Lili Krakowski on sat 26 mar 05
Off list I will send you my 'how to throw' post/instructions, which I =
hope you find amusing even if you find them not helpful.
The problem, as I see it, is that you want to make pots. That is the =
wrong approach. Sorry. What you need to do is learn to throw. (which =
is not a put down of handbuilders, but you spoke of the wheel). =
Learning to throw is a skill.
A simple direct skill. Like making strudel. I have read that in =
Hungary a girl is considered "ready to get married" when she can pull =
the strudel dough (which is a noodle dough, really) into a thin enough =
sheet so one can read the newspaper through it. It ain't remotely easy. =
It takes a long time to learn.
A potter is ready to make pots when she can throw properly. To throw =
properly one must practice each step over and over and over again. Till =
it is semi automatic. Almost instinctive.
Of course classes are good IF the teacher knows how to throw well (many =
don't) IF the class is serious in intention, and if there is enough =
time. A minimum of three hours is barely enough.
I like the Michael Casson book THE CRAFT OF THE POTTER where there are =
clear nice pictures of throwing.
May I respectfully suggest that you sit down with yourself over a nice =
cup of tea and say: "Beth, my love, you have invested three years in =
getting nowhere fast. Please consider this. In April learn to center. =
ONLY center. Center ball after ball after ball of clay. Start with 1 =
lb work up to 3. In May learn to open. Cut all the "opened" shapes in =
half so as to see how even the bottoms are, and if they are thick =
enough. In June start pulling up cylinders. Over and over and over. =
July is freedom time....Bowls and flower pots. And in August start on =
plates and bottles.... "=20
By March 2006 get back to us.
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
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