Aardvark Clay and Supplies

Name

Aardvark Clay and Supplies

Legal name

Aardvark Clay and Supplies

Website

https://aardvarkclay.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pottery & Ceramic Supplies

NAICS

Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing (327110)

SIC

Pottery & Related Products (3260)

akta.pro primary industry

Tabletop & Front-of-House Supplies Wholesale (AFAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Crafting Tools & Equipment Retail (Cutting, Adhesives, Heat Tools) (CRALACAC)

Keywords

• Ceramic supplies
• Pottery materials
• Clay bodies
• Ceramic glazes
• Kiln equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Ana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of ceramic materials, equipment, and supplies including clays, glazes, kilns, potter's wheels, tools, slips, underglazes, frits, stains, chemicals, refractories, books, and gift certificates through direct e-commerce and distributor network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Aardvark Clay and Supplies is a comprehensive supplier to ceramic artists, potters, and ceramic studios, selling proprietary Aardvark-branded clay bodies (including Coleman Porcelain, Obsidian, Nara Porcelain, and others) and glaze product lines (Artisan Series Cone 5, Cone 10 CTG, Raku glazes) alongside a full distribution catalog of third-party ceramic equipment and tools (Skutt and Cress electric kilns, Geil gas kilns, Peter Pugger equipment, Xiem and Kemper tools, Mason Stains, Mayco and AMACO products). All 287+ product pages are distributed through the company's own e-commerce website with PayPal invoice processing and through a network of US regional and international ceramic supply distributors.

Product overview

Aardvark Clay and Supplies is a comprehensive ceramic supplies e-commerce platform offering a complete line of ceramic materials, equipment, and supplies. The product portfolio centers on consumable materials (clays, glazes, raw materials, slips) alongside durable equipment (potter's wheels, kilns, pugmills, extruders, slab rollers) and hand tools. The company sells its own branded clay bodies (including specialty formulations like Cone 10 porcelain, Raku clays, black clay bodies) and glazes (Artisan Series Cone 5, CTG Cone 10, Raku glazes), while also distributing third-party brands including Skutt and Cress electric kilns, Geil gas kilns, Peter Pugger equipment, Mason Stains, Xiem Studio Tools, Kemper Tools, Mayco products, AMACO products, and various pottery tools. The business model combines first-party manufactured ceramic products with a broad distribution network for equipment and tools, serving hobbyists, students, professional potters, and ceramic studios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clays Complete line of ceramic clay bodies including Cone 06 Clays, Cone 5/6 Clays, Cone 10 Clays, Paper Clays, Non Fired Clays, and Slips, in various formulations including porcelain, stoneware, sculpture bodies, and specialty clays like Raku and black clay bodies. Targeted at ceramic artists, potters, sculptors, and ceramic studios.
• Glazes Full range of ceramic glazes including Cone 10 Glazes, Cone 5/6 Glazes, Cone 06 Glazes, Underglazes, Raku Glazes, Lusters & China Paints, Pencils, Chalks, & Watercolors, and Glaze Tools and Accessories, for ceramic artists and potters across all firing temperatures.
• Raw Materials Ceramic raw materials including Chemicals, Raw Clays, Mason Stains (by Mason Color Works), Ferro Frits, and Plasters for pottery and ceramic production, used by ceramic artists and small-scale manufacturers for custom clay and glaze formulation.
• Glass Supplies Glass supplies including Spruce Pine Glass Batch for glasswork, targeted at ceramic artists and hobbyists working with fused glass projects.
• Ceramic Equipment Ceramic production equipment including Potter's Wheels, Banding Wheels, Extruders, Slab Rollers, Pugmills & Clay Mixers, Wedging Tables, Glaze Mixing/Slip Mixing & Casting equipment, Work & Glaze Tables, Carts, Stools, Cabinets, Spray Equipment, Scales, and Peter Pugger Tile Cutters/Press, for ceramic studios and professional potters.
• Pottery Tools Pottery tools from multiple brands including Garrity Tools, Kemper Tools, Dirty Girls Tools, Dolan Tools, Xiem Studio Tools, Sherrill Mudtools, Chinese Clay Art, GR Pottery Forms, Giffin Grip, Falcon Tools, MKM Pottery Tools, Bats, Pottery Ribs, and various other shaping and finishing implements for ceramic artists and potters.
• Ceramic Brushes Ceramic brushes including Aardvark Brushes, Duncan Brushes, Mayco Brushes, and Potter's Brushes for glaze application and decoration, used by ceramic artists for underglaze and glaze finishing.
• Kilns & Firing Accessories Kilns and firing supplies including Skutt Electric Kilns, Cress Electric Kilns, Geil Gas Kilns, Geil Electric Kilns, Peter Pugger Raku Kiln, and Firing Accessories, for ceramic firing across studio and educational settings.
• Bisqueware Pre-fired ceramic bisqueware including Mayco Bisque MB Series for painting and glazing, providing ready-to-decorate pieces for hobbyist ceramic artists and instructional use.
• Molds Ceramic molds including Slump Hump Molds and Bat Molds by Pure & Simple Pottery Products, for handbuilding and casting projects by ceramic artists.
• Miscellaneous Ceramic Supplies Wide range of miscellaneous ceramic supplies including calipers, abrasives, aprons, buckets, sponges, glues, gloves, masks, sieves, tile supplies, and various specialty items, to support ceramic studio operations and finishing work.
• Gift Cards Gift certificates available for purchase for giving as gifts to ceramic artists and potters.
• Aardvark Clay's Obsidian A proprietary very black, ebony-like finish Aardvark clay body fired to cone 5. Contains no talc and requires lots of oxygen during bisque firing, featuring 14.5% fired shrinkage and 0.5% water absorption. Targeted at ceramic artists seeking deep black surface finishes.
• Aardvark Clay's Coleman Porcelain A proprietary true Grolleg porcelain body developed by Tom Coleman, with excellent glaze fit, very translucent when thin, and suitable for large pieces. Features 13.5% fired shrinkage and 0% water absorption at cone 10.
• Aardvark Clay's Pomona A proprietary medium toasty-orange Aardvark clay body with 12% fired shrinkage and 0.5% water absorption when fired to cone 10. Contains all attributes of Long Beach with added color and texture.
• Aardvark Clay's Nara Porcelain A proprietary superior porcelain body with 14% fired shrinkage and 1% water absorption at cone 10, with attributes of an English grolleg body while avoiding the expense of imported clays.
• Aardvark Clay's Hopkin's White A proprietary most popular white Aardvark clay body with 14% fired shrinkage and 3.5% water absorption at cone 10, made with fine grained sand for functional work and shows off glazes and stains.
• Aardvark Clay's Soldate 60 A proprietary Joe Soldate standby Aardvark clay body with 12% fired shrinkage and 0.5% water absorption at cone 10. A truly all-around body with medium toasty color, excellent for throwing and handbuilding.
• Aardvark Clay's Long Beach A proprietary beautiful warm brown Aardvark clay body with 12% fired shrinkage and 1% water absorption at cone 10, medium texture, and described as an excellent throwing body.
• Aardvark Clay's Vegas Buff A proprietary warm buff Aardvark clay body with 12% fired shrinkage and 0% water absorption at cone 10, versatile for throwing, hand building, and glaze fit in student and studio use.
• Aardvark Cone 10 CTG Glazes A proprietary series of cone 10 reduction glazes including Celadon, AK Plum, AK Wax White, Jensen Blue, MG2, Speckled Gray, Tenmoku, Transparent, Lyon Tan, Talon Base, Chun, G Matt-3, Eggshell, Tenmoku Plum, Watt's White, Orange/Brown, Autumn Yellow, Black Gloss, Autumn Brown, Aegean Blue, Tan Matt, Masterson's Orange, and Jensen Red.
• Artisan Series Cone 5 Glazes A proprietary series of cone 5 oxidation glazes including Black Gloss, Blue Matt, Charcoal Matte, Chili Gloss, Cobalt Blue Gloss, Copper Matt, Creamy Matt, Dark Green Gloss, Green To Blue Matt, Grey Gloss, Lobster Gloss, Marshmallow, Mottled Jade, Oatmeal Matt, Powder Blue Gloss, Tangerine Gloss, Turquoise Gloss, White Gloss, Yellow Gloss, Yellow Matt, CFG Tan, and Clear Gloss.
• Aardvark Raku Glazes A proprietary series of Raku firing glazes including Donyu Red Bronze, Hiroshi White, Imperial Blue, Komodo Blue Green, Nopal Shell, Sapporo Copper Red, Shogun Blue, Moon Dust, Raja, Rosenus, Rhode's White, Mark's Raku, Red Green Luster, Copper Matt, Christmas Foil, and Lithium Slip, designed for Raku firing processes.
• Aardvark's Cone 06 Clear Glaze A proprietary frit-based dry clear glaze formulation stable at cone 06 to cone 04 (glossier at cone 04). High in Calcium for good Mason Stain compatibility, low expansion upon cooling for great glaze fit on most low fire commercial bodies, with no Lead or Barium content.
• Xiem X-Board A portable wedging and working surface for clay featuring a galvanized steel handle, non-skid rubber base, and canvas surface. Available in Small (18" x 24"), Medium (24" x 24"), Large (24" x 32"), and Deluxe (36" x 48") sizes. Targeted at ceramic artists needing a portable clay work surface.
• Xiem Titanium-Fused Trimming Tools Professional trimming tools with titanium-fused blades for durability, available in various shapes including Tear Drop, Multi-Function, Triangle, Oval, Round, and Loop in small, medium, and large sizes. Targeted at professional potters needing durable trimming implements.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Marjon CeramicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArizona distributor with locations in Tucson (520-624-2872) and Phoenix (602-272-6585). Primary regional distribution partner for Southwest US market.
• Alpha Ceramic SuppliescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSacramento-based distributor (916-361-3611) serving the Northern California market.
• Clay PlanetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSanta Clara-based distributor (800-443-2529) serving the Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay Area.
• GreenBarn Potters SupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distributor based in British Columbia, Canada.
• Skutt Electric KilnscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Skutt Electric Kilns product line including full equipment catalog and troubleshooting support links.
• AMACOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes American Art Clay Co. products including Celebration Glazes, Celadon glazes, Opalescent glazes, and Crawl glazes.
• Mayco ColorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributes Mayco product line including Bisque MB Series, Stroke & Coat glazes, and Colorobbia products.
• Cress Electric KilnsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Cress Electric Kilns product line with electric kiln troubleshooting support resources.
• Geil Gas KilnsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Geil Gas Kilns including both gas and electric kiln options.
• Mason Color WorkscoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive distributor of Mason Stains (encapsulated ceramic stains) with extensive color stain catalog including over 50 product numbers.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Axner Pottery Supply: One of the largest US direct-to-studio ceramic supplies distributors, offering clays, glazes, kilns, wheels, and tools online — overlapping almost product-for-product with Aardvark Clay.
• Highwater Clays: Asheville, NC-based ceramic supplies company producing its own clay bodies and distributing equipment/glazes — competitor with own-brand clay manufacturing comparable to Aardvark's proprietary clay line.
• Laguna Clay Company: US distributor of clay bodies, glazes, kilns, wheels, and raw materials serving studio and educational ceramic markets — direct competitor in the same wholesale and e-commerce channels.
• Sheffield Pottery: Northeast US ceramic supplies distributor offering clays, glazes, equipment, and tools to hobbyists, schools, and small manufacturers — directly comparable product mix and customer base to Aardvark.
• Bracker's Good Earth Clays: Regional ceramic supplies distributor (Kansas City area) serving studio potters and schools with clays, glazes, and equipment — same customer profile and product range as Aardvark.
• Clay Planet: Northern California ceramic supply retailer that is both an Aardvark distributor partner and a competing regional supplier — directly comparable assortment to studio potters and schools.
• Standard Ceramic Supply: Pennsylvania-based distributor of ceramic raw materials, clay bodies, glazes, and equipment serving schools, studios, and small manufacturers — directly comparable supply catalog and B2B/B2C mix.
• Continental Clay Company: Midwest-based ceramic supplies distributor offering clay bodies, glazes, kilns, and studio equipment to educational and hobbyist markets — direct competitor with overlapping distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Mayco Colors: Large US ceramic glaze and bisque manufacturer whose products Aardvark distributes. Operates broader scale across hobbyist and educational channels, representing both a supplier relationship and a competitive brand.
• AMACO (American Art Clay Co.): Major manufacturer of ceramic clays, glazes, and underglazes sold through Aardvark and other distributors. A broader incumbent brand that competes upstream as a supplier Aardvark relies on, while also selling direct.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AardvarkClaySupplies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aardvark Clay and Supplies