Clay Store in Jingdezhen China

I’m a ceramic artist living in Jingdezhen. Sometimes, when I feel like my work is getting a bit repetitive, I like to wander into one of the local decoration clay shops — the kind that sells slip and colored clays for surface work.

There’s one store I often go to. I won’t name it here, but it’s one of those hidden gems in the city. The moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by shelves filled with different textures, finishes, and colors of clay. Some are smooth and creamy, others are sandy or gritty — each with its own effect after firing.

What I love about this place is that you can actually touch the materials and see fired samples on display. It really helps you imagine what might work on your own pieces — whether it’s a vase, plate, or sculpture.

Even if you’re not buying anything, just being there, seeing what’s possible, gives you new ideas. That’s the beauty of working in a place like Jingdezhen — inspiration is everywhere, even in a quiet little clay store.