Pottery Top Tip: How to make your own kiln stilts/kiln props - Pottery Video/Pottery Tutorial
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- In this video I show you how to make your own kiln stilts/kiln props to enable you to fully glaze your pieces without leaving a section unglazed to stop it sticking to the kiln shelf. Commercial bought kiln props can be expensive and can only be used a couple of times before they are covered in glaze (at upwards of £1.30 each plus P&P) so it makes sense to make these out of the clay that you already have. I use clay that has been contaminated with pigments and coloured slips from my monoprinted slabs (check out the monoprinting playlist on my channel for more on this). You will need to purchase some Nichrome wire which is readily available on Amazon and probably from your clay supplier. It needs to be a fairly hefty guage, say about 12 guage, so that it doesn’t bend when fired in the kiln. I hope this is a practical “how to” guide that will save you money.
Hi I’m Sarah Amos. I gave up my day job and am now living the dream as a full-time potter and teacher, running courses from my studio, The Pottery Corner, in a little village just outside Chichester on the South Coast of England. With Cissy and Charlie, my studio companions, we welcome students of all abilities from complete beginners to the more experienced, teaching throwing on the potters wheel as well as handbuilding techniques.
I love to share my clay experience and knowledge by passing on pottery techniques in my Top Tip Tuesday videos; which include full tutorials on items to try out yourselves. I also sell my work via my Website and Etsy Shop. So grab a cuppa, sit back, relax and let’s dive into what’s going on in The Pottery Corner today.
Don’t forget to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified of when new content is published. Thanks for watching.
My Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/u...
My Website: www.thepotterycorner.co.uk
Thank you for showing me how to make Kiln stilts. Your instructions are easy to follow and thorough. Best ceramic instruction video I have ever seen. YOU are the best and I appreciate the information you share.
Thank you so much for your kind words - what a lovelything to say. Much appreciated 🙏 😊. Means a lot
I did not know that watching the commercials help you. I think that’s not too much trouble to watch them if it supports you. Thank you for letting us know...and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Aw thanks Sherri - much appreciated. It is a small amount of advertising revenue but every little helps in these times of Covid when my studio has been locked down for 5 months! Thanks for watching - glad the content is helpful.
Agree with Sherri. I didn't know that skipping adds meant that content makers didn't get a payment. I will watch through from now on.
Hi and thanks for watching. That's kind of you to watch the ads! They don't pay much but the little bit is much appreciated. 😊
Thank You - I'm so happy I found this You tube page!
Hi Marilyn and thanks so much for watching 😊
I have been a recreational potter for 20 years. I love clay because I can continually learn new skills and techniques. Thank you for being so skilled, organized and concise. From Southern Illinois
Thanks so much for watching and your kind words. Much appreciated 🙏
You are absolutely the best teacher ever! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Aww thanks so much Susan - what a lovely compliment. Glad you found it helpful. ☺️
Hi there, I’m watching from Australia and you have been great. I have learned so much. Thank you
Thanks so much for watching from across the globe 🌎. Great to have you along 😀
Cookies are such a great idea! I will be doing this from now on. Thank you! 😊
Thanks so much for watching 👀 😊
Another Great Tip Top Tuesday Sarah! This one is really 2 tips in one! :0)) I had no idea you benefit from us you-tubers watching the ads, so that's a great tip too!. I will certainly watch the ads from now on. The community kiln I use at a local ceramic shop has props available to use at no charge, but this is a great tip; especially if I should find a need for a custom shape or size. That shop also provides cookies to use, but I now prefer to use the nice ones I made after watching your video on cookies. Made mine with texture, as you suggested. They are much better! Thanks again for sharing, and big congrats on your milestone with CZcams!!
Thank you Joann. They're really kind words. I much appreciate your support and I'm really pleased you get something from the tutorials to use in your own clay journey. Bless you 🙏
Love your videos! Always learn so much from you.❤
Thanks so much for binge watching my videos! Always great to have new viewers. 😊
Wonderful information many thanks from Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks for watching Julie. Great to have you along 😀
You are a great teacher!
Thanks so much for your kind words 🙏. Great to have you along.
Sarah, Thank you so much for this video, I have been wondering about this very subject since last year when I was making spoons. I was told that the commercial ones with wire burn out at Cone 6, but there seemed to be different quality wires in the commercial ones I found, so that explains why. You have clarified for me what can and can't be done, so I am very keen to try and make my own! Very simple instructions, thank you. I have made my cookies already, and assembled various slips and textures, so I am almost ready to try monoprinting. Karen (from Gold Coast Australia)
Hi Karen - these wired stilts would be perfect for spoons. You could make your own custom shape especially for them. Nichrome wire comes in various guages- you'll need 12 or over so it doesn't bend too much. Enjoy monoprinting- I'm completely hooked!😁
Thank you again for really useful tips.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you found it helpful 😊
Lot of good advises thank you from France
Merci Francoise. Thanks so much for watching. 😊
Thanks for all your great tips and information! I never had the idea, to build my own kiln props. Usually I put my pots on firing sand. So I can trim off dripped glaze from the edges with a file and my dremel. And nothing can stick on the kiln shelves. But now I will try these.
Thanks for watching Claudia- so pleased you found this useful 😀
Thank you for these informative videos, really appreciate the info you share with us. Will try to watch some of the adverts.😊
Thanks for watching Gina. I'm so pleased you found this helpful 😀
Great informational video! I have been looking at ways to suspend my pieces while firing!
Great! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching 😊
I am your fan.
Lovely greetings from the Netherlands
Thanks Marion - great to hear from you again 😁
You solved the mystery of what wire to use to make stilts!! Yay! Now I can make ones to fit the pieces I make without worrying about using what is available at the shared kiln where I fire my work.
Thanks for watching. I'm so pleased this helped you ☺️
I didn't know that about commercial's, I'll not skip another one😉🧡
Thanks Michelle - every little helps! 😀
Brilliant idea - I’m going to make some! There’s also a company in the UK, pretty sure it’s called Hot Wires, that sells lots of different types of wire inc Nichrome, so another source.
Thanks Lorraine. Great tip 👍. An easy and effective make.
Love this genius-just watched it again
Thanks Barbara. I used the wire 'staples' that I'd kept from changing the kiln elements. Ultimately recycling! The wire needs to be quite short 4-5mm otherwise may bend with the weight. Thanks again for watching 😁
I’m not looking forward to the day when I will need to change my elements 😱. Much research will need to be done
@@barbarakrajewski4555 - actually it wasn't too bad! A mechanical husband and photos of how it all looked before taking anything apart!😄
Sarah, your videos are the absolute best! I am a complete newbie and have watched absolutely tons of YT tutorials. Yours, by far, are the tops! I love that you mix up your content to show what really takes place in the studio and that you reference other artists and those that influence your work. I've just been gifted a kiln and, though quite old, I'm hopeful it will get me started. Knowing I can create my own cookies (brilliant tip to texture them!) and props to save $$ feels like even more of a bonus. I'm looking forward to viewing all of your videos. Thank you so very much! Oh! And BTW... I did not know that watching the entire ad is required for you to make any YT $$. Going forward, I will be sure to watch the complete ad. 😊
Hey Bridget and thanks so much for watching. Really appreciate your kind words 😊. Good luck with your new kiln!
You always had so good and brilliant ideas and I want to thank you once more ❤️😍👍🏼
Hi Helena - thanks for watching - good to hear from you again.
You are delightful & so informative. From now on I'll watch all the ads!
Thanks so much for your kind words 🙏. Good to have you along.
Very cool idea i definitely will be making these thanks so much. Hopefully you are doing well hope to see more of your beautiful work.
Hi Kathryn- thanks for watching. Spring is upon us, the spring flowers are blooming and lockdown doesn't seem so bad in the better weather. We have three more weeks before the students are allowed to return- can't wait. Kind of you to comment. Hope things are well with you 🙏
Just found you and really enjoyed watching and the information -- subscribed and liked 👍🏼
Thanks for watching and commenting. Good to have you along 😄
I'm finally going to make kiln stilts, so I'm rewatching your video 😊 thank you so much for your guidance.
Great- have fun! 😁
Thank you again for this wonderful video. You have definitely saved me a fortune - they don't last long and therefore I'm keen to make my own.
Hope things are improving over there - Kay from Tasmania
- thanks Kay - glad it was helpful. Things improving slowly here hoping I can open my studio to the students from 12 April! Trying to sort out my mess from the last few months. Hope all is well with you 🙏
Your videos are the best ones I've watched in order to learn more about ceramics. I am so appreciative of all the content you produce!!
Thanks Suzanne for watching the channel and for your very kind words and support. Much appreciated 🙏 ☺
Thankyou..I really appreciate the lesson
Thanks Julie. Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching 😀
Thank you … Greetings from Germany 🌞
Thanks for watching Tanja - great to have you along 😀
Thanks for the tips. I’ve made my own kiln stilt mats, but not the regular ones. Will give it a go.
A very simple make to save money. Thanks for watching Polly 😁
Thanks for all the videos. You do a great job. I'm monoprinting tomorrow and so excited.
Hi Cindy. Thanks for commenting. Enjoy your monoprinting journey- my favourite process by far 😁
Dear Sarah,
thank you for your nice videos every week. I am your fan.
Lovely greetings from Austria
Thank you Eva - much appreciated 🙏
Thank you so much! As a beginning potter - this is the best! Xo
Great! Glad to have helped. Thanks for watching 😊
You are a wonderful teacher! I am just beginning and you taught me so much on this, my first video of yours🌸
Hi Cathy. Thanks for watching and welcome along. You've quite a back catalogue to catch up on! Thanks for your kind words 😊
Good idea, I never thought about making my own stilts. I don't use kiln was either!
Thanks for watching 😀. Glad you found it useful 🙏
You are just delightful and I would be happy to watch a few ads :):):) (you have saved me so much time, I owe you lol)
Thanks Frances- much appreciated. Thanks for watching 😁
Thanks. Very helpful
Thanks for watching. 😊
Hello Sarah, your videos are brilliant and informative. I will watch the ads in future now I know it helps you. I look forward to top tip Tuesdays. Many Thanks
Thanks Clare for watching and for your comment about the adverts. I know they're a pain but it does at least pay me a very small revenue to keep providing content each week. I'm really glad you find my content useful - thanks
Brilliant idea. 😁
Thanks for watching 😀
Lots of love from Turkey, Bodrum🤗🤗🌹🌹🙏🙏👍🧿
Thanks for watching again. Great to hear from you.😀
Very important and necessary information. Thank you, Sarah! 😘
Thanks so much for tuning in Juli. Great to have you along. ☺️
Congratulations on the great news re your channel! I promise to watch the ads when I'm watching your videos from now on...continued success :)
Aw thank you Lisa. The ad revenue is not a fortune but as they say every little helps! Thanks for your lovely comment 😀
Heel leerrijk bedankt 💐💐🥂
Thanks for watching Jacqueline 😊
Thank you so much. I didn't know about the wire! It's so helpful!
I'm glad you found that tip useful - pretty neat idea! They work really well as seen in the latest kiln opening video on my channel 😁
Congratulations.
Happy to watch the adds now and then.
Thank you Linda. That would be very kind of you. I know they're pretty annoying but as I say that little bit of ad revenue means I can continue to put content up each week 🙏
thank you so much, your videos are great
Thanks for watching. Great to have you along 😀
Greetings from Czech, Thank you so much for your inspirations and I think that your lovely videos can help us as well :)
Thanks Gabriela - glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.😀
I was just starting to make some of these when I saw your video. I make lots of small items, so I need some very small stilts. I made a mold by scooping out three holes that overlap out of a piece of plaster. I'll put little pieces of wire in them.
The other thing that I want to make is a stand to hang pendants from in the kiln. I was looking for ideas. I'm going to try making one out of clay slabs. I have some NiChrome wire to hang them with. Maybe you could cover some designs for that purpose, beads.
Thanks.
Thanks so much for watching. Glad you found it helpful. A pendant/bead stand is a great idea 😊
Sarah, well done on your CZcams channel, hope it works out well for you. That tuppence ha'penny per play will add up.
I have made stilts using the ^10 Kanthal wire and will be trying them out in the next firing experimenting with a flat clock on three rows just to see how it works out. Looking for answers if the stilts cause a drag when single firing during the shrinking period, if the clock warps, if they bend will they bend in one direction....always fun to test.
I will go to your website and see if I can send you some pics of said stilt combos.(Cookie stilt combo)
This is a really good money saver for folk who would use a lot of stilts.
Thanks Freddie- sometimes, as we all know, the kiln gods are unpredictable. I like to glaze my work underneath and this is the only way without too much expense. Some of the kiln props are a few quid each (that's a lot of CZcams ads 🤣). Running a studio with students i often have to use props due to their inexperience with glaze application! Thanks for tuning in again. Hope the sun is shining in Florida 🍹😁
Thank you so much for this video...would like to know the right gauge of wires
I love the videos! Always something new to learn and I absolutely love the little monsters leaf planters.
Thanks Mildred. Good to have you along. Don't forget to subscribe - new content every week. I've just filmed next weeks video - now the difficult job of the editing!
Thank you. I have been wanting to make my own but couldn’t figure out which metal would be safe!
Thanks for watching Amanda. Glad it's been helpful 😊
Amazing, I'm so excited !!! This will help my classroom budget!!!!
Thank you so much!
Hi Joan. Thanks for commenting. Glad it's helpful. Budget ideas are definitely the best - just love a bargain!😁
Really nice class. We are the ones to be grateful. I am going to try and make a few stilts for my kiln. I was just wondering if the clay wouldn't shrink around the wire and maybe break.
Hi Ulisses and thanks so much for watching. I haven't had a problem with the clay shrinking and cracking around the wire. If the wire is too long them it will bend over. Really hope that helps 🙏 😊
Never thought to make my own stilts! Thank you so much.
Hope the tip was useful - thanks for watching.
Yes! Got the wire and they are in the kiln.
@@carolynpearce4829 Great!
I lived in Miami Florida, United States. And I’ve been doing pottery for 2 years. I just found you on CZcams few weeks ago! And I loved your videos, thank you!
Thank you for generous sharing your knowledge on pottery. You’re very details and explained really well, thanks again!
I have a favor to ask you, can you show how to make that gorgeous oval platter, please! Thank you! Best wishes to you! Keep safe!😘
Hi Peggy glad you've found my channel. I will certainly add platter making to the list of videos to film. Great idea! Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂
Hallo hier Jacqueline uit België ik werk de puntjes altijd bij mer acryl verf….dat kan ik mengen en zo dicht mogelijk bij de kleur geraken !!! Geen witte puntjes meer Groetjes 👋👋👋👋🥂
Thank you for your videos, they are very interesting, thank you for your advice.
Thanks for watching Josi. Good to hear from you. 😁
Also congratulations on your channel reaching monetarisation ( hmm spelling? -not a word I use often 😂)
And thanks for your advice about the black blob on my kiln shelf- my subsequent firings are all going well- I just make sure the mark is covered with a cookie.
That's great - glad to hear it and thank you for the congrats. Feels like a massive milestone to me - I now have about 1,300 subscribers - people from all over the world watching me in my little studio on the South Coast of England - amazing and mind blowing. 😁
Great content....thanks so much, so very informative!!!
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you found the content helpful 🙏
Thank you for this great video! Aloha from Hawaii!
Thanks so much Betty I think you're my first viewer from Hawaii! Amazing 😁
Awesome
Thanks for watching 😊
Thank you for your great information. I appreciate it very much. I have a question on how to stilt a very wide form. I hump mold birdbaths using the outside of a skylight lens. Most have at least a 12 inch diameter. They bisque without warping or drooping. I haven’t actually glaze fired any of them because I’m concerned they will slump. Can you make those stilt holders bigger and the actual Nichrome wire longer to support the outside of the birdbath along the entire diameter? I keep the birdbath depth no more than 3 inches since birds want to keep their feet down on the bottom of the birdbath. But they do curve upward so that the outside edge can be 3 inches higher than the base. I hope I’m describing this accurately. I’ve wondered if it wouldn’t be wiser to fire these upside down leaving the top edge unglazed. Being upside down would the entire diameter of the pot be supported all the way across the pot? I’m kinda stuck at this point. I haven’t found any book that specifically addresses the possibility of slumping birdbaths.
Hi Annie and thanks for watching. I think I get your meaning in your question. If the birdbaths bisque fire without slumping then they shouldn't do so in the glaze firing. If the nichrome wire is too long then it will bend in the firing so that isn't really an option. If it were mine, I would have a small unglazed patch on the bottom that I could stand it on a cookie rather than stilting as you are asking a lot if the piece is very heavy. If you fire upside down the rim will not be glazed and this is more vulnerable to the elements than the bottom that you are not going to see. My option would be to make and bisque an appropriate sized cookie (out of your usual clay body - there is a video on how to do this on the channel which may be useful here) - stand it on the cookie with an unglazed patch underneath. Really hope that helps. Let me know how you get on and you can always send photos via my website - address in description. Cheers Sarah
Thanks for getting back to me. I figured longer pieces of the Nichrome wire wouldn’t work. I’ll glaze and fire one birdbath using cone 5/6 glazes and let you know how it goes. I will be making cookies to use under all my pieces from now on. So much easier than grinding glaze off kiln shelves.
Thank you. Your tutorials are very helpful and I aways find they are of practical use both for my own ceramic practice and the pottery inclusion group I run. Just a question here about ceramic kiln props ...are you able to cut the 12 gauge wire with regular jewellery pliers?
Hi Denise. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. You can cut the wire with normal side cutters. It is quite tough though. Glad you've found the content helpful 👍 😀
Hi, thank you very much for your tutorials. They are wonderful and very helpful. (Loved particularly your very English way of apologizing about the ads and encouraging to watch the adds; quit brilliant!:)
I do have a question. My kiln stilts keep getting “glued”/stuck to my shelves. What causes it and how can it be prevented? Also do they need to be exchanged at some point I.e. do they have an expiration date?
Thanks for watching and for your kind words. Much appreciated. Sometimes if you have a heavyish piece on a kiln stilt it will just adhere slightly to the shelf. I don't suffer too much with this but I have had bisque fired craft crank clay "stick" together which only needs a very small tap with a hammer to get it apart. I use the kiln stilts until the wire starts to bend, which it will do after several firings. If this happens then obviously this renders them useless. If the wire is not affixed into the stilt then you can just change the wire for new wire without making a new stilt which can cut out some of the process. Hope that helps. Keep watching - new content on my channel nearly every week 😁
Thank but I meant the actual kiln stilts/columns not sure what you call them, but the things that hold up your shelves.
@@adelbendavid5512 oh! The kiln furniture- apologies. They do stick to each other a little bit a firm tap will release them make sure there is no glaze on the shelf where the stilts are otherwise they'll definitely stick. I have had my set with the kiln for -5-6 years so they last a long long time. Hope that helps 🙏
Hallo Sarah,
Thank you so much for the video’s, they are really very helpful!
I was wondering, could I make a cookie with metal pins in it, so it can function as a kiln stilt at the same time? (I saw your movie about stilts and props).
Greetings from the Netherlands!
Hi Rob and thanks for watching and your kind words. Yes - but you need to use nichrome wire. This will bend in the heat so needs to be kept short. Hope that helps 😊
Hier in België betalen wij veel verzendingskosten bijna zoveel als het product kost 😖
Hello thank you for your informative videos. Could you pls tell us about glass and minerals /stones with ceramics ? Thanks again have a lovely day :)
Thanks for watching. There's info on using glass in Part 2 of the sculptural poppy head series - check out that playlist on my channel. Hope that helps 😄
@@thepotterycorner Oh thank you I've watched it already
The only thing better that watching your videos is hearing you say Chichester!
You are a card - that made me laugh! Thanks for watching again. How did you get on with the monoprinting?? Had a chance yet?
@@thepotterycorner not yet but I’ll post a photo when I do.
Whar gauge are you using? I looked on Amazon, but they only offer 14, 21, 20, 22, 32, etc. gauge. I am a novice, so any info would be appreciated.
Hi Carol - I'm using about 12 gauge wire - I would think that 14 gauge would be OK if you can't find any 12. The stilts certainly save a lot of money on buying the ones from clay suppliers. Thanks for watching 😀
I had no idea on the ad skip! Pop kettle on time...just like going back to the olden days of advert break...kettle! lol
Thank you Jennie - very kind😁
Genius! Xxxx
Why thank, you! What a lovely thing to say. Glad it was useful Barbara
Wondering if I could get the sizes of your kiln stilts and then make some from there.
Hi Heidi. I use different sizes of kiln props- some are large and some small. You can make them any size - the more different ones the better really. Hope that helps 🙏
@@thepotterycorner yes thank you very much. You truly are gifted and talented.
can we make our own shelf props for kilns ?
Hi Janice. I guess you could out of a very robust clay (like crank) but kiln shelves are heavy so I'm not sure I'd make them too tall. I might investigate this further and see! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Do you think I could use unglazed ceramic tiles for cookies????
Hi Frances- Are they your clay body or commercially sourced? I'd be wary of using anything bought as cookies. I had some unglazed ceramic bat inserts once and things stuck! I'd do a trail item and see what happens. Good luck 😁
@@thepotterycorner thanks you answered perfectly :). I am going to try my hand today are making the wired stilts :):):) love your show !!!
What I do is MUTE the adverts.... so I "watch" them (while doing something else) ... without the nuisance.... I wonder if that's not against earning money... don't know...
Thanks so much that's a great idea! Sure it still counts. Thanks for watching 🙏