Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Out with the old and in with the new. I try to keep a few ‘standard’ pieces within my range work that’s ever becoming more one-off based, mainly, as it means for some items in my online shop, I don’t have individually photograph say, 30 pieces, instead I throw a large batch of identical pots like these, glaze them all with the same colour, and then sell them under one individual lot.
I’ve always had a small and medium bowl in that range and they’re changed shape and sizes a few times over the past 6 years. They’ve gone from being entirely curved with a short foot, to a narrower, more angular form with a tall foot, to these, a shallower shape with an indented rim and an even higher, pedestal-like foot.
With each step they’ve become more difficult to create, the angles intro complexity, as does the high base, as ultimately these additions make the trimming process itself far more intensive and time-consuming. In fact, throwing these is a breeze. These 20 bowls took around 45 minutes to throw, yet each takes around 7-8 minutes to trim, yet I’m hoping to get that time down after making a few hundred over the coming year. New forms are always slower initially but I enjoy the repetitive nature making like this entails as it forces you to refine the process, whether you like it or not.
It’s this repetitive that builds a really solid foundation of skill, like learning your scales as a musician, or practicing cooking the same dishes over and over again, like a chef. I’ve always personally really enjoyed this part of the job, it’s quite physical and I actively ‘try’ to push myself to make faster. It’s a challenge, especially when turning quickly as any wrong move can spell disaster.
#pottery #handmade #ceramics #craft #craftsmanship
Out with the old and in with the new. I try to keep a few ‘standard’ pieces within my range work that’s ever becoming more one-off based, mainly, as it means for some items in my online shop, I don’t have individually photograph say, 30 pieces, instead I throw a large batch of identical pots like these, glaze them all with the same colour, and then sell them under one individual lot.
I’ve always had a small and medium bowl in that range and they’re changed shape and sizes a few times over the past 6 years. They’ve gone from being entirely curved with a short foot, to a narrower, more angular form with a tall foot, to these, a shallower shape with an indented rim and an even higher, pedestal-like foot.
With each step they’ve become more difficult to create, the angles intro complexity, as does the high base, as ultimately these additions make the trimming process itself far more intensive and time-consuming. In fact, throwing these is a breeze. These 20 bowls took around 45 minutes to throw, yet each takes around 7-8 minutes to trim, yet I’m hoping to get that time down after making a few hundred over the coming year. New forms are always slower initially but I enjoy the repetitive nature making like this entails as it forces you to refine the process, whether you like it or not.
It’s this repetitive that builds a really solid foundation of skill, like learning your scales as a musician, or practicing cooking the same dishes over and over again, like a chef. I’ve always personally really enjoyed this part of the job, it’s quite physical and I actively ‘try’ to push myself to make faster. It’s a challenge, especially when turning quickly as any wrong move can spell disaster.
#pottery #handmade #ceramics #craft #craftsmanship
