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?
