This is the official blog of ceramic artist & Hobby Potter Tammy Jo Schoppet. Here you'll find her continuing explorations in clay after her successfully completed project "365 Days of Clay Cups". For the love of clay...it's time to play!
This video shows the last glazing and firing of the cups (except for Cup #365...that is the finale video that's currently being rendered than uploaded...14 minutes long ;).
This video is show the Fruit of the Spirit Cups and the last few cups in the project! Hope you enjoy and get ready for the last video. Kinda sad, kinda glad!!
Thanks so much for watching and supporting me throughout the year!
2 Kiln loads, one right after the other, just shows you how different every kiln load can be :) Lots of chat in this video about each cup and how it turned out. so I'll keep this brief. End result? Love the Amaco Firebrick Red, I just need to learn how to layer it so it doesn't make a mess...here is the layering chart that shows what I was working off of when combining the Red and Oil Spot ..didn't blend well with the temmokou though. http://www.amaco.com/amaco-school/layering-amaco-glazes/#layering-pc59 Also need to work on the Textured Oasis, it could be a pretty color, I just haven't figured out how I would use it yet.
All in all, this was a surprise load with some good results! Now I'm just waiting on the last load of the project (should be able to crack it open at about 2:30pm PST) I'll make the videos as soon as I can and will upload them. I'm all full of different emotions, excitement, anticipation, a little sadness, relief, satisfaction...those are just a few that popped into my head..lol!
Thank you so much for watching !!! Tammy Jo
I'll be updating my Tammy Jo Hobby Potter facebook page if you would like to come on by and friend me...I'll accept!!! I get so inspired seeing other people clay work or just chatting about clay!! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001569625633
Yes, cutting it a little close, but here is the glazing video for the 11th firing! I'll be uploading the #11th Kiln Opening as soon as this video is finished. Still have one final kiln opening....it's actually firing right now...and then cup #365!
#1 Accountability & Accomplishment -- I couldn't do it alone!
This was a team effort!!! I got asked the other day what made me decide to post videos on YouTube. Well, the two things I needed most to become a proficient potter would be satisfied by a project of this kind. There was instructional critiques and repetitious accountability.
Attending classes wasn't possible, so this was my solution to a simulated classroom setting. On YouTube there were people who knew what they were doing when it came to pottery (I know because I'd watch their videos before the project) and hoped there would be other people that I could communicate with that loved pottery as much as I did. There was also the "kick me in the backside" effect I needed to get motivated because others were expecting me to keep my word.
The gratitude I feel is tremendous because of all the support, assistance and encouragement I've received from different people throughout the year (some are still here and some have moved on). Every single one of you has been perfectly timed to spur me on another day, and hopefully I've been able to contribute and give something back. It almost feels like a lopsided trade...what can I do to reciprocate all that I've been given.
From day one I told myself that I publish videos and I'm only talking to myself it would be fine, there was something in me that needed to finish to just prove to myself that I could. This is the 1st New Years resolution that I have thought about everyday and actually accomplished! Everyone needs to try it, it's rather liberating!
Thank you all so much! The cup #365 is the last cup of the Fruit of the Spirit series...Self Control, and because all of you have helped me continue with the spirit of self control, I'm dedicating the last cup to you! Enjoy!
PS (It's still in the kiln so I'm not sure how this is going to end...LOL! )
When I first started this project, I had a general plan on how I thought I could accomplish the task of creating 365 Days of Clay Cups ... the grandeur task of making 1cup per day for an entire year.
I did some pretty crazy stuff at the beginning to keep my word and hit this goal! Since this is my hobby and not my livelihood, I had other responsibilities that had to come first. This meant I'd be out in my freezing cold, wet shop at 11:45 at night, just so I could throw my 1 cup. In March 2011 I had an unexpected emergency room visit that changed everything. People could say, "She didn't meet her goal of throwing 1 cup a day like she stated in the beginning". This is true, I didn't throw one cup a day, but adjusted the goal to throw 1 cup for everyday of the year. I COULD have given up on my goal because I had to miss some days of throwing, but I'm a firm believer our lives (like this project) are full of little adjustments to reach an ultimate goal. It's just like trying to drive your car straight without making mini adjustments in your steering, if you don't you'll drive off the road!
My ultimate goal was to become a better, proficient potter, and all that entailed. In doing so I made a little adjustment, which led me to think more clearly about the other processes in my workshop and how to streamline those. As I became more proficient I also wanted to become more efficient, which was another dimension to the project I didn't anticipate.
I believe I've met my goal the ultimate goal and there is no way I could have done it without the help and support of you all...but that is for tomorrows #1!
PS: I have had this cup in my head since the beginning of the year! I've had people ask me if I could make a guitar cup for them and told them ...I can only make one for my son :) He says he likes it and will glaze it whatever colors he likes
YEAH! Little longer than my usual videos (with a "glitch in the matrix" I duplicated a piece of the clip because I was rushing ;). Since I know I won't have time to take individual cup photos before the 31st, I wanted to show as much as I could in video :)
So HAPPY with this load & thrilled with the new colors! As I type this the kiln is firing glaze load #11! Glaze Load #12 will be the final round with the final cup!
Tammy Jo's TOP 10 from 2011 - Lessons I've learned...
#3 -- Open Minded Pottery -- Lessons from my son.
This cup I made for my son Adam! As some of you know I homeschool my 4 children, up until high school. Adam is my youngest and he has an incredibly creative streak for inventing, science and architecture (hence the mechanical look of the cup;). He has above average intelligence for his age but he deals with a learning disability called Pragmatic Language Impairment (PLI) (basically it's form of autism where there are challenges with the semantic aspect of language ...the meaning of what is being said...and the pragmatics of language. The bottomline -- He learns best by reading words instead of hearing them!
His challenges and amazing accomplishments have proven to me that there is more than one way learn and to be open minded enough for different ways to accomplish a task. "Open minded pottery"...it really doesn't matter whether someone is a 3rd generation potter, university graduate or a youtube watching enthusiast..., everyone has something to contribute from their level of experience. With that contribution, we should all respect the differences. If someone makes amazing work all alone in their garage, without the respected educational background, it doesn't change the amazing-ness of their work! Hopefully that made sense...I'm just trying to say that even though potters don't always take the same path, each path has its value in the whole scheme of learning and growing in clay!
Thank you my son, you are a wonderful blessing~ Love Mom :)
Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy this cup! ! Tammy Jo
PS Unfortunately I didn't check my camera angle while making this cup so you won't get to see the attachment of the pieces.
There is something about this shape that has always pleased me... I love going off the beaten path! ~~~~~
Tammy's TOP 10 of 2011: What I've learned this year... #4 - 2% Technique & 98% Opinion = ART "What's beautiful to me may not be beautiful to you!" That is the "beauty" of the variety in creating art! This concept took me sometime to realize...(up until very recently actually). There are specific laws, if you will, on creating good form and function, but not every piece that is made will conform to that idea. The whole idea of art is to express YOURSELF! This project has given me skills to use so I may begin creating with clay the images/impressions/concepts that make my heart sing. Will people love every piece?..nope... When I look back on all of these cups, do I love every cup?...nope. But I've learned that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that excites me! It opens up so many avenues of discussion and education. To know that people can be free to share their artwork, whether anyone else likes it or not, is a wonderful gift!
All the cups have been bisque fired! You may see a couple cups that haven't been shown yet...but the final cup you won't be seeing yet ;)! It's so strange to think that the cups I pulled out of the kiln will be the last for this exciting project!
Tammy's TOP 10 of 2011: What I've learned this year...
#5 Disasters Can Be Delightful! Never give up hope! There is a side of me that really enjoys making something out of a possible nothing. I have to say that some of my most favorite cups are the ones I should have (at some point) thrown into the recycle bin! Working with these cups some how made me feel more free to create...and that's what it's all about for me!
#6 Repetition is a GOOD thing! Knowing thyself! Against my nature of disliking anything monotonous,I chose to throw 365 different cups. In retrospect, it would have been easier if I had just decided to repeat the same cup over and over. I would probably have become more proficient more quickly, and quite possibly even progressed farther than I have come today by doing so. The challenge I was also trying to conquer was maintaining momentum for 365 Days. I'm glad I chose the path I did, I MADE IT TO THE END, yet after the project is over I'll probably be making more sets and practicing duplication, as I honestly believe this would be much more efficient road to progress!
First I'd like to wish you a wonderful Christmas and hope you all enjoy this special day where ever you are in the world! Thank you so much for coming along on my journey and encouraging and hopefully enjoying it with me!
I feel like I've made some very special friends this past year through Youtube and Facebook & Twitter because I was blessed with a silly idea to make cups!
My family has experienced some ups and downs on Christmas throughout the years, but have always found our peace & even witnessed miracles! As some of you probably know I am a Christian and do my best to live my life in a way that is pleasing to God. It's really where I find my biggest peace & joy even though I'm not perfect :) It's okay if we aren't in sync with that view...I'm all for walking the walk before talking the talk...so no preachin' from me unless you ask or wanna here, then I'll be very happy to share...so don't panic...LOL!
When times were rough I started a tradition , that each year on Christmas I set new goals for the coming year...I write myself a personal note with the list, then I stick it in my stocking to be boxed up until next year. Some years I've opened the stocking completely forgetting what I had written...and some of them still happened! Yet, this is the first year I can actually claim the fact I thought of a goal EVERY SINGLE DAY for the entire year....I can bet you know what it was!
Thank you so much for helping me make this happen! Christmas is a season of sharing, so be sure to share yourself, your gifts and your joy with someone who really needs it and it's even more special if they can't repay you!. Be a blessing this Christmas!
Enjoy the holiday & "God bless us every one " ;)
Tammy Jo
As you may have noticed on these last videos...I've inserted slides/photos from throughout the year, this clip has Addy the workshop cat (what a sweety she was) and my list to help me get a grip on what day would be what cup# (don't think I've shown it before ;)
Tammy's TOP 10 of 2011: What I've learned this year...
#7. "Enough is as Good as a Feast"
My favorite Mary Poppin's phrase that in some ways has become my own personal mantra! The concept of "enough" was something I pondered on with each and every cup and video! Have I trimmed "enough" or when I'm decorating or adorning is it a feast or too much? Being satisfied with what's been done is still a very difficult thing for me, because I can always see ways to fix it or add more... but I realize... More is not always better...sometimes is just "more".
#8. Moving from Technique to Creativity
I'm not exactly sure when the switch over happened, but there was a moment in time when the "how" (technique) didn't matter as much as the "why" & "what"(creativity) I was producing. My focus changed! In other words, once I had my basic techniques, "what" I was making began to fill my mind and the gathering or the "how" slowed down. Don't get me wrong, I'm always learning new things and happy to do so, but when I was able to really focus on the creating, the project took on a whole new dimension.
#9 . Practice Makes Better - Never Perfect...so don't get hung up on it!
One thing this journey has taught me is that the destination of perfection in pottery is ambiguous. It's ever changing because your skills & perspectives are always growing and changing. Even with all the years of skills, pottery (if they are trying anything new) will fall. Even now, the next few cups (foreshadowing ;) are not the best I've ever made. Why? Because everything hand made is different. Some cups I thought were amazing a few months ago are not so amazing to me today. That's why I love working with clay...there is always the element of surprise!
#10. Find What Techniques Work Best For YOU!
When it came to the basics...I learned not everyone uses the same techniques (and some people can be pretty adamant about the benefits of their own technique). No one technique will fit every person, so I decided on which ones gave me the best results (for me) then practiced them over and over to work towards mastery! ..........
Well folks....this is it! 10 more cup throwing videos!! Can you believe it? :D There is a lot of reflection going on nearing the end of the project.( Listen to this song while watching the video...No copyright infringement this way :D The Final Coundown )
I can honestly say I now feel comfortable about throwing cups! For the last clips I wanted to share some of the important lessons I've learned along the way:
Tammy's TOP 10 of 2011:
#10. Find What Techniques Work Best For YOU!
When it came to the basics...I learned not everyone uses the same techniques (and some people can be pretty adamant about the benefits of their own technique). No one technique will fit every person, so I decided on which ones gave me the best results (for me) then practiced them over and over to work towards mastery! ..........
"Meekness that is Gentleness" (not weakness!) The humble spirit of true humility that treats others needs with TRUE compassion and consideration.
This cup speaks of "gentleness" to me. It's simple and smooth. It doesn't draw attention to itself, is unadorned and has no sharp angles to get caught up in...humble. It's small enough to fade in the background allowing others to shine and be seen first before itself. It's gentle, meek (remember...meek is not weak) and is "others" focused.
One more cup to go and alas, the last cup in the series is "Self Control" which (as you can probably gather) is Cup #365 :)
Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy and are inspired as I have been!
365 Days of Clay Cups and only 12 more to go! Here is another test tumbler that just got classed up by the music of James Anest...great voice I tell ya! A simple tumbler just became "Embraceable".
What's up today: I'm going to be doing hand glazing in the house and creating the name strips for the cup. So far I have a list of 75ish names to put on the final cup...hoping this all works out well! Super excited about it!! Also some other news...the final cup will be the final "Fruit of the Spirit" Series cup..."Self Control" :)
Enjoyed making this baby!! I really felt like testing my limits on this pulled handle. Since it was still wet I knew there was some room to play! After editing the video I realized that I didn't get a super clear shot of the cleaned up handle after sponging the base...it's cleaned up I assure you :D. It's a cup that made me clap a little and say, "Okay, now that turned out pretty cool!" Hope you enjoy!
After making this cup I realized I wanted to give it something to sit on, so away I went making a pinched saucer This was fun!
Now I'm starting to ponder glazes and all the cups left for the kiln runs. I'm thinking I have 1 bisque load left, but probably about 4 glaze firings to finish all the cups! Yikes...what an electric bill..LOL!!!
I'm sure if you work in any kind of art you've come across days/moments when things could just have been a little better, but you settle for what you get ;) This cup/bowl was kept on purpose because I knew how I felt when I made it...
This is what I'll call one of my "Let's just get this thing done!" cups. I decided right after throwing this cup (that looks more like a bowl), that whatever goal I set for next year will have guidelines to prevent me from burn out (hence the "slightly" cheesy music;)
Understanding this just thrilled me to the bone and gave next years ceramics new life for me...exactly what I needed! It WILL remain fun (as it will remain a hobby and not my bread and butter) and since I'm not afraid of hard work (it's actually fun for me), I think I'll make it more time efficient and less mass production intensive.
NOW I can say I'm looking forward to the end of this project and 2012 times with clay !!!
I like this little cup, but it seems to be an ambiguous size. Not really a tea bowl, yunomi and too big for an espresso shot glass. So call it what you will, but you CAN drink out of it and it's a cute little form :D! Hope you enjoy the entrance into the holiday season music....kind of a dark Sugar Plum Fairy ...thought it was interesting :D
This video is mostly discussion...4 minutes worth ;) Just sat down and started rambling...I mean talking..lol! Thanks to those giving ideas for the final cup...I put them together and now just can't wait to make it happen...it almost feels the it did when I started the whole project....it's a perfect circle!!!
Cup# 347 - Tried to make a more free form tea bowl ...not as easy as it looks..lol, but GREAT fun to do. This cup worked from beginning to end like clockwork...it was nice :)
Thanks so much for watching and hope you enjoy!
Tammy Jo ~
I kept these 2 cups in the same video because I made their handles at the same time :) Cup #345 was a great shape until I "squished" it when trying to stick it to the bat while trimming...still came out cute ;)
This cup is actually more comfortable that in probably looks...lol!. Unfortunately had a little tech difficulty on this one...batteries ran out in the middle of making the handle :)
Learning about what I like to see in a cups form is that if one portion is perfect, another must be imperfect. For example if the form is basic, the handle should look organic...that's just how I like to make 'em :D!
I don't remember if I mentioned this before (may have), but when I was a teenager I worked at the Egyptian Museum in San Jose and lots of time was spent in the galleries with ancient artifacts, pottery, mummies etc. (along with washing a lot of windows and giving tours of the tomb ;). At that time I learned to really enjoy "archaeology" and the treasures of old...the form of this cup just reminds me!
There isn't anything about this cup I would change!
Thank you for watching and hope you enjoy it as well :) ~ Tammy Jo
I really wanted to bend my clay!...Do you ever have days like this?... This handle was not premeditated so I chopped out the extra time it took to decide what to do :) Just really wanted to have fun with it!
Hope y'all enjoy!
Tammy Jo
http://www.hobbypotter.com
I'm not sure if I'm buckling under the pressure (I usually perform my best under pressure) or if I'm just getting careless when it comes to throwing.. :) This is the 2nd cup in the last few days that I've had difficulties with. In truth, the challenge didn't happen until I decided to try and alter it after the throw but.....I just can't give up on a cup!!!
It made a pretty interesting piece when it was finished :D!!!
Hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave your questions and comments!
Thanks for watching!
Tammy Jo
I've been spending "sit time" looking for fresh new cup ideas and want to send a huge thank you to a YouTube viewer who sent me the book "500 Cups - Ceramic Explorations of Utility & Grace"...in the 11th hour this book is a life saver of new inspiring ideas!
I really enjoy the shape of this style chawan tea bowl. It feels good in the hand and the form is pleasing to me...it's a win in my book and I hope you think so too :D
I'm going to need to make a slide show of these cups as I just couldn't get the right lighting to share the results with you (did the best I could though..lol ;)!
Glazes used: Fern Mist, Colonial White by Laguna & True Celadon, Shino and Oil Spot by Amaco. I've never combined the Oil Spot with the True Celadon and it had some interesting results. The celedon unfortunately is very difficult to work with as it takes a long time to soak in and dry...very messy at times.
As I said in this clip I really need to get some different dipping colors to have a larger variety of cups. There is always the brush glazes I guess ;) !!!
Hope you enjoy and thanks for watching!! Warmly ~ Tammy Jo! Category:
(Sorry...maybe more talking than cup making as I used the "Magic Movie" feature in my edit software :/ ) Okay, I was in such a hurry to upload this video I didn't review it ...yikes!... I forgot to edit out an important family discussion. Talk about asking for trouble with the troops! Fortunately I set the video on private in so it didn't go live, so I just fixed it and re-uploaded a shorter version...Hope you like it!
Thought bubble: How to write an original description for 336 cups...lol! Doing a little talking at the start and showing the cup at the end of the video, hope you enjoy :) !!!!
The 7th cup in the "Fruit of the Spirit" cups series...read on to see how this cup relates to this character trait/fruit.
Faithfulness -"Is the act and virtue of being devoted, unwavering, loyal and "full of faith". To expand on that concept of "full of faith" is basically "believing before seeing". Even trying to put this definition into words requires a form of faith because it's almost an ambiguous concept unless you have personally experienced it yourself! Let me explain...
The saying, "...even with faith the size of a mustard seed you can move this mountain" means... faith, no matter how small, can be strong enough to move a mountain...it's a metaphor...it doesn't mean you will necessarily to push it (then again it may), but it means that there is a way to move that mountain and if you believe, it will be presented to you...never underestimate the power of faith!
Now, I'm not going to share all my personal faith views right here, right now...it's just not how I want this to roll...I'll share at the end of the series is over, but I can say this cup is definitely a symbolic cup for my personal walk and also for this whole cup project. There was faith with this cup even as it "crashed and burned" that I could still make it into a cup....a pretty darn cute one too! ;)
At the beginning of this project, I had faith the size of a mustard seed. 365 days is a BIG chunk of time commitment to something that I had only done for about 2 weeks out of a couple summers...I did believe I could do it for one day (mustard seed)...and my vision has grown as time has gone on (the matured mustard plant). Now I can say I'm "full of faith" or that my "faithfulness" is coming to pass for this project...believing before seeing...that's what it is...just like in my personal faith journey ;)
Hopefully this all makes sense and that you enjoyed this cup!
Thanks for watching!!!
Tammy Jo
Everything, greenware wise, was inside this load...(except what was drying in the house). Had some fun finding royalty free music the other day and gave a simple bisque fire some "unusual" personality..lol!
Gave me a giggle anyway ;) ....... Did everything make it?
