Now that my shoulder is starting to improve, I have moved on from sketching, and spent the last couple of weeks trying to organise my working space at home.
Pottery Tools
At the start of my course I had a whirler, some mdf boards, and some basic throwing and hand tools at home. I had used clay for many years, but I had worked mainly with my hands or basic tools; using modelling or handbuilding techniques. I had regularly attended FE classes where tools and equipment and aprons were provided. There were no tools at Uclan, we were going to cover all the basic making methods except throwing, and we were going to make glazes too. Over the length of the course I bought a lot of stuff that I needed for a few weeks, but will probably never use again.
Choose making method first, then tools
In the early part of my course, I tried lots of different making methods, and as no tools were available to do borrow or share, I had to buy them. What I didnt really know or understand was that at the end of the course I would only be using one making method. This makes complete sense to me now, it was necessary to focus on one method to bring my skills up to an acceptable professional level.
I am sure that there is a post on this blog where each time I overcame a slab-building issue and started to feel a bit smug, Rob Parr pointed out a flaw that had previously escaped my attention. His professional standards and making skills are so much better than mine. It is an ongoing process, as each new project throws up challenges. I am currently working on some pieces, based on my Marsden panels from last summer. I liked the idea and the forms, but did not have time to make and remake them until they were good enough to display. I have time to realise them now, and it is much easier without the time pressure of an MA.
The concept I have, and the forms that I like, require slab building methods. I only need slab-building tools. Once you know what you are going to make, you can buy the right tools.
Essential slab-building tools
Pictured above are the tools I need going forward. With the exception of the plastic triangle (technical term!), I have had these for years. But now I have loads of other tools, a huge toolbox full. I particularly regret the slip trailer, but there are lots of other tools that I am unlikely to use again. Slab-building does not require many tools, and these are the must have basics for slab-builders.
I fear an excess of tools is just the tip of the iceberg. I brought everything home from Uclan, not just tools and equipment, but also bags of different clay, glaze test tiles, and a huge body of work. I suspect there may be another blog post in the near future about deciding what to keep and what to discard.
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