Cheating? Nah! Fast-forwarding.

I spent the past week in Ojai, California working with a professional potter who is a friend of my son’s. The above cache (with a few more added after this photo was taken) was the result of some very long and industrious hours (usually 8 or more per day) at the wheel. The pots are arrayed chronologically (first created to last) right to left.  Today was my last day, which I spent trimming and decorating the pieces I made yesterday. I must have gotten faster because there were a lot. The small pot with the tiny opening (Korean style pot, I think) was the only casualty, having suffered from “trimming through the bottom” where it was too thin.

I will be winging home tomorrow, tired but happy, and a much more accomplished beginning potter. I still have a long way to go, however, and I will be at the wheel on my home turf on Wednesday, practicing what I learned and continuing the journey. My workshop pieces will be finished and ready to come home in mid-November. Can’t wait to see how they turn out!

The Last Pot of the Second Session

This was my first attempt at making an orchid pot, inspired by a pot I already had, made by someone who knew what they were doing. Can you guess which one is mine? Aside from the fact that one has an orchid in it and one doesn’t? When I made this one (hint: the orange one), I was still having trouble pulling pots out, although this one is far less bulky and heavy on the bottom than previous pots I made.

And of course, here is the cat version. Archimedes is often available to help out, asked or unasked.

Another Small Plant Pot

I’m back! It’s a new season and a new class (yes, Wheel I again). This is a leftover from the last class that I didn’t have time to finish before the studio was closed for scrubbing. Sadly the plate that was also waiting in the wings to be glazed didn’t make it. Just as I was about ready to dip it into a glaze bucket, I accidentally knocked into a pile of stuff on the table and the whole pile went crashing to the floor, plate included. The plate was in sad shape; it went into the trash.

This little bowl is one of my success stories so far. Just a little thick, but not too bad, and (hallelujah) balanced. I applied an orange glaze to the bisqued piece, rubbed most of it off of the smooth areas, then applied a clear glaze over the whole thing.

I signed up for an evening class this time to get a different teacher. I figure, the more people I can learn from, the better. This teacher pointed out that I wasn’t wedging properly, causing bubbles in the clay that translate to lumps and uneven walls. So that’s what that was!!