Amy Lee’s Top Tools & Links!
This is an evolving list of favorites, must-haves, and wish-list items! Check back for additions!
@amyleepottery on Facebook and Instagram – Follow me please!
(Contains Amazon Associate Links - buying via this link provides a very small % back to Amy Lee Pottery without increasing the price to you, and helps Amy provide helpful things like this doc.)
The Basics:
Multipurpose Clays are those that can be used either for Handbuilding or Throwing successfully. My criteria for ‘good’ clays are those which also vitrify very well for functional use at my final glaze firing temperature range – cone 6-7. If clay is not vitrified – it will not hold liquids well (regardless of the glazes applied). I desire clays that have an absorption measurement tested by me in my kiln practices at 2.5% or less. Ideally I look for 1.0% or less in manufacturer absorption numbers and then I test this in my practices.
Clay Mid-Range Favorites –
White: Standard 240G
Speckled Brown: Standard 112 or Laguna 60
Darker Reddish Brown: Standard 710 (sometimes bloats closer to cone 7) or Laguna 90
Kiln Considerations –
Check your electrical capacity first on the building (or home circuit)! Use a certified electrician for all electrical work. Kilns get hot (really hot!) and you don't want this heat affecting any of the wiring used to make it work!
This is a decent beginner kiln - https://amzn.to/3ByDWDu L&L brand kilns are my favorites. Skutt also I like. (I’ve had/tried: Bailey, Skutt, L&L, ConeArt, Gas, Woodfire, Salt/Soda fire, and Raku kilns and recommend starting in the Low (cone 05/06 glaze firing temp range) to Mid (cone 6-8 glaze firing temp range) electric firing for all beginning studio setups then growing from there into other alternative and atmospheric firing methods.
Starter Tools:
Rolling Pin – ideally 3” diameter barrel – single piece hardwood - https://amzn.to/3ByCv82
Needle Tool - https://amzn.to/3eJfJR6
Rib - https://amzn.to/3BGdkAO
Sponges - https://amzn.to/3iIHbjs
Water Bottle - https://amzn.to/3rqUEjE
Apron – I like the longer style linen cross back best but split leg is great too!
Black: https://amzn.to/3kRaqTT Yellow: https://amzn.to/3hUE3S6
Blue: https://amzn.to/36V1DYE
Hand Towel - https://amzn.to/2VZnT1h
Balance Scale (for accuracy of sets) - https://amzn.to/3mLUJxT
Digital Scale in grams and ounces - https://amzn.to/3w8RJym
For Handbuilding:
Clay: Standard 240G, Laguna 60, or Laguna 90 – depending on clay color desires at final firing
2x2 birch plywood boards - https://amzn.to/3zq3m4C
Fun Foam Roll - https://amzn.to/3zqjzXr
Fettling knife https://amzn.to/3wWChUT
Birch slats or Rolling-pin with depth gauges –
https://amzn.to/3zr3dOo or this with a rolling pin https://amzn.to/3hXMw73
Adjustable Rolling Pin - https://amzn.to/3BDjrED
Needle Tool - https://amzn.to/3eJfJR6
Retractable Ball-ended Needle Tool - https://amzn.to/3zvFkFr
Wire-cutting tool - https://amzn.to/3zrtxaU
Plastic wide putty knife - https://amzn.to/3kZc2Lp
Serrated Rib - https://amzn.to/3eKU3UY
THE BEST Serrated Rib - https://amzn.to/3nVoMSK
Retractable Scoring Tool - https://amzn.to/3BpXs5j
Red Rubber Rib - https://amzn.to/2UCEVSG
Yellow Rubber Rib - https://amzn.to/3iEhwYR
Sculpture Tools – https://amzn.to/3GIRfE1
Rubber Tipped and Wooden - https://amzn.to/2TuiT41 and https://amzn.to/3x2T9JE
Textures – Look for rubber/silicone mats as best options for textures – allows slab to stay flat when texturing and doesn’t add a significant curve to the clay like textured rolling pins do. This effects curling and warping of clay when drying and during firing. Some favorites:
https://amzn.to/3Btz5DD Pebbles
https://amzn.to/3eNyOSt Fleur de Lis - ish
https://amzn.to/3eKzb01 Aligator Skin
https://amzn.to/3eMJJLZ Honeycomb
https://amzn.to/3hZSapv Butterflies and Dragonflies
https://amzn.to/36V55T6 Trees
https://amzn.to/3BFsMNF Turtles
https://amzn.to/36V1kx6 Muti syle flat handrollers
Finishing Sponges - https://amzn.to/3iIHbjs
Hand Roller/Wood Brayer - https://amzn.to/3Buz7eC
Sureform Clay Shredder Tool and replacement blades –
Tool: https://amzn.to/3ivtggc
Blades: https://amzn.to/3eLgh94
Squirt bottle mister - https://amzn.to/3eNpIoB
Retractable Knife Set - https://amzn.to/3eNBgZb
Clean-up tool - https://amzn.to/2UCxbA4
Bevel Cutter - https://amzn.to/2V9Gojq
Hole Cutters - https://amzn.to/3kM0sTG or https://amzn.to/3wSXDTf
Splurge – slab roller or extruder - https://amzn.to/2W1Sc7w
Bevel clay cutter - https://amzn.to/3waZpjM
Nice set of starter texture rollers - hand rollers - https://amzn.to/3waBiS6
Retractable Scoring Tool - https://amzn.to/3pW1xea
Rubber Nubby Tools - https://amzn.to/3GIRfE1
Fettling Knife - https://amzn.to/3BEtaL4
Mudcutter (cheese knife style) - https://amzn.to/3mCE8w8
Paddling Set - https://amzn.to/3byCdlR
Detail Roller - https://amzn.to/3BHf3V0
Textures including mermaid hand roller with stamps on ends - https://amzn.to/3bHoyJf
Compass and Calipers - https://amzn.to/3nSILld
Adjustable Clay Cutter (for circles) - https://amzn.to/3k14Nkq
Tiny metal ball tool sets (Embossing Tools) - https://amzn.to/3nSJUcv
Colorful embossing tools - https://amzn.to/3q2aFhq
Banding Wheel - https://amzn.to/3nR1Ioq
For Wheel Throwing:
Clay – I like Laguna 60 speckled stoneware, Laguna 90, Laguna 65 white stoneware, or Laguna 16 Porcelain for throwing.
Wheel – The “I’m really into this wheel” - https://amzn.to/2TulQS9
The “Just playing/getting started/practicing wheel 4 small spaces” - https://amzn.to/3xYjWbp
Wire-cutting tool - https://amzn.to/3zrtxaU
Wire-cutting tool - https://amzn.to/3BJJyJX
Needle tool - https://amzn.to/3eJfJR6
Clay Knife - https://amzn.to/3kKXIpn
Finishing Sponges - https://amzn.to/3iIHbjs
Metal Ribs - https://amzn.to/3eNE3BD
Red Rubber Rib - https://amzn.to/2UCEVSG
Yellow Rubber Rib - https://amzn.to/3iEhwYR
Ultimate Edger- https://amzn.to/3iFQv7o
Chamois - https://amzn.to/2Uw4Tr6
Buy a bunch of this sized bats - https://amzn.to/3nSqCUz
Studio Pro Bat System or Wonder Bat System and/or many Speedball Plastic Bats in various sizes – Wonder Bat: https://amzn.to/3x2WVm9 Speedball: https://amzn.to/3iGT7Cb
Bison Trimming Tools (Best of the Best! http://bisonstudios.com/) or Other High Quality Multi-Purpose Trimming Tool: https://amzn.to/3wSR56Y
Multi-purpose Trimming Tool – https://amzn.to/3kMmPII
Multi-purpose Trimming Tool - https://amzn.to/3mCD9fq
Lid Master Calipers - https://amzn.to/3kKFp3L (Buy 2 you will thank me!)
Fluting Tool - https://amzn.to/3CH7JdA
Bowl Forming Tool - https://amzn.to/3nTXpZy
For bowl forming and shaping - https://amzn.to/3k0qTnv
Regular Calipers (I Don’t Like this Style as much) - https://amzn.to/2YekuNM
PVC Pipe for Plate or Flat Shape Making 16-18” long works well, but make sure this will fit with your hands on it inside your splash pan if not removing pan - https://amzn.to/3q2vqcz
Colorful fidget spinner for trimming - https://amzn.to/3GOrFxm
Psychedelic Light-Up Fidget Spinner for Trimming - https://amzn.to/3nVoMSK
THE BEST Serrated Rib - https://amzn.to/3nVoMSK
Banding Wheel - https://amzn.to/3nR1Ioq
Throwing Stick (wooden) - https://amzn.to/3EONVp6
Bendy Throwing Stick - https://www.xiemtoolsusa.com/Potters-Wand-II_p_307.html
Multi-sponge on a stick - https://amzn.to/3CS8ekU
For carving clay:
Carving Tools - https://amzn.to/3hXS1CJ and https://amzn.to/3kGtp3k
Best of the Best - http://bisonstudios.com/
Conical Shredder Rasp Tool - https://amzn.to/3nQZuWa
For finishing clay surfaces (unfired and fired):
Green Scrubbies - https://amzn.to/3ByNPRA
Block/Flat Diamond Sanding Pads - https://amzn.to/2UDLynJ
Flexible Diamond Sanding Pads - https://amzn.to/3kLXfmU
Grinding stone - https://amzn.to/3iA7ZlL
Finishing stone - https://amzn.to/36TUKXz
For Sgrafitto/Mishima Decoration:
Carving Tools - https://amzn.to/3hZ5JW2
Drill Bits - https://amzn.to/3kL5mQU
Dowel Rods - https://amzn.to/3eKDxEy
Comfort grips - https://amzn.to/3kKnhqJ
Wax Resist – 16 oz: https://amzn.to/3zrosPQ 1 gallon: https://amzn.to/3BpH8l3
Underglazes – starter colors (mixable for other color options too)
Amaco – Black - https://amzn.to/3BFfRLF
White - https://amzn.to/3zmYm0s
Red – https://amzn.to/3eHxjoz
Blue – https://amzn.to/3iBDY54
Yellow – https://amzn.to/3iIBfXI
Green – https://amzn.to/3kLFoMU
Purple – https://amzn.to/3zqVHDa
Orange – https://amzn.to/3iG19Lk
Pink - https://amzn.to/2V7lZLv
Speedball - Black - https://amzn.to/2V7lZLv
White – https://amzn.to/3kGdnGG
Red – https://amzn.to/3hUTXfq
Blue – https://amzn.to/3rAHAZe
Yellow – https://amzn.to/2UYMG5b
Green – https://amzn.to/3zoCmST
Purple – https://amzn.to/3rv5OUM
Orange – https://amzn.to/2WbwluD
Pink - https://amzn.to/3iAV4A6
Splurge:
Jig for cutting holes in dowels - https://amzn.to/3kKqM0l
with drill press - https://amzn.to/3hWzQgQ
For Cuerda Seca Decoration:
Wax Tool - https://amzn.to/3BySYZZ
1 ounce bottle 4 colors multi-tips set - https://amzn.to/3rvcFND
Luer Lock Squirt Bottles - https://amzn.to/3xYonD5
Luer Lock Bottle Caps - https://amzn.to/3xTVgRj
4 ounce Bottles with tips included - https://amzn.to/3wTO5qR
Headpins - https://amzn.to/2V86oeH
Blunt Luer Lock Applicator Tips - https://amzn.to/3iw34SQ (Figure out your favorite tips from this set then buy that gauge – my favorites are: 14-20 gauge for most ceramic application needs and I use 18 and 19 gauge 1/2" long primarily for all slip-trailing)
Glazes – recommend picking at least 5 favorite colors to start – For Mid-Range Cone 5-7 Firings I use Clayscapes Brooklyn Line available on my website amyleepottery.com. For low-fire – order Cone 05/06 Amaco glazes in many colors.
Jensen global Arts and Crafts Kit Here.
For Watercolor Decoration and Layering:
Underglazes (see above for options)
Mayco Stroke and Coats - https://amzn.to/3x1gE5T
Fine Paint brushes - https://amzn.to/36TjYFt
Mudtools sponges - https://amzn.to/3iIHbjs
For Safety:
For face masks - there are tools online to make sure proper fit for your face size and shape. If the mask doesn’t fit correctly - it doesn’t work correctly.
3M P100 Face Mask (Large) - https://amzn.to/3BHf3V0
3M P100 Face Mask (Medium) - https://amzn.to/3CIiJXU
3M P100 Face Mask (Small - mask only - buy cartridges separately) - https://amzn.to/3bC5rAo
3M P100 Face Mask Replacement Cartridges for above mask styles - https://amzn.to/2YejwkC
3M P100 Disposable Face Mask - https://amzn.to/3nSmYdl
3M P100 Face Mask Set with Multi P100 Cartridges - https://amzn.to/3mEek2T
Up to Wrist Gloves - https://amzn.to/3CBE3ym
Up to Elbow Gloves - https://amzn.to/3CJryRi
Fire Resistant Gloves - https://amzn.to/3bz1Ran
Flame resistant suit - https://amzn.to/2ZMrrWw
Fun flame resistant suit (XL) - https://amzn.to/2ZMrrWw
Fun flame resistant suit (L) - https://amzn.to/3bxw7T0
Spacey fire-proof suit - https://amzn.to/3k0M7Bq
Split Heavy-Duty Apron - https://amzn.to/2ZWzznP
Another good apron - https://amzn.to/3w8MwXw
Amy’s preferred apron style - https://amzn.to/3q0n0Tb
Must have pockets apron - https://amzn.to/3wb6AIz
Another Apron I like (lightweight) - https://amzn.to/3nUSDe3
Show apron - https://amzn.to/3k1pPj4
Jumpsuit Style Apron - https://amzn.to/3nYwbRE
For glazing/My Favorite Glazes:
Hake Brushes - https://amzn.to/3iTo4Dp
Mayco Fan Brushes – Like These: https://amzn.to/2V2ayow or these: https://amzn.to/2UHetap I Like the #8 the best for glaze application.
Clayscapes (Zinc Free) Crystal Clear: https://amyleepottery.com/products/clayscapes-pottery-signature-line-glaze-crystal-clear?_pos=1&_sid=b859cba4c&_ss=r
Clayscapes Cream: https://amyleepottery.com/products/clayscapes-pottery-signature-line-glaze-cream?_pos=1&_sid=f4f04d7fd&_ss=rhttps://amyleepottery.com/products/clayscapes-pottery-signature-line-glaze-cream?_pos=1&_sid=f4f04d7fd&_ss=r
Clayscapes Brooklyn Line Bright Colors Cone 6 Glazes: https://amyleepottery.com/search?type=product&q=brooklyn+line
Clayscapes Signature Line Potter’s Choice Cone 6 Glazes – Layer for Effects!
Mixing Tool Attaches to Drill - https://amzn.to/3w99I83
Mouth Sprayer (DO NOT USE THIS WITHOUT WEARING A 3M PINK P100 MASK OR COMPARABLE FILTER!) - https://amzn.to/3CHXgyj
Measuring Cup Set - https://amzn.to/3q3sFb8
Measuring and Pouring Cup Set - https://amzn.to/3wepfmT
Glaze Mixing Accuracy Scale (0.01g accuracy and up to 5000g) - https://amzn.to/3BDjMqT
Another good glaze Mixing Scale - https://amzn.to/3EEbYXN
Scale Calibration Weights - https://amzn.to/3mEhW4L
Scale Calibration Weights (larger weights) - https://amzn.to/3mCHBe8
Everything Glaze Mixing Instructions: https://www.amyleepottery.com/glaze
Make Your Own Glaze Recipes: https://www.glazy.org – WARNING! Take a glaze chemistry class before embarking on making your own glazes – there are a LOT of factors you need to learn in particular to be compliant with USA regulations for dinnerware producers when it comes to glazes!!
Must have books and reads:
Mastering Cone 6 Glazes - https://amzn.to/3iAWYk1
The Complete Guide to Midrange Glazes - https://amzn.to/3Bvx4GZ
Functional Pottery - https://amzn.to/3hWNh0g
The Potter’s Dictionary of Materials and Techniques: https://amzn.to/3eHYAXZ
Printing on Clay - https://amzn.to/3rt8BgS
Kilns, Furniture, and Cleaning:
Top Kilns for Hobby Potters:
Skutt KM1027 https://skutt.com/products-page/ceramic-kilns/km-1027/
L & L e23T-3 Pottery Kiln https://hotkilns.com/kilns/e23t-3-pottery-kiln Upgrade to Type S Thermocouples and Solid State Relays!
Kiln Furniture Starter Kit for both of above kilns: https://amzn.to/3kN4k6D
Peep-hole Plug Replacements: https://amzn.to/3iFKfMT
Thermocouple for KM1027: https://amzn.to/3hUIcFQ
Downdraft Kiln Vent: https://amzn.to/3hYyTVj
For rough cleaning of kiln Shelves: https://amzn.to/3kL4snf
Angle Grinder: https://amzn.to/3BoCcN8
Diamond Coated Masonry Grinding Wheel: https://amzn.to/3kLgjBH
Kiln Wash: https://amzn.to/2UwkaYY
Kiln Wash Brush: https://amzn.to/3eKK1mP
Accessories for Clay Project Finishing:
High Temperature Wire: https://amzn.to/3ivLNcg
Olive Oil Pourer Spouts: https://amzn.to/2UHmBaV
Glass Oil Candle Wicks: https://amzn.to/2WabeJ8
Soap Dispenser Pumps: https://amzn.to/3iC7V50
Ornament Hangers: https://amzn.to/2UGdLdF
Bottle Corks: https://amzn.to/3ivMnGY
Short Garden Stack Stakes: https://amzn.to/3ivMnGY
Pumpkin Stems: https://amzn.to/2UDZ2zR
Nichrome Wire Jump Rings for Jewelry: https://amzn.to/3rtaNFb
Nichrome Wire Multi-gauge Sample Pack: https://amzn.to/3eMvkzA
Shepherd’s Hooks 48”: https://amzn.to/3rtazOi
Shepherd’s Hooks 76”: https://amzn.to/3wYogGj
Bird Feeders Multi Hooks: https://amzn.to/3BugMhN
Flameless Candles: https://amzn.to/3y0rqe2
Table Lamp Kit: https://amzn.to/3iC8P1t
Large Wiring Kit: https://amzn.to/2UvpOdT
Medium Wiring Kit: https://amzn.to/3kZAIDx
Small Wiring Kit: https://amzn.to/3kL6tjj
Colored Inserts For Lights with Holes – Teardrop: https://amzn.to/3zvbEZ1
Colored Inserts for Lights with Holes – Ball Shape: https://amzn.to/36TYOqR
Colored Inserts for Lights with Holes – Tiny Ball Shape: https://amzn.to/2Wadq3k
Colored Inserts for Lights with Holes – Birds: https://amzn.to/3kIOsCb
Colored Inserts for Lights with Holes – all Red: https://amzn.to/3eMwf30
Colored Inserts for Lights with Holes – all Blue: https://amzn.to/3zrs18Y
Colored Inserts for Lights with Holes – all White: https://amzn.to/3znY4GI
For Photography and Video:
Turntable/Mini Wheel - adjustable - https://amzn.to/2YaMJNj
FOR THE SCIENCE!
Recycling Plaster of Paris / Gypsum / Pottery Plaster
The NCECA Green Task Force Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Page for Plaster used in Ceramics - Click Here!
Recycling Plaster Method for Infinite Loop Recycling in Medical Field - Click Here!
