priddy on tue 27 jun 00
listen to repetitive or very rythmic, wll paced music or talk radio
work early in the morning while you are fresh
use a rib and three pull method, don't analyze shape each time
weigh out the clay to get size rather than eying it
you should be able to knock out at least thirty an hour, if you cannot,
you need to re-evaluate your set up and rib use.
don't take breaks-it breaks your concentration and rythm
hope this helps,
Elizabeth
"L. P. Skeen" wrote:
> Ok you production folks out there, I see you lurking - yes that WAS Ben=
=3D
> Owens' name I saw on a post today.......how in the WORLD do you make th=
e =3D
> same piece over and over and over and over and over without going =3D
> nutsoid? =3D20
> =
> Remember those tumblers of which I spoke about a week ago? I originall=
y =3D
> agreed to do 50 of 'em - 25 each size. Well, I did 'em, tho it nearly =
=3D
> killed me. Now I've gotta do MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may lose my mind. =
=3D
> Any suggestions for saving sanity appreciated.
> =
> L. P. Skeen www.living-tree.net
> Living Tree Pottery & Handmade Soaps
> Summerfield, NC
> =
>
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> =
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> =
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
respectfully submitted,
elizabeth priddy
priddy-clay@usa.net
http://www.angelfire.com/nc/clayworkshop
____________________________________________________________________
Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=3D=
1
Jennifer Boyer on wed 28 jun 00
I also rely on Books on Tape. I've been doing production so
long(since 1976) that I find myself sick to death of my inner
voices: especially when I'm _in the zone_ with a form: having
gotten so I can throw it mindlessly. Frees the mind FOR
MISCHIEF. And I'm sorry: No way I can _concentrate_ on the
nuances of every mug that I'm throwing, when I've thrown
thousands of them already and will throw thousands more. Best to
let the mind escape.
Books on tape, especially unabridged ones, are wonderful. For
years, I had 3 potter friends who I shared rentals with. We
rented from Recorded Books(800 638 1304 or
www.recordedbooks.com)) where the books were about 15.00 a piece
for a month. This made it economical, but we were always late
getting the tapes back. This didn't seem to bother the company.
Suggestions: Mark Twain, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, James Lee
Burke, Patrick Obrien, Tony Hillerman, E. Annie Proulx, PD James....
Our group's needs changed(babies, etc) and now I'm getting
unabridged books on tape from our local library. Listening to a
biography of Jane Austen this week. If you have friends
listening to the same ones, it can be like a book club. And you
get to read all day! What could be better. Of course I can't
listen during EVERY task I do. Only during the mindless stuff.
And I've learned not to malign the drudgery of production work
so much. The quote from the customer on the _about the pots_
page of my web site has helped me with that. I guess I have to
admit I'm suited for _cranking it out_ , a boring old
production potter!
Take Care
Jennifer, wishing for GREAT talk radio in our area, but no such
luck.....only shows with politics I don't care for.
priddy wrote:
>
> listen to repetitive or very rythmic, wll paced music or talk radio
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jennifer Boyer jboyer@adelphia.net
Thistle Hill Pottery
Vermont USA
http://www.thistlehillpottery.com/
Check out these sites about web hoaxes:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/culture/urbanlegends/mbody.htm
http://www.stiller.com/hoaxes.htm
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dave Murphy on wed 28 jun 00
Hi all:
I too I guess am suited to production work. Having had a working farm with
all the repetitive things one does such as chores and canning. I used to
love making jam and at the end of the day having all the gleaming jars lined
up on the counter. I felt quite satisfied with myself. So too with the
pots. I am finished my spring production now and am "playing around" with
forms suited to a wood fired atmosphere (totally new for me) Having a good
time. I listen to a variety of things and get tired of all of them sooner
or later. Right now I am listening to the sounds of the birds squabbling
over just about everything outside the studio door. Life is good.
Barbara Murphy
Waterloo, Ontario
----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer Boyer
To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Production work- it's driving me MADDDDDDDDDD]
> I also rely on Books on Tape. I've been doing production so
> long(since 1976) that I find myself sick to death of my inner
> voices: especially when I'm _in the zone_ with a form: having
> gotten so I can throw it mindlessly. Frees the mind FOR
> MISCHIEF. And I'm sorry: No way I can _concentrate_ on the
> nuances of every mug that I'm throwing, when I've thrown
> thousands of them already and will throw thousands more. Best to
> let the mind escape.
>
> Books on tape, especially unabridged ones, are wonderful. For
> years, I had 3 potter friends who I shared rentals with. We
> rented from Recorded Books(800 638 1304 or
> www.recordedbooks.com)) where the books were about 15.00 a piece
> for a month. This made it economical, but we were always late
> getting the tapes back. This didn't seem to bother the company.
> Suggestions: Mark Twain, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, James Lee
> Burke, Patrick Obrien, Tony Hillerman, E. Annie Proulx, PD James....
>
> Our group's needs changed(babies, etc) and now I'm getting
> unabridged books on tape from our local library. Listening to a
> biography of Jane Austen this week. If you have friends
> listening to the same ones, it can be like a book club. And you
> get to read all day! What could be better. Of course I can't
> listen during EVERY task I do. Only during the mindless stuff.
>
> And I've learned not to malign the drudgery of production work
> so much. The quote from the customer on the _about the pots_
> page of my web site has helped me with that. I guess I have to
> admit I'm suited for _cranking it out_ , a boring old
> production potter!
> Take Care
> Jennifer, wishing for GREAT talk radio in our area, but no such
> luck.....only shows with politics I don't care for.
>
> priddy wrote:
> >
> > listen to repetitive or very rythmic, wll paced music or talk radio
>
>
> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
> Jennifer Boyer jboyer@adelphia.net
> Thistle Hill Pottery
> Vermont USA
> http://www.thistlehillpottery.com/
>
> Check out these sites about web hoaxes:
> http://urbanlegends.about.com/culture/urbanlegends/mbody.htm
> http://www.stiller.com/hoaxes.htm
> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Earl Brunner on wed 28 jun 00
I know that there are people out there that having to do
repetitive work is almost like having to listen to finger
nails on a chalkboard. BUT, I maintain that repetitive
practice on the wheel serves the potter the same as
repetitive practice helps anyone, on a musical instrument,
in dance, a runner or people that work out regularly. I
could go on, but you get the idea. IF you want true freedom
and control of your medium, you are going to have to develop
discipline. There are no shortcuts. Some seem to have a
little more talent or "gift" than others and seem to pick
things up easier or more quickly, but everyone has to do
their time.
There is something peaceful and soothing in getting into
what some have called the "zone". The rhythm can be very
relaxing. It has gotten to the point that I seldom make
pots without doing them in series or multiples, even when I
am not doing or trying to do "sets".
If you have difficulty doing large quantities of a shape at
a time you might try "rewarding" yourself every 5 or 6 pots
by making a different shape. If you need to make a number of
other pots, and you are not rushed to badly, mix them up.
Alternate the pots that are the same and intersperse other
into your throwing rhythm to break it up.
priddy wrote:
>
> listen to repetitive or very rythmic, wll paced music or talk radio
> work early in the morning while you are fresh
> use a rib and three pull method, don't analyze shape each time
> weigh out the clay to get size rather than eying it
>
> you should be able to knock out at least thirty an hour, if you cannot,
> you need to re-evaluate your set up and rib use.
>
> don't take breaks-it breaks your concentration and rythm
>
> hope this helps,
>
> Elizabeth
>
> "L. P. Skeen" wrote:
> > Ok you production folks out there, I see you lurking - yes that WAS Ben =
> > Owens' name I saw on a post today.......how in the WORLD do you make the =
> > same piece over and over and over and over and over without going =
> > nutsoid? =20
> >
> > Remember those tumblers of which I spoke about a week ago? I originally =
> > agreed to do 50 of 'em - 25 each size. Well, I did 'em, tho it nearly =
> > killed me. Now I've gotta do MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may lose my mind. =
> > Any suggestions for saving sanity appreciated.
> >
> > L. P. Skeen www.living-tree.net
> > Living Tree Pottery & Handmade Soaps
> > Summerfield, NC
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
> respectfully submitted,
> elizabeth priddy
>
> priddy-clay@usa.net
> http://www.angelfire.com/nc/clayworkshop
>
> ____________________________________________________________________
> Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Steve Mills on thu 29 jun 00
Having been a repetition thrower for 18 odd years before I changed tack,
I absolutely endorse what Elizabeth has to say, only adding that 12
years of that with a treadle wheel taught me the value of NOT stopping
the wheel every time to take a pot off; just make sure the base has
enough of an undercut for your fingers to latch onto. My average time
for a half (UK) pint mug was (note the "was") 45 seconds from bucket to
board.
I loved the simple rhythmic quality of the operation, and derived great
satisfaction from the rows of full pot boards. Mark you my enthusiasm
always got dented when I found, usually late in the evening, that the
whole lot were absolutely ready for handling, and the damp cupboard was
already full!!
Steve
Bath
UK
In message , priddy writes
>listen to repetitive or very rythmic, wll paced music or talk radio
>work early in the morning while you are fresh
>use a rib and three pull method, don't analyze shape each time
>weigh out the clay to get size rather than eying it
>
>you should be able to knock out at least thirty an hour, if you cannot,
>you need to re-evaluate your set up and rib use.
>
>don't take breaks-it breaks your concentration and rythm
>
>hope this helps,
>
>Elizabeth
>
>
>"L. P. Skeen" wrote:
>> Ok you production folks out there, I see you lurking - yes that WAS Ben=
> =3D
>> Owens' name I saw on a post today.......how in the WORLD do you make th=
>e =3D
>> same piece over and over and over and over and over without going =3D
>> nutsoid? =3D20
>> =
>
>> Remember those tumblers of which I spoke about a week ago? I originall=
>y =3D
>> agreed to do 50 of 'em - 25 each size. Well, I did 'em, tho it nearly =
>=3D
>> killed me. Now I've gotta do MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may lose my mind. =
>=3D
>> Any suggestions for saving sanity appreciated.
>> =
>
>> L. P. Skeen www.living-tree.net
>> Living Tree Pottery & Handmade Soaps
>> Summerfield, NC
>> =
>
>>
>_________________________________________________________________________=
>_____
>> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>> =
>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>> =
>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>respectfully submitted,
>elizabeth priddy
>
>priddy-clay@usa.net
>http://www.angelfire.com/nc/clayworkshop
>
>____________________________________________________________________
>Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=3D=
>1
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
Lee Love on thu 29 jun 00
A Canadian potter friend was over the other night with his wife and kids.
We were talking about "What's New?" and I mentioned that I just started
studying Kyuudo (Japanese archery.) I've been driving my wife Jean out to
Ninomyia (40 minutes away) and there just happens to be a Kyuudo Dojo right
next to the Nimomyia Community Center, where Jean teaches English and it is
open at the same time as the English class. I really lucked out!
My friend said that a friend of his studied Kyuudo, and his Sensei never
hitted the target. His friend explained to him, that Kyuudo is not about
hitting the target. I said that I agreed.
Just before they left, I took him out to see my new wheel. He has
one from the same person. I wanted to show him how I made a small hole and
put the axle rod in, wedged in place with bamboo slats
We also looked at my throwing stick. Mine is very fine and precise.
My friend said his looks like a tree branch. I explained that the
throwing stick used where I am studying was used to measure the inside
bottom diameter of the yunome, just like the tombo is used to measure the
height and the width of the top of the yunome. He said, when he studied
with a teacher here in Mashiko, they didn't use tombo or anything to measure
what they threw, they just threw.
My friend then said, "Why on earth would you want to make a
yunome that way? I explained, "It is just like Kyuudo. It is not about
making yunome, it is about learning how to see."
--
Lee Love
Nanai , Mashiko-machi ,Tochigi-ken 321-4106 JAPAN Ikiru@kami.com
Voice Mail and Faxes (a USA number): (303) 256-0374
Help E.T. Phone Earth: http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
L. P. Skeen on thu 29 jun 00
>>ark you my enthusiasm always got dented when I found, usually late in the
evening, that the whole lot were absolutely ready for handling, and the
damp cupboard was already full!!
There's no way in hell I'd have taken on this deal (at least not at these
prices!) if all these things had to have handles. This particular deal is
more of a charity thing than anything else. I am making them as a fund
raiser for the Eastern Mucsic Festival scholarship fund. The concession
stand is selling 'em full of something that was represented as lemonade.
L
Earl Brunner on thu 29 jun 00
LOL then give them a maximum amount you are willing to
"donate" and when done, you are done.
"L. P. Skeen" wrote:
>
> >>ark you my enthusiasm always got dented when I found, usually late in the
> evening, that the whole lot were absolutely ready for handling, and the
> damp cupboard was already full!!
>
> There's no way in hell I'd have taken on this deal (at least not at these
> prices!) if all these things had to have handles. This particular deal is
> more of a charity thing than anything else. I am making them as a fund
> raiser for the Eastern Mucsic Festival scholarship fund. The concession
> stand is selling 'em full of something that was represented as lemonade.
>
> L
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Bruce Gioia on thu 29 jun 00
> No way I can _concentrate_ on the
> nuances of every mug that I'm throwing,<
===============================
I don't think the goal is to concentrate on every nuance of the mug...
The mug is more like a device to recentre your awareness
on the state of your being.
A bell ringing... reminding you
The thread of consciouness wavers and falls into the
mindless unawareness of random thought patterns...
the mug... oh ya the mug.
Breathing... the breath.
awareness and the mug...
the finger....the form
it is happening.... and you witness the event
a detached participant.
Distracted once again...
the wheel wobbles
forever embedded as an impefection(?)
Random thoughts, violent thoughts,
sexy thoughts, selfish thoughts..
shame and guilt...
desire, hatred, revenge, longing,..... desire
the mug the mug the mug.
What difference does it make?
its all the same
be a witness
breathing...
awareness.
love.
.
Cindy Strnad on fri 30 jun 00
L.P.,
I know what you mean about the endless production. I don't like it, either,
but I do it. A couple of things help. First, I invite my daugher and her
friend into my studio and give them work they're capable of doing and will
enjoy. This creates a wonderful sense of comeraderie and definitely cuts
down on boredom. Yes, it slows me down a bit, but ultimately it actually
saves time since they're doing work I'd otherwise have to do later. If not
the children, a friend in the studio, or a headset phone (listen to people's
problems--it's good for them, and keeps you from getting bored) will help to
pass some time.
If I can't do that, I ponder the great questions of the universe, but
believe me, one can quickly grow tired of that. Books on tape, as others
have suggested, are helpful. Elizabeth's suggestion of talk radio would be
amusing, if I could receive any such stations here in the granite basin that
surrounds my town. It helps that I have my wheel against a window wall and a
bird feeder just outside. Music is good, sometimes. If you're a television
person, a set in the studio may not be amiss, though the thought doesn't
appeal to me personally.
Finally, you have to decide what kind of work is right for you. It may be
you're not a production potter. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect,
though, and no matter how good you are at the artistic part, if you haven't
developed sufficiently in the technical aspects of pottery, your work will
always be less than it could be. That said, when you've made, say, two dozen
tumblers, you might reward yourself by throwing an art piece, or a pot
intended to become an art piece. I do that, and it does help to motivate me.
Chin up. You'll get through it, and you'll be a better potter as a result.
That's not fun, but it's well worth the pain.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
earthenv@gwtc.net
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