888.822.1982
Update on Store Hours
Beginning June 1st, our showroom is open by appointment only. Scroll down to read the complete article on our scheduled shopping opportunities, or click the “shop by appointment” button to sign up for a time. Contactless pickup also continues to be available, click the shop online now button to go to our online store!
Come Visit!
Our 25,000 sq ft warehouse with over 5,000 sq ft of retail showroom space is situated just off of I-70 (East Lawrence Exit #204) making us a convenient jaunt from Kansas City, Topeka or even further away. We have people who come down from Des Moines, Omaha & Lincoln and as far as Fayetteville, Tulsa, & Oklahoma City. Lawrence is a lovely place to visit and spend some time. Be sure to ask us about recommendations about where to stay or where to play!
Bracker's Good Earth Clays
We can come to you!
We have a 10,000# capacity truck and a 4,000# capacity van for deliveries. We’re in Kansas City once or twice a week, Topeka about once or twice a month, and Western Kansas a few times each semester. We typically are in Nebraska or Iowa once or twice a month, Lincoln/Omaha/Council Bluffs most often, but also out to Kearney, Des Moines or even out to the Illinois border. We also go east to Columbia, south to Oklahoma City and occasionally down toward Fayetteville. We try very hard to group deliveries together and fill our truck and then divide the overall costs. A general range/expectation of delivery charges is below for your convenience.
If your location is within….
55 miles (greater KC area up to St. Joseph) – $25 plus 2¢/#
100 miles (Emporia & Manhattan). – $50 plus 3¢/#
175 miles (Wichita, Columbia, Lincoln) – $75 plus 3.5¢/
250 miles (Hays, Fayetteville,Des Moines) – $100 plus 4¢/#
Further Away? Let us know, we can work up a quote.
We can come to you!
We have a 10,000# capacity truck and a 4,000# capacity van for deliveries. We’re in Kansas City once or twice a week, Topeka about once or twice a month, and Western Kansas a few times each semester. We typically are in Nebraska or Iowa once or twice a month, Lincoln/Omaha/Council Bluffs most often, but also out to Kearney, Des Moines or even out to the Illinois border. We also go east to Columbia, south to Oklahoma City and occasionally down toward Fayetteville. We try very hard to group deliveries together and fill our truck and then divide the overall costs. A general range/expectation of delivery charges is below for your convenience.
If your location is within….
55 miles (greater KC area to St. Joseph) – $25 plus 2¢/#
100 miles (Emporia & Manhattan). – $50 plus 3¢/#
175 miles (Wichita, Columbia, Lincoln) – $75 plus 3.5¢/
250 miles (Hays, Fayetteville,Des Moines)-$100 plus 4¢/#
Further Away? Let us know, we can work up a quote.
Our Services
One of the things that sets Bracker’s apart from other suppliers is our expansive service offerings. Diagnostic services, kiln & wheel repair (or any ceramics equipment), consultations, troubleshooting, district or one-on-one training, professional development, inservices & custom workshops are available.
Our most popular…
Raku Firings
We have a lot of options for inservices and custom workshops, but there are none more popular than our Raku events. We’ve customized the popular raku firing event for a wide variety of audiences, from demonstrations, to participation, to education, at our place or yours! Click to read more about this or other options!
Our most in-demand…
Dave (aka KilnDoc)
You can’t actually just “Dial-a-Dave”, but kiln technology is getting us closer and closer to that. For now, you’ll have to call or send an email to get on Dave’s Schedule. He is HIGHLY in demand but does his best to quickly triage your situation and get back to you quickly. His schedule is generally first-come, first-served, but in the case of a true crisis, Dave can often squeeze in a repair out of order. (usually because he works overtime to get it all done)
Our most in-demand…
Dave (aka KilnDoc)
You can’t actually just “Dial-a-Dave”, but kiln technology is getting us closer and closer to that. For now, you’ll have to call or send an email to get on Dave’s Schedule. He is HIGHLY in demand but does his best to quickly triage your situation and get back to you quickly. His schedule is generally first-come, first-served, but in the case of a true crisis, Dave can often squeeze in a repair out of order. (usually because he works overtime to get it all done)
clay
We’re all united by our common bond of clay. Though some of us love low fire while others meander toward midfire, and also all of those atmospheres…wood, salt, soda, even raku, and of course all the die hard Cone 10 Reduction folks out there, WE ALL NEED CLAY. Bracker’s is proud to offer a huge selection of clays from a variety of brands. We have the full line of Flint Hills Clays, plus the ability to mix up special custom blends for you, we also have a large supply of Laguna clays, a good stock of Standard bodies and a few Aardvark and AMACO clays on hand as well.
Glazes & Underglazes
We carry AMACO, Spectrum, Coyote, Laguna Opulence & Coleman Glazes
bulk materials, chemicals & colorants
We get raw clay in from mines located across the country. We have Kaolin from Georgia & Florida (and ENGLAND! and NEW ZEALAND!), Ball Clay from Kentucky & Tennessee, Feldspar from South Dakota, Fireclay from Missouri, Talc from Texas, Silica from Illinois, Shale clays from Ohio, Kyanite from Virginia, plus we have a complete array of raw chemicals and colorants from Alumina to Zirconium.
tools everyone needs
We love tools….old ones, new ones, shiny ones, dirty ones. Kemper tools were the first brand we started to stock, and originally “displayed’ them all in metal coffee cans which were contained in big styrofoam boxes. Since those early days, we’ve added Dolan & Dirty Girls, Giffin & Groovy, MKM & Mudtools, Fluters & Falcon Tools, AMACO & Trim Gin, Chinese Clayart & Xiem, and a host of other miscellaneous finds. We add more all the time, so you never know what new tool you might find in our store….in person or online!
Kilns & Firing Supplies
We sell ConeArt, Skutt, Paragon & L&L Kilns plus we have a complete array of firing supplies from shelves and posts to stilts and cones and safety equipment like goggles and gloves
Wheels & Throwing Supplies
We sell Brent, Pacifica, Shimpo, Soldner & Skutt wheels, We also have a variety of additional throwing supplies like bats, giffin grips, stools, tables,
Extruders, Slabrollers and things handbuilders love
Extruders and Dies, Slabrollers and Canvas, plus slump molds, hump molds, drape molds and more.
Community Involvement
We believe in the importance of being an active and giving participant in our communities, both our physical area of residence and the greater ceramic ecosystem. We both volunteer our time and donate resources to a variety of organizations, events & projects.
NCECA
The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is a dynamic organization that fosters global education and appreciation for the ceramic arts. Bracker’s is proud to support this incredible organization both through its continuous corporate membership as well as additional sponsorships throughout the year. NCECA’s programs, publications, opportunities and resources inspire advancement of the field. Many of our staff members also support NCECA both financially and with the gift of their time and talents. we encourage our customers to also help support NCECA’s educational exhibitions, publications and creative opportunities for artists through membership in the organization, advocacy and additional sustaining support as you are able. It’s a great group to be part of!
NICE at NCC
Northern Clay Center’s MN NICE includes weekly intensives as well as artist lectures, gallery tours, and studio visits with established artists to take advantage of the rich ceramic resources throughout the Twin Cities. The program strives to support emerging artists both artistically and professionally. Bracker’s is proud to sponsor an artist from our region to go take part in one of thes unique 8 week opportunities
Lawrence Events
Bracker’s is proud to also sponsor events in our local community. The annual Home Run 5K benefits Family Promise, a local organization that helps homeless families with children achieve and maintain permanent housing. The Tour of Lawrence is a 3-4 day bike racing event that benefits different non-profits each year. These are just a few great family-friendly and fitness-focused events in Lawrence. There’s lots more to do here if you’re planning a trip to get clay!
Compendium of Resources
Lesson Plans, MSDS sheets, workshop handouts, guides, Lesson Plans and other useful documents are available here on our website. All free to download and use!
On this page (scroll down, or click to jump right there!):
Top • News & Features • Map & Locations • Services • Products • Resources • Reviews • Who we are
Some of our produced content
Dishin' the Dirt....
Read the latest articles about Brackers, Clay, Art & whatever else comes to mind. These aren’t published on any schedule, it’s just as things come up. Sometimes we even feature guest articles!
Bracker TV
We like to create videos about our favourite products. Sometimes they’re cheesy, but still informative. Most are pretty short. We also have a collections of our favourite videos that you might enjoy!
Why shop at Brackers?
We asked a few of our customers this question, here’s what they said…
On this page (scroll down, or click to jump right there!):
Top • News & Features • Map & Locations • Services • Products • Resources • Reviews • Who we are
Brackers is the spot. Get what you need and they are VERY helpful. You’ve got a question, they can answer it
Is there a better place in KC for clay and pottery supplies? I don’t think so. Employees are generally very knowledgeable.
Great customer service, experts in the field are available on site nearly 100% of the time. And great selection of products. You just cant beat this place in the metro for pottery supplies.
This is definitely my favorite ceramic/pottery supply store to date. Staff is always friendly and helpful, offering tips and advice. They have awesome stock of glaze chemicals and tools, and the walls are always decked with beautiful local pieces
Wonderful service and very knowledgeable. I am a beginner and they are patient and helpful. When order online shipments are super fast.
who we are
Bracker’s Staff
On this page (scroll down, or click to jump right there!):
Top • News & Features • Map & Locations • Services • Products • Resources • Reviews • Who we are
Anne W Bracker
Founder
No one is sure if i fell in love with clay or with my husband Bill first. It’s like the chicken and egg debate. Around here they call me “Big Brother” because i like to snoop and spy on everything going on. BUT i catch a lot of errors before they go out the door…
Anne M Bracker
Vice President
Normally I would write a clever and witty quote, but I’m simply too focused on feeling grateful that the people I know and love are safe after the major tornado that hit south of Lawrence on May 28th. Property is replaceable and rebuildable. People aren’t.
Cindy Bracker
President
I like spreadsheets.. really, i do. But i also like to get my hands dirty from time to time. So occassionally, I go to the back and mix clay. Or sometimes I get to work with that clay on my slabrollers. I usually remember to get the clay off my hands before I go back to my spreadsheets….
David Sturm
Service Manager
“What’s it doing or not doing” are the most frequently heard words out of my mouth. I’m like a kiln detective…I use a bunch of clues to solve the mystery of what’s wrong and then i fix it. I also want you to know that Cindy made up my title. Kiln Detective is way better and i need theme music….
Jeanette Oliver
Shipping Manager
If you have an order shipping in a box or on a pallet, I’ve almost certainly had something to do with it. I love seeing the joyous excitement on someone’s face or hearing it in their voice who is new to clay and just beginning to discover its endless possibilities.
Julie
Warehouse & Deliveries
I deliver clay to the art community at large, sometimes by driving “The BIG Truck”. I am your typical starting artist and mistress of bad jokes. Heklp us support the arts. Buy more clay, please
Cheryl
tech-in-training
I worked for years at a foundry doing bronze casting and metal work. I’m thrilled to be back in the world of art and lifting heavy things.
Chris
warehouse staff
Chris couldn’t be reached for comment. He works 2 1/2 jobs and also tries to make his own work to sell at art fairs and galleries…..
Donna
miscellaneous everything gal
I check in and put away shipments, package orders in the shipping department and make gleco traps, and I LOVE organizing the boxes!!!!
Willow
miscellaneous everything gal also
Willow mixes clay, builds pallets, works in the retail area, packs up boxes, checks in orders, and makes us all happier with her presence!
Tristan
clay mixer
I make a lot of clay. consequently, i now have a lot of muscles. When i’m not using those to make clay, I’m using my brain to learn about industrial design at KU
Summer Staff
Daphne
Product testing & Examples
“Be like a pineapple…stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside”. There’s a quote for ya.
Sophie
trainee/model
working at brackers is a lovely introduction to the art world and all of the people in it, which is funny because the art world gave me my introduction to life. (Obviously, she doesn’t look like her picture above any more. She looks like this now:
Cindy's alternate photo.....
Anne M really thought this was the picture that should accompany Cindy’s bio. It’s from when she portrayed Mrs. Hannigan in the Lawrence Arts Center Dance Department’s summer rendition of Annie…..Cindy’s a good sport, so she decided “What the heck….