15 Comments
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Cindy Maddera's avatar

Failure happens every day in science. It is rare when an experiment goes exactly as planned or predicted. This just means we have to look at the question we're asking in a different way. Failure keeps us creative. We're also our own worst critics because I think that cruet is adorable!

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Karen Walrond's avatar

Thanks, Cindy! It feels like the handle saved it, a bit. And I keep reminding myself that 2 months ago, I wouldn't have even been able to make anything close to resembling this. Baby progress is progress, right?

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Lara Heacock's avatar

Such interesting timing. Cooked for the family (partner’s kids) yesterday and had multiple failures. All were recoverable but it was fascinating to notice the ones that got me hooked and the ones that rolled off.

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Eileen's avatar

I think it’s a lovely cruet. Sometimes things turn out the way THEY want to rather than the way YOU want them to. I love the idea of doing things just because you enjoy them or are intellectually or artistically stimulated by them and it not mattering whether you’re “good” at it.

Safe travels!

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Honor Walsh's avatar

Love this. I am a full time potter - I teach and run a community studio, yet after 2 weeks away from the wheel (due to holidays) I sat down and failed to make five bowls in a row. Hilariously humbling, but one of the reasons I love the craft so much. Just when you reach that level of "yeah, of course I can throw that", clay knows exactly how to take you down a few notches haha. P.S. love the jug - definitely keep it - in years to come it will make you smile far more than your 'best' work.

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Karen Walrond's avatar

(Also, your name is one of my favourites — it was almost our daughter’s middle name!)

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Honor Walsh's avatar

Thank you!! That is very kind

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Karen Walrond's avatar

This is encouraging! Thanks for sharing, and yes, I definitely will!

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Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

Without failure, there is no growth, no learning. In any artistic endeavour I do, there are mistakes and errors. I remind myself that no one will see them but me, and it's in the imperfections where we find our own creative truth.

I think the handle was a great solution - it minimizes the uneven bottom and draws the eye to that perfect little spout. If you had led with that picture, no one would have known.

Brava for sharing your process, Karen! And for letting people see that it doesn't have to be perfect...it just has to BE.

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Karen Walrond's avatar

Thank you! ❤️

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Fran Gardner's avatar

But, but . . . It was so perfect as a pitcher. I think the handle detracts from it. Sorry.

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Karen Walrond's avatar

Good thing I didn’t make it for you, then! 🤣🤣🤣

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Monica Van Hall's avatar

Love this. I just finished reading Charmaine Wilkerson’s novel Good Dirt in which pottery making features prominently. A good beach read.

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Karen Walrond's avatar

I’ll look it up — thanks for the reco!

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Karen Brenchley's avatar

If man’s reach did not exceed his grasp, then what’s a heaven for?

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