AusBonsai

So this is my first attempt at making a bonsai pot. I have no training or experience...as you can see. I used air drying clay, acrylic paint and sealed it with a gloss varnish. Thoughts?

Man...that is garish .....but good on you for having a go.

As far as the technique goes, I have no experience with 'air dried clay' but I can imagine, that how ever much you try to seal the surface from moisture, it's going to find its way in, and then (I think!), the pot is doomed!!

If you're serious about making pots I really encourage you to find a Community Potters Group (and they're all over the place...try the local library for starters) and learn to use clay that can be fired and has got the ability to last for a very long time.

Good luck,
Pat

Pat K wrote:Man...that is garish .....but good on you for having a go.

As far as the technique goes, I have no experience with 'air dried clay' but I can imagine, that how ever much you try to seal the surface from moisture, it's going to find its way in, and then (I think!), the pot is doomed!!

If you're serious about making pots I really encourage you to find a Community Potters Group (and they're all over the place...try the local library for starters) and learn to use clay that can be fired and has got the ability to last for a very long time.

Good luck,
Pat

Haha cheers.i was initially making it for fun, more just mesing around knowing full well that air drying clay would more than likely now be suitable for a pot that is exposed to the weather.

In the future i definately will use proper clay and learn how to not make crappy pots. But in the mean time i get enjoyment from messing around.

If you are having fun then who cares if its going to split one day.
Air clay is equivalent to earthenware, we all use stoneware and high fire.
However having said that I have works of my own in my garden that are low fired with plants in them and doing fine after 8 years. One has been half glazed and the rest of it is painted with acrylic paint.
If you don't try a procedure then you will never know.
Enjoy what you have done and if it fits with a plant you have then go for it.
One must remember that everything has a life span .