https://hyperallergic.com/986832/piecing-together-the-story-of-texas-first-black-owned-pottery/

So a few days ago I dropped some stuff off at pottery store that fires all my stuff for me. I asked for 2 bags of B mix, but they were all out and A-side clay was recommended as a substitute. I just opened the first bag and I’m so disappointed! The clay is EXTREMELY moist and sticks all over my hands just like pizza dough! (In fact, the consistency is very much like raw bread.)

Is the description above characteristic of this clay or did I just get a weird bag?

Any tips for throwing with this clay would be extremely appreciated 🙏

Particularly, I would like to use engobes with a clear glaze inside bowls or cups! I was going to get a small pot of white and black to try out, and a matte clear glaze as I prefer a matte look over glossy. HOWEVER, from some things I've seen while reading around, and I right in saying that I'd need a zinc free clear glaze for the black engobe? The glaze brand is usually use only has a zinc free glossy glaze so I'm hoping I'm wrong 😒

I don’t love glazing so I put off doing this for quite a while but I’m really happy with how they came out! Also my first time dip glazing (front left), I was worried it would be too one-note since my other glazes are layered but I’m surprised how much I like it

So I made this chip and dip and it was drying outside for a few days. Yesterday I trimmed it and had to bring it inside because it was going below freezing over night. It seemed ok and was drying upside down. I came downstairs this morning and it had a huge crack through it. It felt super dry. I thought it would be ok. What can I do better the next time?

I LOVE this style of marbled hand built pieces but have no idea how to achieve it? Anything I think of would have messy coil connections all the way through and ruin the marbling.

Looking at purchasing a kiln for a home studio sometime this year - what’s one thing you wish you did/knew/had before getting into building a home studio?

I've been asked to run some workshops for beginners. I only hand build...mainly little figurines and tiny bud vases etc. What advice can anyone give me about running some workshops which act as an introduction to handbuilding for beginners? What might be good things for people to make? I was thinking of doing what I make...so little bud vases, maybe a pinch pot...little trinket tray and incorporate some natural elements like leaves for people to press in.

How best to approach glazing? If people make things...then I fire them...they will be unglazed when they pick them up a week or so later.

Is that OK? Or should I do 2 workshops. .one for building and then they come back to underglaze or glaze on a later date?

Is that too long winded? Any advice at all including how much to charge, how long to make it etc. Thank you!

I’m anxious my work is too all over the place!

So I don’t have pictures of it, but I made an octopus mug for my art finals in high school. During his first firing, one of his arms broke cleanly off. I want to repair him, but I don’t want to compromise the potential for future glazing. Are there glues I can use to bond the pieces that are safe for use in the kiln?

Today, we were assigned the job of making pinch pots with designs. I tried 3 times, but every time my walls were too thin and started to crack. My hands are in general very cold. Anyways, they were supposed to be handed in at the end of class, but since I couldn't complete it at all (0 work done due to restarting), I will be given another opportunity another time. How can I make sure I don't f*** it up? Also, would like some ideas for designs on my pot. Thanks.