The spring semester is slowly coming to an end, and I can’t help but feel proud of what I’ve accomplished in the past few months. I’ve learned to make many new things in ceramics like plates, pitchers, and bowls. I’ve also been throwing larger pots and trying to trim my pieces more often. So, for this week’s post, I want to toot my own horn and show you some of my most recent pieces that I’m proud of.
Firstly, for those of you who read my blog post about my glazing experiments, you’ll recognize a bit of a pattern here. This piece uses a pottery technique called devil’s work, where you cut through the walls of a pot to make designs. Devil’s work takes a lot of time and attention to detail to succeed, but the results are worth the tedious process. I wanted to try this sand dollar pattern because I’ve already painted it on a pot and thought carving it would be a good challenge. A challenge it was. The details were so small, and one wrong move could have ruined everything. Luckily, I left an afternoon open to work on it and achieved a piece I think is very successful, especially with this being my first time using this technique. There’s a good chance I’ll do this pattern again, especially if my mom tries to steal this piece!
Next, I made this small pitcher that I think is so cute. It’s not the most functional, as the spout isn’t the greatest, but I think it’s just so lovely to look at. This was my first attempt at a pitcher, and for that alone, I am proud. I made better or more functional pitchers after this one, but I love this one so much for some reason. It inspired me to try and make smaller things again. Once I started throwing bigger on the wheel, I never really went back, so it was refreshing to work small again.
I think this piece was special because I threw it faster and taller than any other piece I’ve thrown. I really love the shape, and I loved challenging myself with slightly more clay than I was used to throwing. I just loved the process of throwing this piece.
This last piece will eventually be a mug. I haven’t mustered up the courage to make a handle for it because, if you didn’t know, I strongly dislike handles, mostly because I’m horrible at making them. However, a mug kinda needs a handle, so I’ll have to endure the challenge soon. Anyway, I love the texture of this mug, and it will be beautiful with the right glaze.
So I know this post was short and sweet or potentially basic, but fear not, I’ll have some more glazing updates soon. I have many ideas for forms but not many for glaze, so I’ll have to see where my mind takes me and start noting things I may want to try.
Well, that’s all for now, everyone! I hope you have a fantastic week 🙂
-Jenna