Pottery can be a great way to reduce stress while channeling your creative juices. However, this hobby can often lead to some major expenses if you plan on taking it on for the long haul. Although pottery has such a rich history in many different cultures around the world, fewer and fewer people are taking up the hobby as time passes. This has led to increasing prices on supplies, which may have readily been found decades ago. Luckily, there’s a few ways you can avoid these high prices though, so your stress reducing activity won’t add a larger burden to your budget. So, forget about all of the pressure weighing you down and try out these ten tips to help make your favorite hobby a lot cheaper.
1. Take a Course
If you’re just testing the waters when it comes to pottery, then your wisest option will be to take a course. This will help you get a feel for the craft without forcing you to spend a small fortune on all of the supplies you will need to do the activity. You can usually find reasonably prices courses at a community college, local shops or even in public schools. Of course, even if you are sure you want to take on pottery more often, then it may still be wise to join a class. You’ll get the necessary skills you need to be a success in the project, while also having the option to use any of the pottery supplies you need to transform your artwork into what you want it to be. Pottery courses will also give you an allotted time to practice, so you’ll make sure to spend a little time a week on your project, which will help prevent your interests from fading.
2. DIY Pottery
A lot of pottery work requires a pottery wheel, which can be a major problem if you plan on making items like bowls or vases. Pottery wheels tend to run in the thousands if you’re buying one new and used pottery wheels tend to be hard to come by and are still quite expensive. Rather than spending a small fortune on the task, you may want to consider making your own. There’s quite a few ways you can tackle this though, so make sure to do a bit research to figure out what you’re looking for when it comes to your pottery wheel. Some of the cheaper options require only a few items, such as buckets or laundry baskets, which can easily be purchased at a dollar store. You may find a few options work better for different pottery, which is sure to make your pottery hobby even more fruitful.
3. DIY Kiln
No matter what kind of pottery you choose to partake in, everything you make will need to be fired if you want it to keep its shape and paint job. Of course, this can pose a pretty big problem if you can’t afford a kiln, which can run you thousands of dollars. Sometimes, even taking your art to a professional pottery place can really add up. So, you might want to consider making your own kiln to help keep the price down. There’s lots of different methods to this, which can be customized to suit the clay you’re working with. For some clays, you can easily make them in a convection oven, depending on the size. However, other clay types may require high heat. A lot of people use fire pits to help with their firing needs, but you will need to do your own personal research to see how you can approach the kiln you need for your own specialized crafts. A quick look on a search engine will show lots of different options. Plus, you can browse online videos for a step by step guide that’s sure to lead you in the right direction.
4. Shop Second Hand
One of the best ways to combat some of the prices that pottery brings to the table is to try to shop second hand whenever you can. Often, you can find a lot of great tools for your pottery in second hand shops. These tools can always be sharpened to help them become more efficient when you’re working on your crafts. Sometimes, you may even be able to find great brushes for painting your pottery. Apart from the tools, you may find cheap shelving that is perfect for storing your projects while you’re working on them. Of course, if you’re on the lucky side of the spectrum, you may be able to find a kiln or pottery wheel on sale at a second hand store or at a garage sale. Of course, you may also want to keep in touch with art teachers, as they may be able to tell you when they’re adding to their classroom, so you can purchase any of the old equipment they may not want anymore. It’s always best to keep your ears open and your eyes peeled, as you never know when the next big deal is going to come along.
5. Buy in Bulk
When it comes to shopping for pottery supplies, the best thing you can do is buy in bulk. If you don’t think you’ll be able to use all of the supplies before they go bad, then talk to a friend who is also into pottery and see if you can split the costs. If you’re in a class or pottery club, then you may start there. Clay is one of the best things to buy in bulk though as you’ll get a great discount on it. If you don’t know where to begin then ask a local school where they get their clay supply. Before you know it, you’ll be able to craft freely without having to worry about running to the store or over-paying for your supplies. You may want to consider buying paints in bulk too, especially if you tend to paint every piece you make. Tools can be handy when bought in bulk, especially if you tend to be rough on your tools. This will allow you to always have a spare while you’re working. Other than that, you may want to consider buying latex gloves in bulk to help protect your hands from the soil.
6. Splurge on Tools
Although a lot of pottery has to do with the clay, a good portion of it also has to deal with the tools you use. From shaping the clay to transforming it into a work of art, you’ll end up using your tools more often than not. So, it might be wise to splurge on a set of tools that you know will last you for some time. These tools are usually made to last for years, as long as you maintain them. You can also make more efficient tools, like molded plates, if you have the proper tools to do so. If you’re not sure which tools will work best, then look online for reviews to help you make your choice. Before you know it, you’ll be able to create pottery that has more detail with cleaner lined that creates a professional look.
7. Go to a Shop
If you plan on picking up pottery every now and then, it might be best if you go to shop for all of your crafting needs. There are certain shops that will allow you to use the store’s supplies for a fee. Some places require you to pay by the hour, while others will charge you based on the supplies you use. This is a great way to enjoy a bit of crafting every once in a while, without forcing yourself to buy a whole bunch of supplies that will mostly collect dust. Of course, some of these shops already have pre-made pieces which will allow you to sit back for a while and simply paint to relieve your stress. The best thing about these stores if they can fire your artwork too, which takes care of one of the major costs behind pottery. All you have to do is drop off your artwork, and then pick it up when its ready.
8. Know Your Clay
If you’re just starting out on your pottery adventure, then you may want to head to your local store to pick up the first package of clay you find. Although this can be a great way to learn more about pottery, it can also be a huge waste of money if you wind up with clay that’s meant for an entirely different craft. There’s lots of different clays to choose from, so do a bit of research before you decide what to buy. One aspect of this is the way your clay needs to be fired, as different types of projects will require certain things. For instance, if you’re interested in sculpting figures then you may want to invest in porcelain clay, which can be a bit more expensive. Your basic earth clays won’t allow you to work with such small details and will make painting your figurine a nightmare. Likewise, you won’t want to use this type of clay if you plan on making a basic pot or plate.
9. Look for Coupons
The good news about crafting, is there is usually a hobby store that offers some pretty awesome coupons to help you make your favorite craft a lot cheaper. Generally, some of the more popular craft stores offer coupons weekly to help cut the costs of your hobby, but if you hold out these chain stores tend to release at least one 50% off coupon for any product. So, you may want to hold out on your shopping until they release the big coupons to help take off a good chunk of the price for a new tool set or a higher priced item, like a pottery wheel or kiln. Of course, you can also look on manufacture’s website to see if they have anything to offer too. You should be able to write to your favorite companies to see if they can offer you even more savings. Often, if a customer expresses interest, they will send them a care package or a special coupon for their loyalty to the company. However, this is not a guarantee.
10. Sell Your Art
Once you really start to get into your pottery hobby, then you may want to consider selling your art work. A lot of communities will allow local craftsman to sell their items at the farmer’s market, fairs or other community gatherings, so you may want to start there. You can also set up a booth in front of your home to sell items like you would at a garage sell. Of course, if you’re feeling ambitious, you may want to post your items on an auction site, or a craft site like Etsy. This will allow a broader audience to view your work, which is sure to help your sales out. Once you begin to make a bit of money on your items then you can use the proceeds to further your pottery needs. You may even save enough to start your own gallery or to rent a studio that will offer more room for a proper kiln. The sky is truly the limit.
Pottery is a great art form that brings such joy to the world. From homemade mugs to sculptures that thrill the senses, using clay is certainly a great way to express yourself. With these ten tips, you should be able to find your creative style without having to spend all of your savings account on the supplies.
