How to organise Your Pottery Studio
Creating different zones
In my studio, I’ve learned how important it is to separate different stages of the making process. I keep one shelf strictly for fresh work that needs to dry, another for bisque-fired pots, and a third for glazed pieces waiting for the kiln. It makes such a difference, nothing gets mixed up, and I can clearly see where everything is at a glance.
For working, I prefer a high table with a surface that’s easy to clean and not sticky. Laminated tables, cement board HardieBacker type, plaster boards or canvas stretched over boards work really well. Having these small “zones” makes my day flow so much better.
Where everything lives
If you’re like me, you probably have a growing collection of tools, jars, brushes, and studio bits and bobs. The only way I stay sane is by giving every single item a proper “home.”
I keep my glazes, underglazes, slips, stains, oxides, and wax resist together on one dedicated shelf so I never have to waste time searching. On another shelf, I store my equipment: banding wheel, scale, respirator mask, and extra glazing buckets.
For my everyday hand tools, I use the Tool Rack. Its multi-sized holes fit all my pottery tools perfectly, keeping them upright, visible, and always within reach while I work.
Clay storage and recycling
Clay can take over your space so quickly if you don’t have a solid system. I keep my fresh clay blocks stored inside a open wire-grid cabinet I found at a garage sale, I love being able to see my stock at a glance. Pro tip: store your clay slightly elevated off the floor so you don't constantly have to bend down to lift heavy bags!
For clay recycling, a simple setup is a lifesaver. I keep one bucket for white clay and another for dark clay, both sitting on wheeled dollies so I can move them around effortlessly. I use a plaster bed to dry out slop clay and a plaster slab to wedge it back into shape. Having a dedicated recycling corner saves money, minimizes waste, and keeps the studio tidy.
Studio on the go with The Artist Nest
Over the years, I’ve collected a core set of favourite tools I reach for every single time. With The Artist Nest Bag, going to classes, workshops, or clay sessions with friends is effortless.
The 18 exterior pockets keep small items like sponges, ribs, and trimming tools within easy reach. But what makes this bag truly unique is its 9 exclusive interior compartments. Taller and open at the bottom, these vertical pockets hold larger items, like rollers, angle cutters, water bottles, and aprons, upright so nothing gets lost at the bottom.
The Artist Bag & The Tool Rack
In the spacious central compartment, I keep my Tool Rack, always loaded with 60+ tools and ready to move from shelf to bag to table. That same space easily holds my sketchbook and iPad, making my creative kit complete wherever I go.
For me, it’s not just about carrying supplies; it’s about arriving anywhere and starting to make immediately.
If you're looking for a pottery tool bag with serious organisation, explore our complete collection with free tracked shipping across Australia, the USA, the UK, Europe, and New Zealand.
What do you have and what are you missing?
Tools List
✦ Loop and ribbon tools
✦ Wooden, rubber & metal ribs
✦ Fettling knife
✦ Needle tool
✦ Brushes
✦ Wire cutter
✦ Scissors
✦ Modelling tools
✦ Wooden paddle
✦ Wooden rolling pin
✦ Plastic scraper
✦ Sponges
✦ Banding wheel
✦ Tool rack
✦ The artist bag
Materials List
❤︎ Glazes
❤︎ Stains and oxides
❤︎ Underglazes
❤︎ Slip and engobes
❤︎ Paint mediums
❤︎ Plaster for molds
❤︎ Wax resist
❤︎ Recycling bats
❤︎ Plastic sheets/fabrics for covering work
❤︎ Bubble wrap/fabric for transporting
❤︎ Plastic crates for transporting to kiln
❤︎ Buckets
❤︎ Mixing bowls
❤︎ Measuring jugs
Equipment List
▶︎ Table with non-stick surface
▶︎ Shelves: drying, bisque & glazed
▶︎ Plaster bat reclaiming clay
▶︎ Plaster slab for wedging
▶︎ Pottery wheel
▶︎ Banding wheel
▶︎ Kiln (or access to kiln)
▶︎ Digital scale
▶︎ Respirator mask
▶︎ Hot wax pot (for wax resist)
▶︎ Clay extruder
▶︎ Slab machine (or rolling pin)
▶︎ Spray gun or airbrush
▶︎ Tripod & background paper roll for photography
Choosing the Right Pottery Tool Bag
If you're heading to pottery classes, workshops, or a shared studio and tired of tools
getting tangled or damaged in transit, I've put together a detailed guide on what to
look for a pottery tool bag. It covers internal vs external pockets, capacity,
durability, and what makes The Artist Nest bags different from imported options.
