So I came upon a stunning realization today...the bigger the ball of clay you start out with the less chance there s to make the walls too thin and tear it apart! (at least for me, anyway) 

my second lil pot with rings

...and the even more stunning information... the pots are bigger then too! Ha!

These are by far the two largest things I have turned so far... large, of course, being a relative term at this time...

objects in picture appear larger than actual size, ha!

Pottery 201

Okay we are “back in the saddle” so to speak...that pesky winter snow storm cancelled my 1st class in the second session, but tonight I was pleasantly surprised to see that I didn’t forget everything in the couple of weeks off! (phew, I was nervous)

  Mom made me monogrammed aprons for Christmas which were a big hit, and it may be superstitious, but I didn’t tear up any pots while wearing them, so I may have to keep that up!

  I made this vase and a batter bowl, still nothing very big...need to work on that next week!

baby batter bowl & a vase

Surprise Dad! Merry Christmas!

Well, I made it...all the way to Christmas day and dad knew NOTHING of my “mud-slinging” exploits! I think it was a big hit!

Dad opening his gift!

He was surprised & excited to see that I have taken an intrest in turning...boy, now the pressure is really on! Ha!


It was really nice to have the family together to share in the surprise, and we had a white Christmas! (first one in 28 years!) My next class starts on Jan 1oth, wish me luck...


I’ll keep you updated on the progress...not ready to quit my day job just yet...

Last class of the session!

Class #8 and I am so sad it’s over! I think I will continue this endeavor though...it’s in my blood, and I can’t give up just yet. The next session starts in January, sign me up!

Now if I can only keep this secret for 3 more weeks! It’s been so hard not to talk about it to dad, but I want him to be surprised on Christmas Day with the first piece of pottery I made.

I made a few more pieces today, but nothing special, just a few crooked little pots.

Who names these glazes?

Class #7 & just as I suspected, Randy (of the Randy’s Red glaze) is, in fact, color blind...

  ...I refuse to believe that it was the application of the glaze...ha!

Randy clearly has no concept of color...

  I did have a few pieces make it out of the kiln. One of which is dad’s pot (appropriately glazed in “Bob’s Blue” of course) although Bob appears to be color blind as well...I guess Bob’s teal didn’t sound as good?

Bob's Blue (which really means teal...)

  I also made this little pot with handles that I am pretty excited about so far...fingers crossed!

how cute is that?

The wonderful world of glazing...

Just when I thought the hard part was over...I discover the world of glazing!

  I glazed my very first bowl tonight the glaze is called “Randy’s Red” but I believe this “Randy” is color blind, based on the sample of his glaze. I hope it turns out more rust than red...

Randy's Red...why not Randy's Rust?

  I showed mom the fat little vase from last week, so she put in an order for a coffee mug. (I am sooooo not in a place to take orders, ha!) I made it and a few other pieces.

  Only 2 classes left! Hope it all comes out of the kiln OK!

The Kiln is the enemy!

I DID IT!!! I finally managed to actually turn the wad of clay into something that looks like pottery!

  Ok, well it looks like a fat little vase, but nevertheless it is something that I made all by myself with no assistance!

Fat little Vase

  WOOO HOOOO! (Still not planning on taking up pottery as a profession, and I have to say this “peaceful hobby” is so much more stressful than my job!)

  You have to wedge it, turn it, dry it, fire it, glaze it, fire it again, and all could be for nothing! The kiln is the enemy...