Potting around the garage - II

In my earlier post I mentioned one of my goals was to go back to potting or throwing pots . I miscalculated my potter's guild meeting and reached there a week early. I can't wait for this Wednesday to go and meet all the wonderful artists that comprise the guild.
Meanwhile, I cleaned out the tandem garage space we had decided for my studio. There were lots of cobwebs on the walls and some twenty dead bugs on the window sill. I cleaned all that up and took stock of my clay supply.
I had two 25lb bags of clay in a hard cheese state. Early on, when I started taking pottery lessons, the whole class was taught the basics of how to reclaim clay. Bone dry clay is easier to reclaim. You just have to immerse it in water and let it turn to mush. After a few days, dry out the excess water from the mush by slapping it on plaster boards.


Cheese hard clay, which I had, is a little bit trickier to reclaim. You have to cut the block in lots of layers, poke holes in them, layer them on top of each other while spraying water on each layer. The layers thus reassembled have to be wrapped up in plastic and left to marinate and soften for at least a week or two. Which is exactly what I did with mine.
Next week I go to Atlanta to spend some time with one of my best friends, S. When I come back the clay will be waiting for me and I for the clay.

Potting around the garage

Four months ago when I started this blog, it was not only with the intention of writing down moments of my life as a mother, a cook and a homemaker but also to chart my progress as a potter (it says so in my blog description).
I started throwing pots (that is ceramic jargon for making pots not breaking them) about eight years ago. It started as a hobby class in the local community college but I loved the process of creating pots and bottles and vases out of clay so much I never stopped throwing till three years ago. My adorable son was born and between raising him, two long trips to India and my soccer mom schedule, I never really got around to sit on the wheel.

Last year Tushar bought me a potter’s wheel and we set it up in the garage. A neighbor helped us put up shelves and tidy up the place, but it was either too hot or too cold to work in the garage. Somehow a year has passed and I am writing this post with the intention that by next month I will start throwing again (Fingers crossed).

Today, I dragged out from the garage two boxes filled with my earlier pots and decided to photograph them, as an inspiration/ reminder that I need to start potting (throwing) again.
Tomorrow, I attend a Texas Potters and Sculptures guild meeting and get to meet fellow potters. They are a creative bunch and some have been potting for years. Hopefully with the encouragement, guidance and support of these like minded people, I’ll start potting within the next month.
Will keep you updated.