How to Make Your Own Pottery Maker's Mark

[@floriangadsby]

Just leaving this comment here as I know there’ll be a few questions about it… I know that my ‘F’ stamp, if you take it as a Futhark rune, is actually an ‘A’. ᚨ is A, ansuz and ᚠ is F, fehu, so in many ways it is a bit strange that I use the wrong rune for my F, which obviously stands for Florian. Years ago now when I first carved my ‘F’ stamp I didn’t really look at that Futhark alphabet for direct inspiration. I made a whole variety of marks and that was the one that stuck with me. I knew I wanted a simple ‘F’ and just sloped the arms of the character, that’s as deep as it goes and now I’m stuck with it and its incorrect relation to the rune character. That being said, I do have a middle name that begins with ‘A’ and I do have some Anglo-Saxon heritage. Gadsby, or Gaddesby, from the ancient Norse name Gaddr, being a town mentioned in the Domesday Book, formed by Anglo-Saxon tribes. Anyhow, I hope that sheds some light on why I use this mark.

[@ragnkja]

You should pin this. Anyone who won’t accept that the mark looks like an F must surely accept it as representing your middle name :)

[@ScarletShade13]

I did wonder about your mark, but I just thought you choose the rune for it's meanings and the similarity to the latin 'F' was coincidence. Anyway, thank you for sharing your progress, it was really interesting to watch!

[@tanial.williamson8082]

Cool video. How do you apply the glaze so that the tool doesn’t stick to the kiln shelf? Do you just glaze three side of the stamp It looks like the tiny gouge tool has a manufacturer’s name on it. If so, who was it?

[@floriangadsby]

@@tanial.williamson8082 I only glaze the handle portion and fire them upright, mark down, so the glaze is away from the kiln shelf. I bury the head in a little pile of 'wadding', which is 50% china clay and 50% coarse alumina hydrate mixed to a clay like consistency. I'm thinking of glazing the handles of these with some metallic glazes I was testing.

[@tanial.williamson8082]

It looks like the tiny gouge tool has a manufacturer’s name on it. If so, who was it?

[@GreenDayFanMT]

You have made an reMARKable impression on our understanding and image of the pottery craft.

[@vzeimen]

In my family we are always trying to take big numbers and turn them into something my kids (and I) can understand more easily. Like 1 million seconds is 12 days, one million minutes is over 694 days, one million people standing shoulder to shoulder would make a line approximately 284 miles long! Congratulations on your one million subscribers, what an accomplishment! Sort of makes me wonder what a million hand thrown mugs would look like all in one place, lol.

[@huntermessick6743]

I have been in ceramics classes for about a year now, but I finally bought my own wheel! I'm super excited to get started and use some of your advice in practice.

[@mattstevens7601]

Hows it going?

[@floboisseau497]

You are a true artist and your videos are great. Relaxing and very instructive. I am not a potter but you definitely make me want to try. Thank you.

[@suzannethompson8376]

Congratulations on one million subscribers! It’s comforting to deduce that there must be a million people on the planet I could talk pottery with! Thank you for this great video, and all your videos. 👏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@floriangadsby]

Thank you! 🙌🏼

[@evalyncharalambous7623]

Thank you so much Florian. You are our Guru. My husband came to the potters wheel with absolutely no experience and for myself, only 3 or 4 attempts. Now we are making all sorts of lovely pots thanks to you. The highest regards, Evalyn ❤

[@STAIND12300]

Florian, this has been a video I've longed to see for a very long time. And it has by far exceeded my expectations. You are my favorite potter and I am so grateful for all of your hard work. Jacob

[@kevinskudalski5838]

The Great Gadsby does it again! Fantastic information delivered in an accessible format. Thank you for this.

[@harpinsoul]

I wonder how many of us now go ahead and give it a try. I would love to see a compilation here of all those makers marks, inspired by your work and kind offering of knowledge and encouragement. Thank You!!!

[@revathy6989]

Congratulations for 1 million subscribers 🎉🎉

[@floriangadsby]

THANK YOU! It's a crazy milestone, I honestly never expected to gain so many subscribers here, it's surreal.

[@revathy6989]

@@floriangadsby ☺️

[@joywildman9876]

Thanks so much Florian. I’ve been looking forward to watching this video.. as you said it was coming. The makers mark I’ve been using is a raised one.. therefore it pushes into the clay in reverse. I’m going to try a mark like this, where it is carved out, leaving a positive, raised imprint of my mark. Congratulations on reaching a million subscribers. It is rare to find someone so humble and willing to share their knowledge and skills as you do.. even in person, let alone online! You do though, in your humble, genuine way. It has meant a great deal to many of us, I’m sure... that’s why you have a million subscribers and will get many more. 😊

[@CookbooksonRepeat]

1 million!! Congrats!! Love your channel.

[@floriangadsby]

Thank you! What a wild number right? I can't believe there are actually that many people interested in my pottery!

[@chickenpea111]

I love how fastidious you are and how careful. Your videos are really clear and inspiring - thank you Florien.

[@kathypowell8892]

Congratulations on 1 M! Wow! Your pottery is divine and video's are quite special so I am not surprised, really.

[@louisequinby7110]

Ok, you've convinced me to make my own maker's marks! I think I will use underglaze to colour the handles orange or yellow. It is so easy to lose clay tools! It really helps to know to make them in various sizes, and to make more than one of each size. Thanks Florian!

[@janiceho5895]

Thank you for this detailed video! As a former jeweler turned beginner ceramicist, I appreciate this level of meticulousness for making something so personal and at this scale.

[@tanhue1265]

super helpful! but also the videos are done in such high quality as well, professional all around.

[@valeriemyers8430]

I just found you and enjoyed this demonstration so much. I shared it with some ceramics friends and plan to make one in my class next week.congrats on 1 million followers. Make that one million and one!

[@phillipmeredith6101]

Thank you for making these videos. I am brand new to pottery and your explanations are precise, and your videos are very well made. You've helped me with opening and centering more than you can know. You do fantastic work! Please keep it up! Thank you!!

[@floriangadsby]

You're too kind! Thank you very much for taking your precious time to watch and for leaving such a nice comment.

[@lisarich5809]

I love how descriptive you are in the how and why of your processes and find your videos extremely helpful. I am glad you are enjoying them enough to continue :) I have been throwing pots for just 6 months now and you are on my short list of subscriptions. Thank you!

[@cerealfede]

I’ve been looking for makers mark videos after seeing yours. Its like you can read my mind. You are a huge inspiration and teacher, at least for me. Thanks and congrats you deserve this and more

[@christucker3156]

Thanks!

[@juanQuedo]

The long awaited Maker's mark video! 🙌

[@kompot505]

thank you soso much for what you do. your videos are so calming, especially the asmr variants which i am so grateful you keep making, and your narration is honestly really insightful and i admire how much information is packed into it each time. as a traditional/digital artist and aspiring musician i've always wanted to try something more physical, your videos are incredibly enticing haha

[@ellane-d9w]

Thanks

[@ayam5153]

Amazing Florian, thanks so much for this lovely video. I wanted to have a stamp made but this is sooo much nicer to do. Just bought some bright blue porcelain clay, so I will do a try out with stoneware and then move on to porcelain. Thanks so much, you are amazing !

[@SeriouslyCreative]

Thank you for your videos! What you said about a handmade stamp to finish a handmade piece of pottery is 100% true, you've convinced me to make my own stamp to use in place of the laser cut rubber one i have.

[@ow2750]

dear florian thanks for the answer! appreciate it very much. i like the Gf sign very much. suites ur art well. and the runic makes it more mystik.... nice little vid really.

[@robertine.atelier]

Glad your work is well rewarded, this is deserved as you make learn a lot and give your personnal approach, as good stories to ear, quite poetical. Thank you.

[@marydelong5777]

This was fascinating and you are so very good at explaining what, why, and how you do things. Thanks for these!

[@lLadyAszneth]

@Florian Gadsby First, a much belated Congratulations for making the 1M subscriber mark. Sadly, I missed it when it actually happened but it's only been about one month ago since I find your channel. And, I'm loving every moment. Again, made it all-the-way Darlin' Rock on, 😀🤘 Aszneth "Asz" (Tallahassee FL)

[@roxlee1]

Great video, super clear and thorough with great tips scattered throughout the video.

[@jasonchadney7850]

What a great video, Florian. I’m very new to pottery but cannot wait to try this out. Thanks for all you do.

[@deel.kemnadeannel.bennett7735]

You make everything look so easy! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! This is a very addictive activity!!!

[@erwinlares2906]

Thanks for making this video. I have been anxiously waiting for it since I first saw one of your videos and saw you stamping your work. I know what I'll be making this weekend

[@emilycain8258]

Thank you so much Florian for this thoughtful take. So appreciated 🙏✨

[@marktaylor865]

1 mil subs. 👏👏👏👏👏👏. was one of your best videos this week as well.

[@floriangadsby]

Thanks Mark! Appreciate all the support over the years!🙌🏻

[@franciscoiurcovich2304]

thanks florian, you're such an inspiration !

[@maartje1138]

Thank you for this great demo on making stamps, I will definitely give it a go! I really enjoy your work. And congratulations on the 1mln subscribers! 👏🏻

[@sarahm9103]

Congratulations on your 1 M follower’s and deservedly so. I’m literally so fascinated by everything you do! When you were carving out your maker’s mark, I found myself blowing the dust away 🤦🏼‍♀️😮‍💨habit’s I have when working on my own projects. Great work as always Florian 👏🏼 👌🏽

[@yuly1273]

Just finished carving rn. Got better after a few but it's so hard. Am excited about how they turn out

[@marimcguire2508]

Always love your technical drawings FG. 🙏🤩

[@klrafanan2]

Thanks for sharing the techniques. I’ve been looking forward to this video for a good while.

[@ChristineHoh-mk6fd]

Lovely and informative video! Thank you! Looking forward to trying it with my porcelain.

[@kjmurray27]

Thank you for this Florian, I now feel armed with the knowledge I need to make my own stamps!

[@Angelika_Johanna]

Same response as always, THANK YOU so much Florian 🙏❤️

[@miafineman8248]

Thank you so much, Florian! I'm going to try this tonight!

[@lorenzoalesso1312]

never waited this long for a video 😂😂🙌🏼 awesome really… thank you ❤️

[@Alex_0Z]

i’m going through a project in school right now to make my own makers mark!! lol great timing

[@floriangadsby]

Good luck carving! They can be tricky little things to make nicely but it's so worth having your own stamp.

[@xbaczewska4197]

I never even thought about the origin of your F! Nor would it have ever occurred to me to do so! You have made that "F" your own. Background story can be interesting, but when you 'saw' your "F," that ship sailed! Again, thnx for another comprehensive, no-stone-unturned video. And congrats on your Big Number.

[@lucianopena3806]

This is what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@emmaanderson8083]

This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@polyxenisamanidou9905]

How fantastic! Thank you very much!

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

This is exactly what I needed to see! thank you.

[@andrepulupa]

Felicidades por el 1 millón te lo mereces

[@orandilu989]

Thank you for being you.

[@shakedagassi7164]

What a video!!!! Thank you, Florian! I couldn't get my hands on your precious pots this batch, but I am patient 🙃 are you planning on adding Israel to your shipping countries? I know that we are a little country but it will be great! anyhow greetings from Israel. 😊❤️🇮🇱

[@annawalter388]

Thanks so much for this video. I am going to try it right now!

[@nikeleader3844]

I made my own mark after this video and they turned out great. They're not as perfect as yours, but they work.

[@lilykoha5447]

Thank you so very much for your wonderful video! I have learnt a lot from you, very appreciated 💜

[@dreamcatcher75418]

Great Video!

[@georgecarter1124]

I will definitely be using this in the future!

[@petsila]

1:50 wow you came up with so many ways to write FG

[@jorun73]

This is amazing 🤗 thank you for sharing.

[@basakbugay]

So very helpful! Thank you!!

[@pamdemonia]

Interesting, as usual!

[@lisacridland8034]

Hi Sarah, I really enjoyed this video of your kiln opening! I thought your jug/vase was beautiful with the three colours! Which glazes did you use on it? I didn’t see it at the end of the video, but I’d love to know which glazes you used for it! Lisa x

[@lindatortorice9356]

Inspiring.

[@karenharrington1469]

Great video, really helpful thank you 😊 please can you show how to fire and what is the ‘wadding’ you use in your kiln? Also how do you prop them up in the kiln? X

[@魏文麒]

Your video just dragged me out of the depressed and anger from get roasted by my teacher at class .

[@marysedescheirder1341]

Merci pour vos partages. personnellement j'ai fabriqué mon tampon en pâte polymère après avoir gravé mon monogramme dans une plaque de plâtre. c'est surement moins précis que la porcelaine , mais cela me va bien .

[@yuyangandy]

I was surprised to find that the combination of your F and G mark looks very much like the Chinese character "匠", which means artisan or craftsman, is this a coincidence?

[@floriangadsby]

Absolutely a coincidence!

[@chompers11]

veryyyy cool

[@the_pixel_witch]

Do you have any advice on when to use these stamps on your pieces? Just after trimming when they are leather hard?

[@headhunter5672]

If you require a smaller sharp needle you could also use a , brad awl

[@JieyaWen]

Your nested F and G design looks like the Chinese character 匠, which means craftsmen!

[@Tangobutton]

I hope the subs have translated into £! So, even though my pieces are small, I do stamp each one (my handmade porcelain animal and dog tiles- not my handmade porcelain letter tiles) with a tiny, oval shaped stamp I made with my cursive 'M' on it. I made a few of them but I might have tossed one into my slop bucket the other day...I suppose I will find it eventually! :-)

[@floriangadsby]

ALL your views, comments and likes really do help me out financially. KZbin pretty much covers all of studios rent and a little bit more these days, which is utterly unbelievable. So thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a comment... Very easy to lose, no? I know some potters who tie a string attached to a cork onto them, that way they float if ever lost in a bucket of water or clay slops.

[@Sheepdog1314]

very cool. I carved my stamps out of bone.

[@floriangadsby]

Wow! I haven’t heard of bone stamps before. You really can use anything.

[@Supergrubb]

Any advice on making rounded stamps?

[@michaelfranklin3971]

Would it make sense to make a negative makers mark stamp?

[@angelacollier9256]

Up right in a pile of..?beden?? Please explain, I really want to try this. Thanks Florian! 😊 God bless!

[@koolbreezeandthetrees]

Hello :) i have seen some potters use a stamp and ink to mark their works. Do you maybe know what type of material they use for ink? Is it just glazing or a certain type of pigment like indigo?

[@nxkxjxkd6243]

Wow😮😮😮

[@uzbekqaynonatv]

Привет СПАСИБО вам большое за прекрасно видео ролик очень интересна 👍🏼👍🏻 желаем вам удачи 👍🏻🌹 ЛАЙК у меня

[@yevzeng]

I love how your oldest stamp looks really like the Chinese Hanzi or Japanese Kanji “匠”, which means craftsman or craftsmanship in both languages. Is that on purpose or a beautiful coincidence?

[@meatflossfashion]

When you are doing a full fire, I am confused what you put the mark into to protect it. Did you say 'wooding'? wouldn't that be flammable? Could you also hang them the same way you would fire clay beads? Would that work?

[@floriangadsby]

You could indeed hang them! I stuff them in ‘wadding’, which is a highly refractory material that doesn’t melt and protects the head of the stamps. It’s made from 50% China clay and 50% coarse alumina hydrate, mixed to a clay-like consistency.

[@meatflossfashion]

@@floriangadsby thank you!!

[@jennj279]

Loveee your work!! did you know your maker’s mark resembles one of the letters in Korean? ‘ㅋ’ (k sound !)

[@floriangadsby]

I have been told that before! But, at least once stamped it no longer does, kkk.

[@ClaUDiishmoO]

Does it have to be made in porcelain?

[@ragnkja]

Did you make an ink stamp to use as a signature when you lived in Japan?

[@floriangadsby]

I did indeed! To stamp my tomobako my chawan were kept in.

[@chrzzzzz]

I repurposed my hanko (personal stamp, replaces a signature), from when I lived in Japan. I have trouble stamping tho, I often bulge the clay inwards, even when I support the inside with a finger. Rolling it around helps, but I have no idea how you're able to stamp yours so easily.

[@floriangadsby]

It’s very small and sharp. More precise point of contact. If your stamp is large and very detailed it’ll be harder to stamp nicely. You can press a soft piece of clay onto the pot and stamp that, it ends up looking like a wax seal on a letter though but some people like that!

[@suni9625]

I think i just became your 1Mil & 1 Subscriber 😅💙💜💐🎉🥂

[@frankyensan]

My stamp is cast in bronze. I recently made a copy just in case I misplace the original

[@floriangadsby]

Oh damn! I would love a bronze mark, the would so cool. The weight of them!

[@frankyensan]

@@floriangadsby I am sure an art foundry could cast it for you. Maybe an art student at a local college. Make your stamp out of wax and go pay a visit.

[@frankyensan]

@@floriangadsby wish I could post a photo

[@EdthePlumber]

Sounds like a great video colab idea

[@reikohamazakitoyota4748]

👏👏👏👏👏🙏

[@ChrisD-83]

I guess you have to glaze fire them standing on their ends?

[@Lemu_with_a_shirt]

The way you talk about maker's marks that you didn't make yourself, just reminds me of how many shops sell bags of tags that say something like "handmade with love" for people to sew into their projects. Never understood why you'd want to do that.

[@HidekiShinichi]

I would use a 3d printer. Granted I have one already but it would be the easiest for me.

[@ow2750]

the runic F mean Asen so its vocal is A not a consonant F...

[@floriangadsby]

Indeed! I just left a more thorough comment on this video explaining why I use the wrong rune!

[@iego11]

Я такие штуки на фотополимернике делаю. И теперь меня не заставить, что-то там вырезать)))

[@elizabethhurtado2829]

❤🇺🇲💵