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The article focuses on various challenges faced by the author in opening his own pottery studio. Topics discussed include adding employees for making various pottery products, contribution made by David Gamber, Mark Goertzen and Moshe Hodges in building pottery studio and efforts of various potters leading to rewards of customer loyalty, community service and relationships of integrity.

The article discusses the use of tools in ceramic art and achievements of artist and educator Doug Casebeer. It states his belief in bringing grace and beauty into people's lives through the art experience, workshops, and lectures. It mentions that Casebeer has a gift for inspiring ceramic artists of all skill levels. It also discusses his creations using different tools including Natural Oak Throwing Stick, Wooden Throwing Stick, and Wooden Throwing Stick.

The article focuses on pottery artist Adam Field's work with unfamiliar tools, which he uses at work and in his online avatar the albino gorilla. It mentions of his inspiration from symbolic system in Hawaiian tapa cloth and quipus in Zulu basketry, and the success of his own creation of symbolic system. Also mentioned are his celadon glazes inspired by Korean and Chinese wares, use of traditional tools for Onggi pottery, and usage of carving tool form Korea called sanggam kal at his studios.

A directory is presented of ceramic businesses located in the U.S. including A & K Clay Company LLC in Bethel, Ohio, Alligator Clay Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and American Ceramic Supply Co. in Forth Worth, Texas.

A listing is presented of ceramic businesses located in the U.S. including Marjon Ceramics Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona, Leslie Ceramic Supply Co. in Berkeley, California and Summit Kilns in Land O Lakes, Florida.

The article focuses on the American potter John Neely and the mechanics and techniques he employs to produce his artwork. The article discusses the influence his time in Japan has had on his pottery, the importance of tools in pottery and the way in which he depends on historical precedents to create his work. The article also stresses the functionality of his art, an example being his teapots.

A table is presented which lists ceramics businesses in the U.S. by state including Marjon Ceramics Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona, Echo Ceramics in Los Angeles, California, and Atlantic Pottery Supply Inc. in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

A directory of pottery equipment and supplies companies is presented, which includes A & K Clay Company LLC, Aardvark Clay & Supplies and Alligator Clay Company.

The article offers advice for potters and ceramic artists on how to work with lusters. Particular focus is given to how lusters can be used on a variety of surfaces including glass, earthenware and porcelain. Additional topics discussed include the difference between reduced lusters and resinate lusters, how to apply lusters and information on toxicity and safety.

The article offers information on various pottery supplies and equipment including tile cutters from Amaco, the QT2 centering bat from Bailey Pottery, and platter ribs from Mudtools.

The article discusses the benefits of using a proper vent system for kilns. Topics include the reasons for venting kilns, how venting affect the fired work, and the ways to properly use the vent. It also cites kiln vent care, including the use of stainless steel duct and the importance of venting for kiln elements, such as the electrical connections between the kiln wiring and the elements.

The article evaluates various clay making products from various pottery equipment manufacturers such as the V8 multi-purpose kiln from Evenheat, the Genesis touch-screen temperature controller from Bartlett Instrument Company and Celadon Glazes from the American Art and Clay company.

The article offers the author's insights on the use of spray foam insulation for protecting ceramics and pots when shipping.

The article focuses on the significant use of calligraphy nib in making a crisp line drawings in clay. Topics discussed include an overview of calligraphy nib, the description of the tool, its proper use in ceramic art, the conduct of experiments and trials for the efficiency of the tool, and the relevance of the tool for the ease of line drawings.

The article presents recipes for slip, glazes and clay relied by sculptors on their ceramic art works. Among these clay recipes are the K-Shino jar by Rachel Clark, Noel's Everyday Clay tumbler by Noel Bailey, and the White Slip coffee pour over by Maria Dondero. Information on the design and techniques used by the sculptors on their artworks is provided.

The article offer information about cylinder molds, dragtools and diamond-tipped stylus from Xiem Tools, Mudtools and Diamond Core Tools, respectively.

The article reviews several products related to pottery and ceramic arts including celadon glazes from Amaco, profile ribs from WiziWig Tool, and a diamond grinding disc from CI Products.

The article describes the use of surform, a tool originally designed for woodworkers, that is so efficient at removing clay and can be found at hardware store and clay supply stores.

The article offers information on the use of a pool noodle or leftover pipe insulation to make improvements to one's art studio. Topics discussed include the use of foam pipe insulation to pad the forearms of artist Chris Pate while throwing pots and the use a pool noodle to hold the tools in place or to organizer tools for ceramics.

The article examines the use of low-iron bentonite in pottery. Particular focus is given to how bentonite is a clay of volcanic origin and is mined in South Dakota and Wyoming. Additional topics discussed include the use of hectorite as a plasticizer for porcelain, recipes for utilizing bentonite and how bentonite changes the chemical composition of clay.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for creating an armrest that allow potters to steady their arms as they work on large-scale pieces.

The article offers information on how ceramic materials traditionally used in pottery can be used in other fields. Particular focus is given to the areas of green technology and medicine. Topics discussed include how clay can be used to treat kidney disease, the development of greener bricks and iron oxide nanoparticles used in cancer treatment.

In this article, the author reflects upon reclaimed iron oxide and its use in pottery and ceramics. Particular focus is given to efforts to reuse iron oxide, which is a byproduct of coal mining. Additional topics discussed include coal mining in Pennsylvania, the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) and efforts to clean up polluted waterways in Pennsylvania.

The article discusses refractory materials used in ceramics. Particular focus is given to the chemical compositions and properties of fire brick, insulating fire brick (IFB), and ceramic fibers. Definitions of terms such as mullite, kyanite, and silica are included. Also included are charts which compare the thermal conductivity and temperature in standard refractories and measure the heat flux into brick and ceramic fibers.

The article offers brief information on various ceramic products and supplies including: the Xiem retractable scoring tool, the Ergo-Lift Kiln from L&L, and Casual Tints, a series of cone 6 celadon glazes available from the Ceramic Shop.

The article offers step-by-step instructions on how to create a large carving easel for use in pottery.

The article offers advice for potters and ceramic artists on how to introduce plaster (gypsum) into their studio practice. The author explores how plaster can be used to make molds, bats, and wedging tables for use in ceramics studios. Information on plaster types, plaster mixing and terminology is also included.

The article provides information for potters and ceramists on how to use castable refractories when making ceramic artworks. Topics discussed include the many advantages of using castable refractories, the disadvantages of using castable refractories and information on building forms and casting. A glossary of relevant terms is also provided.

The article provides information on turquoise and green glazes for potters and ceramists. A history of the use of green-toned glazes is provided and includes information on glazing from ancient Egypt, Song dynasty China and Renaissance Italy. Several modern glazes, stains and oxides that come in turquoise and green are also described.

The article offers information on the Decorating Disks from MKM.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for creating and using a sanggam kal, a Korean carving tool made from steel used to carve precise lines into smooth clay bodies.

Several cone 6 glaze recipes for use in ceramics are presented, including white glaze altered from Val Cushing's 72 base, Bates Clear Glaze and Tom Spleth Porcelain Casting Slip.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for repurposing tools that are used in ceramics and pottery, including the use of hand measuring tools and the use of kiln element stilts.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for making pottery tools out of household items for etching tools, stamping tool and line tools.

The article explores various aspects of the glaze fault pinhole marring, which is often present in pottery and ceramic practice. Topics include the root cause of pinhole flaws and how to adjust glaze formulation to help with pinholes. Several terms are also defined including pinhole, viscosity and surface tension.

Several corrections to articles that were printed in the April and May 2013 issues of the periodical "Ceramics Monthly" are presented, including corrections made to captions and a photograph depicting the rebuilding of a kiln at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for attaching magnets to pottery tools.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for potters on how to make their own carving tools, both large and small.

An introduction is presented in which the editor reflects on his experiences making laminate bats to use in his ceramic practice and discusses various reports within the issue on topics including how to make bats and art gallery listings for October 2012.

The article provides information on the American art student Helen D'Angelo and her efforts to make a bicycle pedal-powered pottery wheel. Particular focus is given to how she obtained blueprints for the project from John George, the man who invented the pedal-powered pottery wheel in the 1970s. Additional topics discussed include D'Angelo's studies at the Massachusetts College of Art and D'Angelo's collaboration with the blacksmith Larry Crockett.

The article offers instructions on how to build complex pottery forms within a box.

The article offers instructions on how to build a solid arch kiln for firing pottery and ceramics.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including the "Techno File" article, which appears in each issue, "from the editor," by Terry Allan in the December 2011 issue, and the "MFA Factor" article, which appears in each issue.

In this article the author offers advice for potters and ceramists on how to maintain kilns. Particular focus is given to how kilns that are frequently used by groups are often in need of extra repair and upkeep. Suggestions on how to build a protective plywood cover to protect the soft bricks at the top of the kiln are also included.

The article offers instructions for creating a glaze drip pan to use for glazing pottery.

The article provides information for ceramists and potters on how to produce acrylic medium image transfers on clay. According to the author, the image transfer process only works on clay that has already been fired in a kiln. Tips and techniques are presented including how to match up images with a form and how to apply coats of acrylic medium to an image.