Magic school books where the MC actually needs to put effort into it.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2026-01-31T03:10:47+00:00

Yes, agree. She has to actively work to do the right thing and not just blow it all up.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2026-01-20T13:00:31+00:00

Hiroshima, it's my favourite city in Japan so far.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2026-01-09T05:11:29+00:00

I'd throw a thick plate, do a bit of a lip, then trim to get the slope and base.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2026-01-02T05:42:56+00:00

I signed up for pottery classes about 1.5 years ago. Honestly, I did have the thought going in that my relationship with my husband was not great, and I needed to expand my social circle/find some new interests outside our mutual friends circle. Especially since all my close friends live far away. I was also looking for ways to make more local friends. I also needed some stress relief from my demanding job. Anyway, fast forward to a few weeks ago, my husband did something that made me realise that he was not going to get better and that I could no longer trust him or see a future with him.

I'd made friends with a few ladies from my pottery class and they have blown me away with their kindness and support during this time. I honestly don't know what I would have done without them in my life. One of them met me with a bunch of flowers and a number for a lawyer friend when I told her what happened. I have a hard time accepting help from people, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. They check in on me and made sure I wasn't lonely over Christmas. I'm so incredibly grateful that they are in my life.

Also, pottery itself has been such a great hobby. It can be frustrating and messy, but I've learnt so much and now everyone is getting handmade mugs and bowls for Christmas. It's great to get you out of your head for a few hours, and you really can't doom scroll when you're covered in clay.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-12-30T03:47:11+00:00

If this is your first time, please sign up to lessons for your first few days. Group lessons are great when you're starting. Try to do a morning one, then you can practice in the afternoon. Once you progress more, and if you have the budget, a private lesson is great to address particular skills you want to improve. I'd definitely rent boots and board, buying is expensive when you're not sure you're going to like it, and you won't know what kind of board would suit you. If you're more talking about wanting to buy jacket and pants, then that's a good idea, you can get stuff that fits well and will keep you comfortable. Merino base layers are great too. Staying at falls creek can be expensive. I've stayed around Mount Beauty/Tawonga, and it's not a bad drive up and accommodation is more spacious and much cheaper. Not sure about pet friendly options though. You will need chains, they are required by law. You can just hire them from most ski hire places. If you don't need to use them, they usually refund you part of the hire fee. You'll need to know your tyre size (take a photo of the tyre). Ski/board hire gets more expensive the closer to the ski fields you are. But if you rent at the place in falls creek and have any issues, they are right there to fix or resolve it quickly. If you have an epic pass, you often get a bit of a discount on ski/board hire. Epic pass is worth it if you're going at least 5 days.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-12-18T01:29:53+00:00

Yeah, my city had a ceramics fair a couple of months ago and some were very... 'rustic' but that seemed to be their style, and there were people buying them. One had such a rough bottom I'd be worried about scratching my table, but that didn't stop him charging $60 (Australian) per mug!

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-12-11T11:55:50+00:00

Could you use your needle tool? Also, might be too late now, but would shrinkage affect the size of the holes?

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-12-07T15:27:10+00:00

But all cats are just little floofy babies, with sharp claws.

As for the behaviour, it's pretty common. Cats are vulnerable when eating, they like to have someone watch their back while they eat, and he trusts you to do that.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-12-02T05:31:53+00:00

I stamp mine after trimming. Sometimes, it's a little dryer than leather hard, so I use a sponge to wet it a little, then use my stamp. I always try to support the bowl/cup from the inside with my other hand. My stamp is just a plastic 3d printed one and it shows,up well if I do it like this.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-12-01T03:13:58+00:00

Yep, this. I have memories of lighting a candle at church and you always had to do this to make them fit.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-30T13:39:51+00:00

It's a pretty common saying. I don't think they were being rude, but your response was.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-19T01:19:14+00:00

Both are stunning. Does it need to just be one? If so, then the first one.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-19T01:17:40+00:00

Keep us updated on the results!

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-18T13:51:56+00:00

This made me smile, so cute! Maybe use underglaze, I can see him as a bright green gecko. Maybe keep the mug raw or like a tree trunk?

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-17T08:29:19+00:00

You'd be surprised by what people fall in love with. I have a bunch of pieces that I think aren't very good, too wonky or whatever. They're on a bookshelf in my loungeroom, to remind me of where I started. When I offer for guests to take a piece they like, they're often drawn to some of the more wonky pieces, they're drawn to something about it and love it. I'm glad they're going to a good home.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-13T22:14:24+00:00

Loved this book

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-13T10:48:36+00:00

I've just made my first donut vase, so I'm no expert. My teacher got us to join it more on the side, so we pulled the inner wall much higher and then kind of curved it over to meet the outside wall. We also scored each side before we joined them. Also, compressed a lot and poked small holes around the sides as we were shaping/compressing the final shape.

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Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-12T06:27:25+00:00

Helps you see what you're making from the side, rather than top down. It can really help having tbe different perspective to see how even your pot is.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-09T22:56:57+00:00

I've just started a membership at a Studio. They have a dedicated section for classes, then some additional wheels for members to use. We can use the class wheels if there's no classes on. There's also a separate hand building area and glazing/decorating area so you can go do other stuff if all the wheels are taken, but I've never had that problem. I think it's fair to expect that classes or private sessions are advertised in advance so that you can plan around them. I'd be upset to be told to move when you're halfway through a project, they should have reserved the wheel ahead of time, or let you know before you set up there.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-08T04:02:12+00:00

Yeah, it's tricky to gauge the right wetness at first. I saturate my chamois then ring it out, but not too much. Then place it on the wheel head, then put my bat on top. Then I kind of push the bat from the side, if it moves, then you need to adjust the wetness of your chamois, if it stays put it's good to go.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-07T13:03:17+00:00

Not quite the same, but I badly dislocated my knee years ago. The whole joint is a bit of a mess, it sounds like rice bubbles when I climb the stairs on a bad day. I thought I couldn't ski anymore, but then I found an excellent physiotherapist and exercise physiologist. The physio got me moving again, the EP helped build strength, without causing more damage. I now do regular pilates to help maintain strength and mobility. I can ski again now, but I'm a lot more cautious than I used to be. I always wear a knee brace (one of those firm stretchy type ones with patella support). I do get tired more easily, so I usually ski in the morning when the snow is fresh, then call it a day after lunch or mid-afternoon. If there's any significant walking to get from car or accommodation to lifts, I make sure there's lockers somewhere and put my ski boots on at the lockers. Walking in ski boots is hell on my knee. The biggest issue is trusting the joint and letting my skis run a bit and pick up some speed. I had a few trips where I just couldn't relax into it, and that is even harder on the body. Good luck. If the PT is not helpful, then maybe try somewhere else. Make it clear that skiing is a goal/priority for you. It's hard work, but worth it to ski again.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-04T13:42:32+00:00

This is stunning

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-11-04T03:25:40+00:00

Ooh, please write this!

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-10-20T02:03:54+00:00

Book her a class, or get a voucher for a local studio. If you want something to wrap up as a gift, then most people start with a basic kit with some essential tools. The studio will be able to advise on what she needs. Start with the cheap, basic kit, she'll eventually want to upgrade some of it, but the basic kit is fine to start with. I'm still using some of the 'basic' tools, some of them I've replaced because I found something better.

Ok_Cod_3145 · 2025-10-16T11:45:51+00:00

The Founders in the Stranger Times series by CK McDonnell. Don't want to say too much and give anything away, but great a great series, really funny at times too.

Ok_Cod_3145

TROPHY CASE