05/31/2026
Making a design come to life in clay is a bit of a long game. I spend a long time thinking before beginning any new idea, and quite often my first attempt is more of a sketch to work out the process. Often times the first try fails, but I always learn how to do better the next time.
So what’s wrong with this pot? I threw the bottom too thin for what I was trying to do here, but that wasn’t evident to me until I was pretty far along in the carving.
I had also never completely carved the windows out before, which I quickly realized would nullify the hidden drainage of the double walled pot if I carved the lower windows too. Oops! So I adjusted and only carved the top windows.
I was also testing some new to me underglazes, and while I did some small tests, I wasn’t sure how they would all work together. This “risk” was totally worth it as they worked perfectly together. But as the pot was drying a giant crack developed around 2/3 of the base and I worried that patching and firing would only make the crack grow larger.
I decided to fire it anyway and much to my surprise, the patch kept the crack from growing larger, even in the second firing for glaze. I debated whether I wanted to risk firing a third time to add the mother of pearl and gold lusters, but I am so happy I did!
And while it’s not functional in the way I had hoped, all these little mistakes have taught me how to make the next one better. And I am working on a strategy to add lights and keep the drainage (and water) separate so we can have a hanging lighted planter, because … more is more!
The morale of the story: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Especially with clay!
