Throwing a Moon Jar

[@stephaniebart-horvath1382]

I love your moon vase! It will probably be another decade before I can make one but it’s another of your beautiful shapes I can aspire to creating.

[@rodrigogoguiroae5598]

Great Job, Matthew, I've been learning a lot with your videos , I live in a small town in Brazil and the only way to learn is practicing on my wheel and whatching the tutorials you guys post on youtube, cheers

[@LIFELOVER715]

Really well done. Great demonstration and explanation.

[@richardavery4108]

Stunningly beautiful piece. Love the fluidity of your work. Now that you've inspired me - time to get on my wheel. Thanks again for the awesome instruction!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You’re welcome! Definitely go use the inspiration!

[@maureenmcgirr847]

Great tips. Thank you

[@zarouszz]

Moonshine style jugs taught me some collaring techniques, but you sure make it look easy. I know I'll watch this a couple more times.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Yeah some times it is still tough for me but fortunately not on that one. That clay just seemed to keep going and going. I love it when pieces end up running so true you feel like they can be any shape you want!

[@meriamschinkel4301]

Thank you so much ! I love to see and listen to your instructions!

[@clifforddalton3067]

Matt, what originally drew me to you and your work was your cleanliness of throwing and everything else to do with throwing. I see it once again in this video and I love the way you and the wheel stay clean. I know you picked this up early in your career and I admire that no end. I, alternatively have always been naturally a "clean person" in all I do; also a great deal or organisation [I think you have this aspect too]. My wheel and surroundings stay clean, I must admit though that since watching you that this has increased my cleanliness even more :) I've watched this video several times and admire how you achieve the end result. There's a lot of talent & skill that shows up in the making of the moon jar Thank you "as always" for sharing your talent with us :)

[@jakelandry9517]

Awesome demo and awesome pot. I tried today with a similar amount of clay and think by the end of bellying it out I had used too much water and it flopped, but siked to try again. Thanks for sharing!

[@clifforddalton3067]

GREAT shape Matthew, good controlled throwing. Thanks for sharing [cliff from london].

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks Cliff. I was even surprised watching the video back that I was able to bring the neck in that far. Haha. Out of body experience...

[@carollemus6887]

Great shots, I like seeing the hands work.

[@kayattarzadeh6357]

Great videos, appreciate you switching angles showing positions of your hands

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You’re welcome! We’ve been using two phones lately to record from varying angles. I’m glad it helps.

[@clifforddalton3067]

Watched this a few times to date. Correct me if I' wrong Matthew but I believe that the constant ribbing/compression and removal of slip frequently from the shoulder has made it possible to create this beautiful moonjar and with such a thin neck too. Thanks a million for taking the time to make the video. [cliff from london].

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I’d say the minimal water use is most important depending on the stiffness of the clay. The constant ribbing is mainly to shape gradually. Also using the rib on the outside is helpful bc it doesn’t stick to the dryer clay like you fingers would. I’m sure there are lots of things happening that are just second nature.

[@clifforddalton3067]

thanks for that info Matthew.

[@susantong-lim3201]

Love the shape of this pot. Thanks for sharing your process/technique! (from Ottawa, Canada)

[@kennethdante]

I should probably be practicing but here I am watching you! Super cool

[@clifforddalton3067]

always love watching this particular video, thanks Matt

[@dougrubenstein]

Great video! Really appreciate your explanations-- very comprehensive and thorough!

[@rajamar4289]

Brilliant work! Thanks for sharing!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thank you. You’re welcome.

[@ayki1201]

Perfect! Thanks

[@BrokenArrowPottery]

Perfect! So nice... ♥

[@danfergusonpottery7735]

Wow you are of master of skills excellent video thank you

[@heathersquires668]

Beautiful! I'd love to see how you trim.

[@greg9938]

Beautiful piece. How thick were your cylinder walls before you began shaping and stretching?

[@clifforddalton3067]

I think the only way to end up with such a beautifully thrown form would be the amount of `dry throwing` you do when shaping. As you said Matt, this takes a lot of practice to be able to throw dry! You are a true professional. I've watched this particular video SO many times, thanks for sharing with us :)

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You are totally correct. That shape would be difficult without throwing dry but then again it all takes practice. Cheers!

[@clifforddalton3067]

@@MatthewKellyPottery you are my "distant mentor" hehe. Thanks for all your advice and wisdom my friend.

[@UsernamesForDummies]

Beautifully done! It’s perfect.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thank you

[@lorettamiller7196]

Great lesson. 👍

[@jodispade1333]

Beautiful! You make it look soooooo easy! It looked like you brought it up to about 12 inches high ? Did it end up being about ten inches high? So if I started to practice the shape with a two pound ball of clay ,would it end up being a 5 inch jar? Thank you so much for sharing your talent! It was especially amazing that you barely used any water!

[@chubster71]

Matt .......I'm looking forward to buying one of your pieces!

[@clifforddalton3067]

Watched for the umpteenth time Matt. it really is the secret being able to throw with little to no water to be able to obtain such a gorgeous shape pot. Maybe I should practice dry throwing ; LOL. It's not all easy. very well done and thanks for sharing :) Matthew you don't need a throwing stick because you are a wizard with the rib :)

[@cindyrollins242]

Late here at commenting...would you mind sharing the type or make of that rib you favor in many videos. Love your videos..watching many videos of yours today!

[@patrickkennedy8420]

Beautiful throw. You'd think you made moon jars every day, Matthew!

[@susanwoffindin6832]

Beautiful

[@astrozoan9]

Beautiful as always!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks buddy!

[@kerrymitchell8745]

Beautiful piece, wonderful to watch you throw and shape. Cannot believe how little water you use! What type of clay are you using with this piece?

[@shuvalassaf]

I wonder how long will it take me to finally get that perfect shape. I love moon jars yours is very perfect. Thank you for the tips.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I have 25 yrs of practice and hundred of thousands of pots under my belt and the perfect pot keeps evolving and eluding me. Not that I am never satisfied but there’s always a way to improve. Good luck but don’t be too hard on yourself. We all have to grow.

[@chubster71]

I love how clean you work. I guess it's an OCD issue for me. LOL .....but you keep it all smooth and clean!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I definitely work very hard to develop good habits and one of those is working clean.

[@jamesgordon4433]

Are all your bats plastic? Really enjoy your clips. Thank you

[@elisabettallving817]

Just fantastic!! And a really helpful video, thanks a lot. I wonder if not to use much water when shaping the belly do you really use your fingertips on the inside then? Like when lifting. I feel they tend to stick to the clay. And what clay is it, any chamotte? And a suggestion; glaze it in shiny bone white, only. No other decorations. The shape speaks for itself! (I understand that this particular one is made a year ago, but next time:)). I’d try that one day. Thanks a lot for sharing! Love from Sweden🙏🇸🇪👌

[@SallyRoperPottery]

Love your videos and explanation, easy to watch and follow. Would you show us the way you trim, glaze this pot and then the final outcome?

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I will attempt to do that. I don’t trim very many pieces that I make including that one but I’ll be happy to film the glazing and the outcome.

[@martinlyngenicolaisen8232]

WOW ... amazing

[@Miomi-dh4hx]

Great, do you turn after or is it thin enough?

[@renegarcia5027]

Beautiful 🙂

[@jeff5048]

Hey Matt, I notice that you start with widening the centered clay, then with each successive pull reduce the diameter where the clay meets the bat. Could you explain the reason for this?

[@kunstigel]

Beautiful 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@yoannabaumgartner9158]

I love the round shape. Can you do one without the collar?

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I definitely could do one without the collar. I’m thinking of making two bowls and putting them together to make that shape. Just a fun experiment

[@annelythgoe1616]

Love your videos Matt. Wondering what clay you are using and what firing process and temperature. Thanks!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

This clay is Hestia from Highwater. That clay I use in my gas reduction kiln fires to cone 11. I use another blend of clays for wood firing. I’m glad you enjoy the videos.

[@zenatooze238]

Great video. Love the whole shape esp the top and the roundnessz. It’s a shape I am struggling with and I am keen to try again after watching... one question. How tall did you pull that 4 lbs before starting to stretch ? Thanks!

[@heathersquires668]

Do you trim? How?

[@jools182]

mine always collapse, you make it look easy

[@pugz265]

How thick do you leave your base? I'm always concerned my form will collapse with more extreme bellies.

[@lisaclibourn1650]

Thanks so much for the demonstration. I have such a problem with needing to use water in order to not have my fingers stick on the inside, sending it into an out of control wobble. Any advice on that or perhaps is it the quality of clay your using where you don't depend on so much water?

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thank you for your comments/question. I don't believe its the quality of the clay. I have worked for years on throwing with less water. One of the keys is to not have much water in there to begin with. If you ever have spots with water and then spots with little to no water you will get the not sticky/sticky kind of cycle that will give any pot a wonderful wobble. Learning the feel of the clay on your fingertips without much water is definitely a skill that takes time. I use the rib on the outside because it will not stick like your fingers will. I will include this idea in my 'tips and tricks' video/series I am planning in the near future so stay tuned.

[@rachelreynolds5945]

You reference a “throwing stick” Can you explain what that is?

[@mudbrains4881]

Hi Mathew Great work as always How many pound did you start with Thanks rick

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I can’t remember now but looks like 4 lbs or so

[@halraines9]

4 pounds

[@chubster71]

Do you wood fire this kind of jar? I would buy one, if so.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

I need to make some of that style for the wood kiln. Adding that to my list for firing #2

[@pauldow1648]

😊

[@ClownWhisper]

Is this cone 10 porcelain?

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

No that’s stoneware clay. I fire it to cone 11 because the glazes that I use look better at that temperature

[@ClownWhisper]

@@MatthewKellyPottery You push it around so effortlessly. I was sure that it was some kind of porcelain It just appeared a little darker than usual on the video. I almost said on the film, LOL.

[@sergeyivanov6526]

Отлично с большим уважением к вашему мастерству.

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Спасибо

[@DMTHOTH]

I think you dont know what moon jar(달항아리) is...

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

Thanks

[@brianh.9688]

Hi Matthew - Nice! Thanks for the video. I'm quite new to pottery, but shortly into my journey I found the moon jar form so appealing that I thought I'd give it go. I've struggled my way through making a few one-piece and two-piece jars. They are a lot of fun to make - and quite a challenge! I'd love to see you throw two of your 15-25 pound bowls and join them to make a huge moon jar. Here's a great video of a Korean potter making one like that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3yYp2OBj5iArrM I enjoy all of your videos and learn so much from them, but I especially like the ones when you talk to us as you throw. Thanks again!

[@MatthewKellyPottery]

You are very welcome. I will check that video out and get back to you. I intend on making most of my videos from now on with commentary and maybe even some live events as long as I have help to read chat to me. Cheers!