Making Pottery Personal

The growth of shops that allow consumers to decorate their own pottery pieces or ceramic items and have then fired on the premises have also given people the opportunity to make pottery personal. Not only can you make pottery personal for yourself but also as a gift for others. There are many different styles and designs from which to choose. This is something that is not only fun to do but also fun to choose if you have a special friend or loved on that is always quite difficult to shop for when it comes to birthdays, holidays, and such. Have fun making these gifts mean something for the one receiving the gift as well as you, the one giving it.

Gift giving is often a very difficult thing with many people stressing over finding the right thing, the right size, the right color, or the right style. Then there is the added pressure of spending the right amount of money and remembering to include a return receipt in case the gift doesn't fit, is the wrong color, or may be completely unflattering. There are simply too many things that can go wrong. This is one reason that creating personal pottery gifts for friends and family is such a wonderful way to go. It's a gift that you get to give yourself and you get to give to your friends and family.

Seriously, you get to enjoy the time you spent selecting and painting the gift you are giving. That is always a great thing. The selection process should be fun and appropriate to your friendship or relationship. If you have a favorite movie or song that you both love together the pottery piece can either be decorated in that theme or be that thing all together. Paint a cookie plate and cappuccino mug for your friend that you meet for coffee and biscotti once a week. Paint a princess crown for the little princess in your life or a monster light switch cover for the little monster "wannabe" in your life. For the man in your life you can paint a small "bank" for his poker night money. The possibilities are endless and you can always adjust themes suitable to the person you are painting for.

Make household decorations that are appropriate for upcoming holidays. These are often gifts that keep on giving year after year as they are incorporated into routine decorating for the various seasons. Don't forget about Santa. Most pottery painting shops have plenty of plates from which to choose for painting and a Christmas themed plate for Santa's cookies is sure to please. Platters are also great ideas for all of the Christmas serving that must be done. Remember to follow the care instructions closely however as most of these types of platters are hand wash only and some of them may not be food safe.

Just remember to have as much fun painting your masterpiece of a gift as you had selecting and planning it. Most shops have a gallery of sorts to help with ideas if you are truly stuck and many also have a picture book of past projects and creations that are eye catching and appealing. Be sure to check out the various books before beginning so that you don't see something that you wish you had seen first. Of course you could always save that idea for next time.

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Egyptian Pottery Ageless Beauty

Ancient Egypt is a place of wild beauty and great fascination to many people today. Once, a hotbed of intrigue, commerce, and industry there is much about Egypt that remains dark and mysterious even in the modern world in which we currently live. One thing is certain however, the ancient Egyptians were artisans in their own right and one type of art in which they excelled was pottery. The pottery of ancient Egypt is often imitated today for many reasons.

Scholars have come to some sort of consensus of belief that the ancient Egyptians may have been the first to use enamel in pottery-a practice that adds great beauty and value to the pottery pieces, making them a true work of art. The amazing thing is that this is something that was introduced, we believe, nearly four thousand years ago and is still valued in today's modern society.

To illustrate just how important pottery was to the ancient Egyptians there are actually pieces of pottery that are included in the ancient hieroglyphics that depicted acts of day to day living in this ancient civilization. Pottery was included in more than a few of these glimpses into history establishing its importance and the commonality of its use.

Pottery in ancient Egypt was almost always made for use rather than made for decoration. Even the smaller pieces were meant to hold perfumes with the larger pieces of pottery holding grains, water, wine, and even meat for later use or consumption. The pottery of ancient Egypt could also be found in many sizes to accommodate the different needs the pottery filled. It was common to find various pieces ranging in sizes from inches tall to three or four feet in height. Pottery was as common to the Egyptians of old as appliances are today and it did serve to make life go much more smoothly for the people who used it.

In ancient Egypt pottery was also used for some of the most sacred rites of burial. Pottery pieces were used to hold certain organs after they were removed from the body during the embalming process to prepare the body for burial. Each of the following: heart and lungs, liver, small intestines, and the stomach were placed in four separate containers made of pottery and buried along with the body. It should be noted that the Egyptians are not the only civilization to use pottery in relation to the dead. The ancient Greeks also stored the ashes of their dead in ceramic containers.

To understand the true beauty of the pottery of ancient Egypt one doesn't really need to understand the lack of sophisticated tools available to the ancient Egyptians to realize how stunningly beautiful many of the pieces really were. The fact that so many have managed to survive nearly four thousand years and many of them are quite well preserved allows us to glimpse not only the rise of pottery during that period of time and in that part of the world but also the evolution of this pottery as new methods were discovered and enhanced and as artisans improved and honed their skills.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit a museum that has an exhibit dedicated to Egyptian pottery and have any interest at all in modern pottery I urge you to attend and learn about the fascinating techniques utilized by this ancient civilization to create works of art that are nearly impossible to rival today despite the wealth of technology that is at our disposal. If that isn't impressive to you, I would be inclined to believe that you are quite difficult to impress.

Whether you appreciate history as much as the next guy or gal or not is not as important as whether or not you appreciate beauty. The ancient Egyptians had beauty down to a science rather than an art when it came to creating beautiful pieces of pottery. We are quite fortunate that so many have managed to survive the ravages of time, greed, and war to be enjoyed all these years later.

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Finding Pottery Online

There are many ways to find great pottery. While it is often best to see the pieces in living color, the Internet offers opportunities for those who do not have ready or easy access to great artisans in their town or who prefer a type of pottery that typically isn't carried locally to find the pieces they desire to add to their collections without traveling extensively in order to do so.

There are a few drawbacks to ordering pottery online and one of those would be the fact that you are only seeing a very flat representation of the finished product. In other words, it is very difficult for a picture to recreate the drama that a certain piece of pottery may have. The colors cannot be relied upon as accurate because of the differences in cameras, monitors, and picture quality. This means that if you are getting what you think is one color, that will match a certain feature in your room, you may actually be getting another color all together (blue and purple are often difficult to differentiate among other colors). This means that seeing the piece in person is definitely the best way to go if you have the opportunity. If not, be certain that the dealer from which you purchase the piece has a good standing with the BBB and a liberal return policy.

Another reason you should display caution when purchasing pottery online is that you can't really gauge the quality of the workmanship through a photograph either. This means you may be getting flawed pieces and yet paying the price you would expect to pay for a perfect piece of pottery by said artist. Unfortunately we cannot trust everyone to be completely honest. It is a sad truth but one that should definitely be considered. Many flaws will not show up on camera, particularly if there is only one view of the piece. Pottery, even when flawed can still be beautiful but no one wants to pay more than a piece of pottery is worth, especially those that are collecting as an investment.

If those reasons aren't enough there is the fact that it is always a good idea to support local talent whenever possible. If there is a good deal of support for local artists, chances are that more artists will begin to migrate to the area. Artists tend to build communities of like minded artists for some reason. Communities that support them often draw in more new artists, which means your choices and the local selection will improve with support and over time. Also, any money going into the local community is a good thing for everyone in the community. Jobs, spending and housing are all signs of a flourishing community. A community that supports the arts is another sign of a community that is growing.

Last but not least, when purchasing online make sure that you take every precaution to protect your investment and know the company you are dealing with. Good business happens online every day. There are many more honest people doing business online than dishonest people but it never hurts to be careful and protect your money and your purchase. Buying pottery online can be quite convenient if you have the need but it is certainly not the only way to go.

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Giving Children the Gift of Creating Pottery

In the world in which we live, children are faced with many temptations, good and bad. It is in our best interests as parents to tip the scales in favor of the good temptations our children will face whenever possible by giving them plenty of skills, talents, and creative outlets upon which to exert their energy and focus. Sports are great but most sports are limited to seasons. This leaves parents looking for things to keep their children's active minds involved and occupied during the off seasons for their favorite sports.

Pottery lessons are a great way to give kids a creative focus while helping them develop quiet activities they can enjoy. This also keeps them too busy to spend a lot of time on activities that are detrimental and hopefully will fill the time that may otherwise be spent falling into the wrong crowd. More importantly, there are very few gifts you can give your children that are better than the gift of being able to create something beautiful, practical, useful, or simply unique and different from a lump of clay. Pottery is doing just that.

First lessons for children should be simple and not too aggressive. Let your child set his or her own pace for pottery lessons and don't push him or her to go too far too fast. Like most things in life, your child will need to learn to crawl before he or she walks in the field of pottery. This often means learning the intricacies of hand building with clay before moving on to the potter's wheel though your child may choose to move on to the wheel and show no interest in hand building at all. The most important thing is that you keep your child interested or the lessons will be a waste of time and money resulting in the opposite effect of what you are hoping to achieve.

Most communities offer some sort of art classes that include pottery sessions for children. Larger communities will have classes for children that specifically deal with pottery. If you are fortunate enough to live in one of these communities it is a great field to introduce your little ones too as you never know when true talent may show itself. If your child does display a good deal of talent or an avid interest in pursuing pottery further there are generally classes that can be taken for those who have had the basics and are ready to move on to some of the more advanced skills.

Some art schools and community-based organizations will even offer scholarships to some students if there is sufficient talent and a financial need so the costs of these classes aren't often too terribly high. Most communities do make a concerted effort to keep the costs of these classes low in order to provide more productive outlets for children and be a positive force in the lives of the children that will one day be the future of our nation.

If you haven't considered giving the gift of pottery lessons to your children as both a creative outlet and the opportunity to build something rather than destroy I hope you will do so after reading this. Giving the gift of creation to anyone is a great gift. Teaching your children when they are young sets the stage for even greater lessons to come.

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Giving Pottery Gifts

Pottery makes a beautiful addition to any home and an extremely thoughtful gift. Not only is most pottery quite beautiful from a decorative point of view, there are also literally tons of practical uses for pottery other than simply looking nice sitting on a mantel or decorating a shelf. Pottery is many things to many different people and there are all kinds of wonderful gift ideas that center around pottery if you are willing to take the time to find the perfect piece or have the imagination to create a nice combination of your own.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of housewarming gifts is a pottery bowl full of goodies. Seriously, it is much better than a basket for some and offers just as many alternatives for filling. There are coffee mugs made of pottery that can be filled with coffee snacks and single servings of favorite gourmet coffee beans. Chocolate dipped coffee spoons are excellent additions to this particular pottery gift as are biscotti or even your favorite muffins to enjoy with a nice cup of coffee. This is a great gift to share with a coffee drinking friend or sibling or to give yourself as a quick pick me up on a dreary day.

Other great pottery 'basket' ideas include pasta related themes. There are actually colanders made of pottery that are perfect for draining pasta, washing fruit, and other such activities. You can fill the colander with dried pasta, a favorite sauce, a jar of olives, a nice bottle of gourmet olive oil, and a few favorite Italians seasonings to complete the theme. This makes a great gift for housewarmings, holidays, and birthdays. If you are really thoughtful, this is also a great gift to give to new parents and newlyweds as it gives them an easy night of cooking.

Other great pottery gifts include pasta bowls, mixing bowls (particularly those of varying sizes that stack one inside the other), pie plates, and casserole dishes for baking. Most people appreciate anything that saves time in the kitchen and dishes that are suitable for both baking and serving save time, effort, and clean up, which are equally appreciated when all is said and done.

For the people on your gift list with international designs you may want to consider a pottery Sushi set, Sake set, or rice bowls for their collection. These pieces are quite lovely in their own right and will greatly enhance the international dining experience. For those on your list that enjoy Japanese cuisine this makes a very thoughtful and elegant gift.

Of course there are pottery pieces that can be made to purchase or found on a whim that include floral depictions, painted tiles, and other wall art that may absolutely be the perfect gift for a certain someone on your gift giving list in the near future. If you have characters in your family then it is quite likely there are a few pottery artists that may just have their number. I have seen some very interesting and lovely pieces that have been made from pottery and hope that you will find many along your travels that appeal to you as well. Giving the gift of pottery is often sharing something you love with the people you love. There are few gifts in the world that are better.

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Great Places to Shop for Pottery

There are many great places to shop for nice custom made pottery pieces in large and small cities and towns across the country. While many of these places are a little off the beaten path and often will not be found at the local 'mega mall' or 'super center,' there are plenty of shopping options available to most who are interested in buying unique and interesting pieces of pottery to add to their collections or even in order to begin a collection.

The first to consider, and often overlooked, would be local garage sales. There is no small degree of truth to the saying that one man's trash is another man's treasure. You will be amazed at some of the amazing pieces you will find at garage sales for next to nothing. Many of the people selling these items are people, who do not appreciate pottery, were given these pieces as gifts, or who inherited them and have no real idea of the worth of these pieces or do and just do not care. Regardless, you can find many great pottery pieces at garage sales for a fraction of what you will pay elsewhere. The only problem is that you must often sacrifice a little bit of sleep for the better bargains or finer pieces.

Flea markets are another excellent source of pottery pieces for the avid or even casual collectors. You never know what you will find at antique shops or flea markets and there have been many beautiful pieces gotten for a steal at places such as these. You will pay a little more than garage sale prices in these venues so be prepared to make an investment if you are truly interested in developing a pottery collection or adding to an existing collection.

Ebay and similar online auction websites are other excellent sources for finding the treasures you seek in pottery. There are often plenty of pieces from which to choose and many of them fetch a rather low price. Be careful however that you do not find yourself sucked into a bidding war and pay well over the actual value of the piece unless it's something you really want from a personal standpoint rather than that of a collector. In a best case scenario you would only select pieces that add value to your collection and get them well below cost. Of course, life doesn't always work out in best case scenarios.

Local craft shops and art galleries are another great place to find new and talented artists and vendors in your area for the pottery pieces you seek. If you develop a good working relationship with some of the local talent or a local vendor he or she will inform you of when new work is being presented, going on sale, and being marked down. Local vendors realize that the bread and butter of their businesses and they are also the ones most likely to buy something else when coming in to check out items on sale. Regardless it's always a great idea to support your local talent and local businesses whenever possible and assuming you actually appreciate the pottery pieces being sold.

Traveling or annual craft fairs are also excellent for finding the pieces you want to add to your collection. Many artisans work year round in order to create a nice display of pottery for the local craft fairs and many of these pieces are quite stunning in beauty and design. Visit your local festivals and craft fairs and pay close attention to the different artists that have their works displayed. Pick up business cards, visit websites, and view gallery showings.

You never know when you'll find that perfect, must have, piece for your pottery collection. Hopefully, the places mentioned above will provide you with a few excellent places to begin your search. The Internet also provides many excellent opportunities to find beautiful pottery pieces if you know exactly what you are looking for.

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Finding a Great Pottery Wheel

There are many tools that a potter will use over the course of his lifetime as an artist. One of the most important to many potters is the potter's wheel. This device is used for a process that is commonly referred to as 'throwing' pottery. It is a very important device to many potters who do not enjoy the process of hand building pottery or need the ability to shape items in a very similar fashion. There are many instances, come to think of it, when a wheel is preferable to artists over hand building just as there are many situations when only hand building with clay is suitable. One thing remains however, and that is this: most artists who work with a wheel are quite picky about the wheels on which they will work.

Selecting a wheel for pottery work is like selecting another hand to use. The wheel will be your constant companion as you work with clay and it is important that you choose a wheel that is comfortable for you to use first and foremost. If you aren't comfortable using the wheel you select, chances are it will diminish your enjoyment of working with clay over time. You do not want to sacrifice your love of pottery to something as simply fixed as choosing a different wheel for throwing pottery.

You should also take care to choose a wheel that is suitable for the type of work you do. Not all wheels can handle all jobs. You need to choose a wheel that will handle the style of pottery you work with most as well as the weight of the clay you will be using. Read the instructions, warnings, and cautions carefully before selecting your potter's wheel in order to be quite certain that it will meet your pottery making needs.

Space is another important consideration when selecting a potter's wheel. You need to choose a wheel that will fit within the space you have available for working with clay in addition to allowing you the necessary room to actually work the clay. You will find that there are many different sized wheels on the market today. Make sure that you either adjust your needs in a wheel or adjust your available space in order to accommodate the wheel you select.

You should also pay close attention to the quality of the wheel you are purchasing. A potter's wheel is a rather significant investment. You want to make sure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. Go with a name you trust and if you aren't sure which name to trust ask people you trust: teachers, other artists, and gallery owners. Do not trust the salesman to give you adequate advice on a decision as important as this. He is driven by profit rather than insuring you get the most for your money.

Choosing the best potter's wheel to meet your pottery making needs is one of, if not the, best gifts you can give yourself as an artist that works with clay. Take your time when purchasing your wheel in order to insure your continued enjoyment and success when it comes to making pottery. This is one decision that you are not likely to regret taking your time and doing the right way the first time.

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Great Uses for Pottery

If you are just beginning to collect pottery I will let you in on a little secret that avid collectors know all too well: pottery is infinitely useful and extremely versatile. This means that most pottery can function in more than one capacity. You do need to make sure that there aren't certain restrictions on the pieces you purchase though most dealers will let you know the necessary care instructions and precautions that should be taken when you make the purchase.

That being said most pottery is dishwasher and microwave safe (depending on the glazing method-Raku pottery is not), food safe (again this depends largely on the glazing method and any paints that may have been used), safe for use in the oven, and able to hold liquid. This means you have a lot of options with most pottery pieces that go well beyond the uses for which the specific piece may have been designed to carry out.

Storage. Vases are great for holding things. They are by no means limited to flowers. Small pottery pieces are great for holding perfumes, particularly those with stoppers, or oils, and countless other small treasures you have lying around. Larger pieces are great for storing large stores of food. And various medium sized pottery pieces make excellent canisters in the kitchen for storing all manner of items.

Display. Of course there are many pottery pieces that we want to showcase and display but did you realize that pottery could also be used to display other items you want to show off in the home. We have a pottery spoon rest that we decided to use in the bathroom as a soap dish. It's great for displaying the special hand soaps in the bathroom and adds a little splash of color to the bathroom counter top.

Cooking. Believe it or not, pottery can withstand fairly high temperatures with grace and style. This makes it an excellent choice for cooking in many households. We use pottery in the microwave and the oven, though never stove top for preparing and serving all kinds of dishes. If you are wary about using these beautiful pieces for cooking, they do make excellent choices for serving food.

Dining. Stoneware is a very popular style of casual dinnerware these days and with good reason. Not only is it a beautiful addition to any table but it is also quite versatile. You may also find mugs, plates, and bowls that are thrown or hand built for your dining pleasure. Regardless, most tables are greatly enhanced by the addition of pottery rather than many other choices on the market today.

As you can see there are many things that may be done with pottery today. Be careful that you do not establish molds for your pottery to conform to or you will miss out on much of the versatility that many find the primary incentive for investing in pottery for the home. Pottery is a beautiful addition to any home and should not be hidden away but used fully and regularly in order to enjoy the true value of the pieces and get your money's worth from the use of these pieces. The true value in pottery is in how much it enhances your life; it won't enhance your life very much if kept locked away in the kitchen cabinets.

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Making Pottery for Business or Pleasure

If you are looking for a great creative outlet or a new hobby that can bring in a little spare change while you are at it, you may want to consider learning to make your own pottery. It is a great and fun hobby that isn't terribly expensive, once you have the initial tools of the trade and is a lot of fun for many people around the world. Moreover the results of your efforts when it comes to pottery making are actually useful items to have around the house or to bring in a little extra income selling on Ebay or at local craft fairs and flea markets.

Well-made and carefully selected pieces of pottery also make excellent gifts for friends and family. If you are one of the millions of people around the world who really feel the pinch around holidays then learning to make your own pottery can really help to soften the blow while providing great gifts for those you love. There are many useful purposes for pottery not the least of which is as bowls, baking dishes, containers, pitchers to hold liquid, vases, pen and pencil holders-the possibilities are virtually limitless for what can be done with pottery once you have the basic tools in your possession as well as a few primary skills that are necessary to create the wonderful works of art.

One thing to keep in mind is that making pottery is not a one size fits all process. There have been many different methods for the creation of pottery that have been utilized throughout history by many different cultures and the results are all similar in many ways while remaining quite unique to the culture, the clay, the people, and the history of those who have created the pottery. Well beyond the actual tools used in the making of the pottery there are different markings that are placed upon the many pieces that often represent the artisans that created it or the tribes that were responsible for a particular style of pottery. In today's pottery the tool markings are often symbols of the artisan and are almost all unique to that particular artist. This eliminates the likelihood of forgeries and gives credit to the artists who craft individual items where credit is due.

When learning to make pottery it is important that you are willing to learn several different styles of creating beautiful art with ceramics in order to have more versatility. The more styles and techniques you familiarize yourself with the more likely you are to find a style that you most enjoy and have a wider range of skills from which to draw when creating new works of art. Pottery is an immensely useful skill to know and there are many amazing and beautiful styles that can be learned for creating these beautiful pieces. Take the time to learn as many as you have access to learn.

Another thing that must be done when learning to make pottery is not only learning different styles of pottery but also learning to use your imagination when creating pottery so that you can see new and useful creations to be made. Those little touches are the very things that allow one artist to stand out from all the rest. If you can create a style that is uniquely your own when it comes to making pottery then you will enjoy far greater commercial success as an artist. Even if you are only learning to throw pottery as a hobby the more styles you have mastered, the more you will enjoy making your own beautiful pieces and the more versatility you will have in their creation.

Whether you use your skills to create platters, bowls, cups, plates, bake ware, spoon rests, vases, or any number of other delightful creations you should find great pleasure in the creation of these pieces first and foremost. The more you enjoy making pottery the more you will find that you want to make.

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A Pottery Party fit for a Princess

If you have a daughter I am sure you are constantly searching for the perfect birthday party that will be fun and entertaining. One great way to make your little princess have a very special birthday is by throwing a "paint your own pottery" birthday party for her and a few of her closest friends. This can be an expensive prospect if you invite her entire second grade class but if you limit it to 6 or 8 of her very best friends then you should be able to keep costs under control to some degree.

The thing to keep in mind with a party such as this is to plan ahead. Many pottery shops that allow visitors to paint their own pottery will have deals and bargains that may be struck for birthday parties, showers, and other group events. By making plans early you can select one piece or a couple of pieces from which the girls can choose and establish a price for each piece and the firing of the pieces once the party ends.

If there aren't any party plans around the pieces that strike the fancy of your little princess, though most have some fairly interesting pieces, you could perhaps establish a theme such as allowing each friend to make her own tea cup for a tea party theme. Each shop has a little something different to offer so keep this in mind when making plans. If you have an item in mind for the party that may be limited in availability make sure to reserve those pieces ahead of time so that you will have plenty for your party guests to paint.

Another reason you need to plan ahead for parties of this nature is that most facilities require advanced notice in order to work out bargain pricing and many will provide a special room for the party guest in which you can bring food, drinks, and party favors for a little more fun and to add to the festivities. Your little princess is likely to agree that this is much more fun than an afternoon at that pizza party place and the guests will each be able to bring home a fabulous trinket and example of her artistic talents. Many of these facilities will require a certain deposit for reservation of the party room and you really should book as early as possible in order to insure the room is free during the time you wish to hold your little princess pottery party.

If this is going to be a coed party there is no need to fret. There are plenty of pieces that can work for male or female guests and you can make small adjustments to the party theme to accommodate either or both if you have siblings or boy best friends to consider in the bargain. Regardless, a pottery party is still a fairly fun and unique party prospect for most kids and will definitely boost your ratings on the 'world's coolest parent' totem pole until the next major battle brews at least.

Things you will want to consider before booking a party of this nature are the guests that will be invited. If this party is fit for boys and girls you will want this knowledge when making plans so that you may choose options accordingly. I don't know many boys who want princess crowns or teacups as a parting gift. You should also know the number of people you plan to invite. These parties typically charge a per guest rate and it can be quite high. Keep the invites small if possible or plan to invest a significant amount of money into making this party great. Also keep in mind that this really isn't a suitable environment for very small hands. There are many fragile items on display and all around. To avoid cuts and damages, keep the little ones at home for this particular excursion. Most importantly-have fun!

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