: teardrop - Viewing Profile

Another spin-off thread.

I asked this question previously of the folks who are repeatedly critical/judgemental towards noobies selling their wares but didn't receive a reply.

Scenario:

You are the organizer of a Craft Fair/Art Show/Farmer's market. There is a local potter who only has a year or so of experience who wants to take a space in the market and attempt to sell their wares for the first time.

Question:

Would it be better for "pottery" to allow this person a space and give "pottery" some exposure...or would it be better for pottery as a whole to tell them they aren't good enough and have no potters whatsoever represented at this market?

To be, or not to be?

And a deeper question dealing with "criticism"....if you are so inclined to comment...

If you saw someone selling at a show who is an obvious noob, would you confront them and tell them they need far more experience before they should ever even think about selling their work...like you do here...or is this just an Internet "hide behind the keyboard" kinda thing goin on that you wouldn't have the nerve to say to someone's face?

not trying too be "negative".....just truly want to know where the folks stand who have been critical towards noobs talking about selling their wares.

have a great day everyone...

teardrop

I know there have been a few "to stamp..or not to stamp?" threads here since I joined the list....but I thought it might be fun (?) to share what your stamp actually looks like.

Kinda that "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" taken to a different place.....LOL.

When I first thought of a name I was very, very sad. Thus...the name "teadrop" here.

I'm still very, very sad....but "clay"...and "time passing" has brought on a new perspective and a new feeling of honor towards my son's memory. I'm not blowing glass like he did....but we ARE making glass just the same....

He was and will always be "Mtn-BURN".....and he marked his glasswork as such.

In his honor...I have also chosen the moniker "Mountain Burn". It is my Facebook name (stop by!) and now....the name of my new pottery (klunkery!) business.... "Mountain Burn Pottery"

80 peices stamped so far. If you see this logo out there....it's >>my<< crap yer lookin at! I also had a stamp with just the mountains and "BURN" made that is smaller....

Gonna do some T-Shirts as well.... cus with a slogan like "Have you BURNED today?" or "Let's BURN one".....I think they could easily be popular items around here...LOL.

No matter what....this should be loads of fun. Not only is it great therapy for the head....I also feel i am honoring my son and his love of glass and glassblowing.

So if yer out there....look for my ceramic work or look for my tattooed ankle...'cus both are marked with the moniker "Mtn-BURN"

teardrop

When I took classes at the local college the most widely used clay was B-Mix. (cone 10 Laguna). The instructor acted as if it was the be-all/end-all.... (but she was a dumb *****...so hey...there ya go)

I've since figured out, from reading here.....that firing at ^6.... this probably wasn't the best clay to be using. My guess is it was what SHE wanted to use....and nothing more.

Since breaking free and going out on my own/making my own mistakes (LOL).....I have been using a ^6 clay called "Kodiak" from Mile High Ceramics.....

I thought the B- Mix was great at the time........but since I've been using this redder/Kodiak I have found out just what a pain in the butt it really was.

With the B-mix in this dry climate...if you don't cover it and baby it...handles crack in place....feet fall off.... all sorts of fun things seem to happen. Covered....it takes a good week to dry things out.....

With this Kodiak....you simply make the item and let it sit on the cabinet in the open air.....and in a few days it is dry...no cracks...no BS! Talk about thrilled.... I was scared to try it but when the first piece fly through the drying process with no cracking whatsoever I made a pitcher and tried that...and it also dried perfectly.

So WHY is this? What makes the Kodiak dry with more consistency while the B-Mix cracks and pulls and has all sorts of problems?
(and why do so many use it?)

So much for covering that rack in plastic to slow the drying.........and...um.....GOODBYE B-Mix!

I'm having so much fun..... and the first market less than a month away......yikes....

be well

teardrop