katetiler on tue 2 may 06
I have bought almost all of my pottery equipment second hand - the
first wheel, the second electric kiln, the tile rack, the slab roller,
the kiln shelves - all from ads in the free paper or from ebay.
But that which I haven't bought, I have been given. My first electric
kiln, my second wheel, my third kiln. I try to keep that flow going by
giving away spares, excess materials, excess kiln, excess shelves etc.
I was so fortunate to have been given my training in how to build &
fire wood kilns for free, by people who were generous with their
skills and information. I was also given the space and time to be able
to develop my tiles too, firing them in woodfired kilns.
Then just as I was at a very low point in life, very ill, on long term
sick from work, a carpenter who came to the house to do some work saw
a tile that I'd made in a friend's wood kiln & asked about it. I
explained that I didn't have the means to make tiles at home as I had
no way of firing them & he told me he had an old kiln in a garage he
was renting that had been left there & he needed to clear it out in
order to use the space - could I make use of it?
7 years later I've just fired & installed my first large public art
tile commission for a hospital, using that kiln.
That gift meant more to me than just the bricks and wiring, it was a
positive, loving, inspiration and affirmation of the direction that I
was tentatively heading in. He wouldn't take any money for it, he was
just happy to see it used.
I don't think I will ever have such an impact on someone else's life
in that way with the things that I pass on, but I do it with the same
meaning and intention.
On a different but similar thread, I made a lifelong friend 18 years
ago when within moments of our meeting, he gave me a collection of
pots, saucers, water vessels and a drinking mug that I needed for a
project. Wouldn't take any money, just gave them to me for the love of
seeing them used and appreciated.
I reminded him of this recently, because he'd forgotten. He's a 'hobby
potter', now quite skilled, but more skilled at making and firing
woodfired kilns than at making pots. He's gotten to the point where
everyone he knows has a series of pottery pieces that he has given
them. He says they no longer cry 'Oh! another pot!' when they unwrap
one, but 'oh...another pot.' So he decided a year ago that he should
make pots and sell them as he has saturated the market among his
friends. Guess what - he hasn't thrown another pot since!
I think the joy of giving pots away was a large part of his motivation
and that he really doesn't enjoy all the stuff that comes with trying
to sell. (he is fully employed) He especially used to enjoy selecting
the right pot for the right person, the quirky or the brilliantly
flashed from the firing, or the comfortable pot with a rounded belly
to cup hands round and warm from the tea inside.
I'm off to see him tomorrow, for a week and I hope to inspire him to
just find a new audience for his pots, people who like me, will value
something even more because it is a gift from the heart.
Karen - Kate Tiler
http://www.katetiler.co.uk
Wayne on wed 3 may 06
Kate,
I think it is great that you want to give back to those who have given to
you. I am a hobby potter myself and would like to have more time at it,
but when I do I enjoy it very much. I understand about be given to and
given back. I very good friend of mine who is a full time potter has
helped me wonderfully in learning. He is always will to help and give
advise. I find that most potters are this way and very much willing to
give advice. If only other occupations and hobbist were this will to
help. I am not to the point that I am the best to ask advice from but I am
always willing to tell people what I know, when they ask about pottery.
Good luck and may you be blessed for giving back.
Wayne
http://TheSuccessfulPotter.com
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