Pottery: Second Session

I have some pottery back from my second session of classes! During this session I impulsively (that is, it’s not something we covered in class) experimented with drawing on things before they were fired, and I did more messing around with using multiple glazes on a single piece.


These are on the smallish end of bowls, maybe more like candy dishes. The bowl on the far right had a bad crack through the floor of it, but I took a picture before breaking it the rest of the way in the driveway (quite satisfying to do).

 


For scale, the thingie on the left holds slightly over half a cup of liquid.

 


Miscellaneous/decorative shapes.

 


The thing on the left is the largest thing I’ve ever made, and nice and thin too: the clay was jussssst on the verge of collapsing when I stopped messing with it. The thing in the middle is the second-largest, and the largest/straightest up-and-down thing I’ve ever made; it’s about the size of a nice big pencil-holder, or a canister for smallish scrubbie brushes.

 


These bowls are about right for a sad restricted amount of ice cream, or for a nice amount of M&Ms. The mug is smaller than I wanted it (it’s the size of the small mug of coffee you have late-afternoon when you really shouldn’t have any), and the glaze didn’t come out how I wanted it, but I’m happy with the shape and with the handle.

 

I am pleased with the things, and pleased with the progress (first batch, for comparison). Some marks of progress you can’t see but they please me: everything is thinner and lighter than before, and the bottoms are much nicer and more even. I’m not sure if I will take another session of classes or not; they’re not offered again until the fall, so I have time to think. Toward the end of this second session I was feeling as if I was making the same things over again, and also feeling a little tired of doing it. I don’t know if that means I’m done, or just that I need a break and some new ideas.

27 thoughts on “Pottery: Second Session

  1. Sarah

    I am so excited about your pottery endeavor! These pieces are soooo cute–I could see these at a summer art fair. I hope you decide to keep going with this.

    Reply
  2. Slim

    I’m glad you enjoyed it, and no pressure but if you don’t do it again, I will be disappointed because I like the end-of-class virtual craft fair.

    Reply
  3. Angela

    Impressive! You know, these one-of-a-kind pieces would make lovely random-drawing contest giveaways for your admiring fans.

    Reply
  4. Carmen

    These are so great! I particularly love the dark blue ones. I think my favourite piece is the right-most one in the photo with three dark blue ones; second favourite is the canister for smallish scrubbie brushes. I like the stripes.

    Your experiences going to this class have made me think that I should be bold and try something new as well. I’ll have to think of what that should be. Maybe quilting. Hmmmm.

    Reply
  5. elizabeth

    Not sure whether you’re interested in suggestions, but I bought a piece of pottery last summer with a specific feature that I love. It’s a huge coffee mug with a really thick handle, and on the top of the handle (where it curves over, right before it attaches back to the body of the mug) is a little flat platform. You can put your thumb on the handle-platform while you’re holding the handle, so the mug doesn’t slip. I’m not sure I’ve described it well, but it’s the best thing EVER.

    Reply
  6. ccr in MA

    Those are beautiful! As in, I can see buying them at a craft fair quality stuff. Not trying to pressure you to do more, but good for you for trying it, getting past discomfort, and doing a great job.

    Reply
  7. el-e-e

    Pretty things! It must be fun to know you MADE the pretty things! :) I really like the drawings you did on them.

    Reply
  8. Celeste

    I think they’re wonderful. There’s something thrilling about feathering my nest with things I made with my own hands. It’s like a serendipitous find, but that no one else has because it’s unique in all the world.

    Reply
  9. Teej

    My favorites are the thingie on the left that holds slightly over half a cup of liquid and its chubby companion piece.

    Reply
  10. Matti

    These are beautiful! I’m really digging the mixed glazes and drawing on the outside first. I especially like the layered/striped effect of the largish straight-sided pencil holder. Well done!

    Reply
  11. Vicki

    These are all so pretty. I probably would have glued the one with the crack in the bottom, which is a good indication of why my house looks like it does.

    Reply
  12. DoingMyBest

    Those turned out so well! I particularly like the color combination and designs in the second picture, and the single color in the picture underneath! Good work!

    Reply
  13. Gigi

    These are SO pretty – I can’t decide on a favorite. Now I’m thinking if I could find a partner in crime I might like to take a class…

    Reply
  14. Val

    I have loved both the look of your finished pieces–first and second patch ones–and the learning curve/journey you’ve been on with this. Kudos to you for not only starting it, but also sticking with it.

    I like the random drawing idea, but I was going to say that a bunch of us would love to have a Swistle Original if you auctioned one off somehow and donated the money to a charity you like–the ACLU or whatever else. :)

    Anyway, good for you! They’re lovely.

    Reply
  15. Liz

    So lovely! I like them all so much, but my heart yearns for the cobalt blue ones, especially those that go in at the top.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.