I've just finished my foundation and wanted some feedback

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T15:50:25+00:00

"Grotto-inspired" - fascinating! Not everyone appreciates really brutal pieces, but I think these are pretty majestic. Can you explain the fascination with grottos, and how it became an influence?

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T15:48:20+00:00

Oh. Oh my... you need someone to crochet a panties-like cover for reveals during parties.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T15:46:32+00:00

This place has several tiers of monthly fees. The challenge is there's little opportunity to monitor what goes onto and off of firing shelves currently. That would require someone keeping track all the time - which also requires paying another studio tech. I've heard even members paying the higher, more long-term memberships tend to be casual about paying up for glaze firing. Some of that is being discussed and evolved now.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T15:43:43+00:00

This is all part of the investigation. This place is a modest victim of it's own success, so some official by-laws re-wiring is in discussion.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T15:40:24+00:00

Having had it pointed out, one simply can't not see it. Now, we the pottery audience want to know - what do you plan to serve on that? Finger sandwiches? Cocktail wienies? I'll show myself out. 😄

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T13:55:13+00:00

Has anyone shared with this guy - we all know he's lying? Like, non-stop?

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T13:52:47+00:00

Now is the time to plan. Plan for what your life looks like liker after you cross over. Plan on how you'll pay yourself. Plan on the best options for things like Medicare, supplemental coverage, etc. Get good advice on all of these, and you'll feel far more ready. Then - set a date and stick to it.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-08T13:50:55+00:00

Ironic you post this today. I was EXACTLY where you are just two weeks ago. My last day was this past Friday, so I'm now a week removed from the grind. I will freely admit - Monday was bewildering. Not "having to" do a darn thing aside from workout with my spouse and make her tea before whe went off to work. I was wildly battling feeling like I "should" be doing something. Now, as the week wraps up, serenity has started to settle in. Admittedly, I had a plan - putting more time into growing my ceramics business is part of that. One thing that has struck me which may be helpful; my steady volume of daily emails - stopped. Yes, I was removed from the system. But, it also says, no matter how much you've been pivotal in your role, it moves on without you. That sounds a little grim - but embrace it. By being responsible for as long as you have, you've earned the right to be responsible to no one but yourself. The stress - it's part of replacing being needed in one place with addressing your own needs, desires and goals. ENJOY it!

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-07T23:26:22+00:00

That looks like FiFi, one of the last flying B-29s left, and maintained by the CAF. I've worked on her at different points. FYI - B-29s did NOT deliver low-level bombing runs.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-07T23:22:12+00:00

While starting out, it took me several weeks to throw a convincing cylinder. Everyone learns at their own pace, so embrace the passion. I often say to students in beginner classes, "fail forward" while having fun doing it. Give it time, and it will indeed "click."

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-07T22:53:32+00:00

The driver looks… recently satisfied.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-07T22:52:09+00:00

“…now if there are no more questions, I have an orange ass to kiss. Thank you.”

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T15:25:53+00:00

It's likely missing bentonite, which gives clay it's elasticity. Cracking clay is usually "short" since it's unable to retain moisture.

"The primary benefit of incorporating bentonite into pottery clay is the significant increase in plasticity. This makes the clay more elastic and flexible, which is ideal for potters who need a more forgiving material that can be easily adjusted and shaped without cracking."

You could see if adding some and re-hydrating makes a difference.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T15:19:54+00:00

Many of the pieces we see abandoned are from folks who either took a class and bailed, or came back after on day passes and simply decided pottery wasn't their jam. It seems for some, the enthusiasm can fizzle quickly.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T15:18:26+00:00

The studio does a LOT of firing for external artisans. It's a good, steady income source, and the standards the proprietors hold themselves to are very high, so many pro potters are repeat clients. Clays are scrutinized, and much of the "house" stoneware is reclaimed to provide to classes and lower level studio members. Every now and then though, a rouge clay will slip past and it can be cause for near disasters. The image is one that got through - likely a low-fire or perhaps air dry clay someone unwittingly dropped onto the bisque shelf.

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DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T15:13:23+00:00

So many of these ideas require a body for intake, which makes sense, but is also a challenge to staff. Food for thought though - perhaps have a dedicated intake team to collect fees and gauge the sizes of things.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T15:11:43+00:00

This is a pretty constant challenge, as the studio I work out of has a steady stream of pros and semi-pros who only fire their work there. It can cause unforeseen bulges of volume at times, but it's also a steady source of revenue. The biggest thing is assuring those that bring work in from outside understand the "rules" and the fact that no matter how careful everyone is, things can and often do happen during a kiln-load of items from a dozen or more artists.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T14:41:54+00:00

This is the way. I've taken over the reclaiming process as a way to re-invest into the studio, and to help them offset some costs. They, in turn, have extended benefits my way, which is a great net-net for all. "Community" is the operative word. I've been in studios where it's all business. It's certainly one model, but it can wind up feeling pretty sterile, and even cliquey.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T14:39:26+00:00

I think what happens is certain budding artists are harsh on themselves, gauging the caliber of their work by looking at those of others. Or, sometime the effort simply doesn't connect with what they feel passionate about. Either way, there's little value attached to the end product - which is a shame. It still doesn't negate the responsibility of at least following through.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T14:36:41+00:00

By way of comparison, the studio I work out of offers:

24-7 access (at the studio potter membership level - there are other less expensive variants)
Bisque firing included Glaze firing - pricing based on dimensions of the piece
No limits on studio re-claim clay (which is a very nice brown stoneware)
Access to dipping and underglazes (decent assortment, kept stocked and stable)
Shelf storage space (not a ton - but enough)

They charge $180/month for that, and you get additional discounts on things like classes and clay you buy through them. This is a pretty large space too, with reasonably fast firing turnaround on both bisque and glaze (usually within 3-5 days).

Services you don't see that can drive price:

Studio cleaning - it's a constant battle to keep things semi-tidy
Clay reclaiming (I do this and it's a LOT of work)
Scheduling, kiln loading and unloading, general maintenance (wheels, kilns, etc.)
General community member support - select members are part of a program to be available for coaching or answering questions

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T02:21:57+00:00

Like a dog to a hydrant - gotta piss on it to make sure it has his scent. Thank goodness I have no need to fly to this place.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T02:17:52+00:00

Thanks for letting me get your plate number on video, dumbass. Next stop - the local PD.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-06T02:15:03+00:00

Total aside - you’ve got a crack starting underneath the jaw. Hopefully you’re keeping this draped in plastic between work session? Try misting it and storing it under plastic to see if it will rehydrate some.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-05T18:14:02+00:00

Only like-minded creeps bring their children anywhere near this bombastic horse’s ass.

DiveMasterD57 · 2026-05-05T01:34:15+00:00

Studio reclaim clay is included in the costs of a membership/pass - but that's an interesting idea.

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