretty much every time I try to force something or move too quickly to the next part of the process, the results are not satisfying."

Born into a long lineage of accomplished, traditional pueblo potters in 1970, Cavan Gonzales has added his unique 21st-century interpretation. He has been a leader in the revival of San Idelfonso polychrome pottery. This technique involves the application of three or more layers of colored slip to create designs. Cavan's fine graphic arts skills have been applied to creating new designs inspired not only from the past but also the present by adding elements of technology such as solar energy.

"I find the frustrating part with ceramics is also the exhilarating part. All could be lost in the kiln if a glaze doesn’t work out, or if something was too wet or too dry. It doesn’t happen often but it is also the addicting part — that moment of opening the kiln is like Christmas morning! Did all my hard work pay off? Did something exciting happen that I wasn’t expecting?

Create your own ceramic oval platter perfect for serving up holiday dishes. Complete with a leaf motif and a rustic look using oxides and glaze, this design will transform any meal into a celebration! We've got all the tools and the instructions you need to create this ceramic platter. Follow along!