Unit 1: Pinch Pot
1. What was most successful about your first project? Why do you think that?
The most successful part of my first project was probably giving it a unique shape. I wanted the pinch pot to be more than just a circular little pot, so I shaped it into a leaf. The shape ended up very nicely.
2. What do you believe was least successful and why?
The least successful part for me was probably the glazing. In some places, the glaze was too thin and the clay from underneath could be seen. In other places though, the glaze was nice and thick.
3. What did you choose for the glazing color(s). Did you like how they turned out? Would you do something different?
I chose the kiwi green color-burst glaze because I wanted an interesting green color to finish off the look of the leaf. I like how the color turned out, but like I said in the previous question, I need to glaze more carefully next time.
4. What did you learn about working with clay on this first project?
I got a feel for how to create an even thickness with the clay walls and bottoms. I also learned how to smooth the entire piece out, and to create a more professional and finished look.
The most successful part of my first project was probably giving it a unique shape. I wanted the pinch pot to be more than just a circular little pot, so I shaped it into a leaf. The shape ended up very nicely.
2. What do you believe was least successful and why?
The least successful part for me was probably the glazing. In some places, the glaze was too thin and the clay from underneath could be seen. In other places though, the glaze was nice and thick.
3. What did you choose for the glazing color(s). Did you like how they turned out? Would you do something different?
I chose the kiwi green color-burst glaze because I wanted an interesting green color to finish off the look of the leaf. I like how the color turned out, but like I said in the previous question, I need to glaze more carefully next time.
4. What did you learn about working with clay on this first project?
I got a feel for how to create an even thickness with the clay walls and bottoms. I also learned how to smooth the entire piece out, and to create a more professional and finished look.
Unit 2: More Than A Pinch Pot
1. How much more successful were you on this second project?
I believe I was a lot more successful on this project. This pot stands up on three feet, and actually has a purpose, because I made it to be a flower pot. The walls and the bottom had a more even thickness, and the detail overall had more time put into it.
2. What would you do differently in this project structurally if you did it again. Why would you do that?
I would do a different style of feet, because mine were balls that had been hallowed out. I would actually like to make clawed feet, even tough it might be a little bit more difficult.
3. What did you choose for the underglaze and/or glaze colors? Did you like how it turned out? Would you do something differently?
I chose to do a colorburst for the outside of the pot, and for the inside and the feet. The inside of the pot and the feet are the same color, and I absolutely love how it turned out. Both glazes are colorful, though they feel very natural to me. I would not change anything about this project's glaze.
4. What have you learned thus about working with clay after completing this second project?
With this project, I learn to spend more time on the project itself. I spent a long time smoothing the sides and the rim of the pot, and I'm glad that it turned out nicely. I also did a slip-trailing method, to give the sides some texture and decoration. It took me a long time to place each small dot individually, but I think it was worthwhile, because I am very pleased with the finished piece. I can't wait to pot my plant in it!
I believe I was a lot more successful on this project. This pot stands up on three feet, and actually has a purpose, because I made it to be a flower pot. The walls and the bottom had a more even thickness, and the detail overall had more time put into it.
2. What would you do differently in this project structurally if you did it again. Why would you do that?
I would do a different style of feet, because mine were balls that had been hallowed out. I would actually like to make clawed feet, even tough it might be a little bit more difficult.
3. What did you choose for the underglaze and/or glaze colors? Did you like how it turned out? Would you do something differently?
I chose to do a colorburst for the outside of the pot, and for the inside and the feet. The inside of the pot and the feet are the same color, and I absolutely love how it turned out. Both glazes are colorful, though they feel very natural to me. I would not change anything about this project's glaze.
4. What have you learned thus about working with clay after completing this second project?
With this project, I learn to spend more time on the project itself. I spent a long time smoothing the sides and the rim of the pot, and I'm glad that it turned out nicely. I also did a slip-trailing method, to give the sides some texture and decoration. It took me a long time to place each small dot individually, but I think it was worthwhile, because I am very pleased with the finished piece. I can't wait to pot my plant in it!
Unit 3: Coiled Vessels
1. Now that you have worked with about three different clay bodies, what clay body do you like best and why do you like it?
My favorite clay to work with is the grey earthenware lowfire clay. The reason being, it's very pliable and I know when I need to water it down. I can keep it at a nice consistency and keep it workable over a week of doing the project.
2. What would you do differently, if anything, in the project structurally if you did it again? Why would you do it differently?
I would try to make all of the coils the same size. Near the bottom of my pitcher the coils are smaller and thinner, but near the middle of the project and the top the coils are much thicker. The thicker coils look better and are more structurally sound.
3. What did you choose for surface decoration and/or glazing application? (Put down the glazes that you used if you did use them).
I added a twisted spout to the front of the pot, but sadly at some point before the bisque fire, it broke off. So after the first fire, I sanded the areas the spot was attached to, and then I glazed it black. My goal in glazing it black was that it might hide the mistake spots a little better than a lighter glaze.
4. What do you like/dislike about your choices?
I loved the little pitcher to begin with, but it did make me sad to see the spout break off. If that hadn't happened, I would've applied a clear glaze to make the finished pottery shiny. I'm still okay with the end product though.
5. Looking at all three projects, are you seeing progress in regards to construction, smoothing, evenness of walls, and creativity? Where do you see the most progress and why?
I think from the first project to now, there is a lot of growth. More time spent on the project, more "complex" ideas, more personalization. I think the most progress I see is trying to make something that I'm truly proud of instead of taking the easiest route.
My favorite clay to work with is the grey earthenware lowfire clay. The reason being, it's very pliable and I know when I need to water it down. I can keep it at a nice consistency and keep it workable over a week of doing the project.
2. What would you do differently, if anything, in the project structurally if you did it again? Why would you do it differently?
I would try to make all of the coils the same size. Near the bottom of my pitcher the coils are smaller and thinner, but near the middle of the project and the top the coils are much thicker. The thicker coils look better and are more structurally sound.
3. What did you choose for surface decoration and/or glazing application? (Put down the glazes that you used if you did use them).
I added a twisted spout to the front of the pot, but sadly at some point before the bisque fire, it broke off. So after the first fire, I sanded the areas the spot was attached to, and then I glazed it black. My goal in glazing it black was that it might hide the mistake spots a little better than a lighter glaze.
4. What do you like/dislike about your choices?
I loved the little pitcher to begin with, but it did make me sad to see the spout break off. If that hadn't happened, I would've applied a clear glaze to make the finished pottery shiny. I'm still okay with the end product though.
5. Looking at all three projects, are you seeing progress in regards to construction, smoothing, evenness of walls, and creativity? Where do you see the most progress and why?
I think from the first project to now, there is a lot of growth. More time spent on the project, more "complex" ideas, more personalization. I think the most progress I see is trying to make something that I'm truly proud of instead of taking the easiest route.
Unit 4: Slab-Built Box with Lid
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1. What was the most challenging about making your box? Why do you think that was challenging?
It might sound weird, but the most difficult part was wedging and rolling out enough clay to cut into the correct sizes for the wall sizes. It was challenging because I wasn't sure how much clay I would need, and I had to keep adding more clay.
2. What was your original idea for your box and how did that change if it did?
The original idea for my box was to have cut-out parts of it, so when a candle was placed inside, the light would filter out like a night-light. It came out exactly how my plans looked, so I am very pleased with it.
3. What do you feel you have grown in as you are now completing your fourth clay project?
I think that this project challenged me a little bit more in coming up with an original idea. I also wanted this to be a very finished, polished piece. It is a little bit uneven, but overall I think it is a nice piece of pottery.
4. What glaze choices did you use/try for your box? Did you like the results of those glazes for your box?
I glazed my box with Mardi Gras, which has blue speckles and I am in love with it. Unlike my other darker projects, this is a very light color and I like the aura that it has.
5. What do you plan to do for your Final Free Choice project? Explain what you would like to accomplish.
For my Final Free Choice, I plan on making a goblet. It is going to be made of two pieces, a top and a bottom, and both of the pieces will be made on the wheel. I plan on making it larger than the teacup I made on the wheel, and I want to glaze it gold and blue.
It might sound weird, but the most difficult part was wedging and rolling out enough clay to cut into the correct sizes for the wall sizes. It was challenging because I wasn't sure how much clay I would need, and I had to keep adding more clay.
2. What was your original idea for your box and how did that change if it did?
The original idea for my box was to have cut-out parts of it, so when a candle was placed inside, the light would filter out like a night-light. It came out exactly how my plans looked, so I am very pleased with it.
3. What do you feel you have grown in as you are now completing your fourth clay project?
I think that this project challenged me a little bit more in coming up with an original idea. I also wanted this to be a very finished, polished piece. It is a little bit uneven, but overall I think it is a nice piece of pottery.
4. What glaze choices did you use/try for your box? Did you like the results of those glazes for your box?
I glazed my box with Mardi Gras, which has blue speckles and I am in love with it. Unlike my other darker projects, this is a very light color and I like the aura that it has.
5. What do you plan to do for your Final Free Choice project? Explain what you would like to accomplish.
For my Final Free Choice, I plan on making a goblet. It is going to be made of two pieces, a top and a bottom, and both of the pieces will be made on the wheel. I plan on making it larger than the teacup I made on the wheel, and I want to glaze it gold and blue.
Unit 5: Wheel-Thrown Mug Vessel
1. What was your perception of throwing on the wheel and how did that change or stay the same?
Honestly, before I first got on the wheel, I thought it looked cool and not too hard. Then, the first time I got on it myself and spent almost an hour just trying to center my clay, I realized it is a lot harder than it looks.
2. What did you feel most successful at when working on the wheel? What step(s) and/or results of your project worked best?
For my first project, I think I was the best at pulling the clay. I wasn't the best at centering it, because it was still a little uneven, and then entering it wasn't too bad. But I think I did a decent job of pulling the clay up and creating even walls.
3. What glazes did you use on your wheel thrown project? How did you like/dislike them?
I used a light pink glaze, I think it was rose-something. I really like it because my project ended up being a dainty mug, and I think the soft pink color fit it. I also love that I can see the flecks in the stoneware through the glaze itself.
4. What would you have done differently or the same if you were to do this project again?
If I could have restarted my very first wheel-thrown mug, I would have had a lot more clay. By the time I got my piece centered and started pulling it up and losing clay, I didn't have enough clay to make anything bigger than a teacup. I love my little cup but when I want to make larger cups and bowls and such in the future I'll remember to use more clay.
Honestly, before I first got on the wheel, I thought it looked cool and not too hard. Then, the first time I got on it myself and spent almost an hour just trying to center my clay, I realized it is a lot harder than it looks.
2. What did you feel most successful at when working on the wheel? What step(s) and/or results of your project worked best?
For my first project, I think I was the best at pulling the clay. I wasn't the best at centering it, because it was still a little uneven, and then entering it wasn't too bad. But I think I did a decent job of pulling the clay up and creating even walls.
3. What glazes did you use on your wheel thrown project? How did you like/dislike them?
I used a light pink glaze, I think it was rose-something. I really like it because my project ended up being a dainty mug, and I think the soft pink color fit it. I also love that I can see the flecks in the stoneware through the glaze itself.
4. What would you have done differently or the same if you were to do this project again?
If I could have restarted my very first wheel-thrown mug, I would have had a lot more clay. By the time I got my piece centered and started pulling it up and losing clay, I didn't have enough clay to make anything bigger than a teacup. I love my little cup but when I want to make larger cups and bowls and such in the future I'll remember to use more clay.
Final / Chalice
1. Explain your final project and the direction you were going with it. Did it turn out as expected?
Originally, I wanted to create a set of matching chalices. But, with all of the snow days and still learning how to use the wheel, I was not able to do that. So, I just made one. I think it turned out well, and I'm so excited to see how the glaze turns out.
2. What did you feel most successful at in your final project? Why/Why not?
I think I was the most successful at making two wheel-thrown piece into one. I should have taken separate pictures, but you can see the bowl of the cup and the base are two different pieces that I threw on the wheel. I attached them and then added more clay to give a smoother appearance.
3. What glazes did you use for your project?
On the outside, I used a golden brown glaze. I was hoping for it to look almost like metal, because it is supposed to look like a chalice. On the inside, I used a deep blue though, because I thought it would contrast nicely, and blue is my favorite color.
4. Looking at your projects collectively, what do you believe you did best at? Building, glazing, project one, three, ect. Explain your reasoning's.
I think my best projects were my slab box and my final, and the reason being, I spent more time on them than anything else. I enjoyed what I was doing and I really wanted to spend time putting them together to make sure they were done well. I also considered what glaze I used instead of just throwing something pretty on it.
5. What have you enjoyed about this class? Least enjoyed? What could be better for future classes? (Thank-you :)
I have absolutely loved working with clay overall. My favorite thing was either the slab box, because I could actually construct something, or my wheel thrown clay, because it looks so smooth and polished. The only thing I would do differently is start getting people to throw on the wheel earlier in the class, so then everybody might have a little more time.
Originally, I wanted to create a set of matching chalices. But, with all of the snow days and still learning how to use the wheel, I was not able to do that. So, I just made one. I think it turned out well, and I'm so excited to see how the glaze turns out.
2. What did you feel most successful at in your final project? Why/Why not?
I think I was the most successful at making two wheel-thrown piece into one. I should have taken separate pictures, but you can see the bowl of the cup and the base are two different pieces that I threw on the wheel. I attached them and then added more clay to give a smoother appearance.
3. What glazes did you use for your project?
On the outside, I used a golden brown glaze. I was hoping for it to look almost like metal, because it is supposed to look like a chalice. On the inside, I used a deep blue though, because I thought it would contrast nicely, and blue is my favorite color.
4. Looking at your projects collectively, what do you believe you did best at? Building, glazing, project one, three, ect. Explain your reasoning's.
I think my best projects were my slab box and my final, and the reason being, I spent more time on them than anything else. I enjoyed what I was doing and I really wanted to spend time putting them together to make sure they were done well. I also considered what glaze I used instead of just throwing something pretty on it.
5. What have you enjoyed about this class? Least enjoyed? What could be better for future classes? (Thank-you :)
I have absolutely loved working with clay overall. My favorite thing was either the slab box, because I could actually construct something, or my wheel thrown clay, because it looks so smooth and polished. The only thing I would do differently is start getting people to throw on the wheel earlier in the class, so then everybody might have a little more time.