Which type of clay should I use on my Small Pottery Wheel?

This is a great question, and one we get asked very often!

Clay is a natural material created by weathered rock. It is soft, malleable and will permanently harden when baked at high temperatures. The most important decision to make when embarking on your miniature pottery journey is the type of clay you will use. There are three main types of regular clay and they all have different properties that make throwing with each vastly different experiences. There is also air drying clay which offers lots of benefits to potters just starting out who don't have access to a kiln.

Earthenware

Earthenware is the most common type of clay found. These clays are highly durable and can be easily worked without fear of the clay ‘melting’ or falling apart, and can be sticky when wetted. This means that they hold their shape well. It is typically red, brown and orange in colour and when fired, will result in a dull reddish, brownish finish to the piece (depending on the type of earthenware you choose).

Stoneware

Stoneware is a very plastic and durable clay, and is good for beginner throwing because of this. Their fired colours range from light grey and buff to medium grey and brown, which, in my opinion, makes it a better clay for throwing with as it has good durability and more options for decoration. 

Porcelain

The smoothest clay, and my personal favourite, is porcelain. Once fired it has a brilliant white, pure finish which I find is the most conducive for my type of decorating.
However, porcelain clays are not nearly as plastic as other clays and are notoriously difficult to work with, in fact some people say it is like throwing with butter! It falls apart when worked too much and dries very rapidly. It took me a good few months to learn how to properly use this clay, and I would advise anyone who tries porcelain for the first time to practise and not give up!
The benefit of porcelain for throwing, however, is that its softness means it can be thrown and shaped more easily on the Small Pottery Wheel when making very small pieces.

Air drying clay

Air drying clay is usually a white coloured earthenware that has has paper fibres or other long fibres mixed through it. These fibres, once the clay has dried, help to hold the clay particles together and maintain their integrity despite not having been fired in a kiln. You can then paint directly onto the clay body with acrylic paints and seal it with varnish.
Interestingly though, you can still fire this clay in the kiln as if it were straight earthenware, so this clay can also be a good choice for someone who might have access to a kiln in the future!

Where to buy clay

In the UK:
From the UK there are a few options for where to buy clay. 

www.scarva.com
www.bathpotters.co.uk
www.potclays.co.uk
www.sculpd.co.uk - for air drying clay

In the US:

www.clay-king.com
www.sculpd.com - for air drying clay

In Canada:

www.theclaywarehouse.ca
www.sculpd.ca - for air drying clay

In the EU:

www.scarva.com
www.sculpd.eu - for air drying clay

Things to consider

When choosing the clay to use, think about what you want your final product to look like. Are you looking for an easy-to-use, durable material that's good for throwing with as a beginner? Or a perfect finish onto which you can paint and decorate? Do you want a clay that you don't have to fire in a kiln?

Remember, when starting out it may take some time to get used to the properties of your chosen clay. It will take a while to find your rhythm, but keep practising and you will get there!