Helping Ceramic Artists Make Smarter Tool Choices One Trim Line at a Time
Hey folks, I’m Ed Shears the hands, heart, and head behind Artabys.
After decades in the studio, firing up kilns and testing every rib, sponge, and wire cutter I could get my hands on, I decided to share what actually works. Artabys started as a place to explore the creative side of clay but these days, I’m on a mission to help you choose the right tools to make better pottery, faster.
If you’ve ever searched for “best loop tool for soft clay” or “how to fix cracking underglaze,” you already know the rabbit hole runs deep. I’ve been down it and I’ve come back with answers.
What We Do at Artabys
We don’t sell clay. We help you choose the tools that make the clay do what you want.
- 🧰 Product Reviews with Teeth: I test tools, glazes, accessories hands-on, in my home studio. No fluff.
- 📚 Buying Guides for Real Life: We write clear, honest guides like Best Pottery Tools for Beginners or Top Glazes for Electric Kilns (That Don’t Bubble).
- 🛒 Shop with Confidence: Whether it’s through our Amazon picks or our own shop, we only recommend what passes the Ed test.
Why Trust Artabys?
Because I’ve botched firings, cracked pots, and ruined more mugs than I care to count.
I’ve also spent years learning what works and more importantly, why it works. That’s what I pass on to you. I write every word on Artabys. I don’t outsource. I don’t summarize other people’s opinions. If a tool’s junk, I’ll tell you. If it’s gold, I’ll shout it from the slip bucket.
How We Make Money (And Keep It Honest)
Some links on this site are affiliate links meaning I may earn a small commission if you buy through them. No extra cost to you.
But here’s the deal: I don’t recommend anything I wouldn’t use in my own studio. That’s a promise backed by clay under my fingernails and a shelf full of failed experiments.
Check Out Our Tools and Tips
Thanks for stopping by and happy potting!
Ed Shears
Founder, Clay Nerd, Tool Tester
Read My Bio »