What did American Indians use to glaze and paint their pottery and clay sculptures? Recipes or good links to such would be awesome. [more inside]
posted by snsranch on Sep 21, 2009 - 10 answers

Where can I rent time on a potter's wheel in Los Angeles next week? [more inside]
posted by HotPatatta on Jul 4, 2009 - 2 answers

Looking to take my fiancee to a pottery class and some glass-blowing in/near Manchester UK - any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by SRMorris on May 13, 2009 - 2 answers

I bought two hand-painted ceramic mugs that appear to have been glazed. When I put my first cup of (very hot) coffee in one of them, I heard a faint crackling sound. The coffee also smelled a bit chemically. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by anonymous78 on Feb 17, 2009 - 11 answers

What would your dream pottery studio look like? Not one you'd build in your garage but a cool, full-service studio. Would it have... [more inside]
posted by lois1950 on Nov 25, 2008 - 5 answers

Does anyone know of any cheap-ish pottery classes in NYC for the summer? I'm a beginner, but I would be fine with some kind of open studio deal as well. I'll be living in Williamsburg and working in Harlem, so extra points if it's located near either of those two places.
posted by kookaburra on May 11, 2008 - 3 answers

I am involved in branding a "company" that has a casino, theater and hotel as part of its assets. Part of the brand development is naming. The company is located in Northern New Mexico (Espanola – which, I've been informed is a leading provide of Black tar heroin!). Anyway, I'm looking for recommendations for reference books or even novels that focus on that area/culture and might spark some inspiration for names. The "company" is actually a Native American tribe or Pubelo that is known for its Black pottery.
posted by pmaxwell on Mar 14, 2008 - 7 answers

I would like to buy my girlfriend a potter's wheel for her birthday, but don't really know anything about where to look, what to look for, or the price I can expect to pay. Any suggestions or recommendations? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 21, 2008 - 13 answers

Recommendations for good pottery/ceramics courses in Toronto? [more inside]
posted by prophetsearcher on Jan 14, 2008 - 3 answers

i want to buy one of those heads made out of pottery that show different bits of the brain; i can't for the life of me find out what they're called, but you see them on telly in doctor's surgeries and they look mighty fine. anyone got any ideas what they're called, despite my rather lame description?
posted by CliveDallas on Aug 26, 2007 - 8 answers

My father, a potter in Massachusetts, has been firing his Olympic DD17 natural gas-fired downdraft kiln with good results for several years. Recently, it's begun to cut out half way through the firing process. [more inside]
posted by Pantengliopoli on Jul 31, 2007 - 2 answers

My mother needs to clean what appears to be hard water mineral deposits from an old Van Briggle vase without damaging it. Vinegar? [more inside]
posted by dozo on Dec 19, 2006 - 6 answers

I'm interested in reading about craftsmanship, in the sense of attention to detail and finish as it relates to the overall success of a project. My specific project is ceramics, and so books (and suggestions) about pottery would be really appreciated, but I'm interested in other disciplines as well. [more inside]
posted by OmieWise on Jun 28, 2006 - 11 answers

Emerging artists... who are your picks of relatively, virtually, or literally (but for you, I suppose) unknown artists who create things I can put in my home (ie, not filmmakers/animators/writers/comic writers, etc.), such as paintings, pottery, furniture, photographs, etc? Criteria inside... [more inside]
posted by Manhasset on Mar 29, 2006 - 26 answers

Does anyone know where one could buy a "wavy" cheese cutter? [more inside]
posted by cdcello on Nov 21, 2005 - 6 answers

I recently came into possession of a book called Archeology of the Florida Gulf Coast by Gordon R. Willey with a copyright of 1949. I would like to know what it's worth. It is in good condition - not great, but good. Googling allowed me to find a reprint edition from 1973 priced at $85.00, but I can't find the value of an original 1949 copy. [more inside]
posted by wsg on Nov 5, 2005 - 6 answers

Lead-GlazeFilter: I just bought a nice bowl at a Japanese market. It was made in Japan. Is there lead in the glaze? Is it safe to eat from? If it had been made in China, what then? Is this an issue of individual bowls or of country regulations? I know in the US there are laws against lead leaching glazes.
posted by OmieWise on Jun 30, 2005 - 8 answers

Mystery object: we bought this ewer (or pitcher?) 10 years ago in a flea market in France and we haven't been able to figure out its purpose, origin and age. [more inside]
posted by elgilito on Mar 12, 2005 - 26 answers

My wife and I have this crazy idea to start an import business. The notion is to drive a big van down into the heart of Mexico, load up on cool homewares, (pottery, etc.) and drive it back across the border. How realistic is that? Does NAFTA apply? Will they pull out the latex gloves every time I come back across the border?
posted by Dag Maggot on Feb 15, 2005 - 4 answers

AppraisalFilter: How do I go about securing a certified appraisal of several pieces of San Ildefonso blackware pottery? I am looking for a reputable appraiser in the DC area. I am very interested in getting these pieces properly insured. I am unwilling to allow them out of my care since several pieces are 50 to 80 years old. One miniature is by Maria Martinez. Can you recommend anyone in the DC area?
posted by onhazier on Feb 4, 2005 - 4 answers