It Felt Gobbly Gucky!!
Making a pot by hand was something that I had never done before, but got so excited about! I couldn't wait to go to the Ceramics Studio and get my hands dirty. Being a business major, I don't venture over to the Arts Center as much as I'd like to, so walking into the ceramics studio where there was not a calculator in sight was refreshing. I nearly fell in love with the hands on atmosphere Moi Dougan has set for her students. It seems very relaxed and casual as she teaches the basics of ceramics to her students.
Before we began I asked Moi what the term throwing meant. She said it comes from the fact that you actually have to throw the clay onto the wheel head to get it stuck, so you can make a perfect pot. I guaranteed her I would make a perfect pot.
As I began to get settled in and ready to make my pot, Moi noticed something. She looked down at my hands and noticed my hot pink finger acrylic finder nails. Not previously realizing this would be a potential problem I was quick to jokingly say,
Well Moi, it's a good thing I need to get a fill!
As I got the wheel started, I proceeded to mold the beginnings of my pot. As my wheel was spinning, I got into a groove and forgot about the clay that was proceeding to collect under my nails. I was nervous about my manicure, but once I let go of that fear of losing a nail, I began to have fun! Once I was done raising the edges of my masterpiece to make it look more like a pot instead of an ashtray, Moi began to take the pot off the wheel. As the wire went underneath my pot, I noticed the grave mistake I had made and sighed. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF MY PERFECT POT. Bob was quick to come to the rescue and say that it can be used as a planter. I smiled, as the holidays were coming up and my mother still needed a Christmas gift! All was not lost. My perfect pot became a perfect planter.
