Every cup needs a bottle
Maybe its me, but I don’t think ceramic bottles get there due. I mean as shapes go, people tend to gravitate towards bowls, plates, cups etc. Once a potter has gotten some experience they want to graduate to tea pots or chalices. More often than not though, you don’t hear students asking about how to … Continue reading
If one wall is good, 2 are better?
Last week I posted about how to make a chip n’dip. This week I’m taking that lesson one step further with making a double wall vessel. In my opinion, the point of creating a double wall piece isn’t for functionality or practicality, but rather for design and artistic expression. Creating a double wall mug or … Continue reading
Everyone loves a chip n’dip
Last week I went over how to make plates quickly and easily. This week we’ll extend that technique to the classic shape of the chip n’ dip. First off, it should be noted that this chip n’ dip (like almost everything else in pottery) creates different products depending on the size of the pieces. So at … Continue reading
Can’t handle making handles
Let’s talk about making mugs, more specifically the handles. For years I avoided making mugs, simply because I found making handles to be a major pain in the ass. The main reason for this is that I was taught to pull handles, which is a viable method, but not necessarily the easiest, best or more … Continue reading
How to make a bowl, without F%&king up
Hi there, last week I went over typical problems you might have while making your bowls and ways to unfuck them. Today I am going to walk you through how to make a bowl step by step. Once I am done, you should be able to make bowls with ease, or at least understand how … Continue reading
Finishing steps that won’t f%&k up your pot
This will be the last post on what I would consider the essential techniques you need as a wheel thrower. Today I will be discussing how to finish a pot and take it off the wheel at the most basic level. After this, posts will be focused on making specific shapes or solving specific problems. … Continue reading
How to UnF$%k your opening
This weeks blog post will be dedicated to the point in wheel throwing that you’re most likely to fuck up the entire process: opening. Now before we get into it, I recommend you go back and read my other posts, if you aren’t already following this blog. The reason being, is that I discuss fundamental … Continue reading
Unf@%king your centering
So we can say this will be the first blog post complimenting an upcoming video series titled, “How to unf@%k your pot.” The series will be dedicated to showing you pragmatic solutions for common wheel throwing/pottery problems. Today I’ll be discussing centering. Centering is the most challenging part of throwing initially and I’ve seen more … Continue reading
You’ve got to respect the process
(This is my last preface post about the “mental game” of pottery. Feel free to look back at previous posts to get caught up) One of the biggest ceramic piece killers is lack of patience. The other is expecting instant perfection. One could say they go hand in hand. Ultimately, its because the potter either doesn’t … Continue reading
Discipline and Creative Self Control
Part 4 of my preface on the “mental game” of pottery As an instructor at Choplet Ceramic Studio and Island Pottery Studio, as well as my career as a production potter and ceramic studio technician I have seen more pieces die because the potter was fucking about with it than I care to count. Let … Continue reading
Sparano Arts 