Is production a dirty word?

In the past few weeks I have had a mind snap.

Snap! I could feel it.

My mind clicked out of the stress of last year and begun to simmer or settle down enough to throw pots again.

I was having trouble staying at the wheel and I believe it was just all the stress of last year's fire and other things as well.....

Then one day- snap it was if I could really think again.

And since then I have been in the mode of making pots.

On the wheel and off.

I try to throw in the mornings and after lunch.

Then I switch over to the slab roller to roll out clay for tray's and bread bowls.

It seems to be working for me.

So here is some of last weeks work.

Mark was on vases, casseroles,large spoon crocks and mugs.

I was on tumblers, jars, cruets, small crocks, trays and bread bowls.

This week I will add in some time for loading up the bisque kiln and getting pots through for another glaze firing.

So about production.

We both trained as production throwers.

We weigh out our clay, knowing what we are going to make.

We make multiple items, using a pointer for size.

We try to hit the shape over and over.

Then there are items which we don't do this with.

Those items can take on their own shape and be played with.

I still find some comfort in throwing production. It is like an old friend who allows me to just hang out.

I also find through production a new item will start to form in my mind.

What if.......

Comfort in clay,

Focus and stability.