Cristpots@AOL.COM on fri 26 may 00
How does everyone deal with repeating successful shapes? I'm a hand-builder
and I have several shapes that I make that are good sellers for me. I guess
I'm fortunate that way. I do like these forms but sometimes I get tired of
making them. I make one of a kind shapes as well but they don't sell as well.
I try to glaze everything uniquely - often through glaze painting - or I'll
alter the forms slightly from piece to piece by applying different textures.
But still I get bored and/or restless with repeating myself. To me repetition
is a hard thing to take pride in eventhough technically it does improve the
quality of my work in the long run. I've been doing a lot of glaze testing
lately hoping for some new stimulation that way and I have discovered some
new successful glazes that way. But there are a lot more failures then
successes. Okay, so now I'm starting to whine - but I'm just wondering how
others deal with repeating themselves and if any one else sees this as a
problem.
Beverly Crist, Los Angeles
Diane G. Echlin on fri 26 may 00
Hi Beverly,
I'm in sort of the same situation. I've been making teapots that are essentially
beaker shaped, streamlined and clean. Although I know my form is improving, and
I've just figured out how to make a spout that doesn't dribble, I'm tiring of it.
I've played with the handle positioning and shape and gone from reserved to
whimsical with the lids, but I don't feel challenged by it anymore. It was a
groove, now I think I'm headed for the rut (and I've been re-reading Mel's post
about "the rut" a lot lately) So what's next? I've started to do some
handbuilding, which I have never really done with any proficiency, and actually,
it's kind of fun. Contemplative. Sculptural, though, not functional. So maybe
the answer is do do something radically different, just to get your juices flowing
again. But then again, I'm more on the hobby side of pottery, and it sounds like
you're trying to eke out a living.
Good luck!
Di
Cristpots@AOL.COM wrote:
> How does everyone deal with repeating successful shapes? I'm a hand-builder
> and I have several shapes that I make that are good sellers for me. I guess
> I'm fortunate that way. I do like these forms but sometimes I get tired of
> making them. I make one of a kind shapes as well but they don't sell as well.
> I try to glaze everything uniquely - often through glaze painting - or I'll
> alter the forms slightly from piece to piece by applying different textures.
> But still I get bored and/or restless with repeating myself. To me repetition
> is a hard thing to take pride in eventhough technically it does improve the
> quality of my work in the long run. I've been doing a lot of glaze testing
> lately hoping for some new stimulation that way and I have discovered some
> new successful glazes that way. But there are a lot more failures then
> successes. Okay, so now I'm starting to whine - but I'm just wondering how
> others deal with repeating themselves and if any one else sees this as a
> problem.
>
> Beverly Crist, Los Angeles
>
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Cat81257@AOL.COM on sat 27 may 00
Hi Beverly ... how does one deal with repeating sucessful shapes ....
hmmmm I for one hate goblets and salt and peppers and thats the day I
concider it a job LOL guess I could stop making the darn things I hate
making but seeing I actually like the product when its done I suppose I'll
keep doing them ... hmm typical goblet day is done at last possible
moment usually.. though some times I make a point to get em out of the way
as early as possible so I wont dread the end of the making process LOL ( this
is rare) I weigh and wedge and get everything possible set up to make it
less painless LOL then take a break ... throw the first one and take all
measurements then take a break .... will sit back and do about 5-6 if I can
stand it and take a break ... usually do a series of 25 at a whack and this
taking a break goes on untill I'm done the tops.... next the stems ha ha
ditto same thing ... yup its a long long day throwing these darn
thing... ps dont mind the trim and slip and stick together phase at all so
dont drag my proverbial feet .... ps I have ADD ( attention deficiet
disorder) I dont mind most things repetitive but my gobs are made to be
same shape and size and its something i really have to pay attention to
detail too and it drives me crazy ... vs coffee mugs or casseroles etc
kind of mindless on the coffee mugs as they are real easy and only one piece
and the casseroles dont need to match up ... things like cannister sets are
not too bad either as only 3 to a set same size but an inch shorter
perspectively... but give me something that I have to pay attention to
real closely in all aspects and a full day of it and I go nuts.... as far
as the rest goes ... sure after yrs of making the stuff I do things like try
different handles or slips and I love to take workshops and learn new
techniques and try new things for shows or just because I have to have fun
sometimes... those are special times when I never know the day went by...
last time this happened the phone rang at 9pm and thats when I realized it
was nitetime LOL I had started at 11am...those are the days I love my job
:o) hope this helps ya out some ... Cat
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