Who is into pottery? As a hobby or craft to make money?

-- David R In W.TN. (srimmer@charter.net), September 11, 2002

Answers

David I don't do pottery but am interested in what type of things you make. I love pottery especially the Native American style pieces. Any pics?

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), September 11, 2002.

I haven't gotten around to making any, but have an interest in it, watched a lot of it being made the old ways in Mexico where they dig their own clay and make their own glazes/paint and even make their own paint brushes and fire it in the backyard with cow patties.

-- BC (desertdewller@yahoo.com), September 11, 2002.

I've done quite a bit of ceramics. I used to have both a wheel and kiln. I made some money on the side at fairs, festivals, shows, etc. Never pursued any gallery commisions, as there are many potters in this area. Also, I was in school at the time, so that was awhile ago! Mostly I sold "modified" thrown pieces. Unfortunately the wheel and kiln were on loan, and after 5 years, my friend came to claim them back. Darn, I had aaaaaalmost come to believe he wouldn't. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted! :-)

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), September 12, 2002.

Kathy,I have not worked with pottery, like BC,I have a interest in it,I'm thinking about trying my hand at it.Patty,is working with ceramics an pottery about the same?BC,seeing pottery made using those techniques would be an education.

-- David R In W. Tn. (srimmer@charter.net), September 12, 2002.

It's really fun, you shoult play with it! Hand building, sculpting is different than throwing on a wheel. But, like I said, I did both.

I think some folks call that stuff you do on "greenware molded" pieces, ceramics and/or pottery.....? That's a different ballgame, in my opinion. Same medium, but far less "creative".

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), September 13, 2002.

David,

If you want to see a demonstration of the types that I was talking about, do a search for Mata Ortiz pottery or Casas Grande pottery, the artists (live in the pueblo of Mata Ortiz) do exhibitions all across the U.S., don't think it cost anything to watch and they also have workshops, of course the best work shops are held in Mata Ortiz. They don't use a wheel but do use a partial form for the bottom part of most of their pots (ollas).

-- BC (desertdewller@yahoo.com), September 14, 2002.