Up in Smoke Pottery Posted June 11, 2019 Report Share Posted June 11, 2019 (edited) Do you find sales better at small shows( <50 booths) or large shows(>200 booths) or somewhere in the middle? What is the worst booth neighbor to have... A). The German Roast Nuts....the intoxicating aroma becomes nauseating after a couple hours B). Kettle Korn, with the gas burner igniting every 10-15 mins drowning out all other sounds C). The Peruvian flute players playing their whole catalog of music from their CD's D). The overly chatty neighbor with no filter on what details they readily share E). Beer Tent Others???? Edited June 11, 2019 by Up in Smoke Pottery additional question added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 Which "newbie question" has most confused/confounded you? For example, today, I was asked: Why do you always tell me to do a glaze test before I use it on something real? terrim8 and Magnolia Mud Research 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 hours ago, Chilly said: Which "newbie question" has most confused/confounded you? For example, today, I was asked: Why do you always tell me to do a glaze test before I use it on something real? I'm all for testing on something real, but when I say test a glaze first, I mean before mixing up more than a test batch. I'm sure in a school setting where every piece is precious it has a different connotation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted July 29, 2019 Report Share Posted July 29, 2019 What is your most unapologetic, shamelessly proud, pat-yourself-on-the-back accomplishment of any type in your ceramics life (a terrific piece, a great sale, a sharp business strategy, a fine friend made, a good deed done, a land traveled, a discovery---etc. etc.)? terrim8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted July 29, 2019 Report Share Posted July 29, 2019 up in smoke, the ocarina maker who had to show everyone how it worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Another suggestion: How far back/deep do you feel compelled to go in your pursuit of pottery (or insert another craft/art here)? For example, I make clothes, but until recently have not felt compelled to weave fabric. I now do some weaving, but didn't feel compelled to spin thread/yarn. I've now taken up spinning. Why do I feel the need to buy a raw fleece and wash it, pick the bits out, and card it. All before I can spin it/weave it/sew it? The same with pottery, buy clay, dig clay, buy glaze, mix glaze. What are your compulsions, how far back do you feel you need to go? Not what your brain says is sensible, what your heart is tugging at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selchie Posted August 12, 2019 Report Share Posted August 12, 2019 (edited) Chilly, Very interesting question, because after there is digging up the clay from the ground, there could be making a kiln and cutting down trees for wood firing. However, your clothing analogy ends up with you owning the sheep - a serious proposition. To answer your question - I think it would be fun to dig up clay and try to throw it after it has been cleaned, but not for all clay needs. Edited August 12, 2019 by Selchie Addition of comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted August 17, 2019 Report Share Posted August 17, 2019 @preeta brought something up that I've been pondering for years. In this thread she asks "i wonder are potters now going to treat cobalt blue like blood diamonds? Whole ‘nother Subject." I realize as potters there's a strong probability that the cobalt we use is from the DRC and child labour plus health and safety concerns is a very valid concern in the mining practices there. We are not the reason for the mining, battery market seems to be the big driver now, but how do we feel about using cobalt or for that matter do we look into the mining practices of any of the materials we use? Cadmium inclusion stains to my knowledge are only being made in China and India, now why is that? (rhetorical question) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted August 17, 2019 Report Share Posted August 17, 2019 49 minutes ago, Min said: @preeta brought something up that I've been pondering for years. In this thread she asks "i wonder are potters now going to treat cobalt blue like blood diamonds? Whole ‘nother Subject." I realize as potters theres a strong probability that the cobalt we use is from the DRC and child labour plus health and safety concerns is a very valid concern in the mining practices there. We are not the reason for the mining, battery market seems to be the big driver now, but how do we feel about using cobalt or for that matter do we look into the mining practices of any of the materials we use? Cadmium inclusion stains to my knowledge are only being made in China and India, now why is that? (rhetorical question) Good question, though after the cobalt crash it doesn't seem like much of anyone is producing it now. Buy it while it's cheap, China's surplus won't last forever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted October 10, 2019 Report Share Posted October 10, 2019 Still curious what mentor/mentee experiences others have had with regard to throwing? I started at the local JC Ceramic lab, where short demonstration introduces skills required for upcoming assignments, then practice. From there, anyone struggling and/or having questions and/or asking for help would get some one on one or small group. I as (still am) ok with that. I have/am learning by practice, making mistakes, and observing others. Isn't it interesting what we see when observing others - particularly what we didn't see earlier? ...aha! That said, having designed and delivered structured practice for skill development, aaand having received structured instruction in skill development, I believe expert guidance and instruction can be very positive (can be - what works for some does not work well for others, see Bernice McCarthy's 4mat ideas, which blow up sensory learning models...). My guess is most throwers observe, practice, and make mistakes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 What (in a functional piece) elicits "I love this" for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted October 19, 2019 Report Share Posted October 19, 2019 Its feel in my hand . Its "balance" when in use. How it looks to my eye. How it fits in my cupboard. And Its functionality Not taking time to prioritize but bottom one is esssential but then.... Hulk and Rae Reich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 (edited) My dad uses the expression "money for old rope" a fair bit. My QOTW would be do you make anything that is easy and quick to make but looks like it's more work than it is? If you sell your work this would include being able to charge about the same for a pot as what a more labour intensive pot would fetch. Money for old rope pots. Edited February 1, 2020 by Min clarity Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted February 2, 2020 Report Share Posted February 2, 2020 yes, and that is all i am saying. Chilly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted April 22, 2020 Report Share Posted April 22, 2020 How has your work progressed in terms of thickness and shape(s)? Several folk have worked toward thin/light sections, then moved away from the extreme for strength, durability and feel. Just into my third year, I have turned away from thin, for the most part. Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted May 30, 2020 Report Share Posted May 30, 2020 I'm going to suggest a topic that came up in a tongue in cheek roundabout way on this thread. What do the partners / families of potters have to put up with? Half the house being taken over with clay stuff, family becoming unpaid conscripted help, sounding board....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 What are other other activities that influence your ceramic work or keep you mentally heathy other than daly directly. For me its other passions that are just like clay. I have to do them-what are yours.?? Magnolia Mud Research and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted September 13, 2020 Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 I think we need a thread on all the intrepid studio pets out there! How many dogs out there are eating dried trimmings? Any cats insisting on “collaborating” while the clay is wet, or on photo day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted November 27, 2020 Report Share Posted November 27, 2020 Easy suggestion for a QoTW following last weeks question of the week; would you give up any of the technology you use in ceramics now and go back to a simpler not as technology advanced method? Maybe starting with defining the term technology as it pertains to ceramics making. oldlady, Pres and Magnolia Mud Research 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted November 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2020 @Min, I really like this suggestion, and will post if after posting the question included in the suggestion, ,, , What do you define as technology when thinking of things Ceramic? Hope this meets your approval, as I believe it is essential to find a definition that most would approve of. best, Pres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted November 28, 2020 Report Share Posted November 28, 2020 18 minutes ago, Pres said: @Min, I really like this suggestion, and will post if after posting the question included in the suggestion, ,, , What do you define as technology when thinking of things Ceramic? Hope this meets your approval, as I believe it is essential to find a definition that most would approve of. best, Pres - after so many dry weeks you got a 2fer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted November 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2020 Thanks @Min, I will try to post the question as an ongoing updating definition editable statement. Thanks for the 2fer. Finding a topic is tough at times. best, Pres Min 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 10 hours ago, Pres said: Finding a topic is tough at times. Hope you & anyone else with some imagination keeps doing this. They are fun to read (& answer). I haven't been able to think of one to contribute, but maybe someday LOL Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 Soon, a new year, that after one we'll likely remember for a very long time, err, perhaps forever, hence, perhaps a New Year related question? Some, perhaps, are looking to ramp down after decades of process refinement, market research and targeting, thousands of pots, adjusting for wear, and so on; others may be looking to ramp up in the same (and other) areas. What do you think 2021 may bring to your potting life? I'd like to: explore a few more forms, particularly the teapot (have initial trial and first design adjustment under me belt a'ready), sets of lidded forms, and "smalls"; fill the kiln more efficiently; throw a lot more pots, hence more time at the wheel, and more efficient use of time; get out and see/feel others' pots, and interact in person with other potters - missing this, big time; improve culling (am getting better at it); participate in another show or two - first ever closes today (great experience). And more... Pres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted February 16, 2021 Report Share Posted February 16, 2021 Searching dust threads, found "What things you do that most others don't, that you ain' gonna stop doin' neither?" Perhaps "What studio habits/practices do you remain committed to that most other potters do not practice?" For example, I wipe out the wheel's pan after each session, and start each session with fresh water in the bucket (freshish - I pour off the mostly clear, wash the sludge out to reclaim, pour back the mostly clear, then top it up). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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