Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Ceramic Supplies & Pottery Education
Mid-South Ceramic Supply has been a trusted leader in ceramics and pottery supplies since 1986. Founded by Tom Turnbull in Nashville, Tennessee, we began as a small warehouse and have grown into a full-service ceramics business operating within The Clay Lady's Campus, a dedicated artists' education center and community. Our team of artists, educators, and passionate makers is committed to developing and sourcing the highest-quality products at competitive prices. We manufacture award-winning Opulence Glaze and The Clay Lady's signature line of educational products on-site, ensuring every item meets rigorous standards.As artists ourselves, we prioritize education and community, offering workshops, classes, and resources to support creators of all skill levels. Our dedication to exceptional service, quality control, and innovation has made us a leading supplier across the United States. With over three decades of experience, we continue to empower artists through reliable supplies, expert guidance, and a vibrant creative community.
Services
Pottery Supplies
Ceramic Glazes
Educational Workshops
Opulence Glaze Manufacturing
Artist Community Programs
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We operate The Clay Lady's Campus, a dedicated artists' education center and community.
- Our team includes experienced artists, educators, and ceramists with decades of industry expertise.
- We manufacture Opulence Glaze on-site with strict quality control since 1989.
- All products are tested and used by our team of working artists and educators.
- We offer comprehensive educational resources including books, videos, and hands-on workshops.
What people say
Award-winning Opulence Glaze
Excellent educational resources
Vibrant artist community
High-quality tested products
Expert team support
Services
Pottery Supplies
We offer a comprehensive selection of pottery clays, glazes, tools, and equipment for artists at all skill levels. Our inventory includes low-fire, mid-fire, and high-fire clays from trusted brands like Standard, Laguna, and Aardvark. Customers can access specialty items such as Raku clay, clay extruders, and texture tools. Every product undergoes rigorous testing at The Clay Lady's Campus to ensure quality and performance.
Opulence Glaze
Our proprietary Opulence Glaze line features 75+ colors available in gloss, satin matte, and translucent finishes. Developed by ceramist Tom Turnbull and glaze chemist Dr. Richard Eppler, these glazes deliver consistent results across firing techniques. Available in brushing pints and dipping dry forms, they support creative experimentation through blending while maintaining food-safe standards.
Educational Workshops
The Clay Lady's Campus provides hands-on learning experiences ranging from beginner wheel-throwing to advanced glaze chemistry. Led by experienced instructors like Danielle McDaniel, our workshops combine technical instruction with creative exploration. Participants gain access to specialized equipment and a supportive community environment that fosters artistic growth and professional development.
Artist Community Programs
Our Nashville campus serves as a hub for ceramic artists nationwide. Through membership programs, kiln access, and collaborative events, we cultivate connections between makers, educators, and collectors. The facility includes studio spaces, exhibition galleries, and production areas that support both individual practice and collective innovation in ceramic arts.
The Clay Lady's Products
Danielle McDaniel's signature line includes instructional books, videos, and teaching kits designed for art educators and independent learners. Products like 'How To Teach Clay' and 'The Clay Lady's Lesson Book' combine technical expertise with pedagogical insights. These resources emphasize accessibility and spiritual connection to clay as core principles of artistic practice.
People
Danielle McDaniel
CEO and Instructor
Known as The Clay Lady, Danielle co-owns Mid-South Ceramic Supply and leads educational programs. With a BFA in Ceramics, she teaches pottery classes and develops educational content. Her work focuses on making clay arts accessible while maintaining technical excellence.
Tami Archer
CFO and Manager
Tami joined Mid-South in 1988 and became co-owner in 2007. She manages supply operations and administrative functions. With extensive experience in ceramics business operations, she ensures efficient delivery of quality products to customers nationwide.
Joseph McDaniel
COO and Instructor
Joseph holds a BFA in Ceramics from Appalachian Center for Crafts. He oversees operations, develops new glaze lines, and teaches at The Clay Lady's Campus. His expertise in formulation contributes to the ongoing innovation of Opulence Glaze products.
Denise Brown
Retail Manager
Denise has worked with The Clay Lady since 2004 and now manages retail operations. She serves as the primary customer contact in the showroom, combining product knowledge with personalized service to enhance the shopping experience.
Alyssa Gorman
Educational Assistant
Alyssa assists in teaching The Clay Lady Way with her education degree. She focuses on knowledge sharing and community building through instructional programs. Her passion for education supports the company's mission to make ceramics accessible to all skill levels.
Questions
What makes Opulence Glaze different from other ceramic glazes?
Opulence Glaze combines consistent results with creative flexibility. Developed by expert ceramists, it offers 75+ colors that work across firing techniques while maintaining food-safe standards. Artists appreciate its blendability and signature clarity.
Can beginners access educational resources at Mid-South Ceramic Supply?
Yes, we provide resources for all skill levels. Our workshops, instructional videos, and books like 'How To Throw On The Potter's Wheel' help beginners develop foundational skills in a supportive learning environment.
What is The Clay Lady's Campus?
Our Nashville-based campus is a dedicated artists' community offering workshops, studio spaces, and educational programs. It serves as both a retail location and a creative hub where artists connect, learn, and showcase their work.
Do you offer specialty ceramic materials?
Yes, we carry specialty items including Raku clay, texture tools, and dry materials for custom glaze formulation. Our inventory supports both traditional techniques and experimental approaches to ceramic art.
How can I learn more about ceramic techniques?
Explore our educational resources including books, DVDs, and hands-on workshops. The Clay Lady's instructional videos cover topics from basic wheel-throwing to advanced glaze chemistry for comprehensive skill development.
Reviews (4)
Julia Awesome Sauce
Feb 22, 2021
Report
Overpriced and not always the best at customer service. Its fine if you know everything about clay/tools/glazes but if you dont.... find somewhere else for your clay needs
Kelli Dumas
Jan 29, 2021
Report
My son is an amazing, award winning potter. I have ordered online from Mid-South, but he really wanted to drive to Nashville to buy 500lbs of clay. Fantastic customer service! When we walked in, Denise said You must be Kelli!. Everyone was so nice and friendly. I own my own business and I would recommend Mid-South highly!!
Katie Tyson
Aug 11, 2019
Report
The store is small, but packed full of everything I needed; the employees are wonderful and helpful every single time; and the artists in the studio space are just so friendly and incredibly skilled. Be sure to plan a little extra time to look through the studio space, you won't be disappointed.
Symphony Medley
Nov 13, 2017
Report
This place is the coolest place I have ever been too. I have never been to a store for artist/artwork shop and have everyone be so kind to me and know what they are talking about as well. However, there was this guy staring at me through the window I'd stare back but I had to go otherwise worth the drive if you're not from Nashville awesome place. Oh yeah and Ms. Danielle even shown me around the building too and it was supper neat!!!
