I'm beginning to work up Pottery.About.com's project list for 2010. I've got many ideas, but I'd also like your input!

What kind of projects would you like to see? What projects would you like to have step-by-step instructions for?

Project ideas could be specific types of pottery, such as pitchers (Jan 2009) and lidded jars (March 2009). Ideas could also be specific techniques, such as underglazes (April 2009) and sgraffito (September - October 2009). Or perhaps you'd like to see a project that is geared toward some other focus, like the animal and people pots of May, 2009.

All thoughts are welcome! Please share your ideas and desires here or post them on the forum!

I'm not sure whether to cringe or not, although I am definitely leaning toward the "duck and cover". Bravo TV has announced casting calls for a new reality show, The Untitled Art Project. Did erst-while potter Jonathan Adler put them up to this?

Thinking about it, probably not. After all, they left the ceramic arts out of their listed media ("painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography, mixed-media") although of course a potter-artist could possibly slide under the guise of sculpture. I can't decide if I'm relieved or annoyed by the omission.

I may be a mud-soaked throwback, but I do believe I am going to avoid that show at all costs.... I like the quiet and solitude of my studio and have little interest in hearing the histrionic squabbles of art celebrity wannabes. How about you?

Photos © 2009 Kate Pullen

Kate Pullen's napkin ring is the cat's meow! Learn about air dry clay and how Kate made this napkin ring!

Have your own special Table Touches? The Table Touches Project is extended through the end of July!

I can't seem to keep it really wordless, but here are more Wordless Wednesdays on About.com and other Wordless Wednesday Blogs...

Have you ever heard of William Morris? He is often credited with being the originator of the Arts and Crafts Movement and had huge influence on thoughts regarding architecture, design, and even lifestyles.

Morris said, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." ....Think on that a moment. What tremendous ramifications that would have on many of our lives if that was truly how we lived. For myself, I also find those words and the concept as inspirational.

After re-reading that quote from Morris, I began looking at my house and the things in it a bit more closely. As a potter, I create both sculptural and functional work. My last kiln-load included sets of pedestal mugs and tumblers for two different people. And yet... I shudder to admit it, but my own coffee is in a nondescript glass mug.

I think it is time to make some pots out of pure selfishness. I want a mug I love as much as I love my coffee! How about you? (Or have you made your own dinnerware and mugs long ago?)

Some of the hardest events we face are also the hardest to talk about. Losing a loved one leaves us grieving. For many of us, talking through our grief can be nearly impossible.

Non-verbal expression can help. Elaine Dzwonkowski is a coordinator for New Hope Center for Grief Support. In a recent article, she spoke about the benefits of using pottery as art therapy with grieving children and teens. "Many times children aren't able to express themselves verbally, so they do it through play or art. This is a good way for them to express their grief."

Do you know of someone who has had a recent loss? Perhaps you could reach out to them, invite them into your studio, and give them the opportunity to express themselves through clay. When words fail, pottery can help.

Have you heard about pottery contests, with potters throwing bigger, faster, and more pieces in a set amount of time? Since most of us potters are fairly solitary creatures, it may be amazing to see both amateur and professional potters go head to head in throwing contests.

As one example of a pottery contest, let's look at the end of June in Manitou Springs. Held just outside Colorado Springs, this festival had a grand turnout for their 19th annual pottery contests. Competitions included contests to form the highest pots in a set amount of time, but also the prettiest pots, matched sets of pots, pots formed by two-person teams, the best pots shaped by one hand, and the best pots shaped using no hands at all. (I wish I'd been there to see that last contest!)

In other pottery contest news, during the Ceramics Southeast Potters' Fayre (at the Aylesford Priory in Kent, UK), they held a Guinness World Record attempt for making the most amount of pots during an hour. The two top contenders were then- world-record holder, Mary Chappelhow and Mark ‘Billy’ Byles. In order to usurp Chapelhow, Byles needed to throw more than 83 pots that also met Guinness’s size and quality specifications.

Who won? Congratulations to Byles who threw an impressive 150 pots in the allotted hour! Even though Chappelhow outdid her old record by throwing 118 pots, she couldn't catch him.

Don't you love how many different ways you can have fun with your clay?

One of the things I love is picking fresh veggies and herbs and using them on the spot. One thing I have been getting more and more intrigued with is the thought of creating a container garden, in which the containers are just as important as the plants.

I've also used run across another cool idea for container gardening.... Guide Patti Wigington (Paganism and Wicca) has a great article on creating an elemental garden. I'm not a pagan or Wiccan, but I love the thought of creating a garden especially for nurturing the spirit with calmness and beauty. Even more, I love the thought of creating pottery containers and mini-garden accessories that would be personal to me and my own approach to life, spiritually and physically.

Have you done anything similar? Do you make pots for plants, container gardens, or for spiritual refuges? Please, share here in a comment or share comments and pictures on the Pottery Forum!

Maire Loughran, About.com's Guide to Arts/Crafts Businesses, has some valuable resources listed on her site if you are thinking of selling your pottery online.
Helpful information about online marketplaces:

• Artfire
• Ruby Lane
• eBay
• Yahoo! Store

The anticipation of opening the kiln. Will what lurks within be a happy sight, or one to sink the heart into one's toes?


Happiness!
Photos © 2009 Beth E Peterson

I can't seem to keep it really wordless, but here are more Wordless Wednesdays on About.com and other Wordless Wednesday Blogs...

sing to Tom Paxton's tune of "Wasn't That a Party"

Could-a been the ball clay, might-a been the tin.
Could-a been the three or four cone packs, I don't know,
But look at the mess my kiln's in!
Pots melted to the kiln shelves, I think I'm going to die.
But tell me, me oh, me oh my,
Isn't that a-Pottery?

So tell me...what pottery songs do you sing? (This was mine when I had tried several new glazes and was then a-waiting for the glaze kiln to finish.)