The Sweetness of Pottery

“Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.” 
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Honey Jars Waiting to be Fired

The word that Winnie the Pooh didn't know was anticipation.  I guess he'd never heard the song by Carly Simon.  Now that I have that song playing in your head let's talk about pottery.  For the potter it's all about anticipation.  We plan what we are going to make then try to get into the studio to make that piece or just to feel the clay in our hands.  We anticipate what could go wrong while the piece is drying and take steps to prevent that. We fire the kiln and wait for it to cool so we can see how the pot looks bisqued.  Then we decorate the surface with patterns and glazes but we still are only anticipating the finished piece.  For some, the anticipation is over when the pot is taken out of the glaze kiln.  For others we anticipate how it will feel being used.  Is a handle comfortable, is a plate the right size, does the bowl hold enough soup?  And for some others we anticipate what the public will think of the piece.  Will they like it?  Will they buy it?  Will they argue over the price of it or will they love it?

Potter's spend much of our lives in a state of anticipation.  People tell me I'm very patient but I am not, I'm just waiting and living in that moment just before.

Check out the gallery page - Future Relics Gallery by Lori Buff