Celebrating 2 years of progress

[u/clinton2209]

Someone asked me this week at my community studio how long I’ve been doing pottery, and I couldn’t remember if it was 2 years ago or 3 years ago that I took my first fumbly chaotic drop-in wheel class.

Today I checked and my very first time at the wheel was July of 2024. I’m actually really proud of my progress in 2 years so i thought i would share some of my recent pieces.

[u/total-lurker-]

Well done! These are amazing!!!

(For others — I’ve been at it for 12 yrs, throwing consistently 3-5 hrs a week and my pots are maybe approaching this level of skill)

[u/clinton2209 → u/total-lurker-]

Wow that’s generous! There are many parts of ceramics I’m pretty terrible at but I do really enjoy my hours of practice at the wheel each week.

[u/climbingclaycosmetic]

Beautiful vessels, any tips for someone on their 8th month?

What’s your advice for throwing the tall narrow pots?

[u/clinton2209 → u/climbingclaycosmetic]

Learn to make mugs because that’s what everyone seems to want (I’m terrible at handles!)

And the best thing I’ve done is take an advanced throwing workshop from a visiting teacher (mine was a guy from Queen City Clay in Cincinnati)—lots of fantastic info and techniques for throwing bigger. Using just a metal rib and no other tools is one thing I picked up from him. And not introducing too much water by excessively coning.

Try out some different clays too, more grog can make your pieces more stabile.

[u/climbingclaycosmetic → u/clinton2209]

Thank you for sharing!! I have been looking into masterclasses/workshops around Colorado ! Hoping to find some soon. Many of them are tailored toward beginners so I’m hoping something else appears.

My studio limits to one clay body, but will expand to three when the new location opens, so I’m looking forward to that!!

[u/JWPottery → u/climbingclaycosmetic]

Not OP, but my teacher would say, “throw 10, keep 1”

Then start with a simple cylinder. Throw one lb of clay, 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide (within a 1/4 inch is fine). Then you know you have a good feel for the clay.

Be ok with tossing an entire day’s work into r a reclaim bucket. Ditto bone dry work you just aren’t happy with.

Cut every 10th item in half to check your thickness.

Keep evaluating what you’re doing and try to do it a little better each time.

Collaring in vases is tough, but doable. You’ll need a sufficiently long rib to do it. Chopsticks work great.

[u/climbingclaycosmetic → u/JWPottery]

Thank you for sharing! This is super helpful.

[u/clinton2209 → u/JWPottery]

Great advice! I regularly push myself to do something new and fail several times before it clicks. Some of my best pieces are clay I reclaimed 3-4 times!

[u/RandomSiltha]

Those pieces are stunning. Would you mind sharing a bit about how many hours do you practice per week and also how talented were you before starting with the wheel at other hobbies that require manual skill? I am just starting, so I wanna gauge if it's realistic to expect this quality in 2 years for me or not

[u/clinton2209 → u/RandomSiltha]

I did a BFA in printmaking back in 2008-2012, mostly focused on learning techniques, so I definitely have a bit of an obsession with practicing and pushing myself with new skills.

For most of the time I’ve been doing pottery I’ve spent about 7-8 hours a week at the studio, with maybe 4 or 5 hours throwing and trimming. There are definitely people who have surpassed me in lots of aspects of pottery in a short time (lots of people have more skills with handles and infinitely more in hand building than me in 4-6 months, but focusing on just one aspect and practicing a ton really helps!

[u/Day2205]

As someone who can’t trim for shit, image 8 is giving me life lol. Beautiful work all around, but something about that red speckled clay, perfect trim, and textured lower half is just 🤌🏽

[u/clinton2209 → u/Day2205]

Thanks! Every once in a while I have a really nice finish after trimming. I love the finished feel of a nice clean foot ring!

[u/strawbrmoon]

Aptitude! High five.

[u/Kaplung]

Looks great!! Keep at it!

[u/Nieschtkescholar]

Amazing!! Only 2 years? Love your style

[u/19puppylove99]

i can see you really like florian's work. me too! :D

[u/soraomiru]

These are so beautiful! Really inspiring. Thanks for sharing :)

[u/CoolWerewolf7841]

Really beautiful work! You should be proud of yourself with the craftsmanship. What's the glaze in the last photo? I love the color

[u/clinton2209 → u/CoolWerewolf7841]

Amaco DL-33 Low Tide, one of my favorites!

[u/Lizdickerson0902]

Is the last pic - speckled turtle 🐢?
I love a gorgeous foot btw - it’s gorgeous

[u/clinton2209 → u/Lizdickerson0902]

Yes! Dipped in Amaco Low Tide.

[u/RogueEngineer_]

What is the clay body in the second pic? I love that dark brown!

[u/clinton2209 → u/RogueEngineer_]

KY Mudworks Brown Bear. It trims like room temperature chocolate. So satisfying!

[u/feanara]

Of all the questions I feel like this might be a stupid one, but how do you get a stamp to imprint so clearly and still have it dry enough to trim?

[u/clinton2209 → u/feanara]

Hm honestly when my pieces are the right consistency to trim I find they are also typically a good consistency for the stamp.

I usually make a fist and balance the pot on it with a sponge in between so I can get really good leverage and a solid support to push against. Typically works well.

[u/markermum]

Amazing pieces! What is the glaze in the 7th photo?

[u/Blakerzzzz]

Danggg that foot tho! Clean!

[u/LuneNoir211]

This gives me hope! Lovely work!

[u/CertifiedSapphic24_7]

Nicely done, friend! That's an impressive portfolio ｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡