ColinFraser
Masterpiece
For me it's a "not," but I do like the speckled clay.
Maybe you should just mold bonsai pots out of C4 though; it would save time
Thoughts on this Pot
- Thread starter Stickroot
- Start date
Maybe you should just mold bonsai pots out of C4 though; it would save time
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I have an idea! From now on if majority rules that one of my pots SUCKS, no Blows
You have to assume ALL your pots will suck... at least for some number of years. How is it possible that your pots will compete against pots made by people who have been doing this for 20 years under strict apprenticeship? They won't. It is very similar to bonsai... you can't start in bonsai and then in a single year assume you will have developed the skills to be a master...
But like bonsai, potting is a journey. Continue working on your technique and knowledge, and assume that 100% of your pots for the first 5 years will suck. Look at each pot like an experiment and learn from it.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I like that speckled one.
But I would be concerned with drainage.
One day. A pot and a knife!
Sorce
But I would be concerned with drainage.
One day. A pot and a knife!
Sorce
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I've been watching Sarah Rayner make pots for almost 25 years. Her first pots were pretty bad, and I've told her as much But NOW her pots are some of my favorites. She considers those older pots as "classic style"
But NOW her pots are some of my favorites. She considers those older pots as "classic style" 
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Um, the speckled pot, although it is attractive, has some potential drainage issues that would be a deal breaker for me if I saw it for sale.
Extremely shallow pots are notorious for not draining well in the first place. They tend to drain very slowly because the water column they contain is shallow and doesn't "push" water out. Water tends to stand in the bottom of them-- if there aren't allowances for that tendency-like drain holes at the corners or ends, as well as the middle. Although this one have a number of drainage holes, they're not placed all that well. There are significant "dead spots" on the surface like at the lower left and upper left edges, as well as the lower right side. The indentations from the thumbprints here would tend to make that drainage problem worse, allowing small pools of water to form and stand--Bad news for roots. I'd see this one as a potential tree killer. Sorry.
I'm all for quirky handmade, but the bottoms of pots have to be level and pretty smooth universally. You can't ignore function. I'm no potter, but the long-time bonsai potter I know pretty well uses a slab roller, to take care of that issue. Those things are expensive, but there are probably cheaper alternatives to making level, even slabs for pot bottoms.
Extremely shallow pots are notorious for not draining well in the first place. They tend to drain very slowly because the water column they contain is shallow and doesn't "push" water out. Water tends to stand in the bottom of them-- if there aren't allowances for that tendency-like drain holes at the corners or ends, as well as the middle. Although this one have a number of drainage holes, they're not placed all that well. There are significant "dead spots" on the surface like at the lower left and upper left edges, as well as the lower right side. The indentations from the thumbprints here would tend to make that drainage problem worse, allowing small pools of water to form and stand--Bad news for roots. I'd see this one as a potential tree killer. Sorry.
I'm all for quirky handmade, but the bottoms of pots have to be level and pretty smooth universally. You can't ignore function. I'm no potter, but the long-time bonsai potter I know pretty well uses a slab roller, to take care of that issue. Those things are expensive, but there are probably cheaper alternatives to making level, even slabs for pot bottoms.
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
That's a cool pot indeed! Goes well with the nebari (since that's all we can see).
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Interesting; the roots and lower trunk look a little like a human figure. Neat pot.
music~maker
Shohin
You're right, it does! I think I would lop its head off at the neck and re-grow it. ;-)
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Yeah, then you could have a little tuft of that fine salicaria foliage at the top, like the hair on a "troll doll"!!
Edit: here, I made a virtual of where it could be taken with a little time and effort:
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Waldo Street Pottery
Chumono
I agree and disagree. My very first pots were a complete joke, as they should've been . However, I have made a few that I am quite proud of, and have sold some as well, to bonsai professionals, nurseries and hobbyists alike. Are they as good as pots will be if I continue making them for years to come? No. Are they as good as our established American hero potters? Not even. Is my passion and dedication to the craft and craftsmanship at the top of it's game for a potter that has only touched clay for two years? So far my limited audience says yes. I know there is much learning ahead of me and that is part of the appeal, much like bonsai. It's something you never stop learning. I see almost every one as flawed in some way (especially larger forms), but that is a great reason to try again. The show in Kannapolis in Dec will be very telling for me. All signs thus far have pointed to "yes", and I'll follow the path as long as it's before me...
music~maker
Shohin
JoeR
Masterpiece
I like it, minus the feet. They look like they're upside down honestly.
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
I think if you're going to have a pot with larger feet they kind of need to be less "in your face". If you had used a clay that was darker (in this case) they would be much less prominent. I like the 12" x 9" pot.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Yes, I just picked up a very dark clay yesterday, it comes from Flint Kansas, it's called Flint Dark.
I agree completely! I am done glazing for awhile. When I start thinking about the glaze half way through a pot it really effects the important part. The pot!
Thank you guys so much for your feed back. Great stuff!
Geo
Chumono
You are,however, a talented glazier. If that is the word.
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