Janet Kaiser on sat 10 apr 04
Better watch out, Kelly! Once you taste the forbidden fruits...
Well, you know how it goes!
What we consider "our local glass artist", Bill Swann, originally
(if somewhat late in life) went to study for a degree in ceramic
design at college after running a successful pottery in the next
town for several years... Incidentally, they did exactly the
opposite to what most potters I know have done! Bill and his wife
had a very successful tourist based pot-production and
throw-a-pot enterprise very much established and the business on
a sound and secure financial basis with several employees,
including production throwers, before ever thinking of acquiring
academic qualifications themselves...
Anyway, it made sense to formalise his education given the
situation, not least because it does provide one with more
confidence. He was very motivated, seeing it from a business
point of view as much as anything else. But even he was seduced
by that pesky clear shiny stuff!! Ended up in the glass
department from day one at college, as far as I can gather...
Never has returned to ceramics and is highly unlikely to do so
now! At least he already owned a lot of equipment... Kilns, etc.
Plus "basic" knowledge base seeing there is quite a bit the two
disciplines share.
Bill is not the first and will not be the last. Indeed, it is
very interesting observing potters being seduced first by clay,
then by glass... I know it is not very PC to speak of "types",
but I believe it is most than mere coincidence, that those most
likely to be seduced by Glamorous Glass are those in the Glaze
Gourmet group. On the opposite side of the coin, people like "Our
Catski" are highly unlikely ever to join the latter, because they
just love the clay and would adore it if pots could be made to
look like they were recently made/formed... That is the wet clay
or even the leather hard look...
I guess it is like any flirtation... You can enjoy the fun,
romance and excitement of playing with fire without getting too
serious. But the more intimate you get, the more likely it is
that you will be dazzled and seduced so you will never feel quite
the same about your old love ever again... Yes. Watch out!! You
never know when cupid has that bow and arrow out...
Sincerely
Janet Kaiser -- After procrastinating it is too late to bake the
Simnel Cake now, but at least I got the Easter Egg Tree up!! A
major effort was needed too, after minor surgery done yesterday.
Now face swelling nicely, although at least it is not as bad as
last time! No yet.... Hope the stitches dissolve OK. Happy Easter
all!
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