Lisa Russell
@mamabearsf.bsky.social
I am looking forward to sharing my journey as a potter, perfumer, gardener, caregiver, mom, wife, and daughter.
This is the tallest vessel I've thrown to date! 8mo into my ceramics journey. My husband asked for a cooking utensil container for the kitchen counter. It took multiple tries at throwing tall to finally get the right size. Now it's time for a clear glaze and into the kiln.
March 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This is the tallest vessel I've thrown to date! 8mo into my ceramics journey. My husband asked for a cooking utensil container for the kitchen counter. It took multiple tries at throwing tall to finally get the right size. Now it's time for a clear glaze and into the kiln.
Between managing the estate sale, forming a non-profit, caregiving, and watching the political BS happening, I'm exhausted most days. That said, I try to spend time doing ceramics in some capacity every day.
Creating is to loosen your grasp on one world and instead fall into a world of your own.
Creating is to loosen your grasp on one world and instead fall into a world of your own.
March 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Between managing the estate sale, forming a non-profit, caregiving, and watching the political BS happening, I'm exhausted most days. That said, I try to spend time doing ceramics in some capacity every day.
Creating is to loosen your grasp on one world and instead fall into a world of your own.
Creating is to loosen your grasp on one world and instead fall into a world of your own.
This cup went wobbly, and I had to cut the top off to save it. It came out smaller than originally planned but Instead of tossing it, I used it as an opportunity to practice my pottery. Sometimes things don't go the way we want in life, but that doesn't mean we can't make something of those moments.
December 23, 2024 at 5:26 PM
This cup went wobbly, and I had to cut the top off to save it. It came out smaller than originally planned but Instead of tossing it, I used it as an opportunity to practice my pottery. Sometimes things don't go the way we want in life, but that doesn't mean we can't make something of those moments.
Pottery is an amazing art form. To transform and shape clay, you must both figuratively and literally be malleable and rigid. Without both, your vision won't emerge from the clay. When you sit down to center clay, you become this stout mountain. Then, as you pull the walls, you coax w/steady hands.
December 22, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Pottery is an amazing art form. To transform and shape clay, you must both figuratively and literally be malleable and rigid. Without both, your vision won't emerge from the clay. When you sit down to center clay, you become this stout mountain. Then, as you pull the walls, you coax w/steady hands.
Trimming my simple cylinder. I might hate trimming pottery, but I'm usually happy with the finished product. Carving sharp lines w/angles and curves wasn't something I planned when I started. It just kind of came to me. My pottery like myself has many facets that have been carved out over time.
December 19, 2024 at 8:04 PM
Trimming my simple cylinder. I might hate trimming pottery, but I'm usually happy with the finished product. Carving sharp lines w/angles and curves wasn't something I planned when I started. It just kind of came to me. My pottery like myself has many facets that have been carved out over time.
Here, I'm working with LBM at about 2mo into learning pottery. W/ea new clay body I try throwing a cylinder since most forms required being good at just making a cylinder first. To get into an artistic/relaxed mood, I listen toLudovico Einaudi. It's such beautiful music, so I added his music here.
December 19, 2024 at 5:49 PM
Here, I'm working with LBM at about 2mo into learning pottery. W/ea new clay body I try throwing a cylinder since most forms required being good at just making a cylinder first. To get into an artistic/relaxed mood, I listen toLudovico Einaudi. It's such beautiful music, so I added his music here.
Trimming the biggest bowl I've ever made last week. Going by the studio today to see if it's out of bisque firing.
Been so tired this week, but gonna try to get this glaze fired before Christmas. I have a torn hip that has been really bad lately, and it makes me so exhausted some days.
Been so tired this week, but gonna try to get this glaze fired before Christmas. I have a torn hip that has been really bad lately, and it makes me so exhausted some days.
December 18, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Trimming the biggest bowl I've ever made last week. Going by the studio today to see if it's out of bisque firing.
Been so tired this week, but gonna try to get this glaze fired before Christmas. I have a torn hip that has been really bad lately, and it makes me so exhausted some days.
Been so tired this week, but gonna try to get this glaze fired before Christmas. I have a torn hip that has been really bad lately, and it makes me so exhausted some days.
Here is the finished cup! I don't know if I'll ever be able to make a living doing pottery, but I think that's okay. Just doing a thing for the love of it is priceless and can bring more joy to your life than monetizing it ever would.
Is what I tell myself when I worry about money 🤣
Is what I tell myself when I worry about money 🤣
December 15, 2024 at 6:17 PM
Here is the finished cup! I don't know if I'll ever be able to make a living doing pottery, but I think that's okay. Just doing a thing for the love of it is priceless and can bring more joy to your life than monetizing it ever would.
Is what I tell myself when I worry about money 🤣
Is what I tell myself when I worry about money 🤣
I never know what I'm going to make when I start throwing beyond the basic type of pottery. A cup, bowl, etc. I just go with the flow. When I throw clay, the world melts away. As a caregiver for someone with dementia, the chance to surrender my constantly busy mind is a small slice of paradise.
December 15, 2024 at 8:46 AM
I never know what I'm going to make when I start throwing beyond the basic type of pottery. A cup, bowl, etc. I just go with the flow. When I throw clay, the world melts away. As a caregiver for someone with dementia, the chance to surrender my constantly busy mind is a small slice of paradise.
Finished my class pottery tonight. Now it's off to bisque. Took me most the day to finish due to the bowl size and how it dried. The base was pretty soft still while the rim had dried a bit too much. All that said I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I also trimmed a few small nesting bowls.
December 14, 2024 at 5:04 AM
Finished my class pottery tonight. Now it's off to bisque. Took me most the day to finish due to the bowl size and how it dried. The base was pretty soft still while the rim had dried a bit too much. All that said I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I also trimmed a few small nesting bowls.
Here's an example of my clay not being centered, then trying to fix it. I opened it (e.g. when you create the hole in the middle) and realized it was uneven. I could feel the wobble😬. So I had to try recentering. The pottery would have turned out wobbly if I didn't correct the issue.
December 13, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Here's an example of my clay not being centered, then trying to fix it. I opened it (e.g. when you create the hole in the middle) and realized it was uneven. I could feel the wobble😬. So I had to try recentering. The pottery would have turned out wobbly if I didn't correct the issue.
Tried to get my pottery finished up tonight before the last class next week. Finished trimming the jar today and moved on to getting underglaze transfers on a few pieces. More artwork and trimming to do tomorrow. I used b-mix to throw these and underglaze transfers from Elan group and Plum Island.
December 13, 2024 at 7:49 AM
Tried to get my pottery finished up tonight before the last class next week. Finished trimming the jar today and moved on to getting underglaze transfers on a few pieces. More artwork and trimming to do tomorrow. I used b-mix to throw these and underglaze transfers from Elan group and Plum Island.
Here's that same pot thrown w/white 27 getting ready to go in for bisque firing. Trimming this pot took about 12mins. However, the coffee pour overs took about 40 mins ea, and the butter bell took an hr. I love the look though, and feel myself developing more of my own unique style of pottery.
December 12, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Here's that same pot thrown w/white 27 getting ready to go in for bisque firing. Trimming this pot took about 12mins. However, the coffee pour overs took about 40 mins ea, and the butter bell took an hr. I love the look though, and feel myself developing more of my own unique style of pottery.
I have a hate love relationship with trimming pottery. I love to trim designs and create my artistic touch in each of my pieces. However, that also means each pot I trim takes FOREVER to finish. This pot was more simplistic, so it wasn't that bad. But some pieces take me 40+ mins each.
December 12, 2024 at 4:51 PM
I have a hate love relationship with trimming pottery. I love to trim designs and create my artistic touch in each of my pieces. However, that also means each pot I trim takes FOREVER to finish. This pot was more simplistic, so it wasn't that bad. But some pieces take me 40+ mins each.
One of my favorite clays so far is white 27. The first few times I threw, it was hard to center. (For ppl who aren't familiar with pottery, see explanation below) Once I got the centering down, I liked how the clay moved easily with my movements and didn't become overworked even after 40min.
December 12, 2024 at 4:44 PM
One of my favorite clays so far is white 27. The first few times I threw, it was hard to center. (For ppl who aren't familiar with pottery, see explanation below) Once I got the centering down, I liked how the clay moved easily with my movements and didn't become overworked even after 40min.
Thank you! I really appreciate the compliment. I hope to eventually make more of them and perhaps sell them at a craft fair.
The underglaze I used was from Clayplanet. I was very happy at how well they stood up to at cone 10 and a darker clay.
The underglaze I used was from Clayplanet. I was very happy at how well they stood up to at cone 10 and a darker clay.
December 12, 2024 at 6:19 AM
Thank you! I really appreciate the compliment. I hope to eventually make more of them and perhaps sell them at a craft fair.
The underglaze I used was from Clayplanet. I was very happy at how well they stood up to at cone 10 and a darker clay.
The underglaze I used was from Clayplanet. I was very happy at how well they stood up to at cone 10 and a darker clay.
A few weeks ago (about 5mo into learn pottery), I tried porcelain for the first time. I've been systematic trying different clays. So far, I've tried Black Mountain, LBM, Tecate Gold, Soldate 60, Carmel, White 27#, Rio Red, Russian River, and now Big Porcelain. All made by Arrdvark.
December 11, 2024 at 5:55 PM
A few weeks ago (about 5mo into learn pottery), I tried porcelain for the first time. I've been systematic trying different clays. So far, I've tried Black Mountain, LBM, Tecate Gold, Soldate 60, Carmel, White 27#, Rio Red, Russian River, and now Big Porcelain. All made by Arrdvark.
When the teacher showed us how to make a hollow clay ball, my brain exploded. I was amazed at how something so simple could be used to create complex pieces of art. My imagination ran wild, and the first thing I wanted to make was this bulbus ceramic bud vase. I love looking at it.
December 11, 2024 at 6:40 AM
When the teacher showed us how to make a hollow clay ball, my brain exploded. I was amazed at how something so simple could be used to create complex pieces of art. My imagination ran wild, and the first thing I wanted to make was this bulbus ceramic bud vase. I love looking at it.
This was my first handbuilt vase. I made it aug 2024 in a hand building pottery class. The bottom ball is the first handbuilt object I ever made. It's my favorite vessel. My dad and mom keep trying to get me to give it to them, but as my first handbuilt vase, I feel too attached to give it away.
December 11, 2024 at 6:40 AM
This was my first handbuilt vase. I made it aug 2024 in a hand building pottery class. The bottom ball is the first handbuilt object I ever made. It's my favorite vessel. My dad and mom keep trying to get me to give it to them, but as my first handbuilt vase, I feel too attached to give it away.
Pottery getting prepped for bisque. I tested trying out underglaze transfers for my pots. These little foxes were so cute but took a couple trys to get them on there. There is definitely a learning curve to working with transfers. Too much water smugges and too little won't transfer the image.
December 9, 2024 at 6:53 PM
Pottery getting prepped for bisque. I tested trying out underglaze transfers for my pots. These little foxes were so cute but took a couple trys to get them on there. There is definitely a learning curve to working with transfers. Too much water smugges and too little won't transfer the image.
Trimming pottery. Unfortunately, I'd let it dry a little too much and had to re-wet it as I trimmed. I eventually got myself a ton of plastic containers to keep my greenwear (clay that hasn't gone into the kiln) leather hard (clay that has dried and feels sorta like leather).
December 9, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Trimming pottery. Unfortunately, I'd let it dry a little too much and had to re-wet it as I trimmed. I eventually got myself a ton of plastic containers to keep my greenwear (clay that hasn't gone into the kiln) leather hard (clay that has dried and feels sorta like leather).
This is also from the series I made back in Aug. I've been trying different clays to figure out which one I'll throw with regularly. This is one is LBM by Ardvarrk. I liked throwing with it and found it to be very forgiving as a newbie to pottery. I love learning the art of ceramics!
December 9, 2024 at 6:29 PM
This is also from the series I made back in Aug. I've been trying different clays to figure out which one I'll throw with regularly. This is one is LBM by Ardvarrk. I liked throwing with it and found it to be very forgiving as a newbie to pottery. I love learning the art of ceramics!
Here I am throwing the pot I just posted pics of. I'm about a month into learning pottery when I did this one.
December 8, 2024 at 7:41 PM
Here I am throwing the pot I just posted pics of. I'm about a month into learning pottery when I did this one.
I just began pottery in July 2024, and I thought it would be fun to document my journey learning and creating.
Here are some creations.
Here are some creations.
December 8, 2024 at 6:36 PM
I just began pottery in July 2024, and I thought it would be fun to document my journey learning and creating.
Here are some creations.
Here are some creations.