blackthorn

Working on test for a  Greek mythology set.

Lucky them!  It's beautiful!

I spent the weekend glazing the rest of my bisqueware I had saved up, finishing bottoms and taking pictures.  Going to be listing it all on my online store and having a fun sale sometime in the coming weeks.  I have some stuff I know will be popular just from how many people on instagram, facebook and reddit have reached out to try to snipe things early.  
I participated in my local clay art associations pot swap this year and will be sending out this plate to the person whose name I drew!
 

Working on test for a  Greek mythology set.

Hamer's "The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques"
A favorite of mine.

I am not making wheels to sale but here is a link to a short video of a kick treadle wheel I just finished making from a black locust tree and some hardware.
Tree to Treadle

It’s photo editing day!

@oldlady Jim Butcher is an urban fantasy author who's largest and most ongoing series is the 15-book-and-counting Dresden Files.  They follow the adventures of Harry Dresden, Chicago's resident wizard.  Pres and I discovered we were both reading him in the "what are you listening to in your studio" thread earlier this year. If you'd like more details I'd be happy to share them in dm, but I should probably stop hijacking the thread here.
 

Sun loosing heat, heh. It's snowing here now.

More photo play.

Well, this may come across like one of those Facebook posts where people show pics of their lunch, but I don't care. I am so psyched!  My Thermal-Light shelves have finally arrived!!!!

Back in the day pots where made all by handbuilding/coiling etc or a kick wheel  driven with a foot  or a stick or a treadle (later invention) or by someone else 
handles where rolled or pulled or slabbed
Indoor plumbing came along as well
Since those days and much of this has been in my lifetime its all changed.(not the indoor plumbing)
Power wheels extruders slab rollers  pug mill and clay mixer and combo machines-they even come all with  electric power now
Pres story on extruder dies sums up how far this has come-I cut my pulled clay handle in 1/2 traced it on the aluminum die and cut it with my jewelers saw from collage jewelry class.
I most likey would still do that way as I like the craftsmen ways still. sure I have power wheels and electric slab rollers but filing it smooth and completing it feels good still to me.
I embrace the parts that save time and my body as a professional potter.Even with all that stuff I'm still been beat up by clay. I'm missing 3 bones in one wrist from overuse after a fall injury long ago I do not recall. Soon to have a bone removed from my other thumb (later in January) no cartilage  between bones from overuse.. (centering I think )as that hurts the most
I will add that clay has also kept me in shape. Moved 1/2 ton today into studio. Keeping moving at my age is a good thing.
The part of clay that has not changes much is how much we have to move it. At least 12 times for me before its sold or dropped off. That adds up over the decades .Especailly when it 10 tons a year. I would love this to be different but even If I had a better studio set up it still would be 10 moves at least .
If I made less stuff -non production potter I would not think about this.I learned long ago not to make my own clay as it was killing my body when I did.Now its more a slow death by clay.
Griffen grips power mixers and wheel all add up to  time and body savings. I'll all in for that. I sponge up all labor saving I ever see from other potters no matter how small from glaze tongs to hot waxing-it all adds up to less time.I do not claen my  throwing wheel much anymore whats the point it gets used to much to bother time wise. I keep my trimming wheel clean as its easy.
Leanring from others was and is a high priority for me. Technology for me is all about Time/labor saving .
I still like paper and lists so some old school left in me.
 
 
 

Seems like a medical question---personally I would want to do some research into the specific condition and choose carefully what type(s) of health practitioner(s) I consulted.  Mainstream medicine did nothing for the type of arthritis I have, in a segment of my neck/shoulder, and in my right hand, but a year of  (insurance-covered) expert chiropractic treatment reduced it significantly, proven by x-rays. It is not gone, of course, but in over 3 years it has not progressed from that reduction and is nowhere near the pretreatment degree of pain and restriction of movement.  I am absolutely not offering a medical opinion--just sharing what has been the case for me, which has been counter to what I was being told by M.D.s., including that progression was inevitable.  Keeping my hand/fingers/wrist moving-including working with clay-is a recommendation for my ongoing flexibility. I do not throw very often; I handbuild. My most significant restriction is wedging, and I have found that the cut & slam method is the best technique for me.

It arrived today.  I think I'll be keeping this one close by.

It arrived today.  I think I'll be keeping this one close by.

It arrived today.  I think I'll be keeping this one close by.

It arrived today.  I think I'll be keeping this one close by.

It arrived today.  I think I'll be keeping this one close by.

Well, not exactly on the workbench but I thought I'd share a peek at how my test herb markers did and a new shallow dish treatment that I like (PC Ancient Copper).

My silliest, though, not the silliest of anyone ever.   Certainly the most boring... I loaned my Brent C wheel  to a 'friend' before I went traveling. 
Never saw it again.
My new Thomas Stuart is  on its way though.

They said they moved a number of times and the wheel 'sustained some damage' before its abandonment.  Like the wheel, I haven't seen that friend again. Not that I'm bitter.

My silliest, though, not the silliest of anyone ever.   Certainly the most boring... I loaned my Brent C wheel  to a 'friend' before I went traveling. 
Never saw it again.
My new Thomas Stuart is  on its way though.

My silliest, though, not the silliest of anyone ever.   Certainly the most boring... I loaned my Brent C wheel  to a 'friend' before I went traveling. 
Never saw it again.
My new Thomas Stuart is  on its way though.

He should be up and about in no time.  Fine work!