1: The fact your boards are just a bit taller than your reference 3D printed pot is actually good, the clay will shrink as it's fired in the kiln quite a bit. (My estimate is that it will be the same height, and a reduced diameter and wall thickness by about .25%) 2: If you need the clay to dry quickly (to prevent sagging) you can use a heat gun and it dries to the point where you can carve into it, without deforming the shape 3: If people are doing this at home, a marker or pen cap makes a great hole punch as well. (Or those big straws like you have Nigel! Those are great! ) 4: When carving details, I find letting it dry almost to leather hard makes for cleaner lines, and it feels nice too.. lol Great start to your mini-pot! It's awesome to see bonsai artists take on ceramics and make their own pots! :) It really adds to the hobby, and makes unique works of art for our trees! Can't wait for episode 2, Nigel! :) Thanks!
@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai10 ай бұрын
I love your tools Nigel. That height gauge is awesome. You are truly a Renaissance man. I’ll be watching this series with great interest.
@mick68110 ай бұрын
Nigel, you are a man of many talents. Your videos are always informative and inspirational. Can't wait for part two.
@adamnorris800610 ай бұрын
Back to your luthier days almost eh Nigel? My grandpa was a luthier and I can still remember the smell of his shop from when I was a kid. Cheers
@averyprice94229 ай бұрын
Nigel was a luthier? Wow.. thats so cool... ive been watching his videos for almost 7 years and never knew..
@jballenger92409 ай бұрын
Adam, thanks for the new word. Luthier.
@crystalsmith37839 ай бұрын
Hi Nigel. I started learning how to use the pottery wheel and making bonsai pots myself recently within the last 6 months. I really love it so far. Your videos are often an inspiration to me, I love the way you style your landscapes with an eye to making them look as they are in nature. Thank you for sharing your work with us. :)
@harishahn903910 ай бұрын
All rounder
@FrostBiteBonsai10 ай бұрын
Oh my goodness! Winter crafts!
@jtkruk10 ай бұрын
Great project Nigel! Don't forget about clay shrinkage.
@BlueJayBonsai10 ай бұрын
Shrinkage! It’s a real problem. 😂
@jtkruk9 ай бұрын
@@BlueJayBonsai especially in clay and pant belts ;) My sems to shrink ...
@growclipbonsaiforseniors195110 ай бұрын
What a great idea! These will be some fascinating videos on the making of small and mini bonsai pots. Nigel. The master at work.
@lukasmihara9 ай бұрын
So this is teh winter project you mentioned earlier - mini bonsai pots! I'm looking forward to it!
@Tybold6310 ай бұрын
Pottery is indeed linked to bonsai and this will be interesting to follow, you are very creative.
@tinjoesstation9 ай бұрын
Looking good Nigel! Might have to commission a Nigel Pot🤠
@AsiaPacificGarden10 ай бұрын
I had no idea you made bonsai pots. Very cool. I love mame bonsai! They're so fun.
@notionbonsai10 ай бұрын
I love these type of videos Nigel!! Your attention to detail when you make pots is incredible! How you get it so symmetrical 😮
@empret770410 ай бұрын
This clay is so satisfying, nice job Nigel 💯👌
@Thimbrethil10 ай бұрын
Nigel, if you want to sculpt your pots by substraction, it is good to leave your peace to dry a little bit. It helps with potential warping. My friend at pottery club does this and achieved great results. If you want to shape bigger chunk of clay you can also hit it with flat long wooden spatula. It helps to even it out.
@bonsaisforever9 ай бұрын
Great video Nigel, I have always wanted to make pots. This one is looking good
@mattbrennan64710 ай бұрын
Nice work Nigel. A true renaissance man. Thanks, keep molding 😊
@dkstott2910 ай бұрын
Wow, I'm surprised that the clay hasn't dried out since you made the dragon pot...very nice project..
@robryan98419 ай бұрын
Great job 👍
@cornbreadburglar10 ай бұрын
You must have seen the recent episode of Bonsai Q where the master pot maker was highlighted. Your pots are going to be highly desired.
@kathyvettraino226710 ай бұрын
Very cool to see the making of a pot. You are talented!
@t3dwards139 ай бұрын
For those without a height guage, the scribing could also be accomplished with a sharp pencil. Lay it on your flat surface and raise iit as desired.
@growclipbonsaiforseniors195110 ай бұрын
35F/2C here with a freezing type rain this morning in the windy city.
@kevinrandell518910 ай бұрын
🌲🌳🌴🌵Foist! 🌵🌴🌳🌲
@patsfreund916410 ай бұрын
Nigel, Love that you are making some clay pots on video. Enjoy this so much. Did you ever get the dragon pot fired? I don't recall seeing a video of it finished.
@baldyeti9 ай бұрын
I need to finds friends with a kiln! I could have stopped that sentence at “friends”
@Emjayne9959 ай бұрын
Hi Nigel, I don’t know how else to contact you and but I could really do with your help! Please read all of this, it would mean the absolute world to me… My Dad has a terminal illness and is coming towards the end of his life. He is a HUGE bonsai fan and your videos have really helped him during this devastating time for us all as a family. He loves your content and always looks forward to a new video! You’ve inspired him so much over the years and I would love it if you could maybe mention him in one of your videos or do a personalised video for him? I don’t know even know if this is possible but I thought I’d give it a try. My Dad has IPF which affects his lungs, he’s never smoked or drank, he just unfortunately got really unlucky. He has over 50 Bonsai trees which are absolutely out of this world and he’s always been very passionate about them. I know this might be a lot to ask but I know it would make his day. If you did read this, thank you so much and I really do appreciate your time. Thank you, Emma.
@TheBonsaiZone9 ай бұрын
Hello Emma. you can email me at.... thekwbonsaisociety@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you.
@Andelbonsaitt9 ай бұрын
I hope you dad final days are easy an painless and may his next journey be easy 🙏🏾
@baba-nam-kevalam9 ай бұрын
Make a collaboration video with Emma
@Emjayne9959 ай бұрын
@@Andelbonsaitt thank you so much that’s so kind of you♥️
@harrybowes96179 ай бұрын
@@TheBonsaiZone Knew you would do this good deed happily Nigel. Your a top bloke mate. -Harry from (Straya)
@jballenger92409 ай бұрын
What a beautiful height gauge! What’s its story? From your “luthier days”?
@TheBonsaiZone9 ай бұрын
Yes, it is!
@hyperionhelios19010 ай бұрын
"biodegradable" PLA is sort of a myth Nigel. It needs very special conditions and microbiotics to break it down entirely. That being said you are right that they won't last forever in a harsh outdoor environment.
@kathyvettraino226710 ай бұрын
🎉
@chaiwatpotichanid10 ай бұрын
Just kupchak erth +stone +said management natural human child what in life just...class of future generations erth stone said support human beings way just as well thank you for good advice kupchak ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤pot beautiful my hand 👐
@TheRipdub9 ай бұрын
Can you use 3d print a mould and just press the clay into the shape? Oh and print a stamp to sign your art would be neat.
@peterw284510 ай бұрын
Great video as always Nigel , love your creative skills , do you ( or anyone else ) know if you can use the air dry clay for making pots - then seal / paint them ?
@ohiogrovechannel10 ай бұрын
No, that clay won't hold up very long whatsoever as a pot. It's best to just start with ceramic clay like Nigel is. If you don't have a kiln, call around to local studios in your area, or friends, or even schools/universities. Most places are very helpful to beginners!
@peterw28459 ай бұрын
@@ohiogrovechannel yes that’s my primary problem , I live in the back of woop woop and there’s no kilns about , thankyou for the advise 👍, saved me a bit of time
@ohiogrovechannel9 ай бұрын
@@peterw2845 If you're the adventurous type, there's also pit firing options, and DIY kilns you can look up where they use metal trashcans... :) Good luck!
@scheers1009 ай бұрын
You can make pots from mortar (cement and sand and optionally waterproofing pruduct). Reinforce them with some metal mesh or someting, to give them some structure. Ofcourse it is not as thin like ceramics. Mine are only 3 years in use, so I have no idea on longevity. I hope it is useful. Greets from Belgium