| Every human being is unique so as the hobby. | | | | result in his most attractive and original works. |
| Pottery is one of the most unique and special | | | | Usually these are the pieces which can never be |
| hobby which very less people have. For a people | | | | duplicated. |
| having a good sense of creativity, pottery can be | | | | Very popular in the ceramist's lexicon of phrases |
| considered to be the best in developing their | | | | are the words "let us see what happens". The |
| creative ability. Go through this article and learn | | | | thrill of experimentation is not lacking in this hobby. |
| more about this fascinating creative art. | | | | For example, you could glaze a tray and toss on |
| In the cold, concise language of Webster's | | | | a few pieces of copper, just to "see what |
| Dictionary, clay is "an earthy substance used in | | | | happens". After firing it, you may find the copper |
| making pottery, bricks, etc". To the ceramist this | | | | completely burned away, leaving a scrumptious |
| definition seems much too objective and | | | | splotch of green from the copper oxide. On the |
| academic like saying the Hope Diamond is nothing | | | | other hand, the copper might scale over the glaze |
| more than a chunk of carbon which has | | | | and ruin the tray. You won't know until you |
| undergone immense subterranean pressure and | | | | remove it from the kiln and the suspense, as any |
| heat. Surely this flawless gem is worthy of a | | | | ceramics enthusiast knows, can be unbearable. |
| more full-flavored description. | | | | Since the end of World War II, ceramics has |
| So it is with clay. It can be shaped, colored and | | | | mushroomed in popularity until today it is one of |
| fired into myriad marvels of esthetic and utilitarian | | | | the nation's favorite pastimes. Its enthusiastic |
| beauty. It has "life" and is capable of playing | | | | adherents are outnumbered, according to latest |
| strange tricks under the influence of fire. Colors, | | | | estimates, only by those of bowling, fishing and |
| too, are often capricious. Even under the strictest | | | | stamp collecting. As for creative hobbies, there |
| control they may affect results which are, to say | | | | are more ceramists in the country than any other |
| the least, unexpected. | | | | breed of amateur artist. |
| Every time you open the kiln, it is like Christmas. | | | | Actually, it is difficult to put your finger on the |
| For you can never be certain about exactly what | | | | reason for this sudden spurt in popularity. Perhaps |
| you will get. These surprise endings only add an | | | | it can be attributed to the war itself. Existing |
| extra dash of spice to an already absorbing | | | | conditions then made it impossible to import |
| hobby. | | | | pottery from abroad. Stores were eager to sell |
| When you have started to work with ceramics, | | | | locally made merchandise. Critical shortages |
| you will find that the more you know, the more | | | | existed in metals and other materials that |
| there is to learn about this fascinating creative art. | | | | normally go into gift ware. But there has always |
| As with any worthwhile accomplishment, you will | | | | been an abundance of raw material for the |
| not become an expert potter merely by reading | | | | manufacture of pottery: clay. And the metallic |
| a book. You will have to taste your share of joys | | | | oxides and carbonates that are used for pottery |
| and disappointments during your trial-and-error | | | | colors were likewise available throughout the war |
| apprenticeship. But don't be too easily discouraged | | | | years. |
| if at first your trials turn out to be mostly errors. | | | | No one can become an expert potter by just |
| Most educators agree that lessons learned by trial | | | | reading books, he has to gone through a long way |
| and error are lessons best remembered. With | | | | of trail and error. Those who keep in going |
| ceramics, moreover, all mistakes are not for the | | | | without feeling discourage can only be called an |
| worst. On the contrary, many of a potter's errors | | | | expert potter. |