Well I signed up for 3 months of studio time in a pottery studio about half an hour away probably two years ago. Did I know anything about working with clay. NO ! So why did I sign up. Cause it was as cheap as a four day class. It's always about money in our family. So what did I learn?
I learned I don't like driving a half hour to play with clay. I learned I am not really a group clay player. I learned that if I could center a piece of clay first time at the wheel on my own that I just needed youtube and my own space. But I did think the studio was cool and the owner was doing a good job running it. And I found what others were making pretty neat and maybe beyond my skill set. but-
So while I seem to like throwing clay on a wheel. I don't seem to care about flat building or even the artsy part of glazes and such. So why the intrigue? I am not sure why. I just find throwing clay somewhat soothing and making a ball of clay into something useful. So while I didn't really use the 3 months of access very much. I still found I was interested in that stupid wheel.
So after about a year and doing a lot of research on wheels both new and used. ( I am not sure why used wheels are so expensive) they seem to be worth more than my 22 ft. Catalina sailboat with a trailer. I realized that I am not really interested in throwing anything over 10 pounds. So I got a bug up my butt one day and ordered a Shimpo Aspire. I wanted a wheel that I could use standing up. I wanted a wheel that I could take and work outside easily on a whim. I wanted a wheel that I could take to the park or top of a hill and throw clay with it hooked up to my car battery. But I also wanted a wheel that did not cost more than half the things I own.
I got that wheel today from good old Fed ex. Pulled it out of the box. It was a good solid weight instead of a toy. I could pick it up easily. and move it where ever. I screwed the speed handle on. Plugged it in. Slowly turned it on as it is variable speed from nothing to high. And put my hand on it to see if I could slow it down. I am a big strong guy. 6-2 208. It did not slow down as I thought it might (as I was ready to put it back in the box if it did.) My hand started to heat up fairly quickly from the friction. Next, I checked out how slow it would go. To make a long story short. I am happy and impressed with my choice. I hope to make a lot of potters jealous.
So I have had that wheel for 6 hours now and haven't made anything on it yet. Why you ask ? Cause it just looks good so clean and clay free ! Is it me or do most pottery wheels look like they belong to slobs ? I may just stare at it for a couple days.
What is the goal and purpose of this blog. I am going to throw 1 goblet a day for 365 days. It will allow me to see how my skills progress.
I went to a pottery show last year. Only saw one goblet. And I bought it. So obviously they are not too popular. At least as something to sell. Good, as I want this whole process to be about doing something because I just enjoy it and for a change not about making money. Here are some pictures of that pretty thing called a Shimpo Aspire !
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