How I get started with pottery? I know we mostly spend our lives online ever since this pandemic started. During the quarantine, I was mindlessly scrolling through social media and I came across a few locals ceramicist and their stoneware pieces and started following them. From then on, I started following more and more ceramicists from all around the globe and even started subscribing to some Youtube channels. Most of them were sharing their process and techniques, and that got me really fascinated with pottery. It just amazes me how one can build something out of the ground and turn it into something beautiful, and useful. I initially just wanted to start collecting mugs from direct ceramicists to support their craft, but then I came across @potterysessions on Instagram. She offers Clay at Home starter kit, and I decided to get one. I didn’t avail the one with the workshop because I couldn’t afford it at that time. I was glad though that the kit has basic instructions and fundamental notes. Also, thanks to Google and Youtube, I survived. Anyway, after finishing all 2kg clay that was included in the kit, it made me want to make pottery a hobby.

These are all taken using my instax camera | Also bought white clay from @potterysessions | Taught mama few knowledge I learned about pottery. She made her very first plate and saucer. 12/12 

Last week, I finally got my finished pieces. There were mishaps along the way. Two of my works handle broke when I sent them off for firing. Anyway, I was disappointed and satisfied at the same time with the outcome. I only kept 2 mugs with me and I gave away the two to my brother and I gifted the other two to my boyf, and my bbghorl. So yea, pottery really makes me happy right now. It’s therapeutic. It’s keeping me sane. Oh, the joy it gives playing with clay! Every time I mold the clay it makes me love everything about pottery–the long and tedious process, and the hard work that goes into each piece. I hope I can learn more about this craft. I’m excited to see my other pieces from the online workshop I attended last month. Will be making a separate post about it soon. 

 Btw, here are few things I’ve learned:

• Bone dry pieces are the most fragile so be extra careful with how you should pack them when sending them off for firing.
• Works shrink when fired, so be sure to make big mugs so it can hold a nice amount of liquid.
• Always leave a half-inch space at the bottom or put an indication so you have a guide for the glaze. Not really advisable to glaze the bottom part of your works because it will stick to the kiln unless you wax resist.
• Make sure to wedge/knead your clay to get rid of air pockets. Air pockets can cause your works to explode in the kiln.
• Thick glaze can cause cracking.

First mug I ever made: Heart mug | Kept this one. Love the glaze color of this one! 10/24; Boob mug. Handle broke during delivery | Gave this to my brother and his girlfriend 11/15; My favorite work: Moon mug | There are cracks inside due to thick glazing 11/15; Face mug | I like this one but I’m not fond of the glaze color so also gave it to my bro. 11/20; Asis’ wood like textured mug but carving barely noticeable due to thick and dark glazing 11/19; Bbghorl Kaye’s heart handle mug but handle also broke during delivery 11/18

I was supposed to glaze my own works but couldn’t come due to health issues, and the grab fee to and fro was so expensive (Sta. Mesa to Fairview), so I just had them glazed by Ms. Cath.