We had a bit of a tragedy this week. Two 10lb bowls exploded in the bisque firing. It was unfortunate because they were made with reclaimed clay – which meant all that wedging was wasted! I’m not sure what caused the explosion – maybe an air pocket but it is more likely that the weight of one bowl damaged the other.
If you want to be a potter, you have to be ready for some loss. Pots break. Sometimes they are ruined by unforeseen forces (glaze chemistry or kiln failure) or by result of experimentation. And, sometimes they are damaged by carelessness or stupidity. I have a very long list of ‘dumb’ accidents; I guess I can add nesting 10lb bowls for bisque firing to the list.
During pottery classes, I try to assure the potters that failure is part of the process; nonetheless, it seems they are more distressed over loss than is warranted. After all, if they made a pot one time, they can make it again (and probably better).
My recommendation is to avoid getting emotionally involved with the pots until after they are glazed and transported safely to their final destination. Too much emotional investment will paralyze a potter and deter risk and growth.
I am soooooo sorry about the bowls and so very impressed at your calm especially considering the wedging and your disdain for it 🙂 I will continue to heed your lessons about not becoming emotionally bonded to any piece of pottery before it is complete.
Yea, as you make more pots, a loss such as this one just feels like a waste of time and kiln space… there is not so much distress over the pots themselves. And, then to add salt to the wound, the kiln has to be cleaned and all the other pots wiped down – explosions make a lot of dust!