How Thoughtful Tool Design Shapes Better Pottery with Buschkraft Tools
Every ceramic artist develops a unique relationship with their tools. The right pottery tools do more than shape clay. They influence technique, encourage experimentation, and often become an extension of an artist's hands.
At Tao of Clay, we believe learning ceramics is about more than mastering techniques. It is about understanding process, discovering new ways of making, and learning from artists who continue to push the craft forward. Nicolai of Buschkraft Tools has spent years combining his background in product design with his passion for ceramics to create innovative clay tools used by potters around the world.
We sat down with Nicolai Busch to talk about designing pottery tools, developing new ideas, finding inspiration through making, and how thoughtful tool design continues to shape his own ceramic practice.
What inspired you to start designing and producing your own pottery tools?
I’ve always had a passion for pottery, and product design has been the focus of my professional career. As I became more involved in the pottery industry, I found myself talking to many artists about the tools they used, and the ones they wished they had. That included myself, as a potter, I’ve made a lot of tools and tried many things in the past. Eventually, designing tools and products for someone else started to lose its meaning, and that initial spark faded. I realized I already had all the pieces to do it on my own, even though it would take a big leap to get it going. Building a brand from scratch allowed me complete creative freedom over both the product design and how the business itself was built.
Which pottery tool do you reach for most often, and why?
The tool that I started with, and still use the most is the small pointed detail carving tool. It’s essentially a ballpoint pen for clay. The tip has a sharp point but tapers outwards so as you press harder the line width increases. Because I’ve always drawn a lot and been very comfortable with pens and pencils, I wanted to create that same feeling but for pottery.
How have the clay tools you designed influenced your own ceramic work and creative process?
The tools and ceramics I make both influence each other. I will try to design a tool to create a specific feature or use for part of a process, like the chisel shape carving tool for scraping away tiny sgraffito spots. But after using it for a while, I start to see what else it can do, and that leads to exploring new types of carving or new styles of trimming. For example, the P shaped carving blade is very unique, but I came up with it while trying some relief carving and wanted to create a specific type of groove. Once I had that shape, my carvings progressed off in a certain direction as I explored how to use it and what it could do.
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What new pottery tools or ceramic projects are you most excited about right now?
There are always quite a few ideas being worked on, including new shapes for carving or trimming tools. But I also would like to address the organization of all these shapes. The dragonfly and Forge tools are rooted in simplicity and modularity, so being able to maintain organization as we add more components and pieces is something I value, and is something I hear from artists as well.
If you were not working in ceramics, what kind of creative work would you be doing?
Before I really went full into the pottery industry, I was designing parts of solar panels, it was all product development. So if it wasn’t pottery tools, it’d be some other type of tool or product.
Learn More About Ceramics at Tao of Clay
One of the best ways to grow as a ceramic artist is by learning directly from makers who continue to innovate within the craft. Conversations like these offer a glimpse into the creative thinking behind both the work and the tools that make it possible.
Whether you are just beginning your ceramics journey or looking to refine your pottery practice, Tao of Clay offers workshops, memberships, community studio access, and opportunities to learn from experienced ceramic artists. We believe creativity grows through curiosity, shared knowledge, and making alongside others.
