Inspiration & Guides

Learn how to sharpen suitable ceramic tools, maintain their cutting edges and care for different tool materials. With the right techniques and regular maintenance, you can help keep your tools in good condition and extend their useful life. This guide is based on In the Studio: Not the Sharpest Tool in the Box by Michael Sherrill, owner of Mudtools, published in the September/October 2015 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated.

Autumn brings plenty of inspiration to the pottery studio, from earthy colours and organic shapes to playful decorations for Halloween. Whether you're creating functional ceramics or decorative pieces, the season offers an opportunity to explore new techniques and experiment with different finishes.

Discover Hartenfels' range of plaster molds and see how thoughtfully designed molds can bring structure, variety and creative possibilities to your ceramic work. This catalog presents products that combine functionality and creativity, giving you more ways to shape and express your ceramic pieces.

Mayco continues to inspire ceramic artists around the world with new colours and surface effects. The Stoneware Collection 2026 introduces ten new glazes featuring soft pastels, sparkling crystal effects and deep nature-inspired tones. The new collection is made for ceramicists who enjoy experimenting with glaze combinations and creating unique surfaces where every firing reveals a different result.

Versa 5 is a Cone 5–6 stoneware glaze series that combines vibrant color with a stiff melt for excellent control. Designed to preserve texture, relief, and layered decoration, the glazes can be mixed and layered freely to create virtually unlimited color combinations. Ideal for both functional and decorative ceramics.

Fundamentals® Underglazes, Designer Liner, and E-Z Stroke® are versatile underglazes for mid-range and high-fire ceramics (Cone 5–10). The range delivers vibrant color, fine detail, and reliable performance for everything from painterly decoration to sgraffito, illustration, and full coverage. Suitable for clay, greenware, and bisque, and easily combined with clear glazes and other Mayco products.

Stroke & Coat® and Speckled Stroke & Coat® are versatile mid-range to high-fire glazes (Cone 5–10). The range combines strong color intensity with stable application, suitable for both opaque coverage and decorative effects. Ideal for layering, expressive surfaces, and creative ceramic work.

Stroke & Coat® and Speckled Stroke & Coat® are highly pigmented low-fire glazes at Cone 06/05, designed for bold, controlled color with easy application. The series delivers opaque, stable surfaces that resist movement in layering, while the speckled versions add playful visual depth. Ideal for design work, illustration, and strong color compositions.

Stoneware Flux Combinations explores how base glazes interact with Flux at cone 5/6, where color and movement merge into unexpected surfaces. Combinations like Speckled Moody Blue, Tuxedo, Cant-elope, Hot Tamale, Blue Isle, and Lime Light under Flux create depth, flow, and dynamic variation.

Control meets chaos in Crawls – a Cone 5/6 series where glazes intentionally pull back from the surface, revealing raw ceramic, layered color, and organic texture. Each firing develops uniquely, ranging from subtle breakaways to bold, exposed surfaces full of depth and movement.