This was yesterday day 4 of the renovation of the new store and studio. Today Day 5 We’re all done with all walls and the white base. Roofs are all done 🙌. Tomorrow we are gonna continue with the windows, by the doors, and paint some walls with colors. Then I need to buy glue for the wallpaper. Our bucket had froze in the cleaning cabinet so I need to buy another one. I hope I’ll remember to film tomorrow. 😆 i couldn’t upload the whole video as one so needed to do 2 part. Just scroll to the side for 2nd video.

Hi!

Before bells, buzzers, or raised voices, some British taverns relied on a quieter kind of signal. Whistling mugs—ordinary drinking vessels fitted with a small whistle—allowed patrons to call for another round with a puff of breath rather than a shout. Used mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries, these mugs blended utility, humor, and civility. One sip for refreshment, one whistle for service—proof that even in a crowded pub, good design could keep the peace. These modern whistling mugs tip their rims to that tradition: when the mug speaks, it does so politely.

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!

Hello Pottery People! What a wonderful community. I am in Upstate New York, United States. I have always loved the pottery community and this forum that Suza built for us just proves why. I did some pottery as a kid but stopped when I went to college. I have either studied or worked in a “practical” technical field since, burying my artistic side. After hitting my mid-life unraveling, I took a pottery class in 2019 and have been hooked since. I joined my local Pottery Guild (Collar City Clay Guild) and have learned from that community as well. I’m thankful to be part of this network and looking forward to connecting. Happy potting!