Primitive Pottery Supply List

Getting started in pottery can be expensive and daunting. Even primitive pottery, which does not require expensive equipment like pottery wheels or electric kilns, can be challenging for a newcomer. Where, for example, can a person buy a puki? Or what can I use for black paint?

This page offers a quick, easy list of primitive pottery supplies, both authentic and modern alternatives. To begin go to the section you are interested in using the menu below, then scroll to the specific pottery supply you are interested in to see options for acquiring natural or manufactured options.

Additional items (takes you to a separate page)

Materials

Clay

Wild Clay

Store Bought Clay

Any “low fire” commercial clay can work. However if you will be firing outdoors, without a kiln then you will probably want to add some extra temper to your clay. I recommend about 20% temper to withstand the thermal shock of an open fire. Raku clays are usually well tempered to withstand thermal shock.

Temper

Sand is often readily available from nature even within cities and makes a decent temper.
Diatomaceous earth makes a good temper and can be purchased at most hardware stores and can be ordered online at Amazon
Commercial grog materials are also available online, here is one source.

Slips

Low fire commercial clays can be used as slips.
Clays that are too course can be purified using the levigation process.

Paint

Red

Natural red paint is made using soft hematite (iron ore)
Store bought hematite is called “red iron oxide” and can be purchased online at Amazon here
Red underglaze is an easy alternative to mixing mineral paint, here is a link to Amazon

Black

Natural black paint is most often made with manganese dioxide
Processed manganese is available commercial and can be ordered from Amazon at this link
Black underglaze is an easier alternative to mixing mineral paint, here is a link to buy it on Amazon

White

Naturally derived white paint is most often white clay.
White commercial clay can work if it is relatively low fire
White underglaze is also available and can be ordered from Amazon here

Mineral paints will need to be mixed with a little bit of clay so that it will harden in the fire properly.

Tools

Ribs

Gourd ribs are traditional in the American Southwest, I sell gourd scrapers at this link
Commercial silicone ribs make a good alternative, here is an online source
Metal ribs are another alternative that are sometimes used, they can be purchased on Amazon at this link

Puki

Traditional ceramic pukis can be purchased from New Mexico Clay at this link
You can make your own ceramic pukis using the instructions in my class that is free for signing up for my newsletter.
Any round bottom bowl can be used if a piece of cloth is placed in the bottom first to keep clay from sticking. Here are some inexpensive plastic, round bottomed bowls on Amazon that will work

Polishing Stones

I sell polishing stones that I have hand selected to be of the correct size and shape for pottery making.
Various polished stones are available online but it is often hard to know if the shape or size is appropriate for polishing pottery until it arrives in the mail. Here is a link to a nice smooth stone on Amazon.
You can really use almost anything that is smooth, the back of a spoon and engine push rods are two common options.

Primitive Pottery Supply List

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Materials