volkpots

The finished piece didn’t turn out as planned, but these underglaze transfers using redart slip as the transfer agent are looking awesome. So much better than trying to transfer with water, I’m never going back. #pottery #underglaze #hobbypotter

Ridiculous hyper local reference, a greenware mug that says “BARBER SCHOOL?”

If you live in Pittsburgh, these signs have resurfaced again in the West End area. Anyone else seeing them in other areas? Honestly starting to think it’s a recession indicator 🤔

Laceyvolk.bigcartel.com is very much a WIP, but I’m starting to list some ceramic sculpture and functional pottery to sell. I’m on a free plan right now so the functionality is a bit limited but my goal is just to sell ONE thing by the end of the year. Still figuring out pricing, photos, all of it…

I had this idea to make pottery fortune telling cups: Spin then drink to reveal your future! This first one is pretty unbalanced (always falls in one spot) and I went a bit heavy handed on the text in places. I see a few ways to improve the design but for now; what do you think?

Honestly the more I look at it I’m questioning my decision 😂 learning process…

Yesterday for the first time I tore off a handle I truly hated and built a new extruded one. Could probably be a little narrower but such a major improvement. I’m always working on letting go and being less precious with my pottery practice!

I had a big fail on my third section of this plaster mold yesterday. The piece was awkwardly positioned and I couldn’t see that the seam wasn’t fully sealed.

I managed to chip off the second layer of plaster so I might try to salvage the model and try again… #trialanderror #ceramics #slipcasting

Why does Standard have ONE cone 6 clay body that fires to less than 0.5% absorption? Other companies seem to do this just fine?

Agree! It’s very therapeutic in that way. Although probably more expensive than therapy tbh 😂

So true!

Finally got around to making a before/after video from the wood firing. I’ve never experienced so much joy from making so many terrible things 😂

#pottery #woodfiredpottery #ceramics

Cartoon about a wallaby that finishes pottery by throwing it into a pile of flammable detritus while it's still burning hot, call that Raku's Modern Life

Love the shape of this!

A fun spring pottery project: garden stacks! I’ve got more fun plans to fill my yard with pots this summer. I need a break from functional ware.

If you’ve ever made one of these, reply with your pics! I need more inspiration!

I have a very particular case of the “can’t focus at work, thinking about glazing” Monday blues today

These are my favorite two ideas so far… either a blue/white combo that has a nice layering effect, or using oxides to make a squiggle design.

Sketching some glaze ideas before class next week. My kindergartener asked if I’m doing my pottery homework 😂 really makes you miss the days when homework was just coloring right? #pottery #potteryhomework

Thank you, I’m very curious if the birds will actually like it! I have seen ceramic “bird bottles” that hang in the eaves of houses in the northeast US for specific types of birds, but I’m not sure what birds we get in Pittsburgh might prefer…

An unfired clay birdhouse sitting on a piece of plywood, constructed of a bowl with a large hole cut from the side, and a light green conical roof on top.

I try not to get too excited about greenware, but this pottery birdhouse is looking mighty cute. First time using applied colored slip too, though I didn’t carve into it or anything.

Rushed through it, hated it, but plan to try again. Good thing clay is recyclable.

#pottery #failure #ceramics #potteryfail #practicemakesprogress

Playing with making transfers with slips and oxides instead of underglaze. Haven’t fired any yet but it looks promising.

Also testing cutting/ reassembling to get the “recycled brick” look, instead of cutting up the transfers.

What experiments are you running in your studio?

#pottery #ceramics

Make stuff. Get better at making stuff. Use new skills to make weirder stuff.

Yes, technically you could fill it up, the whole neck is hollow… but I’m just looking forward to putting a small bouquet of upside down fake flowers in it.

#pottery #ceramics #justheretofartaround

It’s listed in my original post, Standard 437 Troy Porcelain

It is porcelain, but formulated for wood fire, and other people have fired this clay body successfully in this kiln. 🤞

Hey #pottery people, am I mad to be putting these colorful underglazed pots into a wood firing next month, knowing full well how much the colors will darken and fade (and maybe worse)? 🤞

Specs: Mostly Amaco Velvet with some Standard underglaze on Standard 437 Troy Porcelain.

Of course I feel like the actual trimming shown here is absolutely terrible but it’s the footage I had ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I made a DIY pottery trim guard for $15 and I’m pretty happy with it. Had the foresight to record most of the process too! It took me actual months of looking for a bin that was the right size before I stumbled upon this one, but even a cardboard box works (and can be cut without special tools).

At the student/hobby potter phase of scrounging around for finished pottery to give away every time I meet up with friends or family. Today’s picks:

Baby’s first combination of wheel thrown and hand built clay elements. I could probably keep poking at it forever, but today was week 5 of an 8 week session, so I wrapped the top loosely and left it to dry in the kiln room. 🤞

So I acquired a lil baby barely used @skuttkilns.bsky.social KM-614-3 awhile ago. We don’t have a garage so I’m looking to install in the basement. I’ve got Envirovent parts ready but having a little anxiety about doing this right. Any potters using air quality monitors in their studios? Other tips?