February 18, 2009
The old adage that time equals money is especially true in any labor-intensive activity. Making pottery is certainly an endeavor that requires direct labor to produce pottery for sale. Handmade pottery by definition requires physical attention from the potter during many stages of the operation.Already Registered? Please sign in.
December 10, 2008
Time is Money: How to Maximize Efficiency (and Profits) in the Pottery Studio
As the year draws to a close and the new year awaits, it seems like a good time to think about ways to do things better in the pottery studio - not just in terms of technique, but also when it comes to the business of clay. Today's feature presents some ideas for improving the efficiency of the pottery studio in order to save time, which in turn saves money. These days, we all have to think a bit harder about ways we can save money, especially those of us trying to make a living as studio artists. Hopefully the ideas presented today will help you make new year's resolutions to maximize efficiency and, therefore, maximize profits!November 21, 2008
I keep a lot of things in my studio that I think may one day be useful for texture or as a tool of some sort. I also cannot bring myself to throw any kind of wood in the garbage. I have a scrap collection that would be the envy of many a woodchuck. The other day, these two passions (let's just call them passions for now) came together in a very useful way. I ran out to the garage and gathered every single dowel scrap I had and transfered them to the studio, thereby fulfilling both obsessive habits (okay, let's call them what they really are). The reason I did this was because I watched the DVD Handbuilding with ...October 31, 2008
If you've ever attended a workshop, you know that you come away with more information than you could possible remember or apply, and your head is swimming with new ideas and projects to try in your own studio. Not only do you get ideas for how the presenter makes his or her own work, but you get the benefit of their experience and the insight behind their work. These excerpts from a two-day workshop with Tom Turner go beyond the basic how-to video to document the vast knowledge and experience of an established master potter. They are just a small sampling of what is available on the four DVD set. Enjoy!—Sherman Hall, Ceramic Arts DailyAugust 29, 2008
Wheel Throwing Video: Throwing Altered Vase Forms on the Potters Wheel
Today's video comes to us from potter Benjamin Gufford of Goldsboro, North Carolina. After visiting two much-admired potters this summer, Benjamin was inspired to take his work in a new direction. The technique he demonstrates in the video is the result of this new inspiration. When you can't get out to visit other ceramic artists in their studios, remember to check in with Ceramic Arts Daily to keep you inspired in your studios. Even if we don't realize it at the time, looking at other artists' work - at all types of work - informs our own creative processes. I hope that this video, and all the great stuff in the video archives and features archives, helps keep your creative juices flowing. In ...August 15, 2008
Wheel Throwing Video: An Unconventional Method for Throwing a Pitcher on the Pottery Wheel
I thought this would be a fun video to share because of the somewhat unusual methods potter Dave Henry uses to throw his pitchers. I figure that it is always good to think outside the cylinder, so to speak, and see how others approach various ceramic processes, even if you are quite comfortable with your own methods. A self-proclaimed pack rat, Dave likes to raid his junk box to make homemade ceramic tools. In this video, he uses his hand-made spout maker and a hand-made extruder gun, in addition to some store-bought pottery tools. In case you would like to make a spout maker of your own, we've also included Dave's instructions. He plans to follow up with a video on ...July 25, 2008
Ceramic Decal Video: Applying Decals to Glazed Pottery and Ceramics
I thought a video demonstration of applying decals would be a nice follow up to Wednesday’s feature on decal paper. So in today’s Video Tip of the Week, Justin Rothshank demonstrates this process. Justin also explains how easy it is to make custom decals with a laser printer, which opens up all kinds of creative possibilities. Watch the video and then try it for yourself! –Jennifer Harnetty, editor.May 30, 2008
Today Simon Leach shares another technique with us from his sunny studio in Spain. The “squashed vase” or “purse pot,” as he calls it, is a great form to try if you have grown tired of making round pots. Who said wheel-thrown pots have to be round? Watch the video, then give this technique a whirl! –Jennifer Harnetty, editor.May 12, 2008
Glazing for Success: 12 Tips to Help You Master Pottery Glazing
I have to admit, glazing is not my favorite part of the ceramic process. It’s probably because of its potential to make or break a good pot (and believe me, I have broken quite a few with poor glaze application). I tend to be a bit of a sloppy glazer and I sometimes rush through it a little more quickly than I should. Denver, Colorado ceramic artist Annie Chrietzberg is the polar opposite of me in the glaze room: methodical and precise. I know my glazing outcomes could be greatly improved if I followed just a couple of Annie’s tips, so I thought I would share them with the community. Hopefully you will benefit from Annie’s advice too!July 5, 2007
Studio Practices, Techniques and Tips is a collection of articles, suggestions, and questions and answers from the Ceramics Monthly archives. Potters share their knowledge on a full range of topics including designing a studio, making and using tools and equipment, photographing work, marketing and sales, kilns and firing. Also the stories of problem solving, insightful solutions, and the individual stories of challenges and successes. This is a must-have book for any potter or clay artist setting a course for pursuing clay beyond the casual past-time.January 29, 2007
The perfect resource for individuals wishing to take the next step in their involvement with clay. Written by Steven Branfman, The Potter's Professional Handbook covers topics ranging from determining what a professional is to equipment selection, setting up shop, marketing your work, and much more. This book provides descriptions of the items necessary for a beginning professional potter and includes visual examples of items including sales slips, purchase orders, invoices, credit slips, and even floor plans of well-known potters’ studios.
