My work has been featured on Dharma Designs. Wendy Baylis, the write for Dharma Designs lives in Portland, Oregon, one of my favorite cities in the US. Her blog features artists from Etsy and I’m really honored that she chose to feature my work and my new Etsy shop.
Below are a few images of work available for sale in my shop.
I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty open minded person, including learning new things. A while back, I had received an email from Charan of Creative with Clay. As we began corresponding, he mentioned how he began to use mylar cones, a tool used by henna artists, for his slip trailing (clay technique similar to cake decorating). The thing that intriqued me the most is when Charan mentioned how the slip just flows out, without the need to really squeeze the cone. At the time, I was using plastic bottles with a really fine tip to do my slip trailing. While the plastic is the softest I can find, I still have to squeeze quite a bit for the slip to flow out. Often times, after long sessions of slip trailing, I find that I have to literally peel my fingers off the bottle. Every time this happens, this nagging voice in my head reminds me that I should be careful because my body will not allow me to treat it so harshly forever. I then quickly dismiss this voice because to not be able to physically make pots is too scary to contemplate. However, as someone who likes to try out new things, I thought I’d respect that nagging voice by trying out Charan’s suggestion. The result was interesting but it was producing awkward results, as learning new things often do. Busy with deadlines, I thought this was fun but my old way is just fine.
Back in November, I found that I had hurt my right hand (I’m right handed) after a rather vigorous session of leaf raking. I discovered that I couldn’t do simple things like open a jar or (imagine that “I told you so” music playing in the background) squeeze a slip trail bottle. Did I panic? Of course. Did I angrily ask why didn’t anyone ever tell me this might happen? Of course. Did I then gently remind myself that I should have listened to that nagging voice? Of course not, the reminder was far from gentle. After taking some time to calm down, I remembered Charan’s tip and thought, well, here’s the chance to make this work.
I dug up the roll of mylar paper I bought from my first attempt, some tape and scissors and sat down to roll some mylar cones. After several tries, much frustration, and avoiding the studio when there were lots of pots to be slip trailed, I was at a stand still.
Today I checked my email and found a note from Charan about my new etsy shop. In the note, he mentioned that he had made a video of him using the mylar cones to slip trail. What timing! After checking out the video, I suddenly realized what I was doing wrong and how to fix it.
Charan on Slip Trailing with Mylar Cones
As the initial happiness and urge to run to the studio to slip trail faded a bit, I realized this important thing, the moral of this long story as you might say: I had forgotten that in order for me to learn, I had to step out of my comfort zone and be ready to fail miserably, several times, before I can assimilate the new knowledge into my world of comfort. I also forgot that if I can withstand the pain of learning, I can increase the size of my comfort zone. So Charan and leaf raking, thank you both for pushing my out of my comfort zone.
What new skill have you learned lately?
After 2 days of taking pictures and learning how to work my way around Etsy as a seller instead of a buyer, I’m proud to announce the grand opening of my Etsy shop . Please take a look at the shop when you have a chance. I will be adding more pieces to my shop in the next few days.
This would not be a proper pottery blog without some pictures and since I’ve been posting alot of in progress shots, below are a few finished pieces that you can find in my shop.
Happy Belated New Year!
It’s been busy around the studio. One of the things that I’ve been working on is having my own Etsy store. It’s almost ready. I will post here to announce the grand opening, hopefully in the next day or so. Also, if you are on Facebook, I have started a group for my pottery. This will be another place to get updates on what I’m doing. Finally, while there are many successful pots (progress pictures to follow), I’ve been struggling with cracking and warping issues. It’s frustrating but it’s also part of the process of making pots. Sometime soon, I’ll post a picture of my pottery graveyard.
Above is a vase in progress. I draw guide line to help me plan out what the lattice will look like. The line also help me carve straight lines. The cup in the background is made by Sam Taylor of Dog Bar Pottery.
Outlines carved
I‘m always pleased and surprised by how different the piece looked after I’ve finished carving it. I usually give the pot a critical look, noting what I like and what I would do differently next time, give it an affectionate pat or do a little happy dance if the piece turned out really spectacular and wrap it up until it’s time for the next step.
