CPT Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hello everyone! I have recently decided to start my own ceramics studio. Got my used kilns (they were a steal) as well as glazes, molds, clay, pouring table for slip, etc. I used to teach ceramics at the high school level but it's been a LOOONG time since I've really gotten my hands on this stuff. I have boxes everywhere! My question is: how to set up my studio in my basement? How do you all arrange your studio? Any suggestions for Wet/Dry area, shelves, kilns, etc? Thanks a bunch!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeye Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hello everyone! I have recently decided to start my own ceramics studio. Got my used kilns (they were a steal) as well as glazes, molds, clay, pouring table for slip, etc. I used to teach ceramics at the high school level but it's been a LOOONG time since I've really gotten my hands on this stuff. I have boxes everywhere! My question is: how to set up my studio in my basement? How do you all arrange your studio? Any suggestions for Wet/Dry area, shelves, kilns, etc? Thanks a bunch!!! I cant help you with setting up your studio but wanted to say hi and welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 If you click on the Ceramic Arts Daily link at the top of the page you will find video tours of potters studios ... Might see some good ideas. Your set up depends on what you are going to be doing ... Throwing? Hand building? Mold work? Your kiln needs to be vented outside so that decides where it has to be. You don't want to be working in the same room when your kiln is firing so that might dictate where your work area is. Where are the lights? The water? The windows? Where is the best place for shelves? It is kind of the same idea as designing any other room ... You have to balance space with economy of movement. For me personally, I find the more space I have the bigger mess I make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Posted February 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks for the tips! I will be mostly throwing, handbuilding, some molding. Just had some 240V outlets installed this past weekend for my two kilns....have to keep them inside, can't put outside, but I have lots of windows and a backdoor I can open for ventilation. I am bisque firing right now, but I do not work while firing. I go downstairs only to switch the switches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks for the tips! I will be mostly throwing, handbuilding, some molding. Just had some 240V outlets installed this past weekend for my two kilns....have to keep them inside, can't put outside, but I have lots of windows and a backdoor I can open for ventilation. I am bisque firing right now, but I do not work while firing. I go downstairs only to switch the switches. Since you are firing in a basement, where the fumes will go into the home, I would strongly recommend the installation of a vent system for the kilns. Remember that sulfuric oxides are released during firing along with CO and CO2 these can be health hazards to you and yours, and even more to your pets. I fire in a garage, and make it a point not to work when firing, even though I do have a chimney with a vent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Congratulatios on your new studio. I just moved to my own garage studio over Christmas and have the same dilemma. Think of a flow. Clay comes in ,moves to wedging table, to wheel, to ware table, back to wheel for trimming, then on to ware shelves for drying. Have a separate area for glazing close to the kiln. I built a vent opening for my kiln but have yet to move it in. I washed the floor[concrete] once and the mop really drags. It's a drag mopping too. I want to seal the floor first, with some kind of acrylic sealant. A buddy of mine has an industial cleaning service. I will seal the floor, set up shelves on the outer walls, and try to be far away from the kiln. Enjoy.TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I agree on a kiln vent system to suck out the fumes so they do not get into house Vent them outdoors-this is important. As as set up think work flow-clay into space -fired pots out of space-less travel back and forth-so clay area wedging table to hand building/slab/throwing-to dry area-so kilns to glaze area to kilns to out the door Just think that thru twice and the rest will follow. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Posted February 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hi Mark: Thanks for the tips. only thing is that we RENT our house, so putting in additional vents may not be the case. I have an open window above the kiln and I can open the side door. I may try cross drafting and use a fan so that it blows out excess fumes through the open door to the outside. I've also heard of Vent a Kiln....what do you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atanzey Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 If you have a window, you could probably adapt a vent-a-kiln to that without having to permanently install anything - Just make a plywood insert that you can 'close into' the window and run the vent through it. But a power vent of some kind is a VERY good idea - you'll be hard pressed to direct the fumes where you want them to go just with windows and fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Posted February 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Ok, great, thanks for the tip. I'll have to get a quote on a vent a kiln, as I'm just starting out and may not be able to afford one at the moment. I may get one within the next month or two. Cross vent is the most I can do right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 vent a kiln is something you can take with you when you move again-the above post with the window insert is the way to go. My kilns are all outside- under cover so venting is non issue. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meisie Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I kinda have to work around the husbands fishing stuff! :-) Although when he finds clay splatters on his best reel he has been motivated to move things. Sorry not useful advice here. :-) Hello everyone! I have recently decided to start my own ceramics studio. Got my used kilns (they were a steal) as well as glazes, molds, clay, pouring table for slip, etc. I used to teach ceramics at the high school level but it's been a LOOONG time since I've really gotten my hands on this stuff. I have boxes everywhere! My question is: how to set up my studio in my basement? How do you all arrange your studio? Any suggestions for Wet/Dry area, shelves, kilns, etc? Thanks a bunch!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juli Long Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 Hi CPT, Welcome to the board. juli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conniefi Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 My studio is in my Bedroom...I sleep in living room. It is small and has everything I need. Even a small kiln I put on my balcony to fire. I had to change it two times to get it just right. Now, I have to clear out one of closet for ceramic stuff. Then I am done. It is a joy to have your own studio. Welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLN Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 My husband converted a spare bedroom for my studio, bringing me out of the cold garage. I've found that in my little studio (9'x9'), shelf space is a premium, and I use every possible available space, and am finding ways to create more!. My son, helped me build a reclaim table that has a shelf on the bottom for clay storage. It has wheels, and can roll under one of my work tables and be moved out of the way. I found the plan for it in an issue of Ceramics Monthly or Pottery Illustrated, and it's been a great help. As for lighting, my husband hung two shop lights for me and changed to daylight bulbs, so I have great light no matter what the time of day/night is. My little kiln remained outside in the garage for venting. I too, like many other posts before me, feel venting is very important. In the summers, there are times when I chase my husband out of the garage when I'm firing, with open windows and doors. Good luck with your new studio! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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