Monday 12 April 2010

My Pottery Hobby



I've been amazed at the great comments I've had about my return to pottery.
And you know, the class isn't full, so I've taken some step by step pics of a few pots being made in the hope I'll inspire someone else to come and join in the fantastic experience of making something useful and beautiful out of mud!
Just remember it's easy to lose your identity once you've had children, do something for yourself, have three hours of 'me-time' a week and do something you've always wanted to try. I feel inspired and refreshed every time I make the trip to Pottery, it's relaxing and fulfilling and sociable too.
Incidentally, the picture is not of me or a pot I've done. It's a pic of a lovely man called Keith Baugh who is an incredible artist, and I'm sure you'll agree the Amy Winehouse painting on this pot is really something.
Here's the process I went through to make a coil pot





I really enjoyed making this pot, it took on a life of it's own almost, while I made it. It took me about an hour and a half, I had to stiffen it now and again with a blow torch so it wouldn't collapse.
Next is a group of pics I took of a lovely lady who is extremely skilled at throwing.






Once the pot has completely dried out, it's fired in the kiln.
The next step is to glaze the pot and fire again, then it's finished.

To find out more about joining our group of Potters and beginners go to Clay Hill Potters and contact our Tutor, Joan Doherty, for more information.
The pottery is high above a fantastic loop in the river Severn, it's a wonderful location.
And finally here's a pot I hope to glaze tomorrow, you can work out it's size when you look at my Blackberry at it's base.

10 comments:

Josie @Sleep is for the Weak said...

What a brilliant hobby! I love your pots :)

There's something so sensual and tactile about pottery - I'd love to have a go one day. Though I'd have to try and not spend the whole time indulging in some kind of inappropriate Patrick Swayze type fantasy with my pottery teacher ;)

Gabriella said...

Really stunning coil pot Caroline. Hope the glazing went well if you've done it by the time you read this ! Good luck, Gabs

Mel said...

What a lovely hobby, and great to create something both beautiful and useful.

Lisa Marie Olson said...

What amazing makes :) Lisa

Frog in the Field said...

Thanks Josie, very kind comments.
(Whisper...my female tutor wouldn't like your fantasy)

Thank you Gabriella, the glazing went just wonderfully well.

Hi Mel, I know, I love it!

Thanks Lisa!

March 17th said...

Hi there - this has truly inspired me ! I am now on a roll. I recently started life drawing classes - ie. I have been to one class, after spending oh I don't know my whole life harping on about my total lack of creative ability. It was great ! Pottery next and I will be back soon for some of your terrific goody bags. Thanks for this, love the pots.

Muddling Along said...

I've always wanted to do pottery, takes me back to art classes at school ... dreams

Can't wait to see how you glaze your urn

Tattieweasle said...

Wonderful pots - seriously impressed! I used to love pottery at school and collect ceramics in a small way now...hankering after a bit of clay myself - three hours me time? Oh wow does it sound tempting!!!

Sparx said...

wow, that's amazing... you have a real talent... now I need one... a few hours to myself would be heaven...

Dulwichmum said...

Darling chum,

I can see you right now, throwing a pot in your sensual night attire, avec Bruce in the candle light...

Good for you sweetie. I am relieved that someone has the energy!