Dale pots Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I've never seen this forum get so comically off track. It must be Spring Time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alabama Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I think the "real"potters were the ones from the 19th century. They farmed from Spring to fall, then made pottery thru the winter. They weren't paid by the piece, rather by the amount gallons each vessel held. Thats why there were so many 3 to 10 gallon crocks, and churns, etc. Its hard from me to do much of anything in the winter much less fool with cold wet clay and icy water all day. It wasn't unusual for potters to throw 1 to 2 thousand pounds a day. I'd be such a wuss. Back then, Men were Men and Women were too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavy Fire Studios Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Oh, give me a break--just because you don't wanna deal with the bloody hassle, mess, frustration, toxic chemicals, and broo-haahaa of mixing glazes, DOES NOT MEAN you are not a "real potter," and whoever said that can kiss my fat guinea pig butt! That's total elitist crap. Pbfth. I mixed a metric butt-ton of glazes in college. I was so neurotic about it because I never trusted anyone else to do it right, haha! I also have a small chemistry background too, so that helped. Now that I'm a graduated guinea, guess what? EVERY SINGLE GLAZE I USE (except my three-ingredient 04 shiny clear) IS COMMERCIAL. Anyone who wants to say to my face that I'm not a "real potter" because of it is gonna have an angry 15-year thai boxing rodent ALL up in their business, too! I did my time in college, and I'm not heave-ho'in buckets around with TWELVE herniated discs in my back. You ARE a real potter. Anyone who picks up that mud and makes gorgeous work, crappy work, or mediocre work is a REAL POTTER. We are one in the same when it comes to our craft, no matter what stupid glazes we use. Heck, some potters don't use glaze at all! Cheer up, jellybean. Your work is rad! ♥♥♥ (P.S. I HAS NO BEARD WAAAAH...but, my fella does! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenflux Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I have a decent supply of chemicals I never use because it's just easier to buy the pre made stuff. I barely have time as it is to make new stuff without fussing with making my own glazes. Maybe someday I will again. I still have 4 buckets I made a few years ago I'm still using because I don't like them all that much. Instead I have a commercial glaze buying obsession to rival most girls shoe obsessions. I have over 40 different colors. I don't use a lot of them though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerdry Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I'm wondering how my gut wrenching, heart squeezing confession turned into a discussion of shaving off beards.... Mark, 62 is an excellent age. Now we're old enough to know better,and still young enough to do something about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I guess some artists are not real painters either because they don't make their own paints? Dang right they aren't! They are also not real painters, if they don't weave their own linen for canvases, hunt down animals, to shave for brush bristles and chop down their own trees to make canvas stretches and brush handles. And don't get me started on so called "Potters", who don't mine their own clay and glaze materials... I think you have to back up a bit ... Plant your own forest so you can cut your wood for building your studio, making benches and shelves and of course, firing ... Any clay you dig up can be used for pottery or bricks. Forge your own steel so you can make your tools. And, none of that sissified electricity .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rakukuku Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 well 30 years ago I had a kick wheel so I guess I was a real potter then but then I got rid of it. Using advancements in products does not make any of us "un real". Actually being an "unreal potter" would be a complement. I also have no beard. saving that for when I am an 80 year old lady. My hubby used to and I never saw him without it until we were married 10 years. Then he got rid of it a few years ago. He has a nice face. The only beard in our house now is on the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Are we not both real and unreal potters at the same time? You made me laugh raku I have tried a beard, it is far too itchy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 This reminds me of that meme that says "Normal is a setting on the dryer." I don't have a beard, I don't like scotch, and I don't wear Carhart overalls. Guess I'm not "real" either. I mix glazes to get what I want, and because I'm nerdy about the tech. Not everyone is, or has to be. I think playing to your strengths is the best way to make amazing work, and don't waste time with something that you've given an honest try, but just isn't your thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyH Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 I guess some artists are not real painters either because they don't make their own paints? Dang right they aren't! They are also not real painters, if they don't weave their own linen for canvases, hunt down animals, to shave for brush bristles and chop down their own trees to make canvas stretches and brush handles. And don't get me started on so called "Potters", who don't mine their own clay and glaze materials...And I'll never be a real baker because I don't grow my own wheat and grind it into flour. I do grow colonies of yeasts, though, whenever I make a sourdough starter. But mostly I use the pre-grown yeast that comes in a packet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 "Real" is over-rated anyway...I have found it to be a bit limited and constricting. And despite the fact that it drives my daughter up a wall, shuddering in horror and sweating with embarrassment at her mom, I will not spend my time plucking out every single last chin hair, and NO, that does not portend a beard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebekah Krieger Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 There's still hope guys- if you can't grow a beard you can still grow a ponytail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I just hope that those of us who are not "REAL" potters, are also NOT "VIRTUAL" potters! I'm not a gambler, but I bet there is a game for virtual potters somewhere in the web galaxy ! On the other hand..... virtual pottery would be clean, neat, tidy, not dusty, wouldn't make my hands itch, swallow cash, ....... or be as much FUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Bet those 'virtual potters' use that self centering clay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I just hope that those of us who are not "REAL" potters, are also NOT "VIRTUAL" potters! I'm not a gambler, but I bet there is a game for virtual potters somewhere in the web galaxy ! On the other hand..... virtual pottery would be clean, neat, tidy, not dusty, wouldn't make my hands itch, swallow cash, ....... or be as much FUN! Totally an App for that https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/lets-create!-pottery-hd/id380090605?mt=8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I just hope that those of us who are not "REAL" potters, are also NOT "VIRTUAL" potters! I'm not a gambler, but I bet there is a game for virtual potters somewhere in the web galaxy ! On the other hand..... virtual pottery would be clean, neat, tidy, not dusty, wouldn't make my hands itch, swallow cash, ....... or be as much FUN! Totally an App for that https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/lets-create!-pottery-hd/id380090605?mt=8 I have this app!! Mildly entertaining, but not as good as the real thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Perhaps that's how they'll run the Britain's best potter show? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Everyone knows that Real Potters fire to cone 16 with wood over a minimum of 10 days! best, .................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Great topic I also remember the days when you had to fire C10 reduction to be a real potter. Low fire terracotta was for little old ladies and C6 electric was crazy. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 My "pet peeve" topic lately is when people say to me (or in workshops or classes) " I only fire with an electric kiln." That word 'ONLY' has such negative implications. Like they are admitting they are a second class citizen or something. Arrrgggghhhhhhhh. Drives me crazy. Raku kilns do stuff. Gas kilns do stuff. Wood kilns do stuff. Electric kilns do stuff. Just make sure the stuff they do is GOOD stuff! best, ..........................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I think the firing elitism is less now ... Ron and John blew the lid off when they wrote their book on Mastering Cone 6 glazes ... Thank you both! I heard a couple years ago that there was a book in process (not by Ron/john) on using commercial glazes but have not seen it yet. It would be great if their use could be legitimized for the non production potter. ( I say that since they are usually too costly if you are going through tons of clay. ) So many potters apologize for using these glazes ... a product that works perfectly for their purposes, engineered by folks who know what they are doing. I think there is still a bit of ... Eh, Whatever you want to call it ... Around what you make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entasis Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 None of the master potters during the Sung Dynasty studied chemistry from a textbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRankin Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 I have found this sense of elitism in other aspects of my professional and recreational life. It is related to this discussion. In rollerblading, I'm a certified instructor and skate with a few different clubs. There is an elitism regarding the brand of skates and especially the size of wheels. The largest being the most elitist and the smallest are only for beginners or recreational skaters. You can really sense it when someone builds their own skates with custom boots, frames and wheels, and they flaunt the attitude that they are real skaters and my store bought skates are inferior and I'm not a real skater. In tennis, it's similar regarding the brand of racket and whether you have your own stringing machine or not. None of these situations even consider the person's skills. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 I guess some artists are not real painters either because they don't make their own paints? Dang right they aren't! They are also not real painters, if they don't weave their own linen for canvases, hunt down animals, to shave for brush bristles and chop down their own trees to make canvas stretches and brush handles. And don't get me started on so called "Potters", who don't mine their own clay and glaze materials... Didn't we have a post about this already? I mentioned my water wheel for crushing/grinding materials? T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Great topic I also remember the days when you had to fire C10 reduction to be a real potter. Low fire terracotta was for little old ladies and C6 electric was crazy. Denice Still like that,he said rubbing his beard as he mixed up a cone 10 glaze from raw materials mined and crushed on his own property. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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