Kanorin's chunks of fired mud

Kanorin

Omono
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I signed up for a 6 week once per week hand-building pottery course at the local co-op. This is not going to be one of those "I'm new to pottery (if you don't count the 6 years of dabbling) come look at these amazing pots I've created" type threads. I am a true blue beginner. The coming few weeks will be chronicles of drooping, cracking, leaning, and dismembered "pots."

Had my first class last night...didn't get any pictures because I was having too much fun, but I'll try to get some next week. Attempted a few pinch pots and one coil-built pot. Next week I think we are learning how to build via slabs. Don't hold your breath.

Week 1 conclusions: Potters should charge more $ for their pots.
 

Wood

Shohin
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I took my first of ten weekly wheel throwing classes last Wednedsay, also as a complete noob. My first impression was that it's a lot harder than it looks on Great Pottery Throw Down. Can't wait to see your new pots!
 

Apex37

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I’ve been trying to decide taking a similar course at pottery studio near me or signing up at the local college for a ceramics course. I’m in the same boat being brand new. I’ve only used a wheel once, but man it was so much fun.
 

Kanorin

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I meant to ask - what do people use for punching out their drainage holes and wire holes in the bottom of the pots? In my first batch, I just used a little thin knife...but it didn't look to nice - especially for the smaller wire holes.
 

TinyArt

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I meant to ask - what do people use for punching out their drainage holes and wire holes in the bottom of the pots? In my first batch, I just used a little thin knife...but it didn't look to nice - especially for the smaller wire holes.
Have a look at Amazon under "pottery tool hole cutter"
 

Kanorin

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Here are two small pinch pots I made week one. Bisque fired.
06FE7CE1-79D9-4CF0-84AF-0700BA851958.jpeg
Forgot to take a picture of the third pot which cracked massively in the bisque fire. That one’s a goner.
 

Kanorin

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Got those hole-making tools you suggested @Colorado, thanks!

This one from a few weeks ago got a large crack through the base in the bisque fire. Maybe need to wait until clay is harder to make the drain and wire holes
0633501C-CE13-4031-A89E-848634F390A6.jpeg
This week I Spent about 2.5 hours making my largest-yet rectangle, about 12.5 x 6 inches pre-firing. This was the best picture I got because I ran out of time!
5BC15E1B-6407-48DE-9E8B-299308A57939.jpeg
I’ll try to get better pictures if it makes it through the bisque fire.
Next two weeks we’ll be glazing!
 

August44

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I meant to ask - what do people use for punching out their drainage holes and wire holes in the bottom of the pots? In my first batch, I just used a little thin knife...but it didn't look to nice - especially for the smaller wire holes.
You can drill holes when the pot is dry and before bisque firing. Make sure you support the bottom when drilling so it does not crack. If you make holes when the clay is wet, they will never look well done IMO. Drill a big hole, like 1" or bigger, for drainage. In bigger pots, drill two drain holes. Good drainage is huge.
 

Kanorin

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You can drill holes when the pot is dry and before bisque firing. Make sure you support the bottom when drilling so it does not crack. If you make holes when the clay is wet, they will never look well done IMO. Drill a big hole, like 1" or bigger, for drainage. In bigger pots, drill two drain holes. Good drainage is huge.
Yeah, I got a similar tip from the class instructor this week...it helps if the clay is allowed to dry for a few hours first, then make the holes. This week I let the slab dry for ~2 hours on a concrete board (helps suck the moisture out of the clay) before making the holes with those hole-punching tools. We shall see how that large rectangle does!

I've had a few successful bisque firings with some of the early smaller pieces (no major cracks). I'll grab some pictures next week as I'm glazing them hopefully.
 

Kanorin

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We had a glazing demonstration this week and after that I was frantically trying to make a few larger forest pots…totally bit off more than I could chew and didn’t finish anything or get pictures of any new stuff. Wrapped it all up though.

Here are a few of the earlier pots post bisque firing:
 

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Kanorin

Omono
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Glazed 8 pots today! Next they will go in a gas-fired kiln (the studio fires for us).
These two I glazed with a dark red underneath a white glaze
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And these next two have white underneath a dull yellow glaze.
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BC7A112D-D4AE-4C18-859B-F271492225B6.jpeg
 
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