From Potter to Patient: My Journey with Wheel Throwing

It's been five years since I started my journey with wheel throwing. Over the years, I've created hundreds if not thosands of beautiful pieces that I never could have imagined. But last year, my passion for pottery hit a breaking point. My hands and wrists could no longer handle the pressure and stress of the craft. At the end of each day, I'd wrap my hands in ice or soak in a hot bath just to relieve the pain. As the year went on, I started to experience numbness in my fingers and a weak grip.

Making the decision to step back from wheel throwing was pretty dang hard. It meant giving up a big part of my studio practice and rethinking our entire wholesale catalog. But, my health had to come first. I couldn't continue down the path of pain and injury. So, I made the difficult but necessary decision to limit my time on the wheel and find new ways to express my creativity.

This change has been a challenge, but it's also been an opportunity for growth. I've had to get creative and find new ways to incorporate my love for pottery into my work. I've started experimenting with hand-building techniques and incorporating other materials into my pieces. It's been a journey of self-discovery, and I'm excited to see where it will take me.

My experience with wheel throwing has been both rewarding and challenging. It has taught me the importance of taking care of my body and finding balance in my studio practice. I may have had to step back from the wheel for now, but my passion for pottery will never fade.

Hand-built Ceramic Jars

Nicole's Pottery Tools & Equipment

I get asked pretty often what equipment and tools I use in the studio so I thought it would be helpful to make a journal entry with all that information. I’ll continue to edit and add items along the way. Please don’t hesitate to ask me questions about this list.

Equipment:

• Shimpo Wheel VL Lite

• Skutt KM 1027 Kiln

• Skutt KM 1227 Kiln - I bought this used. Check out my PURCHASING A USED KILN - WHAT TO ASK AND LOOK FOR

• Shimpo Slab Roller

• Bailey Extruder

Wheel Throwing Tools:

• Bat system

• Potter’s Throwing Gauge

Handbuilding Tools:

Filming Tools: