How I Built 3 Pottery Tools with AI (Without Knowing How to Code)
I'm excited to share how I recently created three specialized pottery tools using AI assistance, despite having zero coding experience. These tools have significantly streamlined my workflow and might help other potters too. While there are existing resources like the website PhotoPottery (which is helpful but filled with ads), my tools are specifically customized to address my unique needs.
Clay Staining Calculator
Pottery Slab Mug Template Generator
The Tools I Created
Clay Staining Calculator This internal tool solves a recurring problem in my studio: determining exactly how much stain to use for different amounts of clay and desired color intensities. Before, I calculated this manually each time, and frequently received “how to” questions about it in my videos. Now, the calculator provides instant results and allows users to adjust measurement units to suit their needs.
Pottery Slab Mug Template Generator Creating templates for different mug sizes was another time-consuming process, requiring manual calculations for cylindrical volume while accounting for clay shrinkage. This tool automatically generates the correct body, base, and handle sizes based on your desired final dimensions and clay shrinkage rate.
Clay Shrinkage Calculator This tool helps when I want to recreate dimensions from existing pieces while adjusting for my clay's specific shrinkage rate. For instance, if I find a thrift store mug with perfect height and diameter but want to modify the shape, I can input the final measurements and my clay's shrinkage rate to get the pre-firing dimensions needed.
Pottery templates I use to make the slab-built mugs and cups.
My Development Process
Despite having no coding background, I completed these three tools in just two days using AI assistance. Here's my approach:
I started by clearly articulating my needs to Claude, explaining the calculations I was performing manually and how I envisioned each tool functioning.
Claude helped me brainstorm the tools' features and structure the requirements in a clear, implementable way.
Using Bolt.new, I was able to implement and deploy the template generator that Claude helped me design through our chats.
Long chats with Claude.
Asking Bolt.new for help with the implementation.
Why This Matters
Truth is, these niche pottery tools were so specific to my workflow that I wouldn't have commissioned someone to build them. As a small pottery business, I simply don't have the budget allocated for custom software development.
Instead, AI became my creative partner, helping me bring to life solutions I otherwise wouldn't have had access to. AI served as an enabler, allowing me to create solutions that save me hours of calculation time. Those saved hours can now be redirected toward creating, making, and growing my business.
The development process wasn't as simple as submitting a single prompt. It required thoughtful back-and-forth communication, clear articulation of my needs, and critical thinking at each step.
The whole experience has motivated me and made me wonder what other tools I can create to optimize some of my processes.
I’m embracing AI as a powerful workflow enhancement that augments rather than replaces human creativity. These tools are basic, but they represent my first step into creating functional web tools—something I never imagined I could do before.
Thanks for reading. If you are a potter and would like to map out a digital tool using AI, you can reach out to fran@fromfran.com.
My templates, which include access to these tools, are available here.
