pot cemetery

Not all pots make it but I just can't bring myself to throw out the seconds. These pots have found a home in the garden, collecting the water that drips off the bonsai shelf. Beats being thrown away!

A Big Day of Throwing

Some throwing days can be a disaster and while others just work. I think it comes down to the mindset you have when you start out. Being calm and focussed. You need to have a kind of internal quietness, and if you don't have it, then it's like the clay just wants to jump around. It reminds me of what they say about dogs - they can smell fear - clay can smell when you're relaxed!!

Here's my wheel. It's an old Venco from a school that's decided to no longer teach pottery. Few places teach pottery now.

When I studied ceramics at art school 15 years ago pottery wasn't encouraged as the department tried to position itself as an art, not a craft. Now the department has gone completely!

If it keeps going like this, people wont know what it feels like to hold and use a cup or bowl that's made by hand rather than machine ...