Nerikomi Tutorial #1 - My New Book Purchase

[@dorothyfeibleman]

In Japan, New Bone (address below) is recommended by me for those who do not make clay. When I gave my class at Ichinokura in Japan in 2007, both authors of Jim's book took the class. Neither used translucent porcelain or my expression previously. Jim's book has a suppliers list, this is mostly my list of suppliers. The class at Ichinokura was told if they wanted translucent porcelain in Japan, New Bone was the most translucent, available commercially, low fire porcelain available at the time and the address is listed in your book. I was on a residency in Seto in 2000 and we were given that clay to use from Maruishi. If they hadn"t come to my class, they would probably not have been aware of translucent low fire porcelain. There are many potters in Japan and they are very tight with information. The address in English is: Maruishi Clay Making Factory Co.Ltd, 16, Higashiyasudo-cho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, 489-0053, Tel. [phone]. There are several other companies that make new bone clays but this one is lower fire. I use this one for classes in Japan. For my personal work, I mix my own clay. I use several stainless de-airing pugmills from Peter Pugger - peterpugger.com for different white porcelains and colors. I would recommend these puggers irregardless of what country I was working in. Peter Pugger was recommended to me by a friend on Maui. As I said previously, Laguna Clay company's Frost is a USA company with a similar porcelain.

[@CeramicJim]

Thank you for clarifying this Dorothy. I’m so sorry to hear about it and I’ve changed the description of this video and my comment to send people your way. Your work is incredible and I owe you a great deal of thanks for your videos that I inspired me to start nerikomi.

[@gb4670]

looks like an awesome book. You are going to have so much fun. Thanks for the video.

[@CeramicJim]

Thanks GB!

[@dorianthegray253]

I just love your channel. You are the best colored clay resource I've found online or elsewhere.

[@CeramicJim]

Best comment ever! Thank you!

[@deenaberton9909]

Enjoy watching you experiment. Been making handbuilt pieces from porcelain Nerikomi blocks. I do lose a lot of pieces to cracks. I think I put too high a concentration of stain in originally and the hand building is slow so the clay dries fast. I'm doing better with slump molds instead of hump molds. Thanks for sharing.

[@CeramicJim]

I'd like to see some of this work sometime. I started to roll a blank slab onto one side for some pieces like cups if I don't mind having a white inside. That fixed ALL the splitting.

[@deenaberton9909]

Ceramic Jim I want to try the lamination but one of the things I like is seeing the pattern on both sides of the vessel. And I hand build with pieces. I don’t think I can post an image here but I posted a striped bowl I hand built from individual pieces on a hump mold in one of my Instagram feeds. Deena_berton_art

[@brianmitchell132]

I had to get rid of my pottery wheel unfortunately, but discovered Nerikomi through your channel and now I can enjoy ceramics again and stretch my creative muscles since all I did was throw on a wheel!

[@CeramicJim]

I’m sorry to hear about your wheel, Brian. Nerikomi is an endless cycle. So much to learn and perfect it’ll keep you busy for ever. I’m happy I helped you find it.

[@brianmitchell132]

@@CeramicJim Oh it was a wheel I've had for 20 years. Speedball Clay Boss, it was great for a beginner and lasted thru my intermediate years. I tried out some other interests but I'm getting back into ceramics and this is the only channel I've found doing Nerikomi. Any chance you know where to get some inspiration for patterns or basic patterns, seems like the only book is the one you showed but its insanely price. I've searched google and really tessellation is the only thing I can think of to try.

[@lisaadevasamoy5256]

i'm working with brown bear and redstone. i wanted to make a striped tumbler and found you. the tumbler is waiting to be bisqued and i made some agate beads and a bud vase with the trim. your videos soothe the math that struggles in my brain:) thank you

[@tristandeppisch4458]

Most loyal subscriber here, absolutely outstanding skills with nearakomy. Also, I’d love to see more complex pot throwing or hand building techniques! Can’t wait to see the cool ideas you could come up with. Great video and keep up the cool translations and energy!!!!! ~MLS~

[@CeramicJim]

Thanks Tristan! I think bigger pots are in the near future. I'm looking forward to pushing the limits. Stay tuned!

[@susanking861]

Hey Jim, I've just found your videos and love your work. Today, through no skill, I landed on the perfect method for adding colour to clay. Add some water to the little zip lock bag of mason stain. Get a cup of coffee and chat for about 30 mins. When you come back, the stain will be like Toothpaste, which is perfect for adding to the clay. My previous attempts looked like a murder scene, or were too dry. Just wanted to share 😀

[@cjsz6854]

Yes, I have tried some agate ware. I had a few successes. It’s stunning when it works out well. I’ve tried some nerikomi. I’m still learning and you are one of the few who provides clear instructions. A big problem that I’m having is not having the clay separate between colors.

[@CeramicJim]

That can be tough. Brushing between layers with water and letting the clay sit for a while to match consistency can help with that. It even happens to some of the masters out there. Some surprisingly embrace it.

[@lesselavie7675]

Books are really hard to find. I'm just starting down this path and I love your channel!! Thank you!

[@CeramicJim]

Thank you for your comment, Les. They are really hard to find. Perhaps I'll have to write one.

[@kyleflemming3764]

That Peter McKinnon influence though!!! Another rad video!!!

[@CeramicJim]

You know it. Thanks dude!

[@Gerrietheartist]

I just found you on line. Thank you for your videos. The way you present and teach reminds of Steve on Blue's Clues. That is a complement. You voice and mannerisms makes me happy and instills confidence. By the way I have been an art teacher for 28 years, so I appreciate good teaching.

[@CeramicJim]

It takes one to know one 😉. Thank you for the kind words Gerrie. And who doesn’t love Steve from Blue’s Clues. Did you happen to see his KZbin short recently? And then after that went viral he had a guest appearance on the daily show with Stephen Colbert? I do take that as a compliment because I think everyone felt welcomed when Steve was talking to them through the TV. The funny thing is I have a different voice for KZbin than my teaching voice at school. But making videos helped my enthusiasm at school but teaching at school in the first place helped me be clear in videos. Funny how that works.

[@gerriegilchrist790]

@@CeramicJim yes I saw the Steve come back video and yes it put a tear in my eye. My son was a big fan , so therefore I was too. Keep up the great work. My retirement year is fast approaching, and then I get to play I mean make art on a more regular basis.

[@barbarahenninger6642]

I tried to do some nerikomi a couple of years ago. After firing, there were parts where the different clays did not hold together. Yours is very pretty!

[@CeramicJim]

Thanks Barbara. It can be tricky to get pieces to stick. You should give it another try!

[@alchemypottery7381]

I just saw a video on the rose one. It was amazing.

[@CeramicJim]

The rose one is so cool how it blends

[@georgekaneko4681]

The source for that book was a class Dorothy Feibleman gave at Ichinokura Sakazuki Museum in 2006. The authors of the book neglect to mention that they didn't ask her if they could publish her performance and expression. Most of what is in that book was lifted from Dorothy Feibleman's class. The authors did not make translucent porcelain nerikomi before they attended the class. They neglected to mention that many ways of working in the book are not Japanese.They are Dorothy's original expression. Many of the methods shown are not traditional Japanese and are only visible in Japan because Dorothy was there and exhibited. They lifted her personal expression and made it seem like it is Japanese but most of the book is not a Japanese way of working with colored clay. There is no history of colored translucent clay or colored clay imaging constructed like Dorothy's imaging and methods especially the geometric, the flower petals, working with white/whites and coloring with dye that burns out so you can see what you are doing and how they are implying it is Japanese. That was not necessary before because no one made translucent white white nerikomi anywhere before Dorothy. Just thought you should know what you are promoting and giving misinformation about.

[@CeramicJim]

Thank you, George for bringing this to light. That is unfortunate. Can I ask how you came to know this?

[@peteburton-davies1081]

What kind of porcelain do you use? You’ve inspired me to try nerikomi pottery but I’m using special porcelain (as I can only fire cone 10) and I’m finding either I have to have it really wet so it’ll cut nicely but is difficult to shape or is firmer and more manageable but won’t slice without tearing up the piece!

[@CeramicJim]

Yeah I get what you’re saying Peter. I use a cone 6 porcelain but I don’t think that matters. Come 10 should be fine. You do have to work at a wetter stage, at least at first so you can get those nice cuts. I use fishing line and that gives me cleaner cuts than a traditional wire tool. Someone commented on a earlier video saying that guitar strings work well too. So have it soft to cut, and then let it stiffen. Hand building is the hardest with nerikomi for that reason. Are you using plaster molds? What are you trying to make?

[@peteburton-davies1081]

Ceramic Jim - Yes, I’ve just got some fishing line and that made for a much easier cut on the piece I tried yesterday! So far I’ve made a rose and a block with a flower in (made of nerikomi petals I surrounded in plain porcelain). Both are round and roughly 6 inches diameter and an inch and a bit deep. I completely ruined the rose by using a cutting wire when it was too dry but managed to get some good cuts on the flower but then struggled to get it smooth and onto a small bowl hump mould without it stretching and tearing as I smoothed it over. I think it’s the letting it stiffen that you mentioned that’ll make the difference. Thank you so much for the advice!

[@Laura-it4ow]

I am a beginner potter. I am only taking classes and have thrown pieces and have made some slab pieces. For the patterns of Nerikomi can't you just do some of the cane patterns that are used for polymer clay? If you have the coloring of the clay down and the firing of the clay then you could do almost any of the cane patterns. Just a thought from a beginner. Love the videos :)

[@CeramicJim]

It’s funny you say that. I actually used a few polymer clay tutorials as inspiration for nerikomi. It’s practically the same thing. So yes, you totally can. Great potters think alike. Thanks Laura!

[@paulabreyter1669]

hermoso trabajo

[@CeramicJim]

gracias

[@jack.oconnell]

great content jim! keep up the good work

[@CeramicJim]

Thanks Jack. Will do!

[@khalilemir2825]

Thank you so much for this video

[@keithlightminder3005]

Having fun with Both the clay and video media, love the use of your grade 10 construction geometry. Very gentle with the viewer, obviously a teacher used to anticipating students speeds and needs, very engaging, showing your struggle- awesome! enough with the critique- the book is now at almost 900$ Canadian on Amazon! any plans to make your own book later, downloadable or physical? these youtubes are great thanks for all the care you put into them!

[@CeramicJim]

Thanks Keith! I’ve also noticed there aren’t many books. Or at least many in English or one that are cheap. I’ll be honest when I say I’ve thought about it but I need to explore more and bring some new original ideas to the table if I’m going to take that project on.

[@Lisy8002]

Just like everyone else.....love your site and videos. Just waiting for you to offer workshops😬 Out of curiosity, how hard was it to look at the descriptions and decipher it in order to create what was pictured. I thought of getting it a while ago but thought it too hard to calculate ect. As always, keep making videos as you REALLY REALLY REALLY ARE THE ONLY SOURCE OUT THERE FOR MANY OF US!

[@CeramicJim]

Thank you for the kind words. It would be really cool to run a workshop some day. I've only tried that one pattern so far so I can't speak for the rest of the book yet but as you saw in the video, it's trial and error so far. I obviously didn't used enough clay for whole pattern and I chose my own colors and own percentages. Perhaps because I've been making nerikomi for a little while it came more easily to me? When I ordered it my rational was that something, the book, is better than nothing. And I figured a japanese book would be different than an book in english. Maybe I'll start learning japanese :) I am humbled to be a source for other clay lovers out there. Thanks again!

[@barbarac4138]

I have been working on plates made with templates and piggy banks

[@CeramicJim]

Piggy banks sound fun. Do the pigs have expressions?

[@mike_y1]

Cool!

[@CeramicJim]

Thanks Michael!

[@titch_can_i_nail_it3847]

what type of clay do you use please.? and where do you buy it from. ty.

[@CeramicJim]

The place I used to buy porcelain from went out of business and they made it themselves. Now I make small batches of my own because I don’t want the same thing to happen again. I use a cone 6 porcelain.

[@alchemypottery7381]

You can travel to Japan for workshops.

[@CeramicJim]

If only I had the time and money. Some day though, I think I will.

[@sharonosheanna-leissring1275]

I checked out this book but really can,t afford nearly 500 euros for it. Which is ridiculous! So my next best thing is to suggest that you write the book we are all looking for. I love watching you work. You just get to business and don,t lose focus on what is important. I would imagine your book would reflect that also. So please let us know when it will be hitting the stands, so I can pre-order. Thanks , and keep up the beautiful work!

[@CeramicJim]

That’s quite the undertaking on my part but believe me when I say that the thought has crossed my mind.

[@CeramicJim]

Thank you for the kind works, Sharon

[@sharonosheanna-leissring1275]

@@CeramicJim Yes, I know it would be a huge undertaking . You're so good at it and so relatable , I believe you would be a great success! I will keep my eyes open in hope .

[@alchemypottery7381]

is there a link to that book

[@CeramicJim]

There used to be but I removed it because the book contains plagiarized images from Dorothy Feibleman’s work. Check her out if you’re looking for inspiration.

[@alchemypottery7381]

@@CeramicJim Thank you for the fast response.

[@dorothyfeibleman]

@@CeramicJim Thanks Jim for point this out to the public. Dorothy

[@CeramicJim]

Of course. Honestly, I felt awful when I found out. I hope it’s alright I left the video up. I figured people will see it and find out vs. never knowing if I deleted it. I love your work. Seeing your Nerikomi Magic video was truly an inspiring experience that kicked off my colored clay journey.

[@HI-vv1fr]

I’m japanese. I know a famous craftsman. His name is Yusuke Aida.

[@CeramicJim]

Really? How do you know him?

[@HI-vv1fr]

Ceramic Jim I learn about porcelain at an art university in Japan.

[@dorothyfeibleman]

Aida Yusuke died in about 2015. He held several titles over the years at Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan. I gave a lecture there to 400 students in 1998 and the only question asked, was, what is your favorite color.

[@gracelouise3014]

HI there from the Uk, right from the start (approx 2 years ago) I was drawn to colouring clay and mixing different clay bodies in amongst all the other experimentation that goes hand and hand with being pretty much self taught. I’ve realised that glazing lets me down a lot so recently moved towards colouring clay using stains and becoming more interested in Nerikomi. Like you that was the only book i could find on the internet but I didn’t build it as it wasn’t in english - so will be interested in how you get on with it. My style is pretty abstract - check out my instagram @gracelouisemcg. Ive recently found your channel and subscribed as i find your tutorials fun and informative - again many of the nerikomi videos just have awful music playing and no information, which is frustrating! So keep up the good work and thank you 🙏

[@CeramicJim]

Ha. I think I know which movies you are referencing as I have seen them myself. I'll check out that insta. Thanks Louise.

[@dorothyfeibleman]

Well, not exactily straight from the source. I am actually the source for basically all the translucent information in those books. Almost all the information in the books of how I work is on my youtubes or Abel Lakatos's youtubes. The "source" without my permission & without giving me credit for my expression, which they seem to have published as theirs, give the impression that my expression is Generic Contemporary Japanese or the "source's" original ideas. Have a look at a short cut history of my work in Japan. dorothyfeibleman.blogspot.com/2019/09/nerikomi-troubleshooting-information.html Then look at your source's history before 2007 when they suddenly had a revelation. On several internet sites, photos of my work from my websites have been posted next to pictures of them, making it seem like it is their work . They used these photos without my permission.

[@CeramicJim]

Thank you again for clarifying this. That’s awful. I explained in another reply to you that I’ve since changed the description and my comment for this video explaining that the book was plagiarized. I thought about taking it down but I honestly thought it would be better to keep up so people can read and find out that it is copyrighted material. Thank you again and I’m so sorry that I didn’t know.

[@alchemypottery7381]

I'm rebuilding my studio in a milk barn

[@CeramicJim]

That sounds so cool! Any photos or updates are welcome here. Keep us in the loop!

[@alchemypottery7381]

@@CeramicJim I will tag you on IG.