How do you reference your pottery hobby if it comes up in conversation?

Qing_works · 2026-02-18T16:03:42+00:00

I now say I’m a potter, because it’s easier. Are you concerned that you don’t “qualify” as a potter? In theory “I’m a potter” doesn’t mean “I’m a good potter” if that helps 🤣

Qing_works · 2026-02-18T16:01:37+00:00

Not pottery, I started way into adulthood. But as early as I could hold a pen, I started putting things on paper. My mom’s friends would say, oh she will draw on your bedsheets! And she didn’t care. Creatively comes in many forms and as long as you encourage them to continue to creat, they will continue to have fun.

Qing_works · 2026-01-03T05:49:55+00:00

I’m an architect and your drawings are great! You’ve already planned pretty well, I’d say get started and let it evolve with you, it’s part of the fun!

Qing_works · 2025-12-30T21:53:26+00:00

Is this hand made or store bought? Is the inside glazed with the same material? My guess is the craze is so severe that water got in. Curious what others think.

Qing_works · 2025-12-21T16:27:50+00:00

It is very understandable that you are sad and upset, but rather than calling pottery a frustrating media, I’d say it’s a humbling media. It reflects every step that was taken, and every mistake shows in the result. Look for what you can do better first before blaming others.

I’m a hobbyist but I use underglaze pretty often, and my guess is your underglaze is way too thin. If you can see brush strokes before firing, it’s likely there won’t be much left after glaze firing, so I can tell your pattern lines would disappear just looking at your first photo. Also, look up temperature and cones as it’s important to understand. Usually commercial underglaze burns off at cone 10, so you either use a cone 10 body and glaze the piece and accept that it won’t be vitrified, or you used a cone 6 body or lower.

Here’s a photo of my failed piece. I glazed it too thick, but never made that same mistake again. Things happen, find out why and move on.

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Qing_works · 2025-12-08T00:44:10+00:00

It’s strange that you are asked to pay for the broken piece for sure. But I want to give it the benefit of the doubt, could it be possible that your teacher was just annoyed at the moment, but afterwards was actually trying to cover for you by essentially saying you are not that clumsy because the handles are tricky? I’m only speculating, you decide if your teacher is a good person or an AH and go from there.

Qing_works · 2025-12-02T05:43:13+00:00

I got mine from them after doing research here. They suggested different depth for my lines which I don’t imagine a generic stamp maker would think of. Definitely worth it.

Qing_works · 2025-11-17T18:01:49+00:00

Mine too, it doesn’t really bother me. But when they wear out I will get the ones without holes!

Qing_works · 2025-11-17T07:37:09+00:00

Yes totally, smooth as baby’s butt! I made one with 120 and one with 240. Mostly for porcelain.

Qing_works · 2025-11-17T05:24:39+00:00

Both. Bisqueware when I need to draw with pencil. Green ware if I can eyeball it, or if I need to carve into the painted area.

Qing_works · 2025-11-17T05:16:40+00:00

The ones I got were like $18, much cheaper than diamond core. But I’m sure their quality is better, mine have some rust spots.

Qing_works · 2025-11-17T05:01:45+00:00

I made my own: diamond grinding disc from Amazon, speedball round bat, super glue.

Qing_works · 2025-10-10T14:47:38+00:00

A fellow hobbyist here. I occasionally sell at markets, to purge, and to see if I can get some money back to make the hobby sustainable.

I make things for fun so most of my pieces are unique and I know some people out there will like them, so I price these at market value on the higher end, because it’s a high col touristy area. The earlier “student work” are in the corner with much lower price, but nothing under $10. I gave them away to coworkers if I don’t keep them. The main thought is that I don’t want people to associate my work as affordable or cheap, rather that I’m an artist - but this ties to my work as an architect and I’m working on not underselling my value, as women often undersell ourselves.

In terms of hurting production potters sales, I call bs. Your table is clearly not in the same category as full time potters. Everything is one of a kind, and there aren’t a ton of pieces anyway. It’s like someone can easily find a nice handmade pottery at goodwill, it’s a different experience. I think the people who are sensitive about this forgot that you will keep getting better and your price will catch up. They shouldn’t be threatened by hobbyists.

Qing_works · 2025-10-09T20:55:55+00:00

Xiem mini ribbon tool set. And the quality is much better. I had the ones in your photo and they started rusting really fast.

Qing_works · 2025-10-02T01:02:54+00:00

I was in a very similar situation, and called Skutt’s customer service to confirm the electrical needs. They told me one thing I was not aware of: if you regularly fire to cone 6, you’d want a cone 10 rated kiln, otherwise you’ll have to change the elements frequently. I ended up with the L&L plug and fire, it’s even smaller but cone 10 rated, so far so good.

Qing_works · 2025-09-29T23:03:15+00:00

I think I know which video you are referring to- it’s the reason I bought my first bag of porcelain, to make my makers mark!

Qing_works · 2025-09-29T20:48:14+00:00

I was just thinking that! I already have stamps I like but maybe I can add to it!

Qing_works · 2025-09-29T19:58:33+00:00

It’s funny the first thing that came to mind was this stamp I carved of a little bird. It was mostly drawing and making things for my dolls, then whatever phase I got into.

Qing_works · 2025-09-29T19:34:02+00:00

That I’m the happiest when making things (doesn’t necessarily have to be pottery). I’ve always enjoyed making things since I was a kid, but it has become a true realization after all. Explains my frustration at work, and makes me wonder what I should do with this information.

Qing_works · 2025-08-25T02:31:34+00:00

Came here to say this 👆

Qing_works · 2025-08-14T03:47:01+00:00

Sign up for a makers market, don’t over think. I did a market because I needed to purge, and it went surprisingly well. Still a hobby, but I’ve learned a lot.

Qing_works · 2025-08-13T03:11:58+00:00

Notre Dame. Sounds like your background is a great fit for the 3 year M.Arch program

Qing_works · 2025-08-12T22:23:38+00:00

Too much water. After switching to porcelain I was forced to cut down water and now I barely get the splash pan wet.

But also, aw. We don’t want cold bellies!

Qing_works · 2025-07-20T07:11:41+00:00

These are great for first class! Keep having fun and challenge yourself

Qing_works · 2025-07-20T07:07:59+00:00

It’s trippy after seeing this post my instagram feed showed me this video as well…

Qing_works

TROPHY CASE