| There are many things to think about when | | | | fabrication and processing, throwing, slab rolling, |
| designing your own pottery studio. Some of the | | | | trimming, glazing, drying etc. Clay and potters |
| factors to take into account include: ease of | | | | wheel parts should be stored on palettes near the |
| access, linear flow of work (in one end, out the | | | | working area where the scale, pug mill, wedging |
| other) with the kiln separated from the studio, | | | | table, and slop barrel are located. Rolling ware |
| good light, sink near the throwing and glazing | | | | carts are used to move the work from one area |
| areas, ware carts and work tables on wheels, and | | | | to the next. For example from the wedging table |
| ease of cleaning to avoid the dangers of | | | | to the throwing wheel, then to the kickwheel for |
| earthenware clay dust. Once you have decided on | | | | trimming, then to the waiting area for drying, etc. |
| your needs, make a scaled studio plan with | | | | until you have a full load for the kiln. Then the |
| cutouts for the pieces of equipment and shift | | | | loaded ware carts are taken to the kiln for loading |
| them around to play studio until you get an idea | | | | and firing. A rolling table is useful as a portable |
| of work flow and distance needed between the | | | | work station which can be placed by the slab |
| different elements. The final design must take into | | | | roller, or by the spray booth, or wherever it is |
| account things like holes in the walls for venting a | | | | needed at the moment. |
| spray booth, and locating the kiln shed | | | | The sink should be located near the throwing and |
| conveniently in relation to the studio. Windows | | | | glazing areas for convenience. A Formica table |
| must be planned to let in maximum light, and walls | | | | enclosing the sink and abutting the spray booth |
| should be stuccoed or painted to make for an | | | | and the potter's wheels makes for a functional, |
| attractive and bright work environment. Vinyl tile | | | | uncluttered work surface. Shelving above this |
| or other easy-to-clean flooring is better than plain | | | | work station can be used to store scales, tools, |
| cement, and also easier on the feet and back. | | | | glaze testing material, and all the stuff which tends |
| Your plans should be designed for ease of access | | | | to create clutter. Be sure to plan your lighting |
| for delivery of supplies and removal of finished | | | | arrangement so as to provide the most light |
| work. With a hand truck provided with large | | | | where you most need it, to illuminate each work |
| wheels you can roll materials in and work out of | | | | area when it is being used. Track lighting with low |
| your studio with little effort. The ideal studio | | | | voltage halogen fixtures running the length of your |
| design has a linear flow of material. This ideal can | | | | studio is a functional and low cost solution to |
| be approximated by creating work areas which | | | | manipulate the amount of light where and when |
| are devoted to specific tasks, such as clay | | | | you need it. |