Not all clay is the same. Walk into any ceramics supply store and you will find dozens of clay bodies, each with different properties, firing temperatures, and finished qualities. Here is what we use at Omaha Pottery Studio and why.
Our primary clay body is a mid-fire stoneware that fires to cone 6 (about 2230 degrees Fahrenheit). Stoneware is the workhorse of studio pottery. It is forgiving for beginners, strong enough for functional ware, and takes glazes beautifully. When you drink coffee from a handmade mug, it is almost certainly stoneware.
We also keep a porcelain body in stock for intermediate and advanced students. Porcelain is more refined -- thinner walls, translucent when thin, elegant when done well. It is also more challenging. It has less plasticity than stoneware, which means it fights you on the wheel. But the results can be stunning.
For handbuilding, we offer a grogged stoneware that has extra texture (tiny bits of fired clay mixed in) for structural strength. This clay is ideal for larger sculptural work and pieces with thick walls that need to dry evenly.
All our clays are sourced from reputable suppliers and tested with our glazes. When you take a class at Omaha Pottery Studio, the clay is included. Members can bring their own as long as it fires to cone 6.
Join our waitlist to explore these materials hands-on when we open.