[QotW: Where does one draw the line between deciding what is a second and what is OK to represent your name?]

For me it is not pride or ego ... it is in my nature. I simply cannot sell a pot I believe to be a ‘second’ at any price.

I have learned that for me ... a ‘second’ is a second before bisque. Nothing in a firing is going to save it. No glaze or decoration is going to do magic. No raku voodoo is going to hide it. So I don’t bisque it. No piece is so precious it cannot be made again.

Set your own standards on what is a second for you, then live with it.

[QotW: Where does one draw the line between deciding what is a second and what is OK to represent your name?]

Well, it depends. Are you going for a single sale or a repeat customer?

It’s bad enough when your early ‘good’ work comes back to haunt you ... cannot imagine how horrible it would be to meet a second in the hands of a potter I admire.

[Qotw: Participants Question Pool For Future Qotw's]

Another good question might be ... basic things you can do to avoid needless failures and disappointment.

[Qotw: Participants Question Pool For Future Qotw's]

Here’s one from a current discussion ....

you know you are not meant to be a potter if ......

[Qotw: Participants Question Pool For Future Qotw's]

Can creativity be taught or is it something we are born with?

... and is creativity really needed to make good pottery?

[Submit Your Community Challenge Ideas]

I'd like to see people choose one form ... Bowl, mug, vase, container, casserole ... And execute the form several times using different techniques ... Throwing, coiling, soft slab building, firm slab building, slump molds, hump mods, pinching, free form ... Whatever. Just test how many ways you can get to where you are going.

[Alumina And Wax]

Isn't 2 teaspoons of alumina to 4 oz of wax a lot? I use less and am wondering if this proportion is right?