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.

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  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.

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  3. Angela

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

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  9. Teej

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

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  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!

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  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.

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  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!

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  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…

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  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.

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  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.

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