Throwing Mud

This is my very first attempt at ever trying to throw on the wheel. It was not centered. As I was bringing it up one side was thin and the other thick…so I pulled a spout on it! I wish I’d of thought to put a little handle on, but I’m so thrilled with my first piece on the wheel.

I sorta like this color Orcher. Non of us know how to say it, but it sounds like Okra. On the red clay it’s very earthy and I like earthy.

This little cup turned out to actually be useful. It holds my tea strainer perfectly. It was suppose to be a mug, but it turned out way too small for me and the handle wasn’t right, so I cut it off. If I’m learning one thing from Pottery, it is patience. I hate to admit that I’m not a patient person. But pottery is not something to rush. It takes time and lots of patience to get each piece just right….and if you are me, then sometimes, it’s never JUST right, but good enough!

In some ways, I’m like the Amish. They don’t believe we can do anything perfectly….because only God is perfect, so they always leave an imperfection in their quilts. A visual reminder that only God is perfect. Mine are usually not an intended imperfection, but a reflection of who I am…..very imperfect.

I discovered today when some new pieces came out of the kiln, that the red clay shrinks considerably after the second firing! I mean considerably. So, in the future I need to make a mental note of that and expect my pre-glaze firing pieces to be bigger than I want. Hopefully I’ll be able to gauge it right since I love using the red clay. I’m attempting to replace all our store bought dishes with hand thrown/built pieces!  A lofty goal.

(I’ll be so glad to be rid of my Pfaltzgraff dishes I’ve had for almost 30 yrs!)

A Blast From My Past

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am Ditzy Dizzy Di!

I’m already dizzy just from life itself. Why on earth would I need to sit at a wheel of any kind that spins? But, I do. I love spinning wool and now I love to throw pottery!

Then it hit me….can you hear it….Dizzy, my head is spinning….I’m so Dizzy! Wo a blast from my past hit me….Tommy Roe, you know it….Dizzy! Ok, maybe you don’t go back that far….but I could hear it as clear as day….being a child of the 60’s.

This is John, my mentor….well, he’s just a guy in class who showed me what to do. As is, I’ll just wing it and come up with a style of my own. I’ve never been afraid to try anything new.

Here’s my first pot…..YIKES. It was so thin on one side, so I pulled a spout!

I’m so dizzy. My head is spinning.

John showed me how to trim it and then I threw two more pots. I was amazed with myself! I kept working to center them. Starting over several times before I got it. I’ll show them next week. Now I have to figure out how to throw something other than bowls….we don’t have that much cupboard space! I would love to replace all our factory made dishes with handmade pottery. I don’t know what it is. But there is something about eating from earthenware that is handmade. Just like wearing natural fibers that are handmade.

Ok. I really am a child of the 60’s. Maybe I am a hippy at heart, as Sweet Girls friends think. I do still wear tie dye, but I don’t wear socks with my sandals!!!

I’m so dizzy. My head is spinning!

Pottery

Tuesday is my pottery mental health day. Last week I threw on the wheel for the very first time. This is a continuing ed class mostly for Seniors….although I’d hardly call myself a Senior, I’ve enjoyed the dynamics of the class so much. The folks are just so great. One of my classmates John, is 72. Last week he worked with me to teach me how to use the wheel.

The hardest part is centering. If it’s not centered, you get something that looks like my first piece…..I’ll show you later this week…..it wasn’t centered. Although to my untrained hands and eye it felt somewhat centered, it’s possible that I didn’t get my thumb in the center when I pushed down. When I finished it was thin on one side and thick on the other….

After trying one little piece, I truly appreciate what a master potter does! I’ve enjoyed visiting Paul the Potter. I love, love, love, his work and his style! The only problem is Paul is in England….or maybe that isn’t a problem! I would love to visit his shop and buy a pot or two! I really love his simplicity.

My class is based on form & function. We use slabs or pinch pots to build a piece. I just finished a Gyuvech. It turned out nicely. It’s waiting to be bisqued.

I’m still not thrilled with the glazes. I’m still experimenting with them on this red clay.

(John helps me with my handles…..I just can’t get them right)