I know you. I see you with your hands in the mud and those tools at arms reach. I'd bet that some of you (me too) make things away from traditional studio settings...because we truly enjoy the fun/creative energy. Having said that, I'm picturing my basic 'portable' studio that has found itself outside on a deck, sitting in a chair next to a campfire, and resting next to a creek with my feet in the water. For making small whistles and tone sculptures, here is what you see in the image on this post: - A lightweight lapboard - A sealable container for slip/scraps - My custom tool for making airway tubes for flutes - A couple of sharps/blades for carving/shaping/smoothing - Cleanup brush (and small sponge - not pictured) - Clay (just a small bag, may a 1lb or 0.5kg) Of course there are challenges... transporting delicate greenware, keeping pieces moist, and asking oneself if this is just 'nutz' 😉 If you have a 'portable work set-up', what does yours include, and what challenges have you faced if/when working remotely.

Can someone please give me advice on the maker's mark? I have stamps for the clay. I also have stamps for the underglaze and underglaze pencils. The pencils...just arent the best for me. I don't write well with them. The stamps are either too big or end up not clear or make the base uneven. I need something that looks nice and professional and it is a struggle. Any advice would be great!!💙

I’ve noticed many people are using kiln paper and I’m wondering if you have to clean it off the bottom of your pieces or does it just come off. Is Temu the only place you are finding it?

Do any of you make garlic graters? If you do, how do you make the centers sharp enough to actually work? I’ve tried several things but I’ve not had any success so far. Any special techniques? Any special tools? Any suggestions?

Does anyone ever feel this?? I know it sounds crazy, I am doing what I love on a daily basis, and sometimes I get an intrusive thought that maybe I am not worthy! Or that maybe people will find out that I am not a “master potter” and shouldn’t be teaching? I have students every month, but I keep wondering if I’ll still have students the following month. Sometimes I worry if I cannot keep every single one of them 100% entertained and challenged and also happy. But! I remind myself that is not my job. My job it to provide a safe, encouraging, caring, space for them to create as much or as little as they want. I have one student who is so driven, he is working on an 8-piece dinnerware set! And I have another student who sits there poking at a ball of clay for two hours. Both are acceptable, even though one student makes me feel useful, the other makes me feel like I should keep my distance. Does anyone ever feel this way? I know it will pass, but today I am feeling like I am not really good enough to be teaching students 😭 **Picture of two of my students’ mugs, they did such a great job!!