This means, if you make pots with us, expect to:
have fun, be challenged and get fully immersed in the clay
wait a while for your pots to be fired because we only fire when the kiln is jam packed full and/or when the PV panels are generating lots of energy
explore gentler alternatives to glazing, such as using terra sigillata, burnishing, mixed media cold finishing.
I slowed down. This was great for being in a more contemplative, open and kindly state of creative flow. Moreover, it meant I was putting less stuff out into a world that is already full of human gubbins. Also, my hands stopped hurting.
I chose to focus on the plants I love and The Cycle Of Life. In other words, I make plant pots and urns. Moreover, the methods and materials needed for healthy plants and sensitive urns tend to be safer, more eco-friendly, and, in my opinion, more sensorially satisfying to use than other ceramic materials and processes.
Because my pots are unglazed, I am able to stack pieces on top of each other and fill every gap in the kiln.
From this Spring onwards I will be prioritising firing the kiln when the PV panels are producing plenty of energy. This means that a greenware pot made in the winter might be sitting around for months, which is a good thing. It sometimes takes me this long to realise that I don’t actually want to turn a recyclable greenware thing into an everlasting ceramic thing.
Because PotForm only uses earthenware clays in its pop-ups and lessons, participants cannot make fully functional tableware. However, we love practicing making teapots, jugs and bowls because it is fun and it takes a lot to hone the skills. So, if you want to produce fully functional tableware, why not practice with us. Then, when you’re proficient, go to a studio that fires at higher temperatures and that does the additional glaze firings.
Get in touch if you would like more information about glazes and their ecological footprint. Once I decided to stop using them in my own practice and in PotForm's community events, a whole new world of clayfulness opened out to us.
We exploit the potential of unglazed work and enjoy all the benefits, such as using terra sigillata and burnishing to produce soft sheens. The warm tones of natural clay bodies, such as terracotta, and their surface textures are not obscured with glassy glazes. There is something so calming about both the act of burnishing and of holding a burnished bowl.
One of the most delightful outcomes of not using glazes is playing with mixed media cold finishes. Cold finishing is as eco- and user-friendly as the artist wants it to be. Get in touch to find out more about our cold finish techniques, experiments and art.
In our workshops we focus on all that juicy ‘in the moment’ stuff, such as being in the zone, exploring, discovering boundaries, and embracing flops. You may not end up with a piece that you want fired but your journey will have been expansive.
Because we will only fire when the PV panels produce excess energy and/or when the kiln is full, be prepared to wait months before your work gets fired. We can store your greenware until the firing (if wanted) but we cannot always predict when the firing dates will be. As soon as we know dates, we will be in touch to discuss whether you still want to go ahead with the firing.
Eco-concerns about firing aside, an important pottery skill is editing. Also, pottery is renown for teaching resilience. The more you push yours and clay’s boundaries, the more likely something will break, which is when learning and creative growth happens. So, ‘pivot’, ‘let go’, and when a pot doesn’t make it to the kiln, look on the bright side, beyond the shadow of disappointment. Rejoice with us when it makes its way back into the reclaim bucket.
We offer tips to help you decide which pots to carry through to a firing, such as:
Make 10 pieces then fire only one.
Don’t rush into a decision. Live with your creations as greenware for as long as it takes to decide whether you want to commit it to ever-lasting ceramic or to let it go into the reclaim.
Consider photographing your work as you go along. This might help you to take risks and push the clay beyond its limits.
Remember, I would rather do the labour-some graft of reclaim than fire a creation that won’t bring long lasting pride, joy, curiosity, usefulness.
PotForm is proud to be finding ways for hobby potters to join the slow movement, which is growing alongside the green movement. Our teachings, processes, materials and firing schedule prioritise sustainability over fast turn arounds. Moreover, if we never fired up a kiln again, stopped mining for new clay, and only used the reclaim that is already out there, we can still be happy hobby potters. Whether it is sculpting, trimming, carving or making clay particles glide through our hands on a potters wheel, PotForm’s sessions are all about the clay and how we respond to it. This is what feels intuitive, simple and is at the core of what makes pottery magical.