Akron Makerspace’s Ceramics Lab was established in January 2022. It has been one of the fastest growing communities at AMS and we’re always excited to welcome new potters into the studio!
The lab has essentials for throwing and hand-building, and we continue to add more equipment for broader techniques. AMS has four standard pottery wheels and one that is wheelchair accessible. The wheel rotation directions can be switched on all wheels to accommodate left and right-handed makers.
We have all of the tools you’ll need to complete a ceramics project from start to finish: wheels, bats, wedging table, hand tools, sponges, kiln, storage shelving, glazes, clay, a wall-mounted extruder, slab roller etc. Much of our equipment has been donated by incredibly generous members and public donors.
If you’re experienced with ceramics and are a member of AMS, feel free to bring in your own tools, clay, and glazes. An individual locker is included with an AMS membership for members to keep their personal supplies if necessary.
A Ceramics Lab 101 orientation is required for anyone who wants to work in the Lab. It will be a general tour, outlining the rules of the Lab, its organization, safety, and expected cleaning practices. It is free of charge and you can get started in the Lab right after. To schedule an orientation, just drop a message in the Ceramics Lab channel in the AMS Discord server and one of our experienced members will set up a time to meet with you.
Ceramics Lab FAQ
Q: What clay does AMS keep in stock?
We currently keep Standard 182 Angel White in stock. It fires to a cream color at cone 6 and shrinks around 12% in the kiln.
We recommend members purchase clay by 25-pound bags. It’s easy to keep track of your clay, recycle your scraps, and prevent reclaim building up in the lab.
If you don’t want to purchase 25 pounds, members may use the lab’s digital scale to weigh-out the clay to purchase by the pound. Use the links below to pay for your clay by the pound.
Q: Can I bring in my own clay?
Members are allowed to bring in their own clay bodies, but we ask that you only bring clay from verified manufacturers and that you know exactly what temperatures it fires to- please do not bring in clay that you dug up locally. Ideally all clays in the Ceramics Lab should bisque to cone 04 and fully fire to cone 6. AMS does not fire to cone 10.
If the clay you bring in is not a buff white (any browns, reds, or if you use mason stains) you cannot wedge on our wedging table or use our slab roller canvas as they will stain. Please supply your own surfaces to work on to preserve our equipment. Also be sure to fully wipe down anything your darker clay got onto- tools, wheelheads, bats, tables, etc.
Q: When does AMS run the kiln?
Trained AMS members load and run the kiln once a full load of a certain cone is ready Check out the Ceramics-Kiln Discord channel to get the latest on the kiln loads.
If you would like to be trained/verified to load and run the kiln, drop a message in the Ceramics Lab channel in the AMS Discord server and one of our experienced members will set up a time to meet with you.
One firing is $20. The price is split between members whose pieces are in the kiln load. Kiln loaders keep a log of whose pieces go into each load.
Q: Whose projects can be fired in the kiln?
You must be a member of AMS and do the majority of your making at AMS to have your projects fired in the kiln. Our kiln is not for hire.
Q: Where can I dump my clay/work water?
ONLY use the sink in the Ceramics Lab for your clay. There is a clay trap on the sink that prevents clay from going into the pipes.
Q: What tools can I use in the Ceramics Lab?
Any tools left out in the Lab will be considered open for public use and can be used by any member.
If you bring in your own tools/glazes/clay, please keep them in your locker when you’re not working with them. If something doesn’t fit in your locker, make sure to very visibly label it so others do not use it.
Q: If I have a cool idea to improve the Ceramics Lab, who do I talk to?
We love to get feedback from members to improve the lab. You can email the maintainers to kick off the discussion.
Q: Who are the maintainers for the Ceramics Lab?
Chloe
Email: Chloe@akronmakerspace.org
Discord: @Chloe (she/her)
Perry
Email: Perry@akronmakerspace.org
Discord:@Perry Cain
Ceramics Lab Rules
- When you leave your station it should look like no one was ever there. No one wants to start a session at a dirty station. It takes longer than you may think to clean up after a throwing session- allow yourself around 10-15 minutes.
- If you are using a dark clay, please make extra sure it is not left on any tools, wheelheads, splash pans, or sponges. White clay is our most popular and is used for classes. It is stained when darker clay is left on anything. It can also affect the firing process for the white clay. Please don’t leave any dark clay on Ceramics Lab surfaces.
- Do not touch other member’s projects or labeled tools in the Lab.
- Label your own tools and pieces.
- We first and foremost cater to hobbyist and amateurs. We do not prohibit production potters, but they are not the target audience of AMS.
Ceramics Lab Consumables
AMS membership dues help us cover the cost of rent and keeping the lights on. Any consumables you use in the Ceramics Lab are things that your monthly dues do not cover.
If you use AMS stocked clay or glaze please make sure you pay for what you use. This helps us be able to provide a great supply of clay and glaze choices for your pieces.
Its easiest for AMS members pay for these things in bulk a few times per year. Paying for 25 or 50 pounds of clay, 10 hours of wheel usage, and a few kiln runs at a time saves you time, and saves AMS from paying multiple micro-transaction fees. Just keep a gauge on how much you’ve used and re-up when you know its time.
Interested in donating to the Ceramics Lab?
These items are what we're in need of:
- dip glazes
- HardieBacker Board slabs
- cone 5/6 brush-on glazes
- diamond grinding bats
- slip casting equipment
- pug mill
- advancer kiln shelves