The best advice for new (and old) potters

This is the best advice I ever got about working in pottery. At first I didn't agree and was turned off by it, but the more I've worked with clay the more it's helped me.
This isn't to say that we shouldn't care and take pride in our work, or that it's wrong to think something is beautiful even if the world thinks it's a little wonky. This is just advice to help you seperate yourself from your work, it gets hard sometimes, things don't survive the process. But if you can accept that and learn to just shrug it off and keep pressing forward I think it'll really help you grow as an artist.

[@julipolito7761]

Art fair info, yes!! Thank you

[@BeardedPottery]

I finally got the art show video uploaded! Took me a long time to get it edited.

[@mindygeist7157]

Thanks so much for your information!

[@jaygardnertenor]

OMG! I say this to my students all the damn time but when they are new to clay they have a heard time accepting that concept. IT'S JUST CLAY!

[@lindaking8035]

Would love to see a vid on art show set up!

[@BeardedPottery]

Noted!

[@micheledickey4066]

It’s clay, plus time, plus plus plus! But I understand where you’re coming from. I am so bad at trying to save every dang thing. I save my glaze water and glaze chips etc. I am very very much a perfectionist and it killllls me!! I’d love to see what you do to set up for a show!!!

[@BeardedPottery]

Yeah I had to get over stuff like that. For me I started paying attention to how much time I spent on it and then what could I be spending that time on. Sometimes it's more economical to waste a little more haha. I'll try to get a show video in the works soon!

[@micheledickey4066]

@@BeardedPottery I am a handbuilder so pots take me much longer to make. If it’s something as simple as grinding the rest of a handle down and refiring I’d much rather do that. Thanks.

[@katienapper1219]

Yes art show set up would be good, I teach pottery at adult education centre and helping learners to see its just clay is a major part of the process. You are in charge of the clay the clay isn't in charge of you. 😊

[@BeardedPottery]

So true, you gotta take charge and bring your creations to life. I uploaded the art show set up video. If you look at my most recent video you can see it there

[@mavisdavisify]

My mentor told me not to treat any piece as too precious. Pots that are too precious make you afraid to try something new. Mistakes become too painful and pretty soon you stop potting. He also told me that if a pot breaks you can always make it again. If you can’t you haven’t really learned the form so you need to make more of that style of pot. Screw ups are information. Learn from it and move on.

[@knightclan4]

My Precious!!!

[@lynnadair284]

Yes show tips plz.

[@BeardedPottery]

Ok good to know people want to see it!

[@jks5861]

Im learning patience and non attachment to my stuff. Im still a beginner and have broken so many handles just putting them in the kiln. And im not steady so - yes its just clay. 🤪

[@BeardedPottery]

it gets better I promise! Just focus on mastering the basics and getting better

[@PontisCockoloicus]

What a great video. I had two major failures in the studio today. Really needed to hear this. Your so right, Its just Clay. I would really appreciate if you did make some content on markets. I am working towards my first market.

[@BeardedPottery]

Sorry for the loss, but glad this helped. I find that it helps me enjoy the wins more and laugh at the loses. When you can just laugh and keep moving it just speeds up the rate at which you grow!. I'll start working on the show video!

[@leslieg8219]

It's just clay! Love these videos.

[@lynneyoung800]

I can’t bear to break anything I’ve made so I have a graveyard of pots that I can’t or won’t sell in my garden and I let nature break them for me 😂