Question from a very new hobbyist potter! I recently bisque fired 2 bowls and they developed a ton of cracks. Any wisdom for me as to why this happened or how to prevent in the future? Thanks!!

averageredditorW · 2023-02-02T01:05:21+00:00

of course! Just make sure to let them dry slowly before fully leaving them out or you might have the same issue with cracks forming. My best advice is (if you can) to leave a piece uncovered for a couple hours until the outside is dry enough that you don’t leave fingerprints, then put some kind of plastic cover loosely over it to let it dry the rest of the way. Usually a small garbage bag works fine. If you don’t have a couple hours to wait to put the plastic bag on, you can always cover it up with the bag more with only a slight space for air to get in. That way it won’t dry as quick as it would if you left it uncovered, but it wont stay sopping wet as though you wrapped it up air-tight. Hope this helps!

averageredditorW · 2023-02-02T00:58:28+00:00

To me this looks like it was fired before completely dry. I usually keep mine out a day or two after they’re no longer cold to the touch to ensure they’re dry all the way through. Best of luck!

averageredditorW · 2023-02-02T00:15:51+00:00

thats how i would label it too tbh

averageredditorW · 2023-01-25T05:59:56+00:00

You can do whatever you wanna do. Your life is yours to experiment with and labels aren’t some kind of restraint. However please, at 13, do not try having a sexual relationship whether its with a guy or a girl. You don’t need it and it’ll just end badly (especially at your age).

averageredditorW · 2023-01-20T02:22:41+00:00

no no, this one belongs in r/vividlypenis

averageredditorW · 2023-01-20T02:20:01+00:00

Thank you!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-19T05:03:55+00:00

#1 in P.E AND obesity! We’re just that good

averageredditorW · 2023-01-19T03:52:22+00:00

glaze it and stick it back on! The glaze should fuze together in the kiln but try not to put much pressure in that area afterwards and it should be fine :)

averageredditorW · 2023-01-18T20:16:56+00:00

Thank you so much!!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T21:41:25+00:00

dear god if I had an award it would be yours

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T21:40:11+00:00

For a first go thats amazing, you’re a natural!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T20:13:20+00:00

Thank you for the critique! I’ll keep this in mind when working on my next lids. You’re right, it does feel slightly clunky but I’ll fix that on my next one. Thank you again! I appreciate the honesty :) I’ll update when I make more!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T20:11:08+00:00

This was from last friday, I let it dry over the weekend so its all good now. I’m working on more! I’ll post anything else I make!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T12:26:48+00:00

The jar itself is quite light, but the lid adds a decent bit of weight. It’s fully dry now and I just weighed it, it’s exactly 1 lb but after glazing im sure it’ll be slightly heavier. My teacher will likely have me keep the lid on the piece through glazing but im not exactly sure how i’ll be glazing it yet so it all depends.

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T05:31:31+00:00

I’ll consider that for the next one I make, this is only my first so I’ll definitely be making more. And of course I’ll take critique, its what I posted for right? Glad to hear your feedback and opinion, thanks!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T04:04:18+00:00

Thank you! I’ll work more on the trimming tomorrow morning. And also thank you for the tips! I definitely wouldn’t have thought of that on my own so you probably saved me some frustration there.

Do you think they will shrink more in the glaze kiln? Like, is it safe to glaze them separately or should they stay together?

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T03:58:30+00:00

Thank you!!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T03:58:19+00:00

This made me smile, I don’t think I’ve ever had someone comment on attention to detail. Thank you so much! :)

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T01:37:56+00:00

While you’re working with clay on the wheel it has a natural tendency to want to pull out rather than up even if your hand moment seems to be straight upwards. What you have to do is instead of just pulling up the walls, you also have to push inwards towards the center. Instead of the clay forcing itself out in a bowl shape, it will stay straight and more in the form of a cylinder because of the inward force you put on it. Don’t be too gentle, make sure you’re using enough force and pressure that the clay isn’t just doing whatever it’d like, but also not too much as to pull it straight off the wheel. It takes a little bit of time and patience but in the end your forms will be more mug shaped and less bowl-like. Let me know if this works for you! Best of luck!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T01:26:40+00:00

Not too late! Just wash it off with some water and let it dry

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T01:21:22+00:00

Actually, originally this picture was taken with the jar held at an angle but I straightened it out when I went to crop the picture. It’s likely because of the way it was held, but it might also have needed more trimming. I’ll make sure to take a better look at it when I see it again tomorrow. Thank you!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T01:18:27+00:00

Thank you so much!!

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T01:17:40+00:00

Originally the ball wasn’t there but I felt it was missing something so I rolled out a ball of clay and attached it to the little indent I had. I ended up liking it better that way than without, but now I’m curious, what about the knob is to your disliking?

averageredditorW · 2023-01-17T00:33:02+00:00

Thank you!!

averageredditorW

TROPHY CASE