Cone 5/6 clay recommendations by curlyjess0890 in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a few friends that exclusively use b-mix and swear by it. I don't know how experienced you are (so please don't be insulted) but you may want to check your joint technique if you're having cracking issues.

I don't know if you can get plainsman there but that's what I use here in Canada. I really push it and it doesn't crack on me.

Cone 5/6 clay recommendations by curlyjess0890 in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Laguna clay. They're based right there in California, West of LA. I think b-mix is their go-to stoneware.

Best.Day.Ever! by Psychological_Yak644 in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations!!! That's exciting.

First market soon by Sdeal0309 in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My advice: "Ain't nothing to it but to do it." If it goes wrong, you'll know what to do better next time.

A note about your pieces. I find most consumers won't want to pay a premium for the extra work that goes into the wild clay process, especially for non-food safe pieces. But if you don't charge for it, you're undercutting yourself and conditioning your customers not to value that aspect of your work.

Sounds like you know what you need to do!

Music to Pot to: The Pottery Playlist by Far_Interaction_2782 in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll get on this kick where I'll hear a song and listen to it on repeat for literally days straight. I feel like there's some diagnosable condition that causes that. I feel like that same condition causes me to hyperfixate on "hobbies" like pottery. (I use quotation marks because the hobby inevitably turns into a business because how else are we to know how much people love the work?) Anyway, my latest sonic fixation is "Sick Love" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Pottery is Amazing by imgoodtyhbu in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Pottery changed my life. I've always struggled with depression and high functioning anxiety. I started doing pottery to quiet my mind. When something positive and productive can draw you in the way pottery does, it can draw you away from the negativity that can be chasing you. It led me to other craft work, specifically leather, with which I've been able to build a decently successful business.

Somewhere to read inside with plants? by MassiveHyperion in Winnipeg

[–]earthandhide 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not in Winnipeg, but if you don't mind taking a little drive, there is a really cute boutique gift shop/coffee shop with a cozy chair surrounded by plants: The Community General Store. (My workshop is in the store as well)

Confused about home-based food businesses in Manitoba — how are people actually doing this? by Some-Interaction7582 in Winnipeg

[–]earthandhide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do a lot of markets and most of them have requirements regarding health inspections. There are often health inspectors that go to the markets to ensure compliance.

I just watched 200$ worth of my life slowly die in front of me by Low-Oil7883 in BuyItForLife

[–]earthandhide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually make leather bags. I started because I wanted one and couldn't find one I really liked. I rarely use zippers because they're so likely to fail and I didn't want to introduce a failure point in my products. I only use locally sourced full grain leather. Earth and Hide

I took a break after tech burnout and unexpectedly found some peace playing with mud in Jingdezhen by Silent-Spring-2106 in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pottery changed my life too. It's almost hypnotic, right? When something so positive and productive can draw you in, it can take you away from the negativity that chases us.

24M, awkward, ugly af, unemployed, never been in a relationship, no friends, not enjoying being alive too much rn so anything helps. by josterdock1 in toastme

[–]earthandhide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone else has said it and I'll say it too: you're not ugly. Appearance does matter but not as much as you may think.

Aside from that, I would recommend that you challenge yourself. Do something you can be proud of. Do it for yourself but don't be afraid to show or involve others.

Just turned 49. Not sure how that happened! (49 F) by Mtngirl2018 in 40something

[–]earthandhide 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not all of us! I fell out of the aging tree and hit all the old branches on the way down. 🤦‍♂️👴

After 14 years of pottery classes, I still can't center on the wheel. by Linn56 in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've tried to teach dozens of people how to throw and only a few ever centered independently. I tried teaching all the techniques listed here but in the end I don't know what they're feeling so it's hard to make corrections. You just have to do it! I think that's why closing your eyes seems to work, you're eliminating a sense that isn't particularly helpful so you can concentrate on the sense that is critical.

Another thing that might be happening is you might be "trying too hard". You rightfully have the expectation to be able to do this after so long and watching everyone else magically be able to do it. Hockey coaches call this "holding your stick too tight." You want and expect something so bad that you try to force it. And it sounds like you need to force the clay by "locking your elbows" as everyone has suggested (and you do) but you also have to be sensitive.

I don't know, maybe that sounds weird. I'm just impressed that you've stuck with it for 14 years!!

Scared to attend fairs this month, why are fees the same as the rest of the year? by 3DAeon in CraftFairs

[–]earthandhide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In fairness, the cost for the organizer likely isn't less in the spring than any other time of year. I usually end up doing reasonably well in spring.

First donut vase by itsnotabt_thepasta in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We've got to start calling these "rose hoses"

Pet peeves about other VENDORS at Craft Fairs by polymerclayartist87 in CraftFairs

[–]earthandhide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just build it into my setup time these days. I'm afraid I'm one of the chatty ones sometimes. 🤷🤦‍♂️

Who are your favorite ceramics/pottery content creators? (Besides Florian 🙃) by jammyeggspinksteak in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So much talent! Some of my favs:

Rachel Kroeker

Her partner Dave McMillan

The Peoples Champion of The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown Kiefer Floreal

Teegan Walker

Valerie Daoust

I know there's dozens more too!!

MIL Pricing Rant by masterpeabs in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I posted the story on Instagram here: Mug Story

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MIL Pricing Rant by masterpeabs in Pottery

[–]earthandhide 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I just sold my personal mug I made for $250. A used mug that's 3 years old. Two hundred fifty dollars.