ceramic art techniques: making clay smoking pipes

Find me at: www.ceramicsmokeware.com
Make your own pipes at: artnsyn.com
See how ceramic pipes are made and be sure to visit the Ceramic Smokeware Community on on our website. This is a long video including how our pipes are made after the pipes have been formed from raw clay. Including kiln loading, firing, glazing, lustering, and other techniques used to make pipes. If you enjoyed be sure to like, share, and subscribe to our KZbin channel. Thanks
Music:
By Anna Bell / anna-bell-17
Piano and Backup vocals by Ty W.
Recorded and Produced by James Pagni.
(if you are interested in featuring your music on our videos contact us)
Donate by supporting me on Patreon: / ceramicsmokeware

[@georgegeorge2334]

Too much information missing. What type of clay?. What was the firing time, temp for the first firing? What Glazes are safe for a tobacco pipe and are they even needed? What are the firing specs for the glaze portion? How did you form the air passage? etc, etc/

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

You may use a low fire or high fire clay, (earthenware, stoneware, porcelain) choose non toxic clay which is the the standards these days unless it is a specialty clay. Fire your clay to cone 04 (about 1,950 F for most high or low fire clays and time will vary upon clay, average 5-6 hr firing) and know that your clay and glaze have similar thermal expansion (Google: Understanding Thermal Expansion in Ceramic Glazes). Also note when picking out or making your glazes be sure that they are free of toxic minerals and are fired to the listed cone temperature. (cone 10 here) When firing the kiln for the glazing simple pyrometric cones and a kiln sitter will best help you determine your firing (average 7 hr firing in electric 10 to 12 hr for gas). Trial and error. For airflow in and electric it is simple for the gas it has been many trials and errors to figure it out but simple standards such as leave 1 inch of space around all sides of the shelf and stack each shelf post in a way that lines one on top of the other (this video I did not even know these things). You need to have some type of small deflector over where the flame comes in (i use a kiln post some use the shelf) so the heat doesn't go straight to the top. Then their is oxidation or reduction. Many things to incorporate and that is not what this video was intended to be for. I am trying to focus on making a time lapse in this video and if you think another video should be made on all of the glaze, clay, and firing information please let me know. I will then figure out a video to make for that topic. Thanks for the comments.

[@georgegeorge2334]

Thank you for the information. The topic of toxicity is what concerns me most. After all, you are taking a fired clay object, sticking it in your mouth and setting a fire inside it. To my thinking that subject is key. So specifics on clay safe for smoking pipe tobacco (still not too comfortable with glazes on a tobacco pipe) would be very useful.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

george george well I'll make a video on that in a few months but you shouldn't be worried about the glaze. Glaze doesn't become active/melt until 2,000 plus degrees where as glass begins to melt and be workable at about 1200 degrees. You should glaze it so it has that glass taste and is easy to clean. Maybe if you don't have a lot of knowledge about ceramics you could read some books or watch different videos to give you a better understanding of where I'm coming from when I say you need not worry.

[@zombyfellow]

george george. A good non-toxic clay to use is standardceramic mid-fire clays. This clay is used for tableware (bowls, plates, cups,etc). it gets fired at cone 5/6 with the glaze. This is common with electric kilns. At this temperature, the clay vitrifies (becomes glass-like). But you should still glaze the pipe with non-toxic dinner-ware safe glaze. The reason to glaze is not for toxicity prevention. Its because unglazed clay is porous and bacteria may get into the pores. Glaze turns to glass and seals all the pores. Anywhere saliva is gonna go, you probably want to glaze. Non-toxic glaze by the way, shows a symbol of a dinner plate and utensils on it and says dinnerware safe and non-toxic.

[@choogiesaur]

good info, thanks. I support making the glaze, clay, firing information video you mentioned!

[@clarkkent3746]

I just started hand making ceramic stoneware pipes. I average one or two an hour. Watching your process in this video is mind boggling. Like, here I am setting goals that I'm worried aren't very achievable, but now seeing this video, my goals have gone far beyond what I recently thought was possible. Your work is amazing and I thank you for sharing it.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Yeah no problem, thanks for watching. I was there once and had they same problem, how can I make more faster. Molds are the secret tool.

[@FEMI9INEOracle]

love this...this takes me back to my ceramic class days...i used to make candle holders and tiny bowls etc...an amazing form of art!! the pipes are beautiful too!!

[@groundpounder8855]

You definitely took this to a whole new level!

[@Motherless_Ghost]

Great insight! Thank you for showing me the hard work and time it takes to make these beautiful instruments.

[@leilanilulu1]

bruh I ain’t ever seen someone load a kiln like dis

[@lanceladewig2793]

Nice work, looks like you were doing quality control on a few of those pipes before starting the video ;-)

[@MrSponar]

Made with love, earned by sweat... ❤

[@kainineeli]

Man I'd buy one of these. Beautiful pieces and your video is very calming

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Kainine Eli Powers if you ever have the time visit my website: ceramicsmokeware.com

[@kainineeli]

Thank you!

[@kainineeli]

I just bought my first piece I'm looking forward to seeing it in the next few days!!!

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Kainine Eli Powers thank you, I appreciate the order 🙏 I’ll send it out tomorrow!

[@kainineeli]

CeramicSmokeWare aaaa thank you

[@koacado]

This is the real STONEware

[@follymonster7735]

Did you make your own mold for these? Also does the inside of the bisque piece need to be glazed to make it acceptable for smoking out of or is it okay for only the outside to be glazed? thanks! -Destiny

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

I always recommend glazing the inside of ceramic pipes to avoid the possibility of the clay absorbing water, resin, or anything else. I will have a video later on mold making information

[@mr.channel6467]

CeramicSmokeWare the inside of these pipes are glazed?

[@paulsherman7802]

A lot of effort for, "Pitch" pipes. What do you sell those for? How many distributors do you have? I do hope that you are making a profit here , but I can't see it. The double tube is nice though.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Paul sherman yea it’s difficult, like you said they are pitch pipes, or in my interpretation, they are pipes you get into shops to try and aim for repeat customers. Not much profit but it has been paying the bills. They are the cheapest priced pipes you can find with arguably the highest quality. We sell to a couple hand fulls of shops (store locator on our website) and have sold to 1 distributor long ago when prices were set for profit. They never came back, now I have another chance with a new distributor and prices one third lower than before 🤞Any help is appreciated 🙏 Thanks for watching

[@jg1019]

Am I just high or are the pipes moving to the beat of the piano at 9:00

[@tapatioborracho]

Who’s music is this? Is this your music? Ooopsss never mind. I just checked out the description. This is badass. Your all organic from music to content to expression. 👍🏽

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Tapatio Borracho it is music that I recorded, I was not the actual musician but I still consider it part of my music since I made it come to life, thanks for the compliment.

[@JackieMawra]

Make a how to video on the process of making the bowls

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Ill have a video for that one of these days

[@SpifySavannah]

Hey why do you fire the kiln stilts in with the bisque? Are those new ones you are making?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Yes those stilts were just made so I needed to fire them.

[@richardmg9]

nice

[@pimpsk8er3702]

what kind of polishing / sand paper do you use for the kiln stilt holes? i see you grind away first with the stone wheel but then is there another step to get the scratch marks off

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

No for the most part that’s it. A wet grinder is better though. You could polish if you wanted. Would look a bit cleaner.

[@nikolawoon6036]

Do you make them by hand or do you use a mold?

[@christinnorthuis9287]

My biggest concern is shrinkage of the stem hole. Also, do you ever leave pipes raw with no glaze? I've been working in clay for about three years now, and I'm attempting this for the first time.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Christin Kuck good to hear, with shrinkage don’t worry about it for now because it won’t cause in big problems and over time you’ll learn to account for it. I do not leave my pipes unglazed but you can for sure

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Christin Kuck o but I will say you need to glaze inside or bacteria may grow on the clay for water pipes

[@bomaite1]

Moke dope

[@danielcasillan7211]

did you make these pipes from a mold? I would like to see that prcess.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Daniel Casillan to be honest I have been avoiding the answer to that question but I have been asked so many times I am actually going to make a video at the end of summer on how to make a ceramic mold for pipe making. Stay tuned

[@iKONN]

Jesus from Walking Dead! 😲

[@hulyensantago8899]

Hey I have a question if I buy sculpy and use that and use the same brands glaze would it be safe to use that as a bowl, pipe, bong etc and would an oven be enough or are they any brands you recommend for both glaze and clay I’m a sculptor so I would to make really cool designs to perhaps even sell one day however I want to make sure it’s completely safe from any harmful chemicals the clay or glaze might have

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Hulyen Santago yea I would urgently advise you away from using polymer clay. Ceramic clay is going to work similarly in terms of sculpting and even porcelains have a vary similar texture. I do have a slowly growing list of ceramic shops on my website that you can go to to make or fire pipes / bongs. It might be new and a little learning curve but is the safest and best route to take. Let me know if you have problems or if I don’t have kilns / studios listed in your state so I can help find one for your convenience.

[@hulyensantago8899]

CeramicSmokeWare I’ll check right now thank you for the fast reply 👍🏼

[@sharlenewelebni2853]

Wat? They go in brown come out black?... This is cool though....

[@luis-enricoaravena8414]

how much glazeing do you need for 2 clay pipes ? would 100 gram of glazeing powder work ?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Yea I think that would be enough.

[@thehallhive9425]

When you're dipping them in glaze, is the glaze costing the inside as well? Is that hard to let all the excess drip out?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Yes, when you dip it, you can also fill the inside. It is not hard to drip out. But it can take a while to try. The other option is to clear coat the inside and let it dry for a few minutes and then plug the holes and then dip the outside so it dries and you can set it down sooner.

[@sophiajoseph9357]

How did you get there to be airflow going through the pipe? I did not quite catch much on that. Do you drill a hole or is it part of the mold? And how do you make a mold?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Sophia Joseph I have another video on making my pipes with my molds that might be a better reference. As for how to make a mold I’ll have a video of that coming up shortly.

[@sophiajoseph9357]

@@Ceramicsmokeware thank you so much i appreciate it

[@mranoraks5860]

Nice video, I checked your web site out ,there is some nice stuff ,I looked up a store location, I live in Hudson fl off 52 .

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

mr anoraks yea there is “wierd trees” and “smoke and vape” smoke shops near you that might have some things in stock too to look in person. Call before you go, if there all out over the phone let me know so I can stalk them up.

[@mranoraks5860]

@@Ceramicsmokeware ok,thank you so much, when I call do I ask if they have ceramic smoke from ceramic art techniques.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

mr anoraks just ask for ceramic pipes by ceramicsmokeware depending on who is working you might have to just ask for ceramic pipes.

[@mohibelahi2189]

indeed lovely but would've liked to see the process of constructing them from scratch as in making their body too. But I suppose they were cast from a mold?

[@mohibelahi2189]

I mean, this is a bit more 'firing and glazing clay pipes' than making them..

[@michellechapdelaine4437]

I agree, I would like to see how they were actually formed

[@DarrellHughes82]

das a crazy amount of pipes.... how long does it take to make enough to fill the kiln?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Darrell Hughes I believe it took about 1 month to do all those, nearly 175 pieces

[@marinamelkor8606]

🤩😍😍😍

[@carlocuadro7225]

What do you recommend for the clay mixture?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Carlo B. Martinez Olv. Any should do the job, I like high fire stoneware and that is what was used here. Stay tuned in the future and I’ll provide more info on that 🙏

[@general5886]

damn man this is nice!! Would you do a customized commission?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Abdi I’d say it depends on what you want me to make and how much your willing to pay. You can email me details of what your thinking of having me make to [e-mail]

[@_ZEUS_-qb2pz]

Sorry. I can’t help myself. That kiln was piping hot.

[@WJHDetroit]

Was she brushing lustre on those with out a respirator on??

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Wil James yep no respirator... I know I know and I agree, I always wear one unless I go outside to do it but even then that stuff is brutal. We did have a ventilation fan on to suck some fumes outside though.

[@jonathanbrun8566]

Are you going to make a casting video I'm interested to see how you are doing it

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Jonathan Brun yea I’m not sure, it just has to do with the competition thing you know? If you understand where I’m coming from, what do you suggest I do? Thanks

[@jonathanbrun8566]

CeramicSmokeWare sorry the video was awesome.

[@ChuckBoldwyn]

What curing temperatures are used? How do clay terracotta roofing tiles get incinerated in California wildfires? Please reply?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

TETRAHEDRONMAN to dry temps are around 65 70 for bisque it’s cone 04 and glaze fire it’s cone 9 range. Terra-cotta is a low fire clay that can melt at low temp

[@ciaradoherty7910]

What specific glaze and paint do you use? Thanks

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

These are highfire pottery glaze we have and use. You can use a lowfire pottery glaze if you prefer. Lots of brands, as long as the clay and glaze are non toxic and lead free, you’ll be good(almost all clay and glaze is safe these days). You can also visit our other site artnsyn.com to see the glaze we have right now.

[@clairehelfrich8166]

cool video! who's singing? love the song!

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Claire Helfrich thanks, I think the details for the song are somewhere below in the video description. But it is a song I helped make with some friends, sung by Anna Bell and Ty W.

[@zombyfellow]

what kind of grinding/smoothing wheel do you use to grind sharp stilt marks off and at the same time polish the underside of the pipe. I use stiltstone to file off the stilt marks and it leave the glaze dull.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

zombyfellow yea that works just fine. If you want you can use any kind of grinder as long as you have a respirator and glasses (many grinders out there you just need to search in your budget and go from there, even cheap one). A Dremel could work too ( not as easy).

[@zombyfellow]

CeramicSmokeWare do you polish with the same grinding disk or do you use a separate polishing pad after you've ground the stilt mark down?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

zombyfellow no polishing pad only grinding

[@zombyfellow]

CeramicSmokeWare is the area where you grind become dull?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

zombyfellow unless your doing thousands of pipes you’ll be fine, if anything you buy a new $15 disk. They also have tools for leveling the disk to be flat again. Don’t over complicate things, if you feel the need just research grinders and find what you think will be best.

[@michaelbice34]

niceeee.. you made the stilts?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Yes I did, hopefully you will subscribe to my channel so you know when I post a video of how to make the stilts on your own. Its really easy so hopefully you can stay tuned. Thanks for watching

[@chiaraperez4073]

But how do you make them😭bc I'm trying to learn how to make them for pottery class

[@meditationhour5748]

Ok how in the hell did it go from red to black? I don't know anything about glazes or ceramics/pottery so how did it do that?

[@SunFlower-vb1wx]

Sammy 1 thumb , glazes have metals inside them and when heated it makes the glass change color

[@normandube546]

Is that slup you dipping them in or glaze?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Norman Dube glaze, slip tends to be a pretty plain color

[@anthonyhill5805]

Please help me. How do you scrape to these when they get clogged?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

anthony hill do you mean how do you clean the pipe when it’s clogged? If thats what your asking just put isopropyl and salt in a plastic baggy, then put your pipe in there and shake it for awhile. If it’s that clogged you might want to use like a close hanger to scrape some of the thick res out first and then do the baggy method. You should clean ever couple weeks with the iso and salt though so it doesn’t get that clogged.

[@josephinehenry6568]

could you make a video for the dab rig down stem? and a bubbler video would be dope. having some troubles with my water pipes. :b

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Josephine Henry have you seen my most recent video? I also have on briefly showing how I make my dab rig, have you seen that one as well?

[@josephinehenry6568]

I have not! I'll give it another look, thank you !! (:

[@josephinehenry6568]

oh wait I have seen it, but I've only watched it once. I'll watch it a few more times and I'm sure I'll pick up more info the second and third time (: thank you!

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Josephine Henry alright well let me know if that helps and if not I'll try to explain it here to help you out in the mean time.

[@josephinehenry6568]

I did it! the downstem/bowl stuff really helped. I wheel threw my main piece though. thanks for the help! :D

[@claudecharland5091]

how much for each pipe and how much for an irish style clay pipe

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Hey Claude, it might be best if you give our website ceramicsmokeware.com a visit. Email or call us during the week if you have questions or anything else.

[@brisaperez2211]

im currntly in the process of making a heart and i realized i could possibly make it into a sort of bong piece...im not sure tho.. help

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

mandy bo you could watch one of my other videos on how to make a water pipe. It will be a similar concept. But there are many ways to make things and it is always about trial and error until you gain the knowledge your seeking. Let me know if your still stuck after that and some thinking.

[@brisaperez2211]

CeramicSmokeWare thank you.!!! I’ll get back to you

[@modelleg]

Please try to keep your hair away from the buffing wheel.

[@sararm2693]

do you sell these?

[@jmelroses]

Do u have an online shop?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Ceramicsmokeware.com

[@williamgallaher1377]

Awesome work!!! Do you have a website?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

William Gallaher link in description: ceramicsmokeware.com

[@georgegeorge2334]

I am surprised the individual pieces did not stick to one another during the firing process

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Yes it has shown to be plenty of space for airflow.

[@Abhaqqkarim786]

Hi where you get the mold for the pipe making

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

We make them and you can purchase them on our website ceramicsmokeware.com

[@BaileyZLeone]

where could i buy one?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

ceramicsmokeware.com

[@rickturner63]

Do you have a video creating a slipcast mold?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Yes but I had to take it down due to people using the knowledge improperly regarding others intellectual property. We will plan on making a new one on artnsyn.com

[@rickturner63]

@@Ceramicsmokeware I knew I saw it here a while back. That video was very good and informative. Any suggestions on who I might turn to in creating a mold I'm have a concept, just lack to expertise. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

@@rickturner63 there should be other videos of mold making on KZbin to give you a better idea. The best thing would be to buy a mold or two and start using them. That always makes molds and slip casting more understandable. It’s confusing at first. Hope that helps.

[@aleBFF26]

I can get one online? (I’m from Mexico)

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Alejandra Ballesteros L yes but you will have to email me on my website for me to get you checked out internationally. I am going out of town so it will be a little time before I’m back to help you. Thanks for your intrest

[@jirdonis]

is the first song available somewhere? artist page, soundcloud or something?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Ill ask the artist, if I can not reach them then I will let you know and try to figure out how I can get it to you.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

They do not have it available on their sound cloud but I have the mp3 if you know of a way I can send it to you. Let me know

[@arvindshukla8244]

Not shown process of making tobacco pie

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Build Me a Bong for Smoking Wax my dude???

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Jon MacDonald yea I make them, just go to my website and place an order, thanks

[@jcliffe8146]

My question is how durable are they

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

John Cliffe they are incredibly durable! Not sure what you you think of them but they are as strong as glass!

[@claudiagrolli]

Could u cut one ?! And why the hole into the side?!

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Ceramics is hard to cut when glaze finished but any other time you can (if that answers your question). The carb hole is to clear the chamber of any smoke with air.

[@davidcrisswell2643]

the hole is the carb, its used to help get all the smoke out of the pipe

[@wadepatton2433]

I missed the raw clay part, only see dry moulded pipes being processed. I'll assume you're pouring slip into a mould.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Wade Patton we have another video showing that, just have to find it.

[@bobbobson4607]

Am I correct in assuming these are slip cast pipes, and if so where do you get your molds?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

bob bobson I make them! I've been really busy but I'm going to get a video made on how to make a ceramic bong first and then I'll do a video on how to make the molds. Stay tuned

[@crazyoldhippieguy]

How high are you going ,come 0.6?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

oldartguy bisque at cone 04 and big gas kiln fired to cone 10

[@crazyoldhippieguy]

^Noticed your making your own stands, nickchrome wire?

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

oldartguy something like that, high temp wire

[@AquariumMania]

I know this is an art but its clear your also running a small company I can see many many places where you can increase production speed here, your doing each pipe one by one and although it seems like you have a quick way of making them because they are all so uniform and perfect you dont seem to have a quick way of treating them, you should invest some time and a little money into some larger scale equipment or make something that will allow you to do 10-20 pipes at a time.

[@AquariumMania]

( Im just coming from a technical point of view I dont know the processes behind making the pipes I was specifically referring to when you were coating each pipe one by one with that red glaze I assume is the ceramic material)

[@Gothfield]

The website says these are made in Ukraine, have you shipped many to the USA? It would break my heart if it broke on the way.

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Only select items are made in Ukraine and we stock all of those in our Utah location unless it states that it is on back order. We have them securely packaged and have shipped many of the Ukraine pipes safely to us. If it does not say where it it made, or said made in the USA, that is because it is an item we manufacture in house.

[@mynthecooldude]

"For tobacco use only"

[@CHARGERxMAN17]

Dude, my neighbor is your twin

[@tropic6065]

Does he look like he only smokes tobacco

[@sararm2693]

the website has a age requirement 😔

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Good for you being honest and sorry, but we have to follow the rules.

[@trevormorred6913]

You firing to many times

[@marshstreamhans]

too fast, and you didn't show how to make then,

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Hans Schmidt I’ll show you the rest in another video soon

[@evone9141]

This didn't help at all! Like could you tell us the type of clay, how and why the different pipes are made in the shapes they are made in, how ling they are in the kiln for. what you glaze them with etc... So many questions and zero answers. You do seem industrious though:)

[@TheAfrothunderr]

yeah rather not smoke a pipe with chemical infused inside the ceramic, lmao. ive seen glass blowers only use flame and glass.

[@flysubcompact]

An enterprising, motivated, creative stoner. If the guy gave up the ganja, he could buy and sell Bill Gates inside of five years.

[@sendybg3988]

to long-winded

[@CHARGERxMAN17]

Same facial features, even the eye color, just no long hair.

[@Nick-yp6nv]

Your pieces are over priced

[@Ceramicsmokeware]

Peachersons I think that is a personal opinion that can be discussed privately with me through my site. Thanks