A Studio right inside my home!
My Studio is located inside my house in a room in the basement. It’s a Garden level room with no carpet on the floor for easy “MOP UP” and cleaning. I do have ONE Window for a view of my backyard and a PINE TREE. I have no real water source/sink or ability to get rid of “Clay Sludge”. So I work out of buckets and let things dry out to dispose of in waste management.
I have a Potter’s wheel (Shimpo VL Whisper) and a Porta Slab Roller in my studio. The Rest is hand made tools,etc.
In My Garage I have a Kiln for firing my pottery and I store the Chemicals that I use to make my own glazes. I have a shelving unit there for bisque or glazes pieces waiting to be fired. And I still can fit 2-cars in my garage when I am not firing my Kiln!
30 responses so far ↓
Karin Givon // October 2, 2008 at 7:33 PM |
Loved your blog, liked seeing all the photos, but was ESPECIALLY struck by the platter ( bowl?) with a few purple dots on the rim. Charming! I’m just diving into M^6 so it’s really interesting to me to see what you’ve done with those recipes….
thanks.
marystarosta // October 2, 2008 at 7:39 PM |
Thanks Karin, if you need any help with those glazes let me know. I have some of them down with firing in an electric kiln cone ^6 Ox Automatic with a slow cool down. Some are still a mystery of sorts LOL
Martin Rice // October 8, 2008 at 1:48 PM |
Loved seeing your studio in the garage without water. Just yesterday I was talking to my wife about setting up a studio in our garage where we don’t have any water. I’d love to know more about how you dispose of the “sludge.”
Thanks, Martin
marystarosta // October 8, 2008 at 2:41 PM |
Hi Martin,
Well, u do what you can and if I waited until I could afford land, well I might not ever be a potter. The Sludge, if it’s just clay, I try to reclaim it and let it dry out, seems to work so far. If my bucket gets too full, I keep the clay but might dump what little there is in backyard while cleaning bucket. Glazes are another story, I try and skim what I can off,water wize, and what settles I let dry and dispose of in garbage or when we recyle paint. I clean tools and such outside with hose, not much there I figure.
Annie Bond // November 3, 2008 at 10:50 PM |
Mary:
You have a very nice studio set up. I really love looking at your blog to see what you are up to.
marystarosta // November 3, 2008 at 11:09 PM |
Thanks Annie very Sweet! It’s been fun having a studio in my home. It helps But I truely don;’t know how someone can make a living doing and selling pottery? I’d love to but I can’t see it?
Mary A // January 11, 2009 at 2:01 PM |
I’m fascinated by (and still striving to get there) functional and larger pieces. I had a long lay-off with a shoulder injury. Before I was injured I was getting some pretty large pieces by throwing bottom, coiling and throwing the neck. But, I’m currently back to tiny bowls.
Do you teach any classes or have any advice.
Mary Starosta // January 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM |
Hi Mary,
Where do you live? I’m in Castle Rock,CO and I do teach some. I would try some hump or slump molds to get you in those bigger pieces and platters and I think your throwing will imporve with time at the wheel.
Mary A // January 11, 2009 at 8:25 PM |
I’m in Loveland — kinda far I think. We just retired and moved here and don’t know my way around yet too much. I would love to learn that technique though if we could arrange a day. What would you charge?
Mary Starosta // January 12, 2009 at 3:56 PM |
Hi Mary,
you are welcome anytime! And I will charge what you can comfortably pay…how’s that!
Mary A // January 12, 2009 at 4:21 PM |
I will contact you after a planned trip to CA in Feb– and weather will be better then too. Can’t wait!!
Diane // February 6, 2009 at 4:41 AM |
Hi Mary!
Just want to say….I really enjoy your website, esp. this part about your studio. I have been toying with the idea of putting together a studio of sorts in my unfinished basement. I currently use the Senior Center in Colorado Springs to make my pottery but would like some of the advantages of my own studio, ie. ability to create 24hrs, less contamination of glazes, more control over firings, etc. I love the association with the many friends I have made and it’s great to share ideas and get tips but the downside of a community center is starting to weigh on me. I’m thinking of starting with a simple area to throw and store clay and then adding the glazing & kiln part later. Thank you for show & tell of how you have set-up your studio, it’s given me ideas on how to start. You make beautiful pottery ! Your ideas on glazes and testing have been very helpful.
Take Care ! Keep on pottin’ Diane
Mary Starosta // February 6, 2009 at 2:10 PM |
Hey Diane,
I get your thoughts as I grew up in the recreation center venue. It wasn’t until last year, I decided it was time to have my own studio, kinda like when I get old I’ll wear purple . So Glad I did. I can throw when ever I have time, and learning about clay and glazes and firing, well that is imeasurable. THe learning curve gets really short when you have your own studio! Good Luck! If you ever are in Castle Rock, Stop by!
Lynn // April 18, 2009 at 3:53 AM |
Wow I’m so glad I stumled in here. I’m sort of doing the same thing! Once a week at a local studio, NOT ENOUGH! Got a wheel for xmas, currently in a family room nook, LOTS OF BUCKETS for rinse/recycle. Saving for a kiln, which will be in the garage too, where we never had room for a car anyway. LOL
Great to find kindred spirits!
Hey when the buckets are too full, I use that water on top to slake the broken bone-dry stuff. (Things I drop, things I don’t like) I keep it in boxes and hammer into flakes and chunks to make more “free” clay. I just keep several buckets going so I almost never have to toss it in the yard. It’s all a big circle!
Mary Starosta // April 20, 2009 at 1:14 PM |
Hey lynn,
Look for the book Mastering cone 6 glazes. That is a good start in designing and testing your own glazes, at least it was for me! They also have a glaze computer program that is worth downloading and trying out for free before purchase! I have that as well and helps in organizing and testing out my glaze batches! Good luck!
Cindy G. // April 24, 2009 at 5:20 AM |
Hi Mary,
I love your goblets. Everything you make turns out so perfect and beautiful.
I love your glazes too:)
~ Cindy
Mary Starosta // April 24, 2009 at 2:56 PM |
Thanks Cindy! I wouldn’t say perfect, but I am trying to get it right, you know how that is. I have a show 3-day in May 15-17th in Parker Co and I am so excited. My First 3-day so I am very hopeful! THanks again!
Yaffa Barelkovsky // April 26, 2009 at 9:46 PM |
Hi Mary,
Could you kindly email me your Cranberry Re d
recipe? it is wonderful!
Thank you in advance
Yaffa Barelkovsky
email: yaffab4ce@aol.com
Cindy G. // May 18, 2009 at 2:41 AM |
Hi Mary,
It sounds like your sale was worth the effort despite the wind. Congrats on the consignment opportunity. I need to get my pots out there. Right now they are just packed away waiting for me to figure out how to sell them.
Mary Starosta // May 18, 2009 at 4:05 AM |
Hey Cindy,
Yes worth it, great show over all, just not when you look at each hour . Try a farmers market in your area to start. It’s not a big committment and you can get a feel for tent venue if you like it?
Paul Lauricella // July 22, 2009 at 12:17 AM |
Dear Mary,
I don’t know for sure but did you grow up in Chicago on Melvina? I may have been your neighbor. Is your brother Larry?
I hope you answer.
Thanks,
Paul Lauricella
Mary Starosta // July 22, 2009 at 12:35 AM |
Yes Paul,
It’s me the little sister that lives in Colorado and never left! You are a dear family friend, I knew your MOM and DAD well! I miss you! Hope everything is well, I emailed you so you could email me back!
Renee Ferguson // August 20, 2009 at 9:25 AM |
Mary,
What a nice surprise to have come across your blog while searching for some info on turquoise matt glazes. Am a fellow potter living in Australia and have spent the best part of this year setting up my new studio at home in the burbs…by the coast along our Illawarra region of NSW. Thanks for sharing all of your images. I’m finding it great to know there are other potters on line blogging and keeping each other motivated. Your work is wonderful and has the warm feel of pottery that I like to achieve in mine as well. All the best with your new work as it develops and keep on posting blogs.
Kind regards, Renee Ferguson
blog: http://rcferg.blogspot.com/
Mary Starosta // August 20, 2009 at 12:32 PM |
Thanks Renee, I’ll have to check out your blog as well! Thanks for visiting and I hope to share some information to potters as well as Buyers that is helpful!
M. Adams // August 21, 2009 at 2:17 PM |
I’m really struggling with the constant clean-up and wanting to spend my time actually doing the hobby. I’m really impressed that you clean up after each use. That seems like it would be spending 1/2 your time cleaning. But, I’ve been having allergies and breathing issues that I’m concerned might be the clay particles. I guess I better be more diligent. My studio is in the basement; but, I still get concerned that some of the clay/glaze particles get upstairs and into the air.
Mary Starosta // August 21, 2009 at 2:53 PM |
Good to be concerned. I struggle withit as well, so the garage in the summer time is where I let my hair down a bit! Inside, I stay true to the cleaning rules and make sure I have enough time set aside, or I don’t begin. Not an issue when trimming, and remember, clay never an issue if wet, only when dry. Allergry season is now for us so i wouldn;t worry too much unless your work space is not clean…..good luck!
Brian Singer // September 6, 2009 at 5:46 PM |
We bought a great garlic pot at the Castle Rock farmers market. I like your web site and have a business to take you to the next level. I do affordable web design and can help you get your product on the web to people everywhere with a shopping cart you can ship orders via the internet.
Mary Starosta // September 6, 2009 at 8:33 PM |
Hey Brian, YES you did buy a great Garlic pot! Thank you for that Sale and I hope you and your family enjoy it! I will most defintely keep your contact information when I am ready to begin selling on line. Right now I am taking small orders and that keeps me busy and realtively stress free. Online orders would be a very big move for me and I am not there yet! Thanks though and I will contact you FIRST when I am ready!
Bill Baum // October 5, 2009 at 7:52 PM |
Mary,
Been going through your site and love your work. I want to replace my six ugly white pottery barn coffee mugs with something that has style and says Colorado. Would it be possible to commission you for a set of 6 mugs?
I live in Colorado Springs. Will you do any shows here this fall or in Castle Rock where we could meet?
Thanks very much,
Bill
Mary Starosta // October 5, 2009 at 10:14 PM |
Hi Bill Would love to make 6 mugs that you would enjoy using everyday! I will be at a few craft shows before Christmas here in Castle Rock, you just missed me at Oktoberfest last week-end. Can you email me a bit more about what you are wanting? Meeting to pick up will be no problem and we can work that out later. Thanks Mary