Pottery Studio Organization: A Tour of My Basement Home Studio Space!

[@tracystebbins2179]

Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge!

[@timclark4931]

Thank you so much for the video content you produce! Learning to throw pots, etc. is something I have wanted to do since I was in high school. When COVID started and I found myself with more time on my hands I began watching misc pottery videos, Jon the Potter, Earth Nation, etc. on KZbin and found it relaxing and a good way to just kind of distract myself from the chaos of the world around us. I wish I had discovered your video series sooner! I def like those guys and their content but honestly I find your content MUCH easier to learn from! You have a VERY natural gift as a teacher as well as a potter. Since COVID restrictions have eased up I have enrolled in a 6week pottery class and am now on week 5. It is such a nice distraction from life. Not only is it a nice relaxing and mellow activity I find that it requires a lot of mental focus to do. The rest of the world just kind of falls away for the two hours or so every week that I am at the wheel. Thank you once again for your content. I have learned so much and to be quite honest I think my skill on the wheel has improved quickly due to what I have learned from your videos! Your newest subscriber!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I can’t tell you how happy this makes me!!!! I so appreciate the feedback- and LOVE that you find it helpful!!! 🥰🥰 Thank you!!!

[@AdiBenning-k4h]

I love your videos and your energy. You always make me smile. Setting up a new studio- so I was grateful for your tips.

[@eucalyptustrees]

Great tour. Thank you!

[@Majoofi]

It's impossibly clean.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

For my health and to keep down dust in my house, I try to keep it super clean!

[@Majoofi]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass You set an example to aspire to.

[@tonyokrongly3235]

Great ideas... I particularly like the Immersion mixer and the bed stands.

[@dhatchellsd]

Wonderful as always. So many helpful hints. Thank you Karen!

[@rjschwane1]

Very helpful! I love the real life studio & looks almost just like mine Lol! Best potters statement...I have a lot of stuff and I use it!!!

[@ahafun2010]

thank you! there is a lot of good information here as well as inspiration!

[@jeffmark2067]

Thank YOU for your time and energy. We are building a new home and I am working on a "Craftroom" I love to work in watercolor, pottery and handmade jewelery. Can you give me ideas of must haves, I have done pottery with our local potters guild but never produced to sell but I am retired and hubby is disabled I think it would bring me great joy. I will need a kiln but have yet to make that jump because I don't want to buy and then wish I would have purchased a different one. HELP You mentioned "hard wiring"" is that 120 or should it be a 220.

[@kimburnham7317]

Thank you for putting this together! Nice job!

[@wendymartinez7366]

Wow! Great video. I am approximately on the same wavelength as you organizational-wise, exception being mine is strictly for personal enjoyment. Thanks for the affirmation. Please contInue educating us.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Thanks, Wendy!!!

[@jayp4083]

Thank you! Very timely.

[@yakityak]

I have a question. What is your set-up for drying greenware? I’m setting up my home studio after years of using a communal space, and it seems like drying greenware takes up a lot of shelf space, but its “episodic” if you know what I mean. Maybe I missed this part in your video? And I’ll take this opportunity to thank you for such a wonderfully informative series. I cannot put into words how helpful your videos are, and I really appreciate you introducing me to bambootools. Thank you so much!

[@arnea2804]

Thank you ❤️

[@urbachd]

Man this is great! Thanks!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Glad you like it!

[@diannaflynn8209]

I really like watching all of your videos, I was wondering when you might build and outside studio so that you can enjoy the outside as you work.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

That’s my DREAM to have a beautiful studio with loads of windows to the outside!!!

[@sammi-joreviews1135]

This is wonderful! In your clay area, do you wedge your reclaim clay in specific sizes? Is it helpful to weigh out & wedge new clay &/or reclaimed clay? Since our weather has been either frost warning or overly warm, I have been storing my bagged new clay in the bag it comes in. Hwr, I am storing it in a cooler (it can be plugged into an outlet or a cigarette lighter; it’s meant mostly for travel either in a car/truck or camper) with hopes I can keep its temp normalized. I can’t lug 25-50lb boxes of clay from my house… or even the utility room even with the use of a dolly or the golf cart. I actually do use the dolly & golf cart to move big bags of black Kow fertilizer, plants, planters, etc for my vegetable garden. I use cattle panel fences on t-rails to grow tomatoes & squash vertically, then others are made into archways where I grow cherry & sun tomatoes over along with cucumbers, sugar watermelons, & some vining flowers. I have other flowers that grow up & around a windmill in the garden too. The pottery studio area is on the opposite side of the house from the garden. I’d love to be able to fire pots this year to make garden lanterns & hanging bird feeders/water baths to go in the crepe myrtles by the garden. So much I want to do, so little time, & then there’s crappy vision & multiple autoimmune diseases I’m always fighting to avoid flare ups. Your studio is beautiful! It’s such a cozy space. My little space is a drop in a giant bucket in comparison. Thank you for sharing. I’ll be checking out your other videos for kiln & vent options. ❤🤗

[@lindatortorice9356]

Thank you so much!!

[@ginamartinez5475]

Thank you again for another great video! I am getting my first kiln next week and I have set up in my garage. I have my wheel in there as well -any issues with etching or heat having everything in the same space?

[@gvives1]

Thank you for all the great information you share Karen. I’m about to have a kiln delivered and a vent a kiln. My question is what do you have underneath your kiln to protect the floor? I have sheet vinyl flooring and I was considering hardi cement boards, but it appears you have something else under yours. And how far out from the edge of the kiln do you have your floor protection? Thank you!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Sorry it's taken me some time to respond!! I have a little wooden platform covered with cement board, and then the cement board covered with tiles just to look prettier. The platform boards have furniture sliders on the bottom so I can move the kiln platform with ease. The tiles/cement board extend out just about 4" or so beyond the kiln. Not so much that it gets in my way! If you want to see photos- reach out to me on my FB page through messenger and I can send you photos! @KaransPotsAndGlass on Etsy

[@kennethcolon4269]

Goals!!!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It took me years to get to this point!!! Goals are always great!!!

[@dancingangel411]

This is great! Can you share the link for the video where you demo your "trimming shield"? You've got quite a number of trimming vids. Thanks!

[@connieebinger6343]

Thank you so much for the tour of your home studio. Very helpful to see how it’s set up. Curious about your floor, is it water resistant or some sort of special surface for that? Also curious about how much your studio is in square footage just to get an idea of the space needed to do what you did. Thank you!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Connie- my floor is glued vinyl plank flooring. I love it! We have it across our whole finished basement, including the "family room" tv area. It was our choice to have the same floor that was moppable and resistant to moisture if we had any water backup in the basement, it wouldn't be damaged. I would do that again in a heartbeat. Square footage is a hard one! I keep taking over areas of the basement that I hadn't planned on using when I started it all!!! Lol!!! Now I probably am 1/3 of the whole basement with my stuff, (including my photo set up and packing area) so... if I had to guess 400 square feet?? If we just look at the one main area where I work, I think it is probably closer to 225 square feet...

[@luciemaragni]

Thanks so much.. is the vent a kiln opened out a window…does it get super hot during glaze firings? Is it safe?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It vents out the side of the house- and it gets a little warm, but I can still works down there while firing! It used to get hotter when I had the undermount! Here’s an old video on installing my kiln vent if you’d like to see that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIq1Z2ZmZbiCisU

[@stacyjaffe9218]

Thank you so much for sharing your studio space with us. So helpful to see all the different organizational tools you use, especially for keeping things easy to clean. Currently I've taken over our dining room table and most of our book shelves for hand building small ceramic pieces. I love the space because of all the natural light... but realize that once I get my own kiln I'll need to rethink where to relocate. I wonder how you feel working in a basement? Clearly you have lots of room and ways to contain dust more safely, but I'm not sure how I'd feel working in our windowless basement. Any thoughts?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I would much prefer a studio with windows and a view! But it was the best situation that I had available! My dream space is a separate studio building someday!

[@madelinemcginn8145]

Hi! When you first started your basement studio, did you always have an air filter system? I've been doing pottery in my.basement for about a year now, but am ways paranoid about the silica. Can I get by without one for now until I can afford one? Thanks!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

No, I didn't have one until the company sent me one- and probably still wouldn't if they hadn't! But, that being said, I am a meticulous mopper and always try to do a thorough wet clean up when I am done working!

[@glennr9913]

I like the Gleco sediment trap and the leg extensions on your Skutt wheel. Your google doc list is a great resource, but I didn't see the leg extensions listed. Where do you find them? Thanks for sharing your studio with us. 👍

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I got those directly from Skutt!! Not on Amazon!

[@stephaniestokes7851]

Hi Karen. Love your videos! Can you please tell me how you made your shield for trimming? Thank you, Steph

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Two flexible cutting boards taped together!!! I got two cheap ones from the dollar store!!

[@stephaniestokes7851]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thanks Karen. Your videos are so clear and have helped me to overcome some consistent throwing errors. Thank you so much. Might just have to visit you, all the way from Australia- my in-laws are in IN! Cheers, Steph

[@mariajosereis7558]

😄😘 Obrigado!

[@marcelaolivares3320]

Hi there! Thank you very much for sharing your space. I have some questions, thank you very much !!! -Do you consider it very necessary to use an air filter? -Regarding the height of a table to work, how much height would you recommend for example? -In your study do you use a mask when you work or sandpaper for example? Thank you!!!!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Marcela- I have never found it necessary to have an air filter before- as I am pretty meticulous keeping my studio as dust free as possible by wet sponging and mopping. I was offered this HEPA unit by Evironklenz, and I have been impressed by it... so, I am really happy to have it now! I do have BIG room air filtration in my school classroom studio... but I also have 150 kids per day who don't have the same priorities as I do. I would definitely want it in any shared space. Height of a table, I find it best where I can roll a slab comfortably and wedge clay comfortably without causing strain on my back! So, it is dependent on each individual's height. I have a commercial wedging table at school that is clearly built for taller people (probably by men!) who find it more comfortable. I prefer to wedge on a shorter classroom table. My home work table is a bit shorter than my kitchen counter height. (I am 5'5"). The only times I wear a mask in my home studio would be when I feel I am generating dust. (say for instance I am working with a powder- like mixing mason stains- I wear a fitted and filtered respirator) I do not sand my pieces- so that is not an issue. I clean and smooth everything while leatherhard greenware. I use brushes and ribs if necessary. (can use a sponge if not grogged clay). After firing, I wet polish my pieces, with water, to prevent dust. If I need to use a bigger grinder- I would do that outside and wear my respirator. If cleaning my kiln shelves, I normally do that outside too, with a respirator. If I have to do that indoors due to weather, I wet the shelves first to keep down dust. I hope that helps! Let me know if I missed anything!

[@marcelaolivares3320]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Thank you very much for your incredible information. I am just learning. I am practicing with low pasta. And it has helped me to see, and practice shapes... feeling this nice connection with the pasta. I have to admit that it is still difficult for me to work with colors, heheee, I am afraid jeje.. Mis pieces will be fired in another place, I do not have a kiln. I have bought mayco and Duncan underglazes. I have seen your videos and they are very good. Thank you very much for your help.!

[@gabriellame1815]

Thank you so much for sharing! What kind of plywood are you going to use? What thickness? I found out that the plywood start warping after awhile (I wash it with water). Or you are going to cover it with something?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Birch plywood is what I have heard others use. Thick. maybe 3/4" perhaps?? It doesn't get sealed or covered, just lightly sponged when done. I will probably at least trim the edge though, so the plywood isn't exposed to catch on things!

[@gabriellame1815]

KaransPotsAndGlass thank you so much!

[@carawilliams6577]

Hi - thank you for the tour, the information was very helpful. I am trying to reorganize my space. Can you please talk about the two stools? I have the Shimpo blue stool and am looking for a good cushion - since the stool is so hard. Also how did you determine the correct height for your standing wheel. Thanks

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

At 5:10 in this video I show the height I prefer for my standing wheel. I based that on where my elbows bend, and what is comfortable for locking my elbows to the side of the wheel/splashpan while centering and throwing! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqXCmWSHesuabJo As far as the stools... the tall one is just an extra "office" type chair that goes high, so I can be high enough at my taller table to be comfortable. The shorter white one is adjustable- just a cushioned seat that I find comfy for longer periods if needed! The stool came with rollers on it, but I bought little replacement feet and took off the rollers. I can place it on top of my wheel on the feet when not in use. Here are the links- I got the white one on Amazon! Stool: amzn.to/3x9tI9r Feet: amzn.to/37kICPP

[@carawilliams6577]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass - thank you so much. I appreciate you sharing so much information.

[@latifsoomro6490]

Sister . I'm Pakistan . I'm not full English . Good look the stodio .

[@bosvigos9165]

My first question... how do you manage to handle clay with those wonderful nails...?!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

LOL!!! Thanks for noticing! ;). I actually use a dip powder and do them myself! I started doing it when I began struggling watching my "man hands" in my videos! Lol! I love it, as they have lasted on average 2-3 weeks!!! They come in so handy as tools now- but I do keep them fairly short! Here's a discount code to their website if you're interested!! prz.io/0zaQx2Nsl

[@lindatortorice9356]

Are the tall wheeled racks stable when moving it around with thinks on it?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Do you mean the biggest tall shelving?? I honestly don't really move those around- just clean under them! But, when I redid my configuration of studio it was handy to do by myself!

[@erinwithryder]

Thank you for the studio tour! Just out of curiosity, how much time on average do you spend on pottery at home?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Erin- since I am a full-time high school teacher, not as much as I'd like to!! ;) Different times of the year give me more opportunity. Breaks from school- winter, spring, summer, are all good times for me to get down to making. Nights and weekends beyond that. Honestly, I probably spend about 75% of my pottery time recently on video production however. I try to make videos which will appeal to my youtube audience, but also most videos are to help my students to learn independently. (like my new wheel series- I am remaking my wheel videos for more concise and thorough explanations). I really need to set aside some major chunks of time without having to deal with video production just to knock out some things for a winter show I am doing this December! (And Etsy restock!). With the pandemic this past year, school was absolutely crazy with time commitments. By far, it was the most challenging year in my 30 years of teaching. Hoping things will be more calm this year, and I can have a little time to myself to work on my own stuff!! When producing for myself, I normally like to have chunks of time I can commit to- so knowing I will have maybe three nights a week of two hours each will give me a chance to knock out 20 ish mugs and have them ready for drying. I know its not much of an answer... but 'it depends'... ;)

[@erinwithryder]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Thank you so much for the detailed reply!! 😃 I asked because I was puzzled by how you were able to fit in making pottery for yourself when you already had so much on your plate. You must be very motivated in order to keep up with your busy schedule. 👍🏻

[@gicapetrescu2245]

Hello I have just barely started working with clay and it keeps sticking everywhere in my hands and table some tips pls?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

If the clay is sticking to your hands, you may want to dry it out some! Try leaving it out for an hour, come back and wedge. Try this continually until it gets to the moisture you need! If you want to leave it more for a hour, try throwing a towel over the top to avoid dry spots!

[@gicapetrescu2245]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass ty so much, and to bake it, how do I proceed?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

You need to see what the clay manufacturer recommends- but most clay requires a kiln.

[@lov3bubbles]

Why wouldn’t you reclaim the used clay in the sink?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

The reclaim would be mixed with anything- glaze, dirt from the floor when I mop, and bacteria that sits in the water bucket! I like to keep my reclaim cleaner! 😉

[@katieshayV]

Where did you get your stool from?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Amazon!! amzn.to/32M55WN

[@katieshayV]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass Thank you!

[@Ladonnacontenta]

What are the dimensions of your studio?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

The main working area is about 12' x 14'. (Just a tad under 14). Then I have the pottery closet, and the long wall where I am now keeping my glazes and light booth and packing table.

[@Ladonnacontenta]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass thank you! I’m in the process of building a space and wasn’t sure how much area I should allow for.