Handmade ceramics are all about details. The ceramic connoisseur carefully examines each piece of pottery that appeals. Looking, feeling, if possible pick up and turn around. How is the foot turned, does lip match finish, finish match shape, etc. etc.
It’s now week six in our corona lock-down. The news is about numbers of victims, IC beds, respiratory care and protective equipment. I work at home and embrace the guidelines. Ceramic fairs have been cancelled, so I opened my webshop. Everyone has to help contain this virus, so I am also doing my (tiny) bit.
Ceramic details are far away, it seems like something from before this pandemic. But as the saying goes; “the devil is in the details“. And this devil helps us appreciate the details. And that’s needed more than ever.
Coffee cup
As I write this behind my laptop, my hand plays with the lines of my coffee “cup”. Just yesterday out of the kiln and already part of my life. For some time now I’ve been firing about 50 degrees higher to 1280 degrees Celsius (2336 F.) to give my glazes more depth. The finish is now more integrated with the shard, the terra sig is “stonier”, the cup harder. It’s as if I have a piece of rock in my hands, warmed by the sun.
These are some of those details I can lose myself in. For some customers, these are the details why they purchase my work. But of course it can differ. I’m glad that enthusiasts take the trouble to discover and appreciate the details.
Handmade ceramics have so many details that you can always find others. As soon as it becomes more part of your life, you also become more aware of these details. And therefore you can enjoy it more and more.
Ceramic details a detail of your life
It’s like laughing at my own jokes, but I love my own coffee cups. When I get to know the ceramic details of my cup, I also get to know the details of my life. Ceramic details are part of my life details. And if I don’t know the details of my own life, I can’t look for the details I enjoy.
And that’s what ceramics have taught me and will continue to do. Life consists of a lot of details, just like ceramics. As big events unfold, you shouldn’t lose sight of beautiful details all around. The devil is in the details, learn to discover them, just like the ceramic connoisseur.
There are beautiful and less beautiful details that we are confronted with. During this time, just continue to enjoy the valuable life details, such as those of handmade ceramics 🙂
Enjoyed this blog? Then join the “Ceramics Gang” so I can keep you informed!
About Post Author
