Pages

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

my creative space

The kiln gods have been kind to me of late; my new batch of clear gloss glaze works perfectly. Phew. I've been preparing work for a Christmas retail showcase in Brisbane this year, but now that most of the pieces are finished, I'm having a confidence crisis. So my creative space is full of glazed pots. I was asked to make some feather pots without the coloured glazes, so 2 of these square slip-cast sets are just clear gloss glazed. I like them, but I worry that they are too plain; there is only one or two feathers on just one side of each piece and now I feel I should have painted more feathers. I've been making this collection with the bright glazes for 5 months now, maybe I'm just too used to them.
Lined up like this, they look great, simple with a touch of colour. I've finally perfected the paint layers to achieve those bright colours.
But when seated together, they look so...white. Not even white, because the clay is stoneware, not porcelain. The bases are a little uneven too, so they wobble a bit. This can't be helped, some pots have a tendancy to warp in the kiln, especially wide flat pieces like the trays. I feel like the quality should be higher for a high profile retail showcase like this. But at the same time I can't see a way that I could have improved the production and that the point of the showcase is to promote handmade. That means imperfect.
I'm so worried that I'll send these to Brisbane and they won't like them! What if I'm told that they're no good?! I'll have ruined my first wholesale opportunity! I'd love to hear some advice from folks who are in/have been in this situation? For now I will calm myself with tea and tim tams and visit Kootoyoo to distract myself.

11 comments:

  1. I love the look of these - beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. They are gorgeous! I wouldn't worry at all (I know this is easier said than done).

    ReplyDelete
  3. they're absolutely beautiful! i can't imagine anyone not loving them!
    xox

    ReplyDelete
  4. No way! You don't need to think like that. The feather is simple and elegant. On wanderings - if I happen across any - it's usually just the one feather, I liken your images to that. It always seems a bit special to find a feather.
    As for hand made and imperfections, I say it's made as it's meant to be, the wonderful thing about handmade for me is that everyone makes with their own unique imprint and I love that sort of information and detail, makes it more special:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I really don't think that you have anything to worry about. Your work is beautiful and they wouldn't have contacted you if they didn't love what you make :) We can all be to critical of ourselves at times so yes sit down and have a tim tam and stop worrying :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. The people in Brisbane will love them. I think they're gorgeous. I have a preference for items that don't look mass produced - a slightly odd shape can make a piece seem all the more personal. No two alike, it's a great feature of handmade.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think they are beautiful! And different. I haven't seen anything like them around. We are always our own hardest critic. And it could be that you've been looking at them for too long - that happens to me a lot. All the best. I'm sure they will do really well!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ugh, not in a million years would someone say these aren't good..They are fantastic!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your work is lovely. I love your reference to 'the kiln gods' - I imagine it does come down to being on their good side sometimes!!

    It's nicer when things are not perfect. It's the badge of handmade. x

    ReplyDelete
  10. they are really gorgeous. i think they will go well. nerves are natural! i agree re handmade = not perfect :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. They look great! I think everyone will love them! I like the way the inside of the pot is matching the feather. Also, one feather looks very stylish and give a hint of colour but not too much either! Perfect! I wouldn't worry if I were you:)

    ReplyDelete

Hello! Thank you in advance if you are leaving a comment! If you leave your email address, you might get a nice reply from me!