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Resources Mentioned:

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• Libby
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What do you listen to while you are working with clay? How does it affect your work?

Transcript

This is episode 29 of the Mudtalk Podcast and it is a fun one. The topic  is, “what do you listen to while you work with clay?” 

There were so many responses that I won’t be able to read them all! But if you are in need of some new audio content there will be plenty of ideas in this episode. I thought this would be a great topic because I’m always looking for interesting things to listen to while my hands are busy with clay. Unfortunately it has taken me forever to get this episode recorded so most of the following responses were from a very long time ago.

Thank you for listening to THIS podcast. I hope you are currently working with clay as you listen.

A short disclaimer: I will include a few clips of some of the great suggestions. I don’t own the copyright to any of these works of audio but they are presented here for educational purposes only.

Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, let’s hear what other potters and ceramic artists listen to as they work with clay.

Silence

A few people including Pubali909, and Ingridj1957,  enjoy the peace and quiet and listen to the sound of the process or complete silence.

Audiobooks

A few people including Nicolaashley1101, Moequintana1, Anna C-N all mentioned audiobooks.

Rawstudios Audiobooks; the best combination ; the intense meditative effect from the throwing makes the books even more vivid .

Dtaylorsatm Audible books, Perry Mason and Agatha Christie mysteries

Angela M Audiobooks and pottery. Complete bliss

I also enjoy audiobooks. You have probably heard of audible.com, Amazon’s audiobook site. You pay a monthly subscription fee and get to choose a certain number of audiobooks every month. There are also some other similar sites. But did you know there are resources out there that offer FREE audiobooks? 

One great free resource I’ve found is called Hoopla. I get free access from my local library. I can can borrow digital items such as ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music. I think they raised the number to 10 per month during the pandemic! The selection isn’t massive but there is enough to keep me listening.

I have also started using an app called Libby which connects to the Indiana Digital Library. I get access through my local library. They have a much bigger selection but only have a limited number of each item so you may have to get on the waitlist for certain items, just like a physical library.

One more free resource is Librivox. It offers free audio versions of public domain books. Lots of old classics available.

If you are interested I’ll put a link to some of these audiobook resources in the show notes.

Podcasts

Podcasts seem to be a popular choice for a few reasons. Most of them are free. There is always new content. And now you can find a podcast about almost anything you can think of. Just think about the podcast you are listening to right now… One guy with a laptop and microphone reading his favorite replies to social media posts about pottery. What a time to be alive!

Pen and ink pottery Podcasts!! #2dopequeens #codeswitch #sooomanywhiteguys #savagelove

Canmore pottery Strictly podcasts. Is it a pottery podcast??!!!

Scetinozkan Podcasts how stuff works and some Turkish podcasts about philosophy, [and] technology . Learning something helps the creative process for me.

Dundeepottery Podcasts...CBC, Annemarie at The Current, Out in the Open with Piya Chattopadhyay, Planet Money, This American Life, Someone Knows Something, Serial, S-Town, trying Sawbones today... and of course Red Clay Rambler. So much to learn so little time!!

Jeffszarzi Podcast: Meat Eater, 99% Invisible, Radio Lab, tales of RCR, Potterscast, trumpconlaw, freshair.

Penni.q.pottery @casefilepodcast best ever👌🏼👌🏼

Paula C I’m a podcast listener. Tales of a Red Clay Rambler, Dan Carlin’s Hard Core History, Stuff to Blow Your Mind, etc.

I enjoy listening to podcasts and audiobooks as well if I’m doing part of the process that doesn’t require a lot of thought. I love the idea of maximizing my use of time so if I can learn something AND make pots I feel super productive. So I’ve listened to quite a range of podcasts, including topics like being a better writer, selling things on Etsy, and building a brand. And of course some of the other pottery podcasts.

One of the more “fun” podcasts that I listen to is called Nateland. It is comedian Nate Bargatze and a few of his comedian friends talking about random topics. It is good clean fun without getting into politics or any depressing issues that are common today. If you want something that isn’t too serious and will probably make you smile, maybe even laugh, I would recommend it.

The really cool thing about podcasts is that just about anyone can create one. In fact, if you have an idea for a pottery related podcast, we could help you publish it on ExpertClay.com completely for free. Something to think about.

Music

Of course many responses mentioned music! And there was a really nice selection of styles and artists.

Maddi.laine Pop and indie music 🎶

Crw_designs I have an ‘art’ playlist that has over 700 songs... everything from Led Zeppelin to Dispatch to Fleetwood Mac. I can’t work without music. I’ve never tried podcasts.

Paolarb Washed out station on Pandora ... it’s a dream! 😍

Sar_in_dip_ity Songs that pull deep emotions from me. It helps me relax and put intention and creativity in to my work. It’s therapeutic

Ole_ole_arts Always have Pandora on...can't be creative with peace and quiet. Most of the week it's CSN, Steely Dan, Beatles, Eagles, etc. But on Fridays have to mix it up with Earth, Wind & Fire💃

Wanderingforward Worship music or Celtic music. But mostly worship music these days - I have MUCH to praise Him for. ❤

Sarafreedom_ I love listening to metal and psych rock. Puts me into a focused meditation and makes me feel bad___! #blackcedarceramics

Gomezceramica lately I've been obsessed w/ the Into The Wild soundtrack

Landrum_pottery I find a classic rock and country playlist, and pop, sometimes EDM each song effects what I make it's a direct link to how I feel usually. I'm Working through spotify playlists. A friend of mine recently showed me 'Yellow' by Gourmet. It's a fun song @potterymakinginfo

Carmenarrowood 60's oldies

Theatre nerd 3 Fleetwood Mac. Because it’s fun.

Annick_and her pottery Bee Gees because there is nothing sweeter than their music and their harmonies!

The_signing_gimp Fall Out Boy's new album because it helps me wedge better...lol

James clements1962 Steely Dan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Widespread Panic, etc.

Falcon fire ceramic studio I'm the first to admit my music tastes are strange, but most days I'm blaring German metal, the likes of Rammstein, Eisbrecher, Unheilig, BlutEngel, and a few others. Also love trancy stuff, like Amethystium. It helps that I make fantasy creatures and other handbuilt creations.

My apologies for not knowing how to pronounce most of those names.

Nicholson_terry 70’s and 80’s Music

Pathwaypottery Pandora. Been listening to a lot of Needtobreathe lately!

Desiredstatecraft Mainly jazzy hip hop or mellow stuff like Moonchild, Tom Misch 😊

Jeikobu_jeikobu Dub. because vibes.

Prrpots I like to listen to music while working, but I hate headphones and work in a public studio space, so most of the time - nothing. When I do give up and put on the headphones it’s usually either folk music or electronica depending on my mood and what I’m working on.

David van S Michael Hedges

Jane L H Reggae

Laurence P Peter Gabriel with a huge cup of tea !

Denise B-D 60s that I can sing to, lumineers led zepplin radio and many other random genres on spotify. But classical especially Chopin help my creativity the most.

David S I have my thumbprint Pandora station dialed in to ottmar Liebert, Pink Floyd, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Beach Boys, the Beatles, Yanni, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young... it’s very eclectic but I love it... oh, and I stream NPR, especially love Terry Gross

Karen S I have a bunch of my own made CD's with all kinds of music that I listen to. Lately it has been modern/contemporary country music. Darius Ruckus leading the way with Wagon Wheel song.

As for me, I love to listen to music, especially when I’m doing something that I actually have to think about and can’t focus on dialogue. Measuring glaze ingredients. Answering emails. Listing pots. Or maybe I just need a little energy that music can bring. These are the times where I crank up the tunes. I’ll listen to just about anything… from Bob Dylan to NF. Chuck Berry to August Burns Red. With the streaming options available now we can listen to just about anything we want!

Radio

And even with all the other on demand options, it is good that some people still enjoy the good old radio.

Paco L and Studio gallery pi said simply “Radio”

Earthartam NPR

Jackie C NPR. As I no longer watch the news or read the paper, for the sake of my sanity. So NPR is how I stay informed.

Susan D W NPR - National Potters Radio.

Jericho studio pottery Pretty much always BBC radio 4. Nothing beats it really.

Sunshine_pottery CBC radio! I love listening to the different documentaries and the news from a Canadian perspective.

Mix

There are also quite a few people, like myself, that listen to a mix of things.

Lahceramics Spotify playlist called Sunshine and Lollipops or library audiobooks- spy, mystery and biography.

Dowidat.ceramics Audiobooks, podcast, and jamming music

Shedceramics Radio dramas or jazz.

Motherpotter It varies from music to audiobooks, but often it’s musicals.

Svartfalk Music or podcasts. It helps me focus on monotone tasks like decorating by carving scales

Nu.prayana @potterymakinginfo I listen to different kind of things, sometimes Tina Malia for quiet and chanting mood, sometimes Relaxing music for creativity on YouTube, other times I listen to Louise Hay affirmations podcasts, they are great! Sometimes I listen to Simon Sinek’s videos on YT, and other times I listen to the wheel going round and round :) what about you? 🎶 🎧 📻

Atelier dume janet_pottery Movies, series, documentaries, my favourite playlist on Deezer, Radio Brussels... the birds,the wind, nature (if the digital sounds annoys me :)

Hilly K Usually the radio but sometimes an old movie too......depends what I'm doing! Either way, its always wonderfully peaceful......even when things go wrong..

Diane S Any old movie in the background

Process Dependent

One thing I thought was interesting is that many people listen to different kinds of audio during different parts of the process. For example,

Stonecropstudio Decorating? Audiobooks! Throwing? Silence😉

Kds_studio For throwing, I listen to Dave Mathews, classical or opera. For glazing, audio books or podcasts. My favorite podcasts are npr, Ted talks, and Ted radio hour.

Jenbavpear Silence for throwing, bluegrass for glazing.

Rex.wares I love this Spotify playlist, Lush Vibes, for throwing. It sounds like rain in a jungle. Podcasts for trimming and decorating.

Myers.mckimm.ceramics Depends... podcasts for the throwing, music for cleaning and mixing glazes, netflix for assembling (handles, earrings, underglaze\overglaze decals.

Sigueceramics Throwing is meditative for me, so Dead Can Dance, or David Whyte's interview with Krista Tippett on OnBeing. While trimming, Florence and The Machine are a favorite.

Colibripottery Classical for throwing and hand-building. Heavy metal for decorating. Yeah i know.

Wildfirepotterypenn It depends where I am in the process. EDM or something upbeat for throwing to aid creativity and to keep myself in a rhythm. Trimming is more mellow so maybe new age, jazz, or opera, glazing can be monotonous so something harder like hard rock to help break that up. Rarely spoken word.

East2westpottery Depends on stage in process and mood;blues/jazz, rap/mo-T, psychedelic rock, soft 70s, chill/lounge😁🎧

Anna R Depends if I’m on the wheel or decorating. Sometimes podcasts sometimes classical music.

So there you have it. A great but somewhat dated list of what our fellow potters are listening to when they are making pots. I wonder how many people would have a different answer now. There are always new podcasts coming out, artists dropping new albums, more audiobooks, etc. Anyway, maybe you have heard something here that is new to you that you can explore further. And of course, I can’t even tell you how thankful I am if you are listening to this podcast. It is an honor to be part of your process and share some perspectives from all over the world.

Our next episode will be about how we can grow the clay community. Until then, keep listening, keep making, and stay muddy.

Links to Original Discussion

What is your favorite pot?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10155026095458457

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbbncu9DvYv/

If you had to pick just one pot that you love more than the rest... Why is it your favorite? What do you like about it? What does it look like? Feel like? Tell us all about it!

Transcript

This is episode 28 of the MudTalk Podcast. Thank you for tuning in. And a big thank you for subscribing so you know when a new episode drops. Especially because my posting schedule seems to be completely random. And the biggest thank you for sharing the podcast with anyone else who may be interested.

If this is your first episode, or first episode in a while, the MudTalk Podcast is just a collection of thoughts about a certain topic. Designed to be short and sweet without a lot of fluff. Something to get you thinking or hear some new perspectives.

This episode is all about your favorite pot. Why is it your favorite? What do you like about it? What does it look like? There weren’t a lot of responses to the original post which I thought was a little odd. I mean, most potters I know love to talk about pots.

So I reposted more recently to get some new thoughts. And still didn’t get a LOT of discussion.

But that’s okay. We will work with what we have. But if you would like to share something, feel free to reach out through email or social media.

I intentionally left the question a little bit vague. Some people responded with their favorite pot that they have made. Some responded with a style of pot. Some shared one specific pot that they have purchased or use. All good options. I love that the concept of ‘a pot’ can bring up so many different things. We won’t talk about our favorite recreational or medicinal plant. But maybe this question didn’t have the same engagement because the algorithms got confused and thought the content was questionable.

Anyway, let’s hear about some favorite pots!

Sarahannebkr 

Deep Bowls, with a rolled rim, and you can still see the last pull, with a ringed foot

Trippelgrow 

Agate ware coffee cup unglazed outside and opaque white inside. Fits my hands just so and I slowly awake studying the rings and curves

Jenny2ren 

A generous deep bowl, thinking of filling it with salad or mixing a cake in it!

Jessica ewton ceramics 

A shallow blue bowl with lots of cut outs. I spent a long time on it and it paid off!! You can see it on my page :)

Havanow 

As wide as it is tall. Like a Gywan 😍

Thepeddlerman 

A tall, abnormally large mug in a glaze that wasn't exactly mixed entirely (my bad) but the color gradient, from a nice bright red, to a brown almost black is beautiful

Marianwilliamspottery

A huge bulbous thrown vessel with an added neck or throat and pulled handles- glazed in a beautiful runny (probably barium) blue on top and satin white on bottom- it’s big, showing makers hand marks in the handles and neck.

Landrum_pottery 

My fav I've made is a 10 lb. Infant piggy sculpture. I almost didn't keep it but after a year of it sitting on the greenware shelf I finally decided to try to fix the damaged ear... I layer glazed it also which turned out great. I feel like he's a high psychedelic pig. :)

Betty J

Brown clay, larger at the bottom than the top that has a narrow, tapering neck. No glaze. Just natural.

James Shock

The handle makes this teapot, and seemed to take longer to make! Mudslide glaze over dark brown clay. The lid knob is a miniature of the actual teapot. An afterthought, but worth the effort.

Naomi Zacharias Unrau

A B-mix thrown 1 pound bowl, rim cut, black slip carved, dots sliptrailed. A play-surprise.

So those are the comments that were shared. But as I’m thinking about this, maybe there are a lot of people out there having the same problem that I have: it is hard to pick a favorite!

If I HAD to pick one… okay I can’t. How about I give you three of my favorites?

First off, I have to put something by Dick Lehman on my list. Local legend. National treasure. International traveler. Magazine covers. But most importantly, he makes some amazing pots. I have a small cup that I’ve mentioned on the podcast before back on Episode 6. It was part of my reward for helping him run his booth at the Michiana Pottery Tour one year. So the experience that goes with it plus the texture, and glaze surface and size all make this one of my favorites.

Next, I’m going to go with a bowl by Andrew Linderman. It is in my heavy rotation and it makes me realize that I don’t have enough unique bowls by other artists. The glaze makes me think of a toasted marshmallow over a nice dark stoneware. The facets around the outside are clean and lead to a little bit of an undulating rim which adds to the uniqueness. The foot is narrow so it fits in one hand comfortably. Nice weight. At first I wondered if I would like the rough, slightly textured surface on the inside. I do take the process of eating very seriously. But no complaints about that. It cleans just about as easily as any of the smooth surface bowls I have in my cupboard.

Finally, I’ll include my favorite pot to make. This is also a tough choice because I like to make a lot of them. I’ll go with my world map cups. When I say cup I’m talking about a drinking vessel without a handle. I love the simplicity of the form but the various details that can make each cup unique. I love the idea of having a continuous design around the exterior. No beginning or end. I like that a cup can be used for so many things.

Alright, that’s probably enough of me blabbering about what I think. But I think it is important to talk about pots. I couldn’t explain exactly why so I did a quick Google search to see if anyone had a good answer. And Google pulls through again. I came across a blast from the past: legendary potter / philosopher / blogger Carter Gillies. I loved reading his blog for years. Unfortunately he passed away a few years back. In his post from 2012 titled “Talking about Pottery” he had this to say:

And interestingly, without the words, sometimes we don’t really see things so well. Its as if we learn new things about the world in the company of language. Words tend to help us focus and differentiate. Words give us nuance and value. Its amazing what we can do in the absence of words. But its also amazing what we can do once we do have the words. Learning how to talk about things also teaches us how to look at them. Sometimes we discuss things to help bring clarity to our own thinking. The feedback of testing ideas against the world is simply how we grow.

He goes on to talk about how as a beginner we don’t have the experience to talk about pots. Then later he says:

Well, eventually I started taking classes that were academic, and I did find myself in positions where there were conversations about pots. How others talked about pots helped me see what I was looking at. Some of what got said was nonsense. Some of it was ill informed hogwash. But occasionally it helped to have an opinion from someone with greater experience or a contrasting viewpoint. You even get to see your own handiwork in a new light once you find the tools to discuss it. And so a light bulb suddenly went on. It turned out there were words that could help me talk about what I was doing.

As Carter alludes to, there are some great benefits to thinking about and discussing what we do and why we do it. I hope this episode has given you some things to think about. If you need some more to think about, I’ll include a link to Carter’s blog which is filled with thought provoking topics. And remember, you are always welcome to drop a message to brandon @ expertclay .com or leave a comment on social media.

Even though this is a shorter episode, I think that is a good place to stop. Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast. Our next episode will explore what potters listen to when making pots. So, until then, keep making, buying, and discussing your favorite pots, and stay muddy.

Links to Original Discussion

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10154977725348457

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BalgWSUjVrb/

Share your opinion on... sharing. What should be shared? How much should be shared? Who should it be shared with?

Transcript

Hello, and welcome back! We are dusting off this old podcast and tossing out a few new episodes for the new year.

Thank you for downloading, listening, subscribing and especially sharing because that is what this episode is all about. More specifically, sharing pottery information. Be sure to listen to the end of this episode to hear why Expert Clay could be a great place for you to share some of your knowledge and experience.

Also, a big thanks to… I think it was Jodie Rae of Mudslinging Pottery who showed up at my Michiana Pottery Tour stop and said “don’t you have a podcast? I really liked it.” This kind of interaction inspires me to keep going. So here is a new episode, #27.

Let me start by saying that the pottery community is one of the most generous, kind, and caring communities in existence. At least from my somewhat limited experience. You can find examples all over the place of potters sharing their techniques, tips, time, advice, recipes, and just about anything else. I hope you have experienced some part of this as well. So as you may expect, most of the responses were in favor of sharing on some level. But is that it? Should we just automatically share everything we discover or create with everyone else… for free?

Let’s hear from other potters and see how they feel about sharing. We’ll start with comments from potters that love to share.

pollywog221

I really appreciate when experienced potters are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom. It enables me to become [a] better potter. And I think sharing would enhance the pottery community overall. I want to thank all the people that have helped me over the years @adjustsailsdirtworks. @kyleguymonpottery

earthartam

I use commercial glazes and clays, but I am always eager to share knowledge and techniques. Teaching others is where it's at, definitely.

jclaypotterystudio

It's all been done before ...what makes your work unique is YOU. I'm all in for sharing. I wonder sometimes when artists are secretive if they believe it's the only good idea they'll ever have. I think we also have a responsibility to take info shared and make it our own-so not to try to only copy but to breathe our own life into the glaze recipe, the form, the concept, etc...but also see great value in trying to copy at times so you can master and incorporate into your own work.

sallyannesadler

None of us would be here today without the hard work, experimentation and SHARING from those who came before us.

Elizabeth esther401

I am a teacher and am used to sharing. If you share a recipe or technique, it is next to impossible to replicate it 100% since we all tend to put our own spin on things.

sueramics_sunshinecoast

Sharing is caring it helps to keep our beloved craft alive and thriving with like minded souls.

droobs5707

Sharing your knowledge helps everyone. There is room enough for everyone to do whatever lights their fire. Even if you share everything you know the next potter will do something completely different. Pottery is love.

Camilla connell

info can be shared. But not the experience which has to be lived.

angieizardceramics

Taking information and applying it to your own work is a far cry from copying someone else. Sharing is part of how to grow and adapt as potters. Excellent topic.

thattmum

Share everything. Share always. Sharing is the only way to mak e the world a better place. Nothing that is beautiful is owned by any one person, Including glaze recipes

dannymeisinger

I share. So much of what we know comes from thousands of years of trial and much error. We stand on the shoulders of all potters who come before us. We are the shoulders of the future.

shoshe58

There is very little in the world of art that hasn’t been shared through the generations. No matter how much one tries to duplicate someone else’s work, each of us have our own imprint making us all unique as is our work

studio2ceramics

Collaboration makes for great creativity! I am so thankful for all the potters before me who have been willing to problem solve and coach me.

wordsthatilluminate

I'm new at this and appreciate when people share and I often ask detailed questions. I've been collecting pics from many IG potters and doing my own primer and attempting to do things in the style of other artists to learn. Even if I had exact glaze recipes or perfected someone else's technique, I'm not interested in copying someone else's bread and butter bc I'm an artist and I'm still fleshing out my own pottery voice. I don't want to look like anyone else. But I absolutely love trying to throw, shape, trim, carve or glaze or underglaze like all of you! And I share your work with friends daily for inspiration and encouragement just to broaden our horizons on what's possible.

sheric2015

I am a beginner to this and I have my own kiln that I inherited. I get most of my info from you tube videos. I appreciate any Sharing of knowledge. I agree that even if you learn a technique or glazing application it will always be different.

soilandart

Information/tips/advices from the experts here on Insta, youtube and other magazines have helped me a lot. I've ventured into ceramics in my midlife, with family and other responsibilities I'm unable to join a school/college to pursue BFA/MFA. So in my situation, any information shared by other experienced potters is very valuable. I learn by reading, practicing and experimenting based on those information. I'm grateful to all the potters who've been generous in sharing the process info/advice!!

strauwald_ceramics

The warmth and sharing spirit of the ceramics community are things that really drew me in, before I ever got my hands on clay. I stumbled upon YouTube videos of potters sharing their techniques and decided to take a class in college. I've been hooked ever since!

carlin.mcrae

Sharing is one of the best things about our community. I hate it that some of us feel threatened by sharing recipes and techniques - nothing is sacred except our love of the medium!

a.f.pottery

I used to be a pastry Chef so that was also a common question in the kitchen. Sharing recipes is up to you but I think everyone has their own personal twist on how they will use the end result. From my personal experience if you give 2 chefs the same recipe it will never come out exactly the same.

carlymccannpottery

Also reading these comments makes [me] love the ceramic community so much. Such a nice change from typical internet comments ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

glynnislessing

I had a potter friend say to not share info was not "potterly". I agree. Teaching is very much part of who I am.

matthew_fitzsimmons

I’ll just say this...think about where you would be as a potter if no one had shared their knowledge with you.

lindawitteart

I have always shared what took me years to learn and perfect to others. This long before Internet. I recently decided to work with porcelain and a potter I met on IG has been so very helpful sharing her firing schedules and glaze recipes. I think it's the neighborly thing to do. Think of it as " paying it forward". 😊❤️❤️

ostergaardpottery

I share freely. No one can truly copy me and pottery is not easy to make so why not! I recently asked a potter on IG what she was mixing into her clay because what I tried had not worked. She responded that she wanted to keep it her little secret. I assume she felt threatened which is just sad for her. I asked a different potter who posts a lot of similar work. He was very "potterly" and shared freely!

artbygretamichelle

It was "The kindness of strangers" that helped get me on my feet when I started working with clay. Kiln, wheel, first set of glaze ingredients and the first basic recipe when I decided I wanted to make a glaze. From there I was able to research, test and do. I will never forget the generosity and so I pay that forward to the next curious soul who might genuinely have an interest. Sharing is good. Spoon feeding is bad.

Queerly clay

I belong to a ceramic co op. I’ve learned a lot from other members. I’m also use to sharing whatever I can to help others in the co op. So, as far as I’m concerned sharing is great!

Cathy H

I was inspired by all the beautiful unique local pottery on a recent trip to Nova Scotia... I would love to try my hand at it and would welcome any advice and information.

Steve H

Share, but to those that take information, please do not attempt to copy work but rather reinterpret.

Leah G

Happy to share recipes, techniques, tools, ideas. I get as much and more than I give.

Verna L

Share away, no one else's interpretation will be exactly the same anyway

Michelle C

Just took a glaze testing workshop with John Britt. Share! No one will get the same results because of how the kiln fires, what kind of clay they’re using, the source of the elements being used. And he said he can lose 50% of a Firing when he knows what results he wants. Share away!

Anita R

I agree with sharing! There are an infinite number of variables including but not limited to type of clay used, how thick your work is, glaze application, availability of materials and their substitutes, differences in the brand of kilns and how worn their elements are, the pots and the glazes on the pots next to that piece with the borrowed recipe, and common human variations such as what you consider a cream consistency when you prepare the glaze. Like the glaze guru, John Britt said himself....so many variables.....have at it....good luck reproducing the same results! Besides even their shapes are going to be different so the glaze or combinations thereof are going to look different. Don’t be stingy....you ride the coattails of many that have come before you.

As you have heard, a large majority of these responses were in favor of sharing. I don’t know if there have been any official studies done, but the pottery community in general seems like a generous group. There seems to be less competition, more collaboration, more sharing, and more people that are willing to help each other than many other communities. And I am happy to be a part of it. But there were a few comments about situations or certain content that some people may not want to share.

donatelliaart

I think info for sure can and should shared. I could have Steven Hills base glaze recipes, but will probably never recreate the same quality, nor is that my intention. My one issue is make sure that an artist is credited. There's a lot of time, research and development that I would love to see acknowledged

repulseer

It'l help a lot of new enthusiasts who are excited about new beautiful glazes.

Perhaps sharing an interesting find you had with experimenting with glazes but keep your bread and butter close to you :>

ashglazedceramics

Sharing is amazingly underrated, we have a fear for loosening our grip onto intellectual property, but with pottery is somewhat an illusion to maintain from the get go. We must share and grow together and by sharing we enriched all our lives. However if there is a particular body of work that is a brain child or a long standing thought that you dream about daily in your dreaming they should be kept safe. Share enough to empower others but not too much to be disempowered by the thorns in sheaves of wheat 🌾

carlymccannpottery

I don't think it's fair to have to give away glazes I've spent hours and hours formulating and reformulating. I do love the generosity and support of sharing in our community though. I like trading glazes because it shows reciprocity

clayandcompass

As a newbie potter who has benefited mightily from the kindness of other potters, I think it depends. It’s one thing to say it’s glaze A over glaze B from such and such book, but if someone has spent weeks tweaking and testing a recipe, I can understand why they may want to hold that close for a while. I certainly take no offense. And personally, I prefer being pointed in a direction rather than being told the answer outright, as I usually learn so many other interesting things along the way!

So not everyone is in favor of sharing EVERYTHING. And I think that is okay. If you have something you don’t want to share, that should be your own choice. It reminds me of the time I attended a Chris Gustin workshop a few years ago and he talked about not sharing. Now, obviously, he was doing a workshop so he was definitely sharing techniques and thoughts. But If I remember correctly (it has been a few years so my memories are a little dusty)  he had developed hundreds of his own glazes for a ceramic tile business But he doesn’t share the recipes. The ceramic tile industry is probably a little different than our community of handmade pots but his main reason for not sharing is that giving away recipes would give a shortcut so people don’t get to learn about formulating their own glazes. He wants others to go through the learning process so they will be better potters. Like the old saying about teaching a person to fish instead of giving them a fish.

And if you are a great teacher or have some very valuable content I think it is okay to charge a reasonable fee for your knowledge or services. Some potters supplement their income through teaching or creating content and I think it is always good to support those people when possible not just expect free handouts all the time.

There were a couple responses that stuck out to me personally so I saved them until the end here:

nowwhatpotteryworks

I think that sharing is at the core of what it means to be a potter. The more we share as a community the more we all stand out. Not very many other groups of people are so open and kind to others with information. Plus, there is little reason to keep something a secret. Someone, somewhere is already doing what you are doing, so it isn't just special to you. No one is going to take the same information and end up with the exact same result, which is what makes clay such a fun medium to play in!

There were some other similar comments to this one and I love them all. I feel like overall, the pottery community is above average when it comes to being generous and helping each other. There are probably multiple reasons for this but I wonder if there is something about clay that draws a certain type of person that is more willing to share?

Finally,

freisingerseifenkistl

Exchange is a great thing! Everyone can learn from everyone and everyone has something to contribute👍🏼😊

I love this comment! This sums up what Expert Clay is all about. As of now (2022), I’m the only one making content. And it has been a while since I’ve even done that. As you may have noticed, I took quite a break from the Mud Talk Podcast. Working on my own studio, trying to teach full time while gradually building a foundation for a pottery business, spending time with my family… Not to mention a little pandemic just making things anything but normal. Here and there I’ve rebuilt ExpertClay.com and added some new content. And I will be looking for other contributors that want to share their knowledge, tips, shortcuts, research… whatever you think may help someone else.

Many people have developed unique ways to make pots… or skills outside of working with clay that can really help us as we pursue a creative life. If you have an idea about something you would like to share go to expertclay.com to see how you can contribute content and find an audience to share it with.

It could be written articles, podcasts, video workshops, online courses or almost anything in digital format. I have created a couple courses that are available now and I’m planning some more workshop style video courses for the future.

So go check out expertclay.com. We are just laying the foundation for now but I’m excited about what we could build on it in the future.

That does it for this episode. The next episode will be about our favorite pots. Until then, keep creating, keep sharing, and stay muddy.

Who is your market and how did you find them?

Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10154915774163457

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZdZ4HIlnPy/

Transcript

Welcome to episode 26 of the mudtalk podcast. In this episode we’re talking about your market, or, the people who buy your work.

Who buys your pots? How did you find them? Why do they buy your pots? How do you find more of the people that will buy your pots? These are the questions that any potter should start asking when they get serious about selling their work. Thanks to @stonecropstudio for suggesting this question a very long time ago.

This episode will be interesting because there were only a handful of responses. Literally 5 responses. Now it’s hard to judge what that means for certain. Maybe the social media algorithms didn’t put this question in front of very many people. Maybe a lot of us clay people have never thought specifically about our markets. Maybe we don’t know who our market or ideal customers are. Maybe, as Little Blackberry Creek Pots says later, we just want to create, instead of thinking about things like this. Maybe we can get by if we just put our work out there without precisely defining our market.

I’ll be completely honest with you. I have no idea who my market is. I just put my pots on instagram and facebook, list some of them on Etsy, set up my booth at events (remember those?), and hope for the best. Okay, maybe I’m not quite that lost. I have some ideas. For example, the map mugs would probably be perfect for someone who likes to travel. Or who enjoys history or geography. But I know I could target certain people more specifically. So at  the end of the episode I’ll talk about a few ways that I may be able to find my market..

First, let’s hear what other potters have said about who is your market and how did you find them?

Ibtispottery @potterymakinginfo Markets is where I sell my pottery and people who have seen me at markets would contact me to buy more.

This is an interesting point from Ibtispottery. The word market has a few different meanings. Market could mean the group of people that are looking for products like you are making. Market can also be a physical location or event. Usually these markets are already set up for you. I’m thinking of a farmer’s market or art fair. But the question is, are these predefined markets actually YOUR market? Technically, these are the people in front of your pots but are they the people that will be most interested in and most likely to buy your pots? Probably not all of them. We will explore this idea later.

Spectorstudiosporcelain A very smart friend told me that a market for your work is something you create. Working on that.

This friend seems very wise. You could probably argue about the words “create” vs. “find” when talking about your market but I think the idea is the same. It takes work and usually some kind of plan to figure out who your market is. And speaking of creating and finding a market, it was interesting to be part of the Michiana Pottery Tour this year. The previous 8 years it was an in-person event in the region around the Michigan / Indiana border. It was a self directed tour with 6-8 stops where potters would open their studios and often invite other guest artists to display their work. This year, being the pandemic year, we offered all our work for sale online and promoted to a nationwide audience. We could change the idea of our market because we were shipping pots instead of expecting people to drive and see us in person. There was still a large concentration of website visitors that were from our region but we also had visitors from just about every state in the US. In fact, we had over 400 visitors from the combination of California and NY together. So we definitely expanded our market to a wider geographic audience. On the other hand, are there people that are willing to drive and see us but don’t like to buy things online? Under our current circumstances, these tradeoffs were acceptable.

Littleblackberrycreekpots Everyone is a potential Little Blackberry Creek Pottery lover. I do 4-7 shows a year, two studio tours, and follow my business plan of 1/3 wholesale, 1/3 consign and 1/3 direct. When I see a dip in one area, that's where I target. At the end of every promotion day, I realize that I would have much rather have been creating

This is an interesting strategy. I like the idea of having different markets because markets change and, as the saying goes, you may not  want to put all your eggs in one basket. And I agree, as I’m sure many of you do as well, we just want to make stuff, not promote and sell stuff. This response could be a whole new discussion but we will explore more at the end of this episode.

L2fee7 I view everyone as having a potential interest in L2A pottery! I began w/ gifting to family, friends & co-workers. I now have two "home shows" each year & have had amazing sales as a result. I am in 4 retail locations; two outright purchase orders & two on consignment. I continue to be humbled by "strangers" having an interest in & purchasing my work. Hustle = Sales

I love the last part: hustle = sales. That, for the most part, seems to be true. And I agree, it is still humbling sometimes to have other people love your work because of the work and not just because they have some other connection to you. It is interesting that LittleBlackBerryCreekPots and L2fee7 both consider everyone as potential customers. To some extent this is true. You never know for certain who will like and even buy your work. But a big step is finding people who are MORE LIKELY to like and purchase your work so you can minimize the time and money you spend marketing. More on this in a minute.

Benjamin W

I started really selling and going for it during grad school. Started with a really good weekly sat market locally. Helped to get my feet wet and figure things out. I developed a good customer base and 14 years later still attend when im not at an art fair. It's never an insane amount of sales but a steady amount i can count on.

This is a good point from Benjamin. It is a good idea to find an outlet or build a following that will provide you some consistent sales that can be counted on. I think the most important part is just to get started. You will figure things out as you go. And then being consistent pays off.

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts. If you are going to be a full time creator or even have a serious side gig, it is important to think about your market.

After researching branding over the past few months (check out episode 25 for more on that) I started to think a little bit about who my target customers are, or my market. Knowing your customers is part of building a brand, and really it’s probably part of finding as much success as possible for your business. But, you may think, I make my work for everyone! And I agree. Everyone should appreciate, buy, and use my pots! But guess what, there is actually a very small percentage of people that will even consider it. Just think about what my own work is not. I’ll even just focus on my mugs. I don’t make pink mugs or use rainbows and unicorns. There’s a chunk of the population that won’t be interested in my work just because they would only consider buying a brightly colored mug. I don’t make political pots. There goes what feels like 90% of the people on social media this year. I don’t make smooth white minimalist mugs. I don’t make sculptural work. I don’t put cartoon characters on my mugs… yet. My cheapest mug is around $25. My most expensive mug is around $50. Now, think about the millions of different people and what they are going to buy to drink their coffee or tea. Probably a large portion of the population will go down to walmart and buy a mug for $5 or less and would never think of buying a $30 mug. So the point is, anyone can buy or use my pots but not everyone is going to.

So how do I find the people that will consider buying my work? Here are 6 ideas that can help you get started.

1. Match your work to the venue

I think the easiest step is to consider the kind of work you make and what outlets align with it. For example, if you make big, valuable sculptures, a rural farmers market probably won’t have many people that will be looking for your kind of work. And if you make simple, single color mugs that you sell for $20, you may not have galleries or collectors looking for your work. Some potters even make different lines of work for different venues or audiences.

2. Ask around

Do you know some other clay artists who seem to have a good idea of what they are doing? Maybe you could ask them what kind of shows are good for potters or what kind of people buy their work. Or maybe you know some other artists or craftspeople that use a different medium but have a style related to yours. Maybe they know a show or venue that would be a good fit for your work.

3. Consider your subject matter

If someone is going to buy your work they will have some kind of connection with it. If you have specific subject matter that could be what draws certain people to your work. For example, when people buy my map mugs they often comment about how they like to travel. Whether it is through advertising on social media or the way I write my Etsy listings, I could really focus on the travel theme so people that enjoy traveling will find my work and connect to it.

4. Look for Patterns in sales

As you sell your work, take note of any patterns you see. Do you have an uncommonly high number of grandma’s that like to bake purchasing your work? Maybe this could tell you something as long as you aren’t only selling your work at “Grandma’s Who Bake” conventions. Start to notice different demographics that seem interested in your work.

5. Create customer profiles

Another suggestion is to create an ideal customer profile. You create an imaginary person based on some patterns that you have noticed or how certain aspects of your work relate to characteristics of certain people. After you create this imaginary person with as many details as you can, everything from name to their favorite magazine, you can really get specific on your marketing efforts.

6. Build a following

This goes along with the idea of creating your own market. When you start putting your work out there in an authentic way and do it consistently, people will start to find it and connect with it. These followers are your market and they will be most likely to purchase your work. This can take different forms such as social media followers, email list subscribers, shop visitors, and even snail mail mailing lists. This is what finding or creating a market actually is. But once you have the followers or subscribers you actually have to take care of these relationships. You have to figure out how to keep strengthening the connection. The more connected someone feels, the more likely they will be to buy something from you, or buy something from you again!

So there are 6 ideas to think about as you find or create a market for your work. But one thing to remember, it is not going to happen overnight. Finding or creating a market is a process and it will take time. You’ll continue to improve.

What about you? Have you started to find a market for your work? Do you have any tips to help someone else? Get in touch through social media or email me at [email protected].

So that about wraps it up this time. Thanks for listening. And check in on the next episode where we will talk about sharing pottery information. Until then, stay safe, keep finding your market, and stay muddy.

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BY5fkp1Fnjg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10154884355993457/?type=3&theater

Transcript

Episode 25, business tips and advice. Hello all you fantastic listeners! It has been way too long. The MudTalk Podcast has gone on quite a hiatus here over the past few months. You would think with all the social distancing and quarentining I would just be cranking out the podcast episodes. But alas, I decided to focus completely on my top priority for the year, finish my pottery studio. I’ve also been spending time with my family so we can all stay sane. But now that the studio is taking shape I hope to spend a lot more time making pots and online content. In fact, the Michiana Pottery Tour will be online this year - that’s right, you can buy pots from all the amazing artists no matter where you live! - so I’ll be making pots for that and promoting it big time. The Tour is at the end of September so go to michianapotterytour.com to find out more.

I’ve also become fascinated with the idea of branding which is perfect for this episode. I’ve been listening to and reading books, articles and even taking some courses. At the end of this episode I’ll share 5 things that could help a potter or ceramic artist improve their brand. And yes, if you are trying to sell your work, you should have a “brand” even if it is more of a personal brand instead of a big corporate brand.

Thank you for taking the time to subscribe, download, and support this podcast. Today the topic is business tips and advice so let’s hear some business tips and advice from other potters.

Littlecharliewheeler Knowing that everyone has different tastes, and that piece that disappointed you as it came out of the kiln, might be someone else's favourite.

throwingmudetc@littlecharliewheeler that is so true! Usually the ones I don't like are the first to go.

littlefernpottery@littlecharliewheeler I hated the cup to one of my matcha sets. HATED the glaze. 5hrs after I posted it, it was gone lol. You're so right.

leagueindustriesgroupNetwork

pipthepotterUse the shows to network.

libbeckA lesson I learned: Don't accept custom orders. It's never satisfying to make something as directed by a customer. It will always feel better to make your own piece. And, it's hard to match their vision.

954lla@libbeck Thank you! I've been struggling w/ turning down "requests" but know I never enjoy the process as much as going w/ my own vision.

earthartam@libbeck Disagree. The first custom order I got was a disaster, I agree, no satisfying that guy. But I'm glad I didn't give up on them. I like the challenge of meeting someone's vision. After that first one I've never had another person that didn't see what I do and trust me to get it done. It's not a huge part of my business, but I do enjoy it. Tip: get paid up front for truly unique work.

claystationdhakaTreat your customer the way you would like to be treated as a customer!

thattmumHave a 20 second instagram story-style video to show anyone your work/process and be able to explain why x ( for example a teapot , costs $100.00 in time and money to make

sharfam61Have you sold online? How do you package pieces and avoid breakage and cost of shipping?

@sharfam61 i wrap them with thick bubble wrap and then fill the box with packing peanuts making sure the piece can not move at all and there is enough space on the edges to account for squish. Never had a piece break in shipping!

earthartamTreat it like a job, not a hobby. Show up everyday and put in your time.

bspottery@sharfam61 I sell online retail and wholesale, customer pays for shipping, I get my supplies from Uline....

rdceramicsTalk to every customer that comes into your space at shows and stand up. Don't sit in the back & expect them to come to you

Anotherseattleartist Don't give up and don't half (heart) anything you make. People can tell.

ibtispotteryI agree with rdceramics, smile at ppl who come to your space encourage them to pic up ur pottery even when ur sure they won't buy, tell them how you make your pots , don't ever be pushy

JoAnn S  (from facebook) Make what you love, because when you become successful at it, you will be making it....A LOT!!! My favorite thing to make was (is) mugs and now we make over 30,000 a year! And of those 7,000 go to one account. All hand thrown, and hand decorated. And be prepared to work half-days....12 hours is half a day!

These last few responses fit well with what I’ve been reading about branding.

dtaylorsatmEnjoy being different, it's what makes you stand out from the rest.

mudbird_ceramicsMake what you love, don't try to be someone else. Your passion & creativity will come through in your designs, therefore attracting your customer to the story behind you as well.

hillBippieClayCoCustomers are buying your story as much as they are buying your pots. I've found when I'm most true to myself and let people in on the reason why and how I make what I do, the connection is deeper. You'll lose money and you'll make money, don't lose site of why you started selling pots in the first place. Put your passion into you're work and be prepared to start over again and again ✨

Pirkitta P (from facebook) Have the courage to be different. ? Not that I have a business yet but that is my two cents to ya all.

Yes! These four responses cover some of the most important parts of building a brand, which is a big part of marketing and running a business. You have to be your unique self so you can highlight what makes you stand out. There is a lot more to think about when you are building your brand but I’ve written down 5 things to get you started.

The first thing to consider while branding yourself or your business is obvious.

Choose to create a brand

A brand is how other people think about you and your work. If you don’t really put some thought into building a positive brand, you may be unknowingly sending conflicting, confusing, or even negative messages to potential customers. It is a lot of work but if you commit to do it, it will surely pay off later.

Know yourself and your work

There are a lot of ways to say it, but you have to find out who you are. Not just what you do, but WHY you do it. What motivates you, what drives you, your purpose for living, or your purpose for making. Giving people the reason behind what you do gives people another thing to connect to.

Know your customers

After you have figured out who you are and why you create your work, begin finding customers that will connect with you and your work. There are different ways to do this. Not everyone is going to connect with you and your work. You have to find the people that will.

Tell your story

People connect with stories. Figure out which format, style and voice is most authentic for you and your work. Not just a words, tell your story through images, videos, and of course, clay! Engage your customers, maybe even make them part of the story.

Be consistent

The biggest reason to put some thought into your brand is to be consistent which will help build trust. If you are inconsistent potential customers will be confused and will be less likely to interact with you or buy from you.

So, to review, 5 things that can help you get started as you build a brand for yourself or your business: choose to create a brand, know yourself and your work, know your customers, tell your story and be consistent. Hopefully that will help get some ideas turning but this is only the tip of the iceberg as they say. I’ll also be writing a few articles and maybe even create a crash course on expertclay.com in the next few months if that is something that people are interested in.

But anyway, that’s about it for this episode. Thanks to everyone who shared their business tips and advice. Thanks for listening. The next episode will be about finding your market. Until then, keep selling pots, stay healthy, and stay muddy.

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYVX1xXFdwn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10154849215758457/?type=3&theater

Transcript

Thank you for joining us here on the MudTalk podcast. This is episode number 24 and today we are talking about how sharing on social media affects your work.

As always, we would love to hear what YOU are thinking. Go to https://expertclay.com/mtp/ to get in touch and share some of your own ideas.

Also, this past Monday I posted a new MudTalk Monday question on the Expert Clay and Pottery Making Info social accounts. The question was “What clay related content, opportunities or ideas would you like to see more of online?”

As you probably know, during the recording of this episode the world is a little uncertain right now. Many places are closing down and most of us have been encouraged to avoid crowds and stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Even NCECA was cancelled which was disappointing to a large number of people in the ceramics community even though it was the right thing to do. So what can we do to help each other, learn from each other, and grow our community when we can’t meet face to face?

So there is something for you to think about. But let’s get back to our topic for today: how does sharing on social media impact your work? During our current time this may take on a new meaning. When we can’t go out it may be even more important to share with others online. Has your own view changed on this at all over the past few months? Are you doing anything different? Will you do anything different in the future?

Let’s see some of the original answers to the question “How does posting on social media affect your work?”

Sheric2015 I’ve learned so much from you tube videos. I love seeing other people’s work in videos.

Hollycoley Studio life can feel isolating. I think social media takes the edge off, encourages people supporting each other, and gets my work seen by hundreds of people.

Celestial.surf.studio Social media is a wonderful tool in my opinion. It’s helped me grow outside of reaching only friends and family. It’s provided countless business opportunities, ideas, and provides feedback on how well a design is doing. I love uploading progress videos and photos to keep my audience engaged and interested in my work. It also helps the impact of shop updates, making them more exciting and easier to anticipate. I try to post at least once a day and keep something on “my story” but sometimes it’s hard keeping up being a maker and normal human. Over all I feel like it’s mostly positive.

Swoshpots Positive – found teachers, friends, inspiration, knowledge. Negative – addiction of likes and followers, constantly checking, takes time from real life.

Taniarustageceramics It makes me take more photos of the process and not just the end product.

Casapangea it is incredibly helpful. and i can try so many techniques and get so much inspired by them. i love ❤️

Conniesceramic For me as a starter at the wheel it is very exciting watching the videos and of course I am also inspired of the other potters work, because in the beginning I thought it would be boring making only round things ?but now I know that sooo much is possible ?. I also like to show my work and I am pleased and makes me happy that my stuff [is] like[d] [by] people all over the world ? ❤️

Jnpottery I find inspiration and new techniques to try, to improve my throwing and glazing.

Jodipottery_at_sandycreek My new mantra: “every minute down the rabbit hole of social media is time better spent creating in my own studio”. I’ve had to impose strict time constraints for my online ‘research’ or I get sucked in every time! ?

Lithopsstudio I feel that social media provides great exposure when used right but there are definitely it’s down sides. It tends to cause unnecessary anxiety stemming the need for validation through likes and followers. Plus it can get very personal at times so take care my friends! Keeping a balance is key (-: Happy claying ?✨

Taz_london_clay Instagram is my learning tool, my contacts with other clay workers, my inspiration, my occasional weakness and most of all my “look what I did today at school mum”, moment when on days being the only ceramists in what is predominantly a music studio can get a bit lonely and I need clay approval.

Here are a few of my favorite responses:

Wildfirepotterypenn For me, sharing a pic(s) on social media can bring joy or heartache. If something is shown and it gets alot of “likes” or comments it feels great and validates the creative ego. If it does not, for whatever reason, it brings up thoughts of what is wrong (Even Though it may not have anything to do with the work itself) My work is affected more by what I see from others. It takes away the ‘creating in a vacuum’ effect because I am exposed to so many other people’s work.

I think this is a great point from Wildfirepotterypenn. The creative ego can be a fragile thing. But sometimes all those likes and follows or lack thereof have less to do with the actual work and more with the eye catchiness of the image of the work, the engagement with your post and the “algorithm” in general. It is good to feel validated though and encouraging comments or likes can really help with that.

Artbygretamichelle It’s good in that your brand is seen. If it leads to sales, great! (So far I’ve had no sales from social media which cause more questions) If one is not careful it can also be a deterrent to creativity. I have found that limiting myself from certain sites is good. Too much stimulant causes me  [to] question whether the idea that I have is one inspired by my experience or whether I’m just pinching it from something I saw on Pinterest or Instagram. Also it’s easy to get caught up in the ‘how many likes and why they like me syndrome.

This is an interesting thought from Artbygretamichelle. All the social media can actually be a deterrent to creativity. With a constant stream of stimuli it may make you unsure of your own work. And I get it, you don’t want to copy someone else. You don’t want to make someone else’s work. But maybe it’s not such a bad thing according to the book Steal Like an Artist. Just make sure you steal your ideas in the correct way. Sometimes I find myself thinking, it’s all been done before after scrolling through social media. And that can be a little discouraging. But it is possible to put your own spin on things and combine things in new ways.

I think the real problem is alluded to by the “how many likes and why they like (or don’t like) me” syndrome. It is really easy to get discouraged when you don’t think you’re not getting as much engagement as you think you should. Especially when you start looking at other accounts and see how many more likes and followers they have. Sometimes it’s even just a discrepancy of support between some of your own work. If a picture of one pot doesn’t get as many likes as another pot does that mean that the pot isn’t as good? Maybe? There may be some value in seeing which images are best received on social media. But there are a lot of other variables that can cause more or less engagement. So make pots that you like. Then find the right people that like them too.

Robertdboyer Thanks for the shout out! I definitely find positive aspects of community and exposure on social media but often find that it muddies the waters for me in terms of creativity and motivation. I sometimes wonder whether the work is driven by the social media or vice versus and I feel more likely to NOT do something because of a post I see online than to be inspired toward a new idea I’m willing to act on. Overall I keep doing it so I must feel like it’s a net positive but weighing the costs and become more mature in regards to my emotional connection to the metrics is proving to be important.

Thanks RobertDBoyer for the idea for this MudTalk topic. It seems that a lot of people agree, social media can have a big impact on creativity and motivation. Hopefully more positive than negative. An interesting question for each potter and artist to examine for themselves: is the work driven by social media or is social media driven by the work? Is one better than the other? At one point I probably would have said that I hope to create my own unique work that I have come up with from real influences and inspiration. But some of my inspiration has always come from other ceramic work. And social media just gives us much more and easier access to other people’s work. And I do take note of how images of my work performs on social media. Over a large enough sample size it could give me some indication of what may sell well. So I would say for me, social media can drive my work in some way. But I’m also working on taking the qualities of my work and presenting them on social media in some kind of coherent manner. Kind of a personal brand or artistic style through the work and social media presentation and marketing and everything else.

So what about you? How much are you influenced by social media? How does your unique work influence the way you post it on social media? Perhaps there is some correlation to where you are in your clay journey? If you are closer to a beginner, maybe your work will be influenced more by what you see on social media. If you have already established an artistic style in your work maybe you influence others or your work influences the way you post on social media.

Interesting things to think about. Thanks for thinking about them with me. I hope you are doing well in these uncertain times. Keep a positive attitude. Stay safe. Keep making. We are in this together even though we aren’t physically together. If there is anything I can do, don’t hesitate to reach out.

The next episode of the MudTalk Podcast will be about business tips and advice. I can’t wait to get into that one as well. Until then, stay safe, stay strong, stay connected through social media and stay muddy.

Resources

Original Discussion on Instagram

Article: Organizing a Pottery Studio

Transcript

Thanks for tuning in! This is episode 23 of the MudTalk Podcast and we’re talking about setting up your pottery studio or clay workspace. In this episode there are a lot of great tips for arranging the place where you work with clay.

This episode comes at a perfect time for me because I’m putting the finishing touches on my new pottery studio at my home. I already have a plan for the basic layout. I needed to have that much before I had it built. But soon I’ll be moving all the equipment and tools and everything else in and setting up. So it was great to read through some of the comments and hear some of the tips.

It also seems there were other people that really benefited from the discussion. Just listen to some of the first few answers to the question: How do you arrange your workspace?

syrihee.ceramics

I don’t? Hahahaha

Anisha maria crasto

This is exactly what’s on my mind. I am in the process of setting up a pottery studio and have been planning what goes where.

Crawford paint and clay

I’m also setting up and it’s a bit tricky when the space is small.

Ash glazed ceramics

Hi there I am currently challenged by the same question, how do I get involved and learn?

estrovan

I’ll be converting my single car garage into a studio at the end of the year – love these ideas :-)

So it sounds like I’m not the only one that loved all the responses. Let’s hear the rest of the responses and see what we can learn about arranging a clay workspace.

Spector studios porcelain

In our studio my wife Sarah and I have finally learned to put everything on wheels. 5 Gal buckets of glaze fit quite nicely on heavy duty house plant caddys, our really big glaze batches go in garbage cans and you can buy heavy duty caster sets for those. Our pug mill is on a cart, all the ware racks are on wheels as well. Harbor freight sells pretty decent casters for building carts with?

Kate bussey 3

We too have everything on casters. Makes for a bigger work space when needed. Also fold away tables to pop out when needed too.

Cp carlson pottery

Everything rolls, even my kilns are on casters. This allows me to push them close to the wall when I’m not firing. Extra pop up tables come in handy for glazing. I tried to get a good flow on my space create, clean, glaze fire but that doesn’t work so well in my small space, so flexibility is key for me.

Jeff szarzi

Wheels and casters as well. Roll, roll, roll your studio.

Jclay pottery studio

Super fortunate that I moved from a 400sq ft to 1700 sq ft 2 yrs ago & it’s Sooooo much easier BUT more room=more mess that gets left longer -HAD to always clean and organized in smaller space. Must haves: Tons of shelving : a glaze table(s) that fits all often used buckets -height so when glazing doesn’t kill our back (IKEA Formica skinny table desk height is awesome). Bakers racks w/ covers on wheels : glaze cart(I have only one but great investment) : various heights work tables (mine are wooden horses for legs,thicker pine board on top-Masonite board or pressed board to top it-doesn’t create dust-can be flipped & so cheap I can get a new one if needed (had for 2 yrs and still good shape) Problem: 8 huge trash cans of scraps-any recommended pug mills are welcome!!!

Art by gretamichelle

Shelving unit and storage boxes help. My wheels face toward the wall to allow for ease of getting up and my tools are at hand and stored in pouches that I made using a length of floor vinyl that I stapled to a board and then to the wall.

Made by powley

If your studio isn’t cramped, then I suggest setting it up so it flows in a circle with the clay process. Starting with your throwing area with shelving, glazing area, kiln area. It is helpful to have shelves beside the kiln for pots ready for bisque and separate shelves for glazed pots. This saves lots of steps when gathering up pieces for firing. Last tip: don’t put the kiln near the door… That is your escape route in case of fire. ? Hope that helps!

applehead74

I just sort of created a circle. Clay storage, handbuild area, wheel area, drying space, kiln, glazing spot/packing, then display. Also I found that small indoor greenhouse (on Amazon $40) works great for small studio slow drying space

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and ideas. Even though there were less responses than some of the other episodes I feel like this one may be extra helpful to some of us.

A while ago I wrote an article on experclay.com about organizing your workspace to improve efficiency. I’ll link to that in the show notes.

How Organization Makes the Most of My Time in the Pottery Studio

The main idea of the article is to set up your studio to match your process so that the clay has to travel the shortest distance possible. For example, you don’t want to store your clay in one corner, wedge your clay in the opposite corner, and then have your wheel or work table in another corner. You would have to carry the clay around way too much. It would be much better to have your clay storage next to your wedging table which has your wheel or work surface next to that.

With all of this in mind, I’ll soon be setting up my new pottery studio. In fact, I am recording this episode of the MudTalk Podcast from the new studio for the very first time. I am beyond blessed because I got to build this new studio from the ground up. I didn’t have to adapt my plan to a space that was already there the way I did when I set up my work space in my basement.

For this new studio, I started with a rectangle building and walled off one end to create a kiln room / storage area / non clay work bench area. We put in some pocket doors so no space is required to swing the doors open or closed. We also created a corner office / utilities room / photo area. This separate room will be a clay free zone and a place that I can close off if needed when guests come for a visit. The big space in the middle will be for creating pots. Wheels, work tables, shelves, etc. I plan to have workbenches on wheels and folding tables so the space can adapt to what’s needed. Maybe I can even have movable counters and shelves. Then as I set up I can give each tool a specific spot that relates to my process. I’ll have to fill in those details once I get the big stuff in place.

So as we close this episode, think about your own workspace. Could it be improved? Are you making the most of your space? Is your process as efficient as possible with the way it is set up?

Thanks again to everyone who shared ideas about how to set up a pottery studio. In the next episode we will discuss how sharing on social media impacts our work. Until then, keep working efficiently in your space and stay muddy.

Links and Resources

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BXNKfO3F7xz/

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10154777128508457/?type=3&theater

Most Recent MudTalk Monday Discussion

Troy Bungart Pottery Tools

Sarah Pike bisque clay stamps

Transcript

Welcome back! This is *only* the 22nd episode of the MudTalk podcast. I say “only” because I had hoped to have a lot more episodes of this podcast finished during 2019. If you signed up for the free course Your Best Pottery Year at the beginning of the year, you would have heard that one of my goals for the year was 20 new episodes. But… that was one of my extra goals, it wasn’t exactly at the top of my list. So I won’t feel bad because I have already accomplished some of my primary goals. In fact, I think going through the Best Pottery Year course really helped me focus on what was important and plan for success throughout the year. So at the beginning of 2020 I’ll be offering something even better, the Clay Success Club. It will include the Best Pottery Year Course plus a bunch of other stuff. Check out expertclay.com if you may be interested in something like this.

Anyway, in this episode we are talking about pottery tools. And what potter doesn’t like to talk about tools?! The question was, what is your must have pottery tool? There were some great answers and some that made me consider adding a few new tools to my toolbox. So let’s start with the most basic of all pottery tools, the hands.

Hands

bv_xi

Hands

tthomas_art

@bv_xi I was going to say hands too! Lol

littlefishceramics

? mum and dad gave them to me.

Marc robert isaacs

My hands

soulfirejewelry

My hands!

Earthen bones

My hands! One of them broke, and I was helpless! Don’t take them for granted!

Ribs

bianca_colangelo

Metal rib.

Break ur nees

Wooden rib. It cleans the wheel head, cleans up the edges of a pot

thedoglovingartteacher

Metal rib. I can score, cut, clean, shape…

Yo panama

Metal rib! It’s an all purpose tool. I use it to shape, clean, trim can’t work without it.

glynnislessing

Brass rib

Leigh art tx

Wooden and metal ribs

l.y.s.t.o.n

Metal rib by far

olisny

The “metal rib of death” as I heard someone call it.

killionpottery

Red rubber rib by mud tools. I use it for shaping & smoothing. Got it @ #brackersclay (Brackers Goodearth Clay)

pinkmoonceramics

Metal rib by far! It’s so satisfying cleaning up a pot at the end with it

cedarhillchick

MUD tools ribs & finishing sponge.

Nicola hart studios

Rubber kidney, my fav ❤️

shedceramics

Yep…a little red rubber kidney. I use that every day.

nbypotter

Mudtools Red rubber kidney

Al G Custom made by me from Stainless steel

Sponges

artofawen

Yellow and white mud tools sponges.

siramikpottery

My sponge!

bateendje

A sponge ☺️

Carving

spectorstudiosporcelain

Exacto knife for sure

mallymoonhandmade

I second the exacto knife! @spectorstudiosporcelain and sponges! Oh the many many sponges! ?

maruollitasguevara

Carving tools

rdceramics

A rubber chamois I got for free from @didemmert_pottery. It says wiziwigtools.com on it

Trimming

marianwilliamspottery

My giffin grip!

2frogsstudio

My Do-All Trim Tool by #mudtools. It really does all and saves me so much time not switching from trim tool to trim tool looking for the perfect angle. And it stays sharp for a long time!

danaswheel

One perfect, sharp, trimming tool…hands down?

penncerameg

Turning tools that I’ve made and a wooden rib made from a bamboo spoon

swoshpots

My trimming tools from @hsinchuenlin – they are priceless to me. And his YouTube videos.

dmorris_138

Half moon trimmer

karoartceramics

Scalpel!

Other

mycelium_sophira

Well , my kiln . I just need clay and kiln.

dowidat.ceramics

It’s weird but a needle tool. Very useful in the building process cause I can cut straight lines, pierce clay for design and slip and score with it.

corkelialee

Needle tool ?

itsart.bitch

tooth pick!

ryanreichceramics

Wooden #2 pencil ✏️

artroxinabox

My imagination

stefanstattack

My Shovel… second hands

Multiple

artbygretamichelle

My mudtools- anyone

a.newmanpottery

All of them!! For me, each tool has a specific purpose and is just as important as the next.

aliveguy_pottery

Definitely my red Mud tools ribs and white sponge from Xiem tools for finishing my pots… Also love my new insert bat system from Versa bat.. Allows me to keep forms tight without damaging from direct hand wheel removal…

goodpotceramics

That’s so hard to answer because I use some tools to throw, some to trim, some to finish/decorate… I could probably pick a favorite from each stage in the process ?‍♀️

zenamed

needletool,sponge,my beloved sharp japanese knife and my teachers at youtube.I was at the kindergarten of pottery when my beloved teacher was diagnosed a breast cancer and had moved to a big city 600km away.and youtube came with extraordinary teachers from China to US,from UK to Japan…

Favorites

earthartam

Years ago, in college, they were remodeling the studio and had pulled out the old sink. Under where it had stood, stuck in year’s accumulation of dried out clay muck, I found a small copper rib. Perfectly shaped, I use it every day. I still have many tools from college days but this is my all-time favorite.

I love this response because it has an interesting story AND it seems to be a unique tool. All the metal ribs I’ve seen have been stainless steel.

Starting pottery

Since I’m a beginner I am quite awkward with tools! I always find my fingers are better than the tool I try to use because my fingers feel the clay! But the toolI find handy is the round sponge!

This is a good point from starting pottery. I really like to feel the clay when I’m working on the wheel. And I can get a pretty good curve now with just my fingertips. But ribs and other tools do have some advantages.

Bc ocean mist

All the textures I play with, bark, starfish (not real) and ones I create with polymer clay.

I like this response because I love it when artists make their own tools. It can really give your work some unique properties if you are using a tool that no one else is using. This response also reminded me of the Indiana Clay Conference that I attended a little while ago. One of the presenters was Sarah Pike. She passed around a collection of bisque stamps that she had made herself and showed the marks that they made in the clay. Very inspiring. I’ll try to remember to add a photo in the show notes of this episode. I started making some of my own bisque stamps years ago but I feel like I could spend some more time making some really interesting stamps now.

I’ve also made a number of other tools. From a simple sponge on a stick to custom logo stamps. I made myself a custom trimming shield to fit on my wheel so the trimmings don’t fly all over. I started to make some brushes after taking a workshop with Troy Bungart but never finished them. I make some little plastic ribs out of old credit cards that I use to round the edges of trays and I’m sure there are plenty of tools that I made but didn’t use much and now I’ve forgotten about them.

But let me think about the tools I use all the time. Like some of the other responses, it is really hard to pick just one tool above all the rest. My hands are, of course, my primary tools. But if that doesn’t count and you don’t count the pottery wheel as a tool, it would come down to my wooden trim knife, my stampmaking kit, my hp laserprinter, or my cut off wire?

What I call a trim knife is what I use to cut away extra clay at the bottom of a pot and create a little groove under the bottom so I can slide my cutoff wire underneath. The one I have is handmade by Troy Bungart. He makes all kinds of amazing pottery tools out of exotic woods. Check out his Etsy shop called Burlchaser by troybungartstudios.com.

I suppose if I had to live without that tool I could do it. But I’m not sure if I could live without a cutoff wire. Yeah, kinda boring right? But that cutoff wire makes it so easy when I’m weighing clay and cutting pots off the wheel.

There are two other tools that I use that are very specific to my work. The laserprinter is what I use to print my decals to make the world map mugs and cups. I also have a stampmaking kit that I can print my own rubberstamps which I use for logos and textures. I suppose I could order decals and stamps from somewhere else but I like to be involved with those parts of the process.

So it’s hard to pick just one tool that I can’t live without. But the good thing about being a potter is that there are always more tools!

As I was thinking about my own tools and tools other people mentioned it made me think about how much of an effect tools have on our work. Think about your favorite tool. How would your work change if you didn’t have that tool anymore? What if you changed the tool in some way? Are most of your tools used for efficiency or do you have certain tools that give you a certain effect that can’t be achieved any other way?

Interesting questions to think about…

And on that note, let’s wrap up this episode of the MudTalk Podcast. Remember, if you have any thoughts you would like to share, I would love to hear them. You can email me at [email protected] or leave a comment on the show notes. Just go to expertclay.com and click on podcast. And while you’re there, take a look at the 2020 Clay Success Club. I hope to keep the number of accepted members low for this year but I think it will be an awesome opportunity for some of you.

Also, check the show notes for links to some of the tools that were mentioned here on the podcast. I also put up a new MudTalk Monday question recently about growing the clay community so if you have some good ideas, we would love to hear them. In the next episode of the podcast, we’ll talk about arranging your pottery studio or workspace. I can’t wait for that one because I’ll be arranging things in my new pottery studio very soon. So, until then, keep making awesome stuff, and stay muddy.

We’re back! After a long break, we have a new episode of the MudTalk podcast! Thanks for listening.

Links and Resources

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BWpLXYtFaZG/

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10154734498508457/?type=3&theater

Transcript

This is episode 21. Thank you so much for listening. In this episode, we are going to talk about what you can teach to someone else. This was actually a really interesting topic because there were a lot of different responses. There were so many that I didn’t even include them all. It was really interesting to me to see what people are confident enough to teach someone else. This is especially interesting to me as I set up expertclay.com which will allow other people to teach or share their knowledge. For example, I put together an online course about setting and achieving goals as a potter. I hope to find others who want to share what they know, whether it’s a simple tip for working with clay or a detailed course exploring a topic on a deeper level. At the end of this episode I’ll talk more about how you can make that happen if you are interested.

But first, let’s get to the responses. I separated the responses into two categories. There were plenty of people who could teach others how to have a proper mindset. We’ll hear those at the end. But we’ll start with the people that could teach techniques for working with clay.

Clay Techniques

mappotter Lids

kathrynburnsclay How to recycle clay.

sandyvanderwyk Find your tool.

pinkmoonceramics Underglaze painting and sgraffito tips ?

terraforms Pinching textures.

fancyfrogpottery To centre clay on the wheel.?

butalaclay Base wall thickness for great foot rings

carolyn_sawyer Always valve grind lids…glazed or unglazed.

chuck_dm3 Go into how to find textures and tools (sticks/rocks/bark/leaves/etc)

cabreraceramics Make their own glazes

clay_with_mi Pulling walls

artbygretamichelle Finish is everything. It makes the pot.

dowidat.ceramics Carving technique I love making clay look like something else

suzie.hawkes How to slipcast

wildfirepotterypenn How to fire obvara raku ?

pathwaypottery Mugs

laurieandwilliam Pulling handles.

and

hillbippieclayco Attaching handles ?

The rest of the comments were less about techniques and skills for working with clay and more about how to have a proper attitude or mindset to work with clay.

Mindset

vivita5 Love every pot you make

txochi7 I’m a complete newbie, so could only impart enthusiasm ???

claybylaura Embrace the failures, learn and move on!

ryanpaulder Breath

dtaylorsatm Don’t get in a hurry.

artroxinabox Love what you are doing & do it with your heart not only your hands ?

sandywithaq If you don’t like something out of the kiln, give it a couple days. If you still don’t like it, it doesn’t mean nobody else will.

wisp.ceramics Don’t get frustrated, it’s just dirt.

leslie_mbizz Don’t try to work if you’re tired

forgottenfern If you don’t love it smoosh it- it’s the only way you will grow.

bettys_pots Make something creative with every scrap of clay. Don’t make extra work for yourself by putting little bits in the reclaim bin.

earthartam The joys of handbuilding

shesonthepath Study wabi sabi

pamelabarclaysatx Make multiples. Each one you make will be just a little bit better than the last.

kleesestamps Put your personality into your pots – make what you like and they will come.

bentwingley Make 500 more and you’ll be in good shape

nichibeipotters Everything matters. From wedging till it comes out of the kiln. Never settle, always strive to get better.

Susie Lawrence M indfulness with clay, connecting with your soul through clay play creating connection with Mother Earth.

Libbi Hutchence To relax on the wheel and remember to breathe. Play …. lots is learnt through play. Don’t forget to have fun!

Thanks to everyone for those great answers. It was interesting to hear such a broad range of topics and skill levels. It reminds me that even some of the most basic things need to be learned if you are just starting out. That is a good reminder to some of us who have been working with clay for a long time. I know some of the things that I don’t even think about anymore were once unfamiliar to me and maybe even a struggle.

I asked about what you can teach for a few reasons. I wanted everyone to think about something that they were confident in doing. It’s good to think positive about yourself instead of always thinking about things that you can’t do. Give yourself a pat on the back for the things that you have learned well enough to teach someone else. Especially if you can take something complex and simplify it enough to teach it. Teaching is hard work. You not only have to know the content, you have to figure out the level your student has mastered or not mastered and then figure out a strategy that will lead them to the next level of mastery.

I think it’s also important to support and grow the clay community. Even as a beginner you can help someone else learn something new. It may be a simple clay technique that you just learned or it could be something to help their mindset or even a skill from outside of clay that could be useful for a potter or ceramic artist. You definitely don’t have to be an expert to teach something. I just created a whole course about setting and achieving goals. But I’m no expert on the topic. I just shared what has worked for me.

So what if you have something you want to teach but you don’t know how to get started? You know the content. Maybe you even have materials and lessons ready to go. But you need to find some students, you need to give them access, and you need to deliver an experience that is worth their time or money or both. This is where I hope that Expert Clay can help out. If you are interested in finding out more about sharing your story or your knowledge go to expertclay.com. Look for a link in the menu that says Teach / Share.

As for me, I feel like I’m at a place where I could teach a lot of the basics of pottery making pretty well. And this is perfect because I’m in the process of building a new pottery studio where I’ll actually have the room to teach other people. I feel like I’m starting to create my own style so I could share some of the unique things I do in my own work as well. I’ve also been working on skills that are outside of actually working with clay but will be very useful when I become a full time potter. Things like design, photography, marketing, goal setting and time management. I’m far from a pro at any of these kinds of things but since my actual profession IS teaching, I feel like I could teach the basics on some of these topics. Think about all the skills you use every day when you work with clay or run a business. I bet there are plenty of things that other people would love to learn from you.

To conclude this episode, think about how you can find opportunities to teach something. If not to earn some money, or increase your status, or even to help someone else, maybe you can do it just to make the clay community a little better. As always, thank you so much for downloading, listening and sharing. Remember, I love to hear your thoughts about what you have enjoyed about the show, how it could be better and especially topics for future discussion.

The next episode will hear about your favorite clay tools. Until then, keep teaching and stay muddy.

Resources

Facebook Discussion

Instagram Discussion

Make 2019 Your Best Pottery Year (free course)

Transcript: Form vs. Function

Happy New Year! Welcome to episode 20, the first episode of 2019! In this episode we will hear some great thoughts about form and function. But first, a couple updates. It took me a little longer than I had intended to get the first episode of the year finished. I have been working hard on some of my other goals that I’ve set for 2019. In fact, as I went through the process of setting some new goals this year I created a free course on Expert Clay to help you set, plan for, and achieve your own goals. The course was created to cover the first four weeks of 2019 to get your year off to a great start. But don’t worry if you missed it, all the course material is available and you can still work through it at your own pace. It will help you decide what you really want, how to set SMART goals, and then create a plan to accomplish your goals. If you are struggling to get things accomplished or make the growth that you really want, this course may be for you. Just go to expertclay.com and you’ll see some information about the course right at the top of the page.

Some more good news: At the end of 2018 we had a giveaway. Robin won the free tshirt from potteryshirts.com this time but we’ll have to do more giveaways in the future. Thanks to everyone who participated!

And thanks again to all of you who are listening to the podcast and spreading the word! Now, let’s hear some answers to the question: Is form or function more important in your work.

First, let’s start with the potters who start with form or feel that form is most important to them.

Form

williambakerpottery

Form is always first for me

artbygretamichelle

Form. I’m aware of function but focus on the form.

she_dreams_in_underglaze

Form is the most important element to me, but I would find it hard to justify (to myself) making something that did not also function. Would I sacrifice a small degree of functionality in order to create a form that is more pleasing to me? Yes, without doubt – but I could never make something totally disfunctional…. for some reason the idea appalls me…

sak_sakshi

Form is of more importance to me .. as creating the form u like gives u immense peace !

zeldalune

Form

There were also some that feel function is more important to them.

Function

Zained shahid

Function

pathwaypottery

I lean toward function. I like things to be useful but I am trying to explore more with form. Getting out of my comfort zone A bit!

lucyfagella

For me.. Ideas about form flow from the way a pot functions.

wildfirepotterypenn

Function comes first. However, if the form is not pleasing to the eyes, hands, & whatever else it encounters, then function is useless… ??????

ladytokioblue

For me function is more important because I only have basic knowledge of form. So in trying to make things that can be used I don’t think of form… Usually because I suck as designs. ??

harrychoepotter

For me it must be functional with a dash of design. Enough to make it look fab!!!! But overall I think function out wieghs form. Making somethimg useful and being a useful person is key to my life.

Some claim that form and function are of equal importance don’t feel strongly enough about one or the other to choose just one.

Both

earthartam

Equal. Sculpture is my first love, but I find people want something they can hold in their hand, use in their daily lives. So I do my best to combine the two.

leslie_mbizz

It was never form vs function, it’s “form follows function”. If the form does not allow for the function intended, then it does not function and is only form. As artists we look for new forms to function in the ways unexpected

olisny

In graphic design we have hammered into us that for function cannot exist without proper form. If your form sucks, you will ruin the function.

claybylaura

For me form and function hold equal importance . When I’m making something new, I first think about its function and develop a form to fit those needs. The creativity happens when I meld those two ideas .

2frogsstudio

I am also from the school of graphic design but now a potter. Form without function and function without form cannot be the end all statement on its own. I make teapots. Without the proper form, it doesn’t function. And just because it holds water and pours, its form isn’t justified as a teapot. Yes, I make functional ware. One without the other is not a win.

Other

mimiho_cat Fluidity

dowidat.ceramics Hand to hand

These last few comments were my personal favorite.

Favorites

philosophiclay_speaking

For me, function gives me purpose, but form fills my soul.

First of all, philosophiclay speaking is a fantastic instagram name. 2nd, that is a great response. Simple but thought provoking. I like the idea that form and function serve two different purposes or fill two different needs. We often think of of them working together but it’s interesting to think about each on their own.

And finally our last response is from

Benjamin W Both are important, the production potter must master function to be successful. Fine art pots require both form and function to be truly successful. Nothing worse than a beautiful pot that disappoints you when you use it. Even though many universities label pottery as craft, it’s still the only art we truly interact with on multiple levels thanks to its functional aspect.

Benjamin I like the point about the production pottery vs. fine art pots and craft vs. art. I think these are all related to form and function. But before I start rambling too much, let’s define the terms form and function because sometimes they are so intertwined that I forget which is which.

According to Mirriam Webster here are 3 definitions of form:

a: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material

b: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face : FIGURE

c: an archaic definition: BEAUTY

So, I think of form as how something looks.

The best definition of Function from Mirriam Webster, at least for our discussion, is:

2: the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists : PURPOSE

So I think of function as what something does. The action.

So if we are thinking about pots, there are usually pretty clear actions that a pot is made for. It doesn’t take long to figure out if a pot functions in the way it is expected to or not. The main function of a mug is to contain a liquid and carry that liquid to your mouth. If your mug has a hole in the bottom it isn’t going to fulfill its purpose very well.

The FORM of a pot though, can be unlimited. Even if we are trying to make all our mugs the same, if they are handmade, there will most likely be some subtle variation from mug to mug. Now think of all the different options and alterations we can make when we are trying to make something different. The interesting part, at least to me, is how much of your function are you willing to give up for your form? For example, you could make a mug with a zigzag or jagged rim. It may look really cool, but it may be a little harder to drink from without spilling liquid down your face. Are you okay with that? There’s no right or wrong answer, each potter, and their customers have to decide that for themselves.

It seems like form and function are each related to one side of the art vs. craft discussion as well. I could be way off, but art seems to be more about expression or communication which is more about form. Craft, as in craftsmanship or perfecting a craft, makes me think of making something that has a certain purpose, which is the whole idea of function. But all these terms are related and it’s hard to draw any well defined lines between them.

So, can you have form without function or function without form? Maybe not completely. If I was going to try, I’d probably pick one of those white styrofoam cups to show only function. There is a form involved but the sole purpose of the form is to function as well as possible. I guess every object has some kind of form. But maybe having a form is just part of the definition of an object? I could talk in circles all day.

On the other hand, I think some things can be completely about form. For example, think about a sculpture. If the sculpture doesn’t DO anything other than get looked at or provoke thought or express or communicate a feeling, does it really have a physical action? I would say it is just there to get a reaction from viewers.

Anyway, I feel like in my own work, function is most important to me. I want my mugs and cups and bowls to be comfortable and easy to use. Being used is the key idea. The form then comes out of the best way that I think a pot will function. I don’t set out to make a bowl or mug to sit on a shelf and be looked at. As I create a pot I think about how a handle will feel in someone’s hand or how the proportions of a bowl make it easier to pick up or fill with food. I still want to explore beauty and make unique work but most of that effort goes into surface decoration instead of changing the form of the pot too much. It makes me wonder, do simpler forms function better? Do simpler forms appeal to a wider audience? I do hope to keep exploring form and think about how I can still make pots that function well but aren’t just plain old cylinders. There are a lot of things to think about when making pots, especially the balance of form and function.

Here are a couple things that I know for sure:

1. Function is less subjective than form.
2. Form is viewed as more valuable than function in many cases.
3. There is an audience for all kinds of pots along the form and function spectrum.

If you don’t agree, feel free to change my mind.

Let’s wrap up this episode with a few quotes about form or function to inspire some more thought.

There’s design, and there’s art. Good design is total harmony. There’s no better designer than nature – if you look at a branch or a leaf, it’s perfect. It’s all function. Art is different. It’s about emotion. It’s about suffering and beauty – but mostly suffering!

-Diane von Furstenberg

A chair’s function is not just to provide a place to sit; it is to provide a medium for self-expression. Chairs are about status, for example. Or signalling something about oneself. That’s why the words chair, seat and bench have found themselves used to describe high status professions, from academia to Parliament to the law.

-Evan Davis

Form follows function – that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Thanks again for listening. Remember, check out the free course at expertclay.com. In the next episode, we’ll hear about what you can teach. Until then, keep making beautiful forms and pots that function well, and stay muddy.

Resources

MudTalk Instagram link

Mudtalk Facebook link

T-shirt Giveaway!

Free Course: Make 2019 Your Best Pottery Year

Transcript

This is episode 19! Since it’s the last episode of 2018, it’s kind of an important episode. First of all, this is your last reminder to win a pottery shirt! Listen for more details at the end of the episode. It’s also important because it’s a small milestone. I can look back and see that I put together 19 episodes in 2018. That doesn’t seem like much over the course of an entire year, but considering I didn’t even know how to make a podcast until February, I’d say that we have done okay. Thanks again for listening. I definitely wouldn’t be motivated to keep going if all of you weren’t showing support.

You may not find the topic of this episode as helpful or informative as some other episodes. I really enjoyed reading all the responses though because I feel like I got to know the community a lot better. It was really interesting to see what other skills and passions you have. And sometimes it’s fun to imagine how things could be different.

There were a lot more comments than some other MudTalk Mondays. Perhaps because it was an easier question to answer? There were a lot of similar answers so I tried to group some of them together.

So let’s hear some of these responses to: What would you be doing if clay did not exist?

Painting

Dtaylorsatm Painting

Shari.sutherland.art Still painting…. just wouldn’t be as exciting.

Stonecropstudio More painting, for my soul! And maybe woodcuts for a tactile fix?

ArtbyGretaMichelle Painting in oils.

Caseydepasquale Making paintings that are thick and juicy and full of #texture!

Metal / Jewelry

Mudbird_ceramics Making jewellery/silversmithing or painting:)

PathwayPottery Metal sculpture

Conor.jensen Keep doing metal sculpture probably

DoubleMusePottery I’d be making jewelry and glass etching. So many things to create.

Pitchpinepottery Still making! I’ve always wanted to try metal smithing and make jewelry.

Food

Poteria_oficina_ceramica I would be making food!

Bdeterling @ioceramicarustica I agree! Specifically baking since it’s similar to making clay and firing kilns ?

Connie J Cakes probably

Wood

Reidthepotter Woodworking

KathrynBurnsClay Turning wood on the lathe.

Ebboren Carving wood, which would probably include some trips to the ER!?

LittleCharlieWheeler Leather or wood. Have to be tactile.

Measa C S carve wood :D

Textiles

Marisol_blamey quizás bordaría alfombras! pero…. no es lo mismo! (Maybe I would embroider rugs! but it’s not the same)

Debra_lee2 Quilting!

Sandywithaq Back to the knitting needles!

GardenGateDesign Hooking more rugs now I split my time between the two and making beeswax candles . . .

Monstriss Knitting

Dawn I Crotchet

Marg F textiles

Glass

Maxschreifels Blow glass like a man lol

Jean_faith_vanderheyden Soap stone carving and or stain glass making.

Anni_s_t Blowing glass..

Madeleinevinkceramics Definitly glass blowing!

Photography

Yopanama I would be doing photography

Mike W Photography.

Clay_lady I’d have more time to practice piano and work on photography.

Other

Desoet_ceramics Nice question ? anyway i would be sculpting. Doesn’t matter from what material ☺

Syrihee.ceramics Architecture probably :/ and painting

Bluee_pottery Rock climbing

Sudima Drawing

Olisny Printmaking! I had a fund saving up for an etching press I instead used to buy my kiln and wheel. ?

Nancybloklandpottery The garden would be the next best thing

Jojo.hare I’d still be making candles ?

KaraMorrisPottery Writing books ?

Suits._p architecture

AmyThomasCeramics Midwifery ?

KaroArtCeramics I’d be an illustrator, that’s my plan for when my body fails me

Susan H D Mosaics

Another_day_wiser I was a music performance major in college until I switched to ceramics, so probably that ?

Multiple Things

Paulinepotspottery Still creating – maybe get back into macrame or painting or baking – just need to keep those creative juices flowing ?

Littlepotteryshop Gardening, cooking, sewing… all things I do as hobbies anyway ?I couldn’t live without my creative outlets! To make money though I might be a professional organizer.

Apicio72 Only drawing and cooking. And eating? of course!

Gia_mcc Reading, cooking and dancing like no one is looking at me!

Thistle_dew_nicely_ceramics Before clay I did tole painting, painted saws, painted canvases. Made jewelry, sewed lap quilts, paper crafts. I did lots of craft type stuff.

Ingridj1957 I’ve tried and loved making silver jewellery in the past. If I had a lathe I’d do woodturning and make bowls again. ❤️

Lauren_johnson_studio I make ceramics and I also do woodblock carving and abstract painting. It’s a lot of money and work to have a clay studio so I get it in when I can take a class.

Beemajabee Stamp carving, fountain pen sketches, water color, maybe go back to quilting.

Marisepu Painting, doing mosaics, writing…things I used to do before I fell in love with Clay !!

Laurel F My back up plan is water color, drawing, quilting. But if clay didn’t exist, we wouldn’t be here. There wouldn’t be an earth.

Lorna B I would have finished the brick paving a long time ago and finished more paintings done more mosaics and the garden would have fewer weeds There is nothing quite like clay ??

Kim W Paint, knit, glass work … gotta make something!

Just Make Something

Lucyfagella Make something else…#makersgonnamake.

Sandysunpottery Finding another medium! When you have this internal need to create art, it doesn’t go away if you don’t have your favorite medium at hand ?

Annelie57 Any other creative art

Amymskemp Creating something…food, drawing, painting, fibers, and babies❤️

Maria S A sad thought , but pray God would put another desire in my heart to creat. Have a blessed day. From this Cotton Pickin’ Potter from Beautiful Beaufort SC by the Bay.

Find It / Invent It

Some of you are not giving up hope.

Bobbie141 Wait till it returned …or go and find me some ?

Earthartam Inventing clay

Expiredin2012 Invent clay

Bateendje Invent it ?

Tanya K I would be inventing clay!!!!!!

Mental State

Some of us sound like we would be in rough shape without clay.

Hnilebo Go mental!

Finbarness Probaly be dying I coulndnt live without pottery

TeenaMartinArt Insane asylum

Jane N Would be mentally in rough shape

Estrovan Crying ?

Pirkitta P Perish the thought! ?

Libbi H ???

Other Job

It was interesting to hear about how some mentioned other occupations.

Mariekennedypottery Maybe still sitting in a cubicle and collecting craft hobbies waiting until something grabbed me and wouldn’t let go… Like clay did.

2frogsstudio Getting a job that makes money… lol

KaraleighCeramics I’d probably still be working in visual merchandising & my soul would be searching for something it didn’t know it needed. Thank God for pottery!!

Kali D G Still be in advertising and marketing…. and suffering an ulcer…..

Robinhoodgrl I would probably still work in fashion; but unhappier. I would still paint, draw and all the rest though

Deeper Meanings

And some responses just required some extra thought from me.

Mils0nrisas I’d have a life! ?

At first I wasn’t sure about this response. But I don’t think Milsonrisas means that we don’t have a life if we work with clay. At least not in a negative way. But more that clay just consumes us and some of us devote our entire lives to it.

Ceramica_agostini I’d have an easier life with less failure but also with less excitement and experience ??

This was an interesting response. I suppose if I didn’t work with clay my life would be a little easier in some aspects. I would have a lot more free time. I wouldn’t have a pile of pots that suffer from glaze faults, cracks, or that are just mediocre or terrible.

Ben.fields If clay didn’t exist, we wouldn’t exist.

I think this response is valid on multiple levels and we could really dive deep. But we’ll save that for another time.

So that’s it. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond. Some of these thoughts got me thinking. I like how so many people have other interests and skills. I would be interested to know how your other interests impact your work with clay. And I know for myself, I like to pursue some of these other interests along with clay. I know everyone is different, so do you think it would be better for YOU to try and split your time between interests? Or are you more of a person that lets one thing consume you?

I know that I’m a little bit of both sometimes. I think of it as creative ADD. I get really into one thing for a while and put all my effort and thoughts into it. Then I plateau, or feel like I’ve accomplished what I want, or something else comes along. Then I get consumed by this new thing for a while. Usually I return to the original thing at some point but usually at more of a sustainable level. As new things come and go I just have to decide what I want to keep pursuing and what I want to take a break from or put on the “someday” shelf. Back in college I focused on oil painting and ceramics for my two senior projects. We lived in a tiny apartment after college so I painted. Then when we bought our own place I had room for the wheel. I tried to do both but eventually I decided that I needed to focus on one thing. Clay won. But all my painting stuff is packed up into a tub on a shelf just in case SOMEDAY I want, or need, to get it back out.

That doesn’t mean I’m actually focusing on one thing though! Sometimes I like to take photos, sometimes I just like to use computers to design stuff. Quite often, it’s clay.

It seemed like a major theme in all the responses was that if we weren’t working with clay we would be creating something else. I can relate to that. There is something that drives me to create. It doesn’t really matter what medium. I just need to make something. Maybe to know that I exist? Maybe to let other people know I exist? Maybe it’s just the chemicals in my body? I know that after I create something, especially if it turns out pretty well, I feel accomplished and I want to make more stuff.

Another thing that makes ME happy is that many of the responses seemed to come from people who are happy. We found clay. And that is what makes us happy. We don’t have to keep wandering in the wilderness. Some people don’t even have to keep working at a job that isn’t their dream job. Even though making pots is hard work, and it doesn’t provide big paychecks like some other jobs, it is what some of us were born to do. I’m glad I can be a part of a community like that. So thank you all.

And before we get to the last reminder about the t-shirt giveaway I have some year end promotional propaganda. Errr, opportunities.

The biggest announcement is that I’m offering the first official course at Expert Clay which will begin December 31st. The course is called 2019, Your Best Pottery Year and I’ve set it up so we can work together to set, plan, and achieve our goals for the new year. I’m calling it a course, but I hope it ends up being more of a team project. This year it is completely free. We all know that the ceramics community is amazing and we can do awesome things when we work together. Just listen to the MudTalk Podcast as one example. I hope this course will let us help each other through critique, accountability, and encouragement. I know it won’t be for everyone, some of you are already goal achieving superheroes. But you are still welcome to join and offer advice or help. It is set up with 4 weeks of content to get our year off to a great start but the class doesn’t actually end until the end of 2019… Or until you achieve your goals for the year! The course content can be finished at your own pace at any time really but there will be opportunities for discussion which may be better if you are working at the same pace as everyone else. So if you are interested in making 2019 your best pottery year, sign up at https://expertclay.com/2019/. Again the official starting date is December 31st but you can sign up for free and get started now. Even if you hear this much later you can join in and work at your own pace.

After I get this course going I hope to offer some more courses, some free, some paid. I have been working on a course for complete beginners as an introduction to start making pottery. I also have some ideas about sharing some techniques that I use myself. And of course, I’m always looking for other people to share what they know whether it be in video format or slides or articles or podcasts or whatever way you are most comfortable. Get in touch if you want to share something at Expert Clay.

As for this podcast, I plan to keep going without major changes. My goal for 2019 is 20 new episodes. I have been considering the idea of an additional podcast. More of me just sharing some opinions on certain topics. And eventually I’d like to do a podcast with an interview format. But I’ll probably just stick to the MudTalk Podcast for 2019.

The Expert Clay Blog is off to a solid start. There are some quality articles covering topics like throwing taller, pricing your pots, and managing your time. I hope to add some more throughout 2019 and share some videos of myself and other potters working and showing off their techniques.

There are a lot of cool things planned. If you want to be notified of some of these opportunities you can join the email list at expertclay.com.

But now, let’s get to the fun part. Someone will get to choose a free t-shirt from potteryshirts.com. All you have to do is fill out a survey or share a comment. Do both for two entries. And even after the last reminder, you still have a pretty good chance to win, especially if you get two entries. The last day to enter is December 31st. So get it done! And tell others to listen to the podcast so they can enter too. To get all the details and see how to enter you can go to expertclay.com/giveaway.

As always, thanks so much for downloading and listening and sharing. After a quick look at the stats before I started recording, we have had over 15,000 downloads in 2018. That is amazing to me. Thank you all so much.

As we start the new year we will have episode 20 of the MudTalk podcast. It will be a discussion about form vs. function. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and get to spend time with loved ones and take care of yourself. Until 2019, rejoice that we have clay and stay muddy.