Maxine in Collipit Pottery makes the cutest garden creatures. She inspired me to have a little fun. Here's the link to her tutorial: https://youtu.be/q9A6f9tLA2Q

Hey lovely pottery people 🤍 I’d really value your brains on something. My last three YouTube videos have underperformed compared to my usual average view count, and I’m trying to figure out why? My teapot kiln opening hasn’t done as well as I had hoped & the last 2, gold lustre firing & tutorial are some of the lowest I’ve had since starting last June. It feels like a huge dramatic drop & I don’t know why? I have reviewed other channels of similar subscriber counts and my videos are clearly under performing for some reason. For those of you who’ve experienced this before: • Have you found it’s usually thumbnail related? • Topic interest? • First 30 seconds / retention? • Posting timing? • Or just… algorithm mood swings? I’m trying to approach it analytically rather than emotionally 😢 and would love to hear: • What metrics you look at first when something underperforms • Whether you tweak thumbnails/titles after publishing • Any patterns you’ve noticed in your own pottery content I really appreciate this community — it’s so helpful being able to compare notes with other clay humans 🙌

We're almost to February. I haven't had time for the January challenge, but was inspired by a Reddit post to offer this for February. Hear me out! Many new potters post, "How do I make this?" And that's fine, but to me, one of the joys of pottery is figuring things out. So, here's my challenge to you, with time to plan in advance, 'cause it may be a hard one. Find a tutorial video on YouTube or wherever. Then figure out a different way to make the item. Post the link to the tutorial and "making" images from your altered method. Think outside the box! For instance, Tiffinie Helmer (Hobble Creek Pottery) posted a video of hand-building a canteen. I don't have a lot of space to handbuild (and frankly, I'm not so good at it!), so I thought, "How can I make that on the wheel?" I threw two wide, shallow bowls with straight sides and joined them. Then I added pieces for the strap to go through, and a neck for a stopper. BOOM! A wheel thrown canteen. Images for inspiration. This was thrown with Laguna Frost cone 6 porcelain, relief carved, decorated with Colors For Earth Color Concentrates, and glazed with Kitten's Clear or Hanson's 20x5 (don't remember which!). It's got an adjustable strap and I used a rubber band glued to the stopper so it's actually functional. The only thing I'm not thrilled with is the "chain" attaching the stopper to the canteen. I'm excited to see what y'all come up with. There's a hundred ways to make a form. Let's expand our horizons and have some fun!

I want to share my newest cup with you — and I’m honestly so excited about this one. I integrated a small movable bead into the handle that spins like a little fidget toy. It’s subtle, playful, and incredibly satisfying to touch while holding the cup. 🌀☕ I first saw the idea on Instagram and immediately knew I had to try it. The funny thing is: no one explained how to actually make it. No process, no tutorial — just the finished piece. So I experimented. I tested. I adjusted. And eventually… I found my own way to make it work. 🙌 The moment it fired successfully and the bead moved freely was such a great feeling. That mix of relief and excitement when something new actually works is just the best. 🔥✨ And the best part? Using the cup feels just as good as making it did. Sometimes the most rewarding pieces are the ones where you have to figure things out yourself. 💛

We are located just south of Snow Hill on the map. As you can see we are expecting 14 or more inches.