Making an oval pot - a potter tale retold

[mudlarkpottery]

If you can, that would be great! I'll buy the fibre as soon as this exhibition is over and done with. I'll have more time then.
Penny.

[Shane]

Paul,
Thank you for posting this photo essay of the creation of these oval pots. This thread was the reason I came to AusBonsai. It has taken me two nights to read the whole thread (twice).

I had tried three oval pots using a "leaf" method (unfortunately only one after the other, not three at once), where a round pot is thrown and then a leaf () cut from the base and the base pushed together then sealed. Nothing but trouble and not one successful pot; crooked sides, a large crack along the join for the first, and successively smaller cracks in each.

This technique not only solves that problem elegantly, but your attention to detail is inspiring. The detail of leaving all pieces of the pot with newspaper is something I've not learned at my classes. I have generally made each peice at the time of nedding it, rather than at the start. I love the detail of throwing the feet on the wheel then cutting them. I have also not seen a pot with so many wire holes (I usually only put in four or five).

With the feet, (it was hard to tell) did you bend them to meet the new oval shape, or retain the natural curve of the circle? Did you cut the foam inserts specifically for these pots, or do you make this size regularly and have the foam already cut to size?

I really need to make myself a stamp for a rakkan; probably out of pottery. At the moment, I only scratch a picture of the intended bonsai into the bottom of the pot.

Thank you once again, Paul.

Spooky

[pjkatich]

Paul,
Thank you for posting this photo essay of the creation of these oval pots. This thread was the reason I came to AusBonsai. It has taken me two nights to read the whole thread (twice).

You are very welcome. I am glad that you found this information helpful.

I had tried three oval pots using a "leaf" method (unfortunately only one after the other, not three at once), where a round pot is thrown and then a leaf () cut from the base and the base pushed together then sealed. Nothing but trouble and not one successful pot; crooked sides, a large crack along the join for the first, and successively smaller cracks in each.

I am familiar with this method of construction and experienced similar results when I first tried it myself. As you pointed out - Nothing but trouble.

This technique not only solves that problem elegantly, but your attention to detail is inspiring. The detail of leaving all pieces of the pot with newspaper is something I've not learned at my classes. I have generally made each peice at the time of nedding it, rather than at the start.

The key to success is maintaining an even moisture content between all the parts and pieces during this process. That is the main reason I make all the parts at the same time.

Using wet newspaper or wet paper towels is an old hand-building trick to add moisture back to a piece that has dried to much. I just took this idea a step further and use dry newspaper to regulate the rate at which the individual pieces dry out.

I have also not seen a pot with so many wire holes (I usually only put in four or five).

I like options and when it comes to tie down holes, you can never have enough. On these pots, each set of holes has a function. For example, the three holes around each of the larger drainage holes is to tie in the screen as shown in this series of photos.

IMG_0008a.jpg

IMG_0009a.jpg

IMG_0010a.jpg

IMG_0011a.jpg

IMG_0012a.jpg

With the feet, (it was hard to tell) did you bend them to meet the new oval shape, or retain the natural curve of the circle?

Each foot was bent to meet the new oval shape.

Did you cut the foam inserts specifically for these pots, or do you make this size regularly and have the foam already cut to size?

I have a variety of foam inserts already cut. If I don't have the correct size, I will cut one to fit a specific pot.

I really need to make myself a stamp for a rakkan; probably out of pottery.

I have seen many stamps made from clay that work great. My stamp is made from 2 cm oak stock. The image was carved into the end grain and the wood was sealed with a wood hardener to prolong its life. I am currently working with a gentleman on creating a new stamp using a laser engraver.

Cheers,
Paul

[Amanda]

What an inspirational thread this is, thank you Paul. I've enjoyed every step of the way and didn't need to wait for the next instalment

[nealweb]

Wow, what a great find. I had never noticed this thread before either. Amazing what you can dig up here. Thanks Anja for 'bumping' it up to my attention. It is certainly an eye opener to see the time, work and skills that are needed to make these beautiful hand made pots!

[pjkatich]

What an inspirational thread this is, thank you Paul. I've enjoyed every step of the way and didn't need to wait for the next instalment

Anja,

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words.

I enjoyed putting this photo-tutorial together and posting it here for you all to see.

Cheers,
Paul

[pjkatich]

Wow, what a great find. I had never noticed this thread before either. Amazing what you can dig up here. Thanks Anja for 'bumping' it up to my attention. It is certainly an eye opener to see the time, work and skills that are needed to make these beautiful hand made pots!

nealweb,

I'm glad that you enjoyed the thread and I appreciate the compliments very much.

Cheers,
Paul

[Glenda]

I have just read this thread from go to whoa and enjoyed it a heap. I am currently in the process of buying some pots from Penny, and wondered why handmade pots were about the same price as what I could buy at the local nursery. Now I know for certain - Penny's pots are far underpriced.

Thank you Paul for this inspiring thread.

Glenda

[pjkatich]

I have just read this thread from go to whoa and enjoyed it a heap. I am currently in the process of buying some pots from Penny, and wondered why handmade pots were about the same price as what I could buy at the local nursery. Now I know for certain - Penny's pots are far underpriced.

Thank you Paul for this inspiring thread.

Glenda

Glenda,

You are most welcome.

One of the main reasons for documenting this process was to show everyone how much work actually went into making a good quality, hand made, bonsai pot from scratch.

In general, the work of most domestic bonsai potters is under-priced. It's hard to compete with the mass produced pots from China and Korea where the price of labor and material is exceptionally low.

I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the great containers being produced by your domestic potters. Make a difference, buy domestic when ever possible.

Cheers,
Paul

[Damian79]

Hi guys
WOW what an amazing thread. Thank you Steven for posting this on facebook this morning. I would have never read it otherwise.
This has been, by far the best information based post on bonsai pottery that I have read to date. I have just started my pottery journey and this has helped me in more ways than I can mention.
Paul, truly inspiring. Thank you.
If I can apply the dedication to detail that you do, to my work, I can only hope to achieve the quality of craftmanship that you have shown us.
An old post but brilliant.
Regards
Damian

[pjkatich]

Hi guys
WOW what an amazing thread. Thank you Steven for posting this on facebook this morning. I would have never read it otherwise.
This has been, by far the best information based post on bonsai pottery that I have read to date. I have just started my pottery journey and this has helped me in more ways than I can mention.
Paul, truly inspiring. Thank you.
If I can apply the dedication to detail that you do, to my work, I can only hope to achieve the quality of craftmanship that you have shown us.
An old post but brilliant.
Regards
Damian

Hello Damian,

I am surprised to see that this post is still getting some mileage.

Thank you very much for the kind words.

I'm glad you found this thread to be both informative and inspirational. If you are willing to put in the effort, I have no doubt you will succeed in your pot making endeavors.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Paul