I find it so interesting what the buying public likes!

instagram, marianwilliamspottery, wooden handle on ceramic spoon, recycled clay
This instagram post got more hits in the first day than I usually get. So is it the instagram crowd that drives the market?

I have tried really hard to master high-fire cone 10 reduction glazes, especially copper reds, chuns, and the old Oriental glazes.

Cone 10 Glaze Firing, Copper Reds
3 Copper Red Glazes + One Blue Glaze.

I’ve also worked really hard to develop a throwing style that is as perfect as I can make.

altered bowl, slip additions, textured stamping,cone 10 reduction glazes
Three cone 10 reduction glazes, slip trailing, altered, carved, stamped bowl.

Here comes the interesting part!

I recently decided to throw a big quantity of reclaimed clay into simple, imperfect functional ware, glazes with a simple white glaze and a clear glaze with some Mason Stains colorants.

recycled clay, wabi sabi pottery, mason stains

This is something that I can do with my eyes shut…no stress, no big design decisions, no crazy glazes combinations that are difficult to control and the firing is faster as I’m not worried about keeping the kiln in reduction.

So when people raved, loved and bought this more simple version of my pottery, I found it both interesting and frustrating!

It’s the market, what’s in style.

But for me, I find the more difficult, harder to achieve pieces more exciting and fun to make!  But they don’t sell as well!  (sad face).

Copper red and chun glazes
Copper Red and Chun Glazes, Cone 10 Reduction

So, what’s the solution?  I don’t know, but I guess I’ll just do both!  I can’t have recycled clay unless I make the good stuff!  So the cycle of pottery goes.

Let me know what you think!

Keep crazy.  Keep potting.

Marian
marian williams pottery