Blackwattle Pottery Blog Channel

CLAY GULGONG 2026

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The seven day program includes a Two Day Teacher workshop on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April, 2026. Presented by International artists in the fields of ceramics and education, this quality program will inspire you and take your ceramic student projects to the next level. Once again, we will be sponsoring this event and we really want you to take the opportunity to come to our trade stall and say hello.

Which Clay? Temperature, Texture, Colour, Price.

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Deciding which clay to use can be daunting as we supply over 100 different clays. We can talk you through our recommendation for the making and firing process working around the temperature range being earthenware, mid fire or stoneware. Are you wanting a fine, medium or coarse clay. The clay used will impact the making process and the end product. Do you want a white, natural, speckle, buff or dark coloured clay? The range in prices depend on the different raw materials within the clay body used by manufacturers. This is why we are here to help you.

Our Black Friday focus is on Black Stain.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

The two black ceramic stains we use are 509 Jet Black and 604 Charcoal Black. These stains are used to colour black clays, slips and glazes. So how do you select which black to use? For the 509 Black Stain, it fires a deep black with a blue hue as this stain is formulated on a cobalt base. We use this stain in our glazes and Jet Black casting slip and Prestige porcelain for our own work. Our preferred clay to colour black is Prestige Porcelain as this clay remains very plastic, where many clays become short with the addition of powder materials. The 604 Black stain is a much softer black and is used in our decorating slips, brushwork and water colour stain applied over our EB20 and G20 Majoilica glazes.

Ceramic Books are now available

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We have a number of books available for you. We love to have books that some of our customers have written. The books range from creative and cultural arts to specific glaze technology.

Open Studios

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Ceramic artists, sculptors and potters around Australia are opening their studios this weekend. Be inspired and connect with local artists and groups as they invite you to their work space for a tour, clay interaction and an opportunity for you to purchase a unique Christmas gift.

WHS in the Ceramic Studio and Art Room

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

A methodical and organised approach will aid productivity, creativity and embed good work habits as you continue to develop and refine your ceramic skills. Constant cleaning in your studio or art room is essential for a safe work area when using clay and glazes. As clay contains silica, regular cleaning with a wet sponge, wet vacuum or mop, will reduce the risk of breathing dust caused by the clay and glazes. We use a reusable 1/2 face, twin filter face mask in our Blackwattle Pottery workshop, manufacture and warehouse areas. RESPIRATOR KIT A P2 dust particle filter is necessary when exposure to silica, dry glaze materials.

Interact with our new BLOG

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We are based in Sydney and plan to share some of our ceramic and pottery knowlege and skills by inviting you to interact with our new blog. John and I established our studio practice in Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont, Sydney over 42 years ago and welcomed our son Mike to our family business over 12 years ago. We commenced our ceramic and pottery supply store in Ingleburn due to demand by ceramic artists and potters for the quality Australian clays we manufacture on site. We look forward to sharing some of our ceramic experiences with you.