Pottery Challenge - 1 and 2 pound challenges

Apologies in advance for the wheel noise. I did finally fix the squeaky belt later in the day after recording this!
How tall of a cylinder can I throw from 1 and 2 pounds?
How wide of a bowl can I throw with the same?
How about you?
If you decide to take on the challenge please comment below with your results, good luck.
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[@anteduluvian]

Reading through the comments, and damn! Do I love potters! So much positive feedback and support! Thank you Matt for all the videos, it's always great to watch you do you're thing! I'm definitely going to try the 1lb challenge next time I get on a wheel :)

[@lesnorton7384]

I only recently discovered your KZbin channel and have been watching a lot of your videos and have really been enjoying them. Your channel is one of the best I have seen presenting the challenges of being a potter. Your craftsmanship, eye for form, and deep understanding of pottery sets a standard that we should all strive for. I have been a potter for almost 50 years and try to maintain these same standards myself. The fact that you make all these great videos, letting the world see what you do, is wonderful. BTW.. I tried the 1 pound challenge and only got it up to 7 1/2 inches.

[@vickiestadler4388]

Your talent is amazing, Matthew!!! Thank you for sharing! :)

[@cwells.pottery]

Started potting once-twice a week two months ago. I pulled 8"x3.5" with 2lbs of clay with even walls in 3 pulls and was happy with myself. Now I need to up it to 12" lol. I'm impressed.

[@freddiemoretti8456]

So I will be back in touch when I get these cylinders pulled.....may take six months and I resort to an exceptionally thin bottom but I will keep on trying along with the challenge from Simon Leach using 12 ounces. Always amazed at what experienced potters achieve when pulling. Thanks for the challenge Matthew!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Haha! Take all the time you need. We may all still be stuck at home in six months... not really

[@fritz5701]

jes the Challence is charming .......and we keep it sweet.......

[@chrispya1]

One year later . . . still working from home.

[@clifforddalton3067]

You are so versatile Matt in everything you do. Great video

[@jamesgordon4433]

This is a very thoughtful challenge. I’m ill at this time but, when I’m able to return to the pottery, I will be taking this challenge on. Thank you for the time and effort you apply to get your clips out to us.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Get well and yes i look forward to hearing your results!

[@321ReadysSetG0]

Going to share this out to my friends - will be fun to see what we can do, thanks for all your inspiration

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You’re welcome. Thanks for sharing

[@donodc]

with 1 pound I was only able to throw a 6 1/2"x 3 1/4" cylinder but with 1 pound I made a bowl 7 1/4"x 2 3/4" I used b mix. good fun! thanks for the challenge . gotta work on my cylinders. I took pictures of the bowl but don't know how to include them.

[@annewatkis5824]

Does 3 1/4” mean width?

[@annewatkis5824]

Beautiful. I am defo going to try to get 8 inches x 3 1/4”

[@osmanyreyes8373]

When you measured the first cylinder you made me realize one mistake I was making. I throw cylinders heavier than the one you made, but the same size. I learned a lot today thank you, Mr. Kelly!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I’m glad you learned a lot. Thanks

[@Aaron.101]

Thanks

[@dottie1772]

Thanks Matt for the challenge. I've been testing my skills now that I'm retired and have been struggling on throwing tall. Practicing with a smaller amount is a great idea, instead of starting off with 4 pounds. Also, my wheel's been getting louder, and wasn't sure what it was till you mentioned the belt. Getting conditioner today. Love your videos, you're organized and get right to the point.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Awesome! I’m glad to hear that the video helped!

[@sethhenderson8]

I would love to see other potters content at attempting this. Great job!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Me too

[@fritz5701]

well ....i just started a channel , beginning with the small dishes , and goin taller , higher , and wider

[@peterkenyonjr]

Great work on the cylinders and bowls. Gives me a reference for how far a pound or two should go. Cheers!

[@annewatkis5824]

Beautiful 8” cylinder

[@camillet9883]

3 inch cylinder 8 inches tall is 56 cubic inches of volume, I believe. A 3.75 inch cylinder at 12 inches tall is 132 cubic inches of volume, more than twice the volume of the 1 pound cylinder. Now I have a target to shoot for.

[@cindybarr1109]

Fun video - you make it look so easy! On my bowl, I glazed it with Pams Green on the outside with oatmeal on the inside. I then added Artichoke over the inside and over the lip and half way down the outside and it came out great! Thanks for your inspiration. Do you have a video on making larger bowls by layering one centered mound of clay with another?

[@georgeRVI]

In a class about 3 years ago the instructor asked us to use 1.25 pounds to see if we could pull a 6 inch cylinder. Eight is amazing! I’ll give it a try.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Good luck! I had no idea how big it would be

[@shirleycirio6897]

Have you ever taken the bat off the wheel before wiring-off your piece, & then turned the pot over to let the water pour out??? The pot stays in place (at that size), able to be put back on the wheel......

[@hollysanroques8499]

Thanks for the challenge! It was a nice diversion from all this. The biggest cylinder I could get was 7 x 3" :)

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

That’s pretty good! Congrats

[@horacebomar613]

Great demonstration and challenge! Thanks Matt.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@granywonder57]

Liking the cylinders and bowls. Fun challenge. Hand builder here. Thanks Stay well.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Haha. Well you can beat us all is height of a cylinder 😂

[@clifforddalton3067]

very entertaining Matt, I hope you get lots of people that take up the challenge. Amazing throwing by the way :)

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks. That challenge was a lot of fun

[@clifforddalton3067]

@@MatthewKellyPottery you're a Star Matt :)

[@Ebutuoy333]

Well done Matt. Fun to watch.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@clifforddalton3067]

very well done Matt :)

[@lydiabosley9152]

Pretty amazing, Matthew ... but that's what we have come to expect from you!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks Lydia. It was fun

[@kathychapman5270]

It would be interesting to go on ahead and finish those bowls and use them in your kitchen for a little while, to see how durable they are that thin. Great job by the way, I’ve never tried that. Now I’m going to have to!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Nice idea. I didn’t cut the bowls in half so I probably will fire them

[@MikkeldeMibSvendsen]

Funny enough I did that same challenge - only with 1 kg balls - but off course did not end up anywhere near your results. Also, I almost lost one of them as it got to thin in the middle and the wobbling started to appear - but saved with the rib :-) Fun challenge - will do more

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Awesome! Nice save then. Saving a failing piece is a great skill that takes a long time to learn and still fails at times.

[@NilsonYukiIvano]

Loved the challenge!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Awesome! Thanks

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Wow great job looks fun 👍

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

thanks

[@ilikedonuts5763]

Awesome challenge Matt!! Nice bowl for one pound but I didn't see you do your swirl in the center!! :)

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

No the small bowl does not have a swirl. Haha, so observant

[@BasilWallace]

I mean, yeah, you probably _could_ have thrown both a smidge taller, which is a great lesson to learn if you want to practice to throw tall cylinders. But with that said, you wouldn't have gotten much more out of them, they were really tall, quite straight and neat. Great job, really!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thank you very much.

[@BasilWallace]

Next up is the widest bowl while blindfolded, right? Let's say 2lb?

[@annewatkis5824]

I tried throwing with a drier clay and it was hard.

[@genearnold3252]

I'm crushed, you didn't fix your hair for us! 😂😂

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Haha. I seriously laughed out loud at your comment

[@ilikedonuts5763]

You can use some 80 to 100 grit sand paper or a file and touch that to the belt while it's running. You don't need to use the belt spray!!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thank you. For now it is quiet with the silicon spray.

[@janetjohnson998]

Ha! You did it. Thanks.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Yes I did. Haha

[@kadensmike8190]

Question: You said you were a production pottery in the past. In the USA, do production potters take on trainees/new workers who've spent time as pottery/art students or hobby potters? Maybe they give you a one month rial and if you can't progress quickly enough both parties agree to separate? I ask because I wonder how proficient you would have to be for a potter to take a chance on employing you as a trainee. Decades ago, when more people worked in craft-based occupations, a trade could afford to give an apprentice several months to settle-in, but I suspect that is not the case in modern times?

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Yeah it’s probably not as prevalent but I’m sure some potters still do that. I hope to eventually take on apprentices but will have to take applications for that whenever I do.

[@caroleaton8237]

I threw an 18 inch cylinder with 1lb. of clay. Of course it was a 1/2 inch wide. LOL 😂

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Haha. No fair! 😂

[@mreinstein48]

You are a master I can tell you!!!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks

[@helenradford9516]

Do you ever use air dry clay on your wheel.i don't have a kiln

[@centralparkcoffeeco.cafeba6634]

That's big for a pound!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Haha. And when I cut it I was seriously thinking it would be thinner than that.

[@barbarac4138]

Something to aim for!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks, good luck

[@potteryworks]

Thanks matt👍👍

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You’re welcome John! It is John, right? Haha

[@potteryworks]

Matthew Kelly Pottery yes u remembered

[@jackiemorrison6024]

You do make it look easy.. buts not.. I practice almost daily..its gonna be awhile..lol

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks. Yes it takes a ton of practice. Keep it up!

[@jackiemorrison6024]

@@MatthewKellyPottery thanks Matt for responding ... you are a great potter!!!

[@Lilit13999]

👏👍😀

[@halraines9]

9:59 beautiful bowl

[@fritz5701]

Helloo....from germany , 2 pounds shut be 1kilo ......from 1kilo i make about 20 cm . Cylinder vase ca. 30 cm high 14-15 wide = 4,5 kilo

[@harrymelamed848]

Is that a stoneware clay?

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Yes it is

[@adambachert4300]

How about 3 pound vase and bottle for the next challenge

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks for the idea