Choosing My First Clay

Lessons About Clay from a Beginner's Studio

Choosing my first clay felt like an exciting but slightly overwhelming step in my pottery journey. There are so many options, and I had no idea where to start. Through a experience in studios, research, and lots of messy hands, I eventually found a clay that worked for me, Laguna B-Mix 5 WC401. Here’s how I navigated the process and what I learned along the way.

Starting My Clay Journey

When I first began working with clay, it was in a studio environment where everything was provided for me—tools, wheels, glazes, and yes, clay. I didn’t have to think about what I was using, which was great at the time. But when I decided to build my own studio and start throwing at home, I realized I had to pick out everything, starting with clay.

The Options I Considered

Since I was still a beginner, I wanted a clay that was easy to work with, forgiving, and versatile enough to let me experiment. I started researching online and reading about the main types of clay: stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain. Each one had pros and cons, but as someone who didn’t yet have a lot of firing experience, I decided stoneware was a good middle ground.

Stoneware clays fire at higher temperatures and are more durable than earthenware yet less finicky than porcelain. Stoneware clays also come in a variety of textures and colors, which gave me room to play around with different looks.

My First Choice and Why

Ultimately, I chose a mid-range stoneware clay that fired at cone 5 but can be taken to cone 6. Here’s why:

• Firing Range: I knew my kiln could handle cone 6 firings, and I wanted to work with glazes designed for that range.

• Texture: I went with a smooth stoneware clay because I wasn’t ready for the challenge of working with groggy or heavily textured clays. A smooth clay felt easier to throw and hand-build with as I honed my skills.

• Color: I chose a buff-colored clay because it gave me a neutral base for experimenting with glazes while still having a bit of character compared to pure white.

Challenges and Surprises

Like anything in pottery, working with clay comes with a learning curve. One thing I didn’t expect was how much water management mattered with the B-Mix I chose. I learned quickly that over-wetting the clay could cause it to slump or become harder to work with, so I had to adjust my throwing technique.

Another surprise was the firing shrinkage—the B-Mix shrinkage rate is 12% ± 2%, so my pieces came out smaller than I expected! These little lessons helped me understand my material better and helped me become more thoughtful in my process.

Since starting my journey with clay, I have transitioned to another stoneware clay made by New Mexico Clay called Cashmere. Although it has a slightly higher shrinkage rate of 13.8%, the absorption rate is lower at 1% compared to Laguna's 2.3% ± 1%. I also liked the cost better than Laguna because I paid less than 1 USD a pound compared to 1.60 USD a pound. Both clays are made similarly being that neither have grog in them which is why I liked Cashmere, I wasn't having to change the feel of clay.

Advice for Beginners Choosing Clay

If you’re just starting to pick out your own clay, here are a few things I’d recommend:

1. Start Simple: Choose a versatile clay like stoneware that works for both throwing and hand-building.

2. Consider Your Firing Range: Make sure the clay you pick matches the temperature your kiln (or the studio’s kiln) can handle.

3. Think About Your Projects: If you’re making functional pieces, like mugs or bowls, you’ll want a durable clay. For sculptural work, you might want a more textured or groggy clay with less shrinkage.

4. Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to reach out to local pottery studios or suppliers—they often have great advice for beginners.

Final Thoughts

Choosing my first clay was a rewarding experience that taught me a lot about the material and my own preferences as a potter. Over time, I’ve branched out to try other types of clay, but I’ll always remember that first block of stoneware—it was the beginning of my creative journey in my home studio.