Clay Camp Required Materials List
April 25-28 2025.
Clay Camp: Create and Thrive is a vibrant, online gathering designed to support ceramic artists and potters who are ready to take their creative practice to the next level... not just in the studio, but in business too.
Whether you're selling your work at markets, running an online shop, offering workshops, or dreaming of doing any (or all) of the above, this camp is here to equip you with the clarity, tools, and community you need to grow sustainably - without losing your spark.
This isn’t just about glazing techniques or kiln tips (though we love those too). Clay Camp is where potters come to build confidence in their business, to understand the “how” behind making money with their art, and to connect with like-minded makers who get it.
Whether you're full-time, part-time, or just starting to dream big, this space is for you. At Clay Camp, you'll learn how to create intentionally and thrive authentically - as both an artist and an entrepreneur.
Our mission: To help potters and ceramic artists turn their creativity into a thriving, sustainable business - on your terms.
This is your time. Your story. Your studio.
Let’s build something beautiful - together.
All the best,
Joshua Collinson
A Systematic Method to Finding Your Voice in Clay
In this workshop we will go over a simple process to find your strengths and develop a style that's uniquely you. We will cover a series of strategies and exercises that define patterns in your work. These patterns will be collected and manipulated in a way that allows growth within a framework of style objectives. Do you want work that people recognize and adore? It's what I want for you.
Required Materials:
Paper pencil and a few pieces of pottery you like.
About Tim See
Tim See now lives in the Town of Clay in Central New York. He teaches thousands of people daily the craft of clay through live streams, videos and answering endless questions. These experiences help to mold Tim's path of service to the clay community. He mentors individuals and groups so they too can find a way to self-expression and make the pots they want to make.
At the local level, Tim is a founding member of The Independent Potters Organization geared toward community service and education. Tim is also involved in Empty Bowls, Scholastics Art programs and High School Pottery Competitions
Tim makes wood-fired pots, simple in form yet complex in decoration and meaning. The pots serve as illustrations of a grand story, so far ten-plus years in the telling. The more complicated forms, such as oil cans, are all part of the story's world. He still, after all that, finds time to travel the United States doing workshops and demos, spreading his joy of clay.
Sustainable Success & Expanding Authentically
A thriving business shouldn’t come at the expense of your wellbeing. This workshop teaches you how to grow and scale sustainably—so your energy, creativity, and vision remain in flow as your success expands. Designed for artists, makers, and visionary entrepreneurs, you’ll learn how to build with integrity, evolve your brand, expand authentically, and pivot with purpose—all on your own terms. Gain tools and systems to create supportive structures that honour your unique mindset while anchoring you more deeply into your dreams.
Required Materials:
• Notebook or journal
• Pen or pencil
Rachel Saunders is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur whose work bridges soulful expression with intentional business. Originally from Salt Spring Island, Canada, she is best known for her ceramic practice, where form meets function in pieces designed to elevate everyday rituals. As a self-taught artist and founder of Rachel Saunders Ceramics and The Sanctuary by Rachel, over the past decade she has built a thriving brand rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and slow growth. Rachel views all creative expression as sacred, and her business journey reflects a deep commitment to honoring both artistic integrity and personal wellbeing. Through her work, she supports other creatives in building aligned, regenerative businesses that grow with grace—without sacrificing their energy, values, or vision.
https://www.rachelsaundersceramics.com
A Phoenix Rising - Clobbering and Coaxing Divinity out of the Trash Heap
In this workshop you will learn how to use fireable silicon, which allows you to take all of your disasters, beam them up out of purgatory and turn them into heavenly blessings. We will evaluate where to source such inspirational items, discuss what tools you might use to separate the wheat from the chaff, for instance a diamond hole drill may be used to glean a disc from out of a plate. Then we will examine how to use firewire and hi-temperature silicon to reform and create items that fool the human eye and flirt with impossibility. You will be able to salvage a number of disasters, turning them into gravity-defying phoenix's rising from the ashes.
Required Materials:
A hammer, a great deal of reclaimed ceramic, three tubes of alcolin fireproof sealant, and a few lengths of element wire or firewire.
John Bauer is a ceramicist with work in two national museums, and winner of the CSA Corobrik National Ceramic Biennial Premiere Award 2022, who exhibits widely both locally and abroad. He is known for his challenging and unique neurology that creates fertile ground for innovation. He redefines the boundaries and possibilities of porcelain, like reverse-engineering a Tsung Dynasty technology, or inventing a printing technology on porcelain coined "dioroid" which works with a responsive emulsion infused in the body of clay to capture images of ambient objects. His public installations - each one unique, made up of a kaleidoscope of matchbox-sized tiles, and dubbed "people's museums", allows the spectator to touch it and even create their own work by rubbing it.
https://www.johnbauerart.com/
Clay to Commerce: Strategizing Your Ceramics Business
Starting a ceramics business combines creativity with strategy and this workshop will guide beginners through the essentials of building a successful brand. From marketing and pricing to financial planning and sales, you'll learn practical ways to help you build a profitable and sustainable practice. In this workshop we will be doing the following:
1. Analyze perceived value
2. Discuss the importance of building a brand
3. Dive deep into pricing strategies and formulas
4. Show how to use this to create an annual plan
At the end of this workshop you'll be able to analyze what makes a successful brand, consider multiple strategies for financial planning and pricing your work. In addition, you will be able to make better cohesive decisions about how to present yourself and your work in a way that feels authentic to you.
No Required Materials Needed
Sarah Hussaini is a former Architect with a masters degree from Columbia University, she spent five years working as an architect before returning to ceramics. In 2017, she embarked on a new project with the launch of her ceramics studio, Not Work Related. Combining her technical architectural background with the handmade nature of ceramics, Sarah creates intricate and meticulously patterned pieces that occupy a space between handmade and digitally designed. This fusion of disciplines results in highly detailed ceramic pieces that showcase her dedication to craftsmanship and artistic precision.
Making It Work: The Modern Studio Potter
Wondering if it's actually possible to make a living as a potter today? (Spoiler alert: it is!) Join Naomi Clement for this candid workshop where she'll share the real deal about building a sustainable pottery career in the digital age — no starving artist clichés in sight. In this no-nonsense session, you'll learn about:
- The evolution of Naomi's pottery business (including the major lessons learned along the way)
- Balancing multiple income streams for financial stability
- Practical approaches to pricing work and communicating value
- top 10 no-nonsense tips that will help level up your creative career.
This isn't about generic "follow your dreams" advice — it's the practical wisdom Naomi wishes someone had shared when she was starting out. Because let's be real: we all make better pots when we're fed well.
No Required Materials Needed
Naomi Clement is a potter, educator, and advocate for sustainable creative careers based in Stratford, Ontario. With 30 years of experience working in clay, she brings practical know-how combined with authentic encouragement to her teaching. After receiving her BFA from NSCAD in Halifax, Naomi took an 8-year detour away from clay before returning with a renewed purpose to get her MFA from LSU in 2017. Her mission now is clear: debunking the myth of the starving artist and helping makers build careers that sustain them both creatively and financially. Through her virtual workshops, Professional Practices course, and membership program, Naomi shares the no-nonsense guidance she wishes she'd received early in her own journey. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that we all make better pots when we're fed well.
What can I deduct? Do I bring receipts to my accountant? Is my creative work a business or a hobby? What is a Schedule C? How do I deduct my home studio? Why do freelancers have to pay taxes quarterly, and how do I do that?
This workshop is presented in clear, easy-to-follow language, to help you understand your US income taxes. It's presented by a fellow creative (who is also a tax pro), who understand the importance of your creative work.
I will discuss the basic tax equation, self employment tax and the estimated quarterly tax system, audit concerns for the creative person, and other tax issues specifically relevant to creatives, makers, and freelancers.
At the end of this workshop, you'll have a clear understanding of how your income taxes work as a US-based ceramic professional. You'll leave knowing the benefits you may have been missing, what to be aware of, and be able to start tracking your business with more confidence. You'll feel empowered.No Required Material Needed
Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses and mission-driven solopreneurs. A long-time working artist herself, she’s helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education, through her Money Bootcamp program, speaking engagements from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight podcast. She is the founder of Sunlight Tax.
In this workshop, I will be teaching you how to use systems and analytics to create a sustainable and profitable ceramics business. Whether you sell at shows, through wholesale, online, or via commissions, tracking the right data can help you make informed decisions. By understanding what sells best, where your income comes from, and how to set realistic goals, you can build a business that works for you. At the end of this workshop, you will have a clear understanding of how to track and analyze your ceramics business. You'll be equipped with practical tools to monitor your progress, set meaningful goals, and make data-driven decisions that support long-term growth and success.
Required Materials:
- A notebook and pen/pencil for taking notes
- Any current sales or inventory data (if available) to reference during discussions
- Access to Square, bookkeeping spreadsheets, or other tracking tools (if already in use)
Ryan Durbin is a potter from Northern Kentucky in the United States focused on making functional items efficiently. You could say he’s a production potter, but he tries to keep production fun and loose, with no need for throwing gauges or laser guides to make each item identical. He’s been making pottery since 2007 and selling his work to the public since 2016 at 125+ local art shows, online, and consignment/wholesale with a number of shops. He also shares his process and small business insights weekly on Wheel Talk, a podcast he co-hosts with Becca Otis of 5 Lines Pottery.
Turn your ceramic surfaces into working canvas using sgraffito a versatile surface decoration technique. Sgraffito translates to “scratch or mark” in Italian and is easily adapted for use on functional or decorative work. Using colored slips and underglazes this hands on workshop will cover basics including: design and simple drawing elements, transferring designs to clay, use of tools and methods of scratching and carving to create unique, expressive, one of a kind surfaces. Form and function will be considered and simple work-arounds will be demonstrated so that all levels of student can benefit. Glazing and finishing options also be discussed leaving participants with all the foundational knowledge they will need to apply to their own work.
Required Materials: If you want to participate in the work-a-long portion of the workshop I recommend preparing several flat slab tiles (min 2”x2”) dried to stiff leather hard and and/or 2-3 simple cylindrical forms prepped by coating with 1-2 coats of colored slip or underglaze (I will be demonstrating with Laguna B-mix clay and Speedball Underglaze but any smooth body clay will work, the lower grog content the better. It’s best to practice this technique on simple forms before moving on to pots with handles or other functional elements. Straight walled tumbler style cups, cylindrical bowls or simple plates for ease of learning.
Any low grog clay body for smooth carving lines, clay color will determine the background color of the finished work. Underglaze (I'm using Speedball)
Carving Tools: small fine blade loop tools, a round, rectangular and triangular. Fine tipped stylus OR mechanical pencil end. Soft Nylon Bristle Brush Newsprint or any blank paper. Pencil and or Pen. Banding Wheel.
https://www.theveganpotter.com
In this dynamic and interactive session, we’ll explore how to create Instagram Reels (or TikTok/YouTube Shorts) that truly resonate - the kind of content that builds community, not just followers. Whether you're new to short-form video or looking to refine your editing and storytelling style, this workshop will equip you with the tools and mindset to start showing up more confidently and creatively.
We'll break down the anatomy of high-performing, heart-centered Reels, walk through real examples, and then move into a live editing demo where you'll see my process in action - from raw clips to polished final post.
You’ll leave with a clear roadmap, practical inspiration, and a fresh perspective on how to use video as a meaningful part of your creative business.
Required Materials: Your smart phone
Diana Adams is the founder of SampleHAUS, a creative studio that began by upcycling interior design waste into eclectic home décor. Over time, Diana's passion for ceramics has taken center stage in her work. Her pottery is characterized by an eclectic, graphic, and colorful style, drawing inspiration from African tribal markings and the geometric influences of the Bauhaus movement. Diana's work has garnered attention and collaborations, including a partnership with Tia Mowry x Etsy for a home line collection. Her creations are also available through West Elm's online store, making her distinctive designs accessible to a wider audience.
In this engaging session, Cherie will share her personal experiences of balancing a thriving ceramics career with the joys and challenges of motherhood. Participants will gain insights into how life's transitions influence artistic expression and learn practical strategies for integrating creativity into a busy family life.
You didn’t become a potter to spend hours struggling with tech, algorithms, or marketing funnels - but if you want to turn your pottery passion into a thriving business, smart online marketing is non-negotiable.
In this action-packed workshop, we’ll cut through the overwhelm and show you exactly how to build a sustainable marketing system that works for you... so you can get back to doing what you love: making.
Whether you're just getting started or you’re ready to scale, this workshop is packed with practical strategies to help you:
Stay visible on social media without burning out
Set up a beautiful website and online shop in minutes (no coding required)
Automate your email marketing so it runs while you sleep
Launch viral giveaways that grow your newsletter list on autopilot
This isn’t fluff - it’s the proven system we’ve developed through growing The Ceramic School and helping loads of ceramic artists succeed online.
Required Materials: Pen and paper.
Hey, I’m Joshua – founder of The Ceramic School, CRMX.ac, Ceramics.Page and Ceramics.Social - where we help potters all over the world learn new skills, grow their audience, and build sustainable creative businesses. I grew up around clay (my mom was a ceramic artist) and code (my dad was a programmer). That unique combo eventually led me to create a platform that merges both: empowering artists with the tech and tools they need to thrive online - without the overwhelm.