Completed pieces!

Well, I have my first completed pieces. I must say, I was surprised at the way they turned out. With glaze you never know, and some of them I loved, some I hated. These four were the winners. Ones that I will actually keep in my kitchen that is. The mugs are pretty good. Too small. The bigger one is WAY TOO HEAVY! I named it the behemoth. I made it for myself as a coffee mug thinking the thickness would hold the heat better, but it is way to heavy to lift and carry around. Too bad because I love the shape and color. Oh well. You live and learn. I am getting better at raising things up, so hoping that the next time I can keep the shape, but lose the weight. 

Now that I started, I can hardly wait to get my own kiln. I hate waiting and driving pieces back and forth. I also got my order in. Which means glazes I chose! Time to put the kids to bed early and do some work! My next blog: the pitcher. I am going to start with a small one (for gravy and syrups, coffee cream, etc.) and then work my way up to a nice juice pitcher. I'm sure there will be some flops, but I am looking forward to getting started! Until next time...

altered teapot... FAILURE!

So today I was inspired to alter a teapot, thanks to Marijanel's video post... :)

I BOTCHED it! It was awful. The lid is ruined after my constant trying to get it to fit the new shape. If I hadn't made it last night, I would have tried something different with it. Lids are my nemesis. Sigh.

Nevertheless, it was an experiment. I am trying to create something that is entirely mine and entirely unique. This would be attempt number 8 (or something like that) and also failure number 8. Stay tuned for future attempts.

New news in my little world of pottery. I will be ordering tools and glazes next week. I am so looking forward to having some tools. And to being able to complete some of my pieces.

So, until next time...

Class Number Two

Well, today was my official second lesson in the "art of pottery". And the refresher was a lifesaver. This week alone I have had three large bowls collapse on me and have been at a loss as to what I should do. After watching a pro at the wheel and asking my questions, I came home and successfully threw my first medium-sized bowl. I have aptly named it my egg-whisking bowl. It is the perfect size for that. After borrowing some tools to remove my wet pieces without ruining them, I was able to keep going and threw a tall, heavyset mug. This is going to be my coffee-mug. It is so big and heavy and will hold the heat well. I can hardly wait to have it finished so I can drink my first cup from it.

It is times like these that I wish pottery were not quite so slow. Once I make my piece, I have to finish it, once I finish it, it has to dry, once it dries, it has to be bisque fired, then glazed, then fired again. Sigh, wait wait wait. Oy vey. But it is a beginning. And one day I will have my own kiln and perhaps the process will be a little bit quicker. Until then... I throw!

Renegade Raising

Raising: my own personal nemesis. I have centering down pat, opening is simple, it is pulling up my slab of stubborn clay to which I always seem to falter. Last night, I was determined to have a "showdown." Until now, I have been using only enough clay to make a mug or small bowl. So, in an effort to give myself a challenge, I cut off three times as much last night and sat down to battle it out. I would tell you it was my hands against all odds, but it was in fact my whole body. I am in awe of those potters who use whole boxes of clay to create their masterpieces. For even the relatively small amount I used was a formidable opponent. I centered the clay with enough force to push my car out of the driveway. Using both my hands, my arms, my whole body to manoeuvre it to my will. After which I opened it, also having to use both hands to get enough pressure. And that brought me to my ultimate challenge, raising. Let's just say it took me a long time. I tried all sorts of techniques, I made up my own techniques, I made mistakes, I fixed the mistakes. I smoothed, I pulled, I pushed, and somehow made at least a semblance of what I was trying to do. It still wasn't as high as I was hoping for. And the bottom is going to be heavy while the top half is where I got all my height. BUT... I made a vase. Now all I have to do is get my husband to buy me some pretty flowers to showcase my artistic masterpiece!

My First Class

Well, today I had my first pottery class. It was awesome! The girl I am taking lessons from is so like-minded and so easy to talk to. It was like going out for coffee with a friend, only I paid and got to learn something in the process :) Anyways, I made a bowl and a mug with Chericce and then came home and tonight I sat down and made my first GOOD piece (on my own, both pieces I made with Chericce weren't bad). She lent me some tools to get me started and now that I know some techniques, AKA how to hold my hands and such, I am definitely getting better.

From the top you can see my nice clean wheel and new pottery "loaner" tools. I did end up making the side of this pot a little bit outdented. It wasn't purposeful, but I decided I liked the look so much I didn't want to fix it. Some of my mistakes now are unique and give my piece originality. I am sure once I do perfect cylinders with no mistakes, I will be trying to mimic some of my earlier fallouts :)

Ha ha! Now that I am looking at a picture of this pot, I want to go and tweak its shape. Oh well. I can always do it again tomorrow!

So, this is my new step in my pottery adventure. We were going to buy a kiln yesterday, but it had a lot of repairs that needed to be done so we ended up backing out. I am hoping we can find one soon so that I can start experimenting with different glazes, but until then... I'll just keep practicing! Until tomorrow! (or the next day ;)

The Beginning...

This is my new pottery wheel. I just picked it up a few days ago and have already nearly filled the splash pan with my "misadventures" if you will. This is an entirely new venture for me, something I have always wanted to do but never even tried. I have quite literally no idea what I am doing. I have done exhaustive research on my good friend, YouTube, trying to learn what I can, and the rest I am learning by pure trial and error. I doubt I will be doing the techniques right, but hey, it's all art right?

What does pottery mean to me? Why now? Right now, this is a hobby, a filler in my life. Something that is mine and sets me apart from being 'wife and mom'. The amount of time and energy I have to devote to it is minimal, however when I do sit down, it is time for myself. It is so relaxing and enjoyable to get my hands dirty and be creative. With no pressure, no one looking over my shoulder. Just me and a lump of clay. And the best part about it is that my husband is so supportive. I know he is hoping that this may one day be a business venture for us. But for now, he is content to let me explore and learn and try different things. And that simple gesture of approval from him makes this my sanctuary.

My first day at the wheel was quite hilarious really. I had no idea how to centre a piece, and because I failed miserably, as soon as I attempted any height, my cone collapsed. So I ended up hand moulding this little candle holder. Very crude, but a fun experience nonetheless.

My second night at the wheel was perhaps not as exaggerated, but I still got stuck at centring. And although I was able to at least open my piece up, I kept it small and called it a night. It is also uneven, oy vey, but once again, still fun!

And that brings me to today. I spent the kids' naptime practising my centring skills. And by tonight, I felt ready to try again. Thus producing my third piece. And if I am completely honest with myself, I am quite proud. It is also not perfect, but not bad. From the distance and with a little glaze to hide the imperfections, this is a piece I would proudly display in my cupboard for all to see. And so, behold, my first passable piece of pottery, the mug:

So there it is, my first three days at the potters wheel. I have a long ways to go. I need some tools (right now I am using a pin stuck in the end of a candle for a pin tool and a kitchen knife for my cutting tool) and a lot more experience. But I am content to take the journey knowing that whether it leads to a profitable future or simply an artistic adventure, it is an experience that I am so far enjoying! So until my next piece...