volkpots
@volkpots.bsky.social
Exploring functional pottery and ceramic sculpture in Pittsburgh, PA.
laceyvolk.bigcartel.com
she/her #hobbypotter
laceyvolk.bigcartel.com
she/her #hobbypotter
Ridiculous hyper local reference, a greenware mug that says “BARBER SCHOOL?”
If you live in Pittsburgh, these signs have resurfaced again in the West End area. Anyone else seeing them in other areas? Honestly starting to think it’s a recession indicator 🤔
If you live in Pittsburgh, these signs have resurfaced again in the West End area. Anyone else seeing them in other areas? Honestly starting to think it’s a recession indicator 🤔
November 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Ridiculous hyper local reference, a greenware mug that says “BARBER SCHOOL?”
If you live in Pittsburgh, these signs have resurfaced again in the West End area. Anyone else seeing them in other areas? Honestly starting to think it’s a recession indicator 🤔
If you live in Pittsburgh, these signs have resurfaced again in the West End area. Anyone else seeing them in other areas? Honestly starting to think it’s a recession indicator 🤔
Laceyvolk.bigcartel.com is very much a WIP, but I’m starting to list some ceramic sculpture and functional pottery to sell. I’m on a free plan right now so the functionality is a bit limited but my goal is just to sell ONE thing by the end of the year. Still figuring out pricing, photos, all of it…
Lacey Volk Ceramics
An anxiety of making. Exploring functional pottery and ceramic sculpture in Pittsburgh, PA.
Laceyvolk.bigcartel.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Laceyvolk.bigcartel.com is very much a WIP, but I’m starting to list some ceramic sculpture and functional pottery to sell. I’m on a free plan right now so the functionality is a bit limited but my goal is just to sell ONE thing by the end of the year. Still figuring out pricing, photos, all of it…
I had this idea to make pottery fortune telling cups: Spin then drink to reveal your future! This first one is pretty unbalanced (always falls in one spot) and I went a bit heavy handed on the text in places. I see a few ways to improve the design but for now; what do you think?
September 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
I had this idea to make pottery fortune telling cups: Spin then drink to reveal your future! This first one is pretty unbalanced (always falls in one spot) and I went a bit heavy handed on the text in places. I see a few ways to improve the design but for now; what do you think?
Yesterday for the first time I tore off a handle I truly hated and built a new extruded one. Could probably be a little narrower but such a major improvement. I’m always working on letting go and being less precious with my pottery practice!
August 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Yesterday for the first time I tore off a handle I truly hated and built a new extruded one. Could probably be a little narrower but such a major improvement. I’m always working on letting go and being less precious with my pottery practice!
I had a big fail on my third section of this plaster mold yesterday. The piece was awkwardly positioned and I couldn’t see that the seam wasn’t fully sealed.
I managed to chip off the second layer of plaster so I might try to salvage the model and try again… #trialanderror #ceramics #slipcasting
I managed to chip off the second layer of plaster so I might try to salvage the model and try again… #trialanderror #ceramics #slipcasting
June 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I had a big fail on my third section of this plaster mold yesterday. The piece was awkwardly positioned and I couldn’t see that the seam wasn’t fully sealed.
I managed to chip off the second layer of plaster so I might try to salvage the model and try again… #trialanderror #ceramics #slipcasting
I managed to chip off the second layer of plaster so I might try to salvage the model and try again… #trialanderror #ceramics #slipcasting
Why does Standard have ONE cone 6 clay body that fires to less than 0.5% absorption? Other companies seem to do this just fine?
June 17, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Why does Standard have ONE cone 6 clay body that fires to less than 0.5% absorption? Other companies seem to do this just fine?
Finally got around to making a before/after video from the wood firing. I’ve never experienced so much joy from making so many terrible things 😂
#pottery #woodfiredpottery #ceramics
#pottery #woodfiredpottery #ceramics
June 15, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Finally got around to making a before/after video from the wood firing. I’ve never experienced so much joy from making so many terrible things 😂
#pottery #woodfiredpottery #ceramics
#pottery #woodfiredpottery #ceramics
Reposted by volkpots
Cartoon about a wallaby that finishes pottery by throwing it into a pile of flammable detritus while it's still burning hot, call that Raku's Modern Life
May 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Cartoon about a wallaby that finishes pottery by throwing it into a pile of flammable detritus while it's still burning hot, call that Raku's Modern Life
A fun spring pottery project: garden stacks! I’ve got more fun plans to fill my yard with pots this summer. I need a break from functional ware.
If you’ve ever made one of these, reply with your pics! I need more inspiration!
If you’ve ever made one of these, reply with your pics! I need more inspiration!
May 7, 2025 at 1:44 PM
A fun spring pottery project: garden stacks! I’ve got more fun plans to fill my yard with pots this summer. I need a break from functional ware.
If you’ve ever made one of these, reply with your pics! I need more inspiration!
If you’ve ever made one of these, reply with your pics! I need more inspiration!
I have a very particular case of the “can’t focus at work, thinking about glazing” Monday blues today
May 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I have a very particular case of the “can’t focus at work, thinking about glazing” Monday blues today
Sketching some glaze ideas before class next week. My kindergartener asked if I’m doing my pottery homework 😂 really makes you miss the days when homework was just coloring right? #pottery #potteryhomework
May 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Sketching some glaze ideas before class next week. My kindergartener asked if I’m doing my pottery homework 😂 really makes you miss the days when homework was just coloring right? #pottery #potteryhomework
I try not to get too excited about greenware, but this pottery birdhouse is looking mighty cute. First time using applied colored slip too, though I didn’t carve into it or anything.
May 1, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I try not to get too excited about greenware, but this pottery birdhouse is looking mighty cute. First time using applied colored slip too, though I didn’t carve into it or anything.
Rushed through it, hated it, but plan to try again. Good thing clay is recyclable.
#pottery #failure #ceramics #potteryfail #practicemakesprogress
#pottery #failure #ceramics #potteryfail #practicemakesprogress
April 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Rushed through it, hated it, but plan to try again. Good thing clay is recyclable.
#pottery #failure #ceramics #potteryfail #practicemakesprogress
#pottery #failure #ceramics #potteryfail #practicemakesprogress
Playing with making transfers with slips and oxides instead of underglaze. Haven’t fired any yet but it looks promising.
Also testing cutting/ reassembling to get the “recycled brick” look, instead of cutting up the transfers.
What experiments are you running in your studio?
#pottery #ceramics
Also testing cutting/ reassembling to get the “recycled brick” look, instead of cutting up the transfers.
What experiments are you running in your studio?
#pottery #ceramics
April 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Make stuff. Get better at making stuff. Use new skills to make weirder stuff.
Yes, technically you could fill it up, the whole neck is hollow… but I’m just looking forward to putting a small bouquet of upside down fake flowers in it.
#pottery #ceramics #justheretofartaround
Yes, technically you could fill it up, the whole neck is hollow… but I’m just looking forward to putting a small bouquet of upside down fake flowers in it.
#pottery #ceramics #justheretofartaround
April 24, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Make stuff. Get better at making stuff. Use new skills to make weirder stuff.
Yes, technically you could fill it up, the whole neck is hollow… but I’m just looking forward to putting a small bouquet of upside down fake flowers in it.
#pottery #ceramics #justheretofartaround
Yes, technically you could fill it up, the whole neck is hollow… but I’m just looking forward to putting a small bouquet of upside down fake flowers in it.
#pottery #ceramics #justheretofartaround
Hey #pottery people, am I mad to be putting these colorful underglazed pots into a wood firing next month, knowing full well how much the colors will darken and fade (and maybe worse)? 🤞
Specs: Mostly Amaco Velvet with some Standard underglaze on Standard 437 Troy Porcelain.
Specs: Mostly Amaco Velvet with some Standard underglaze on Standard 437 Troy Porcelain.
April 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Hey #pottery people, am I mad to be putting these colorful underglazed pots into a wood firing next month, knowing full well how much the colors will darken and fade (and maybe worse)? 🤞
Specs: Mostly Amaco Velvet with some Standard underglaze on Standard 437 Troy Porcelain.
Specs: Mostly Amaco Velvet with some Standard underglaze on Standard 437 Troy Porcelain.
I made a DIY pottery trim guard for $15 and I’m pretty happy with it. Had the foresight to record most of the process too! It took me actual months of looking for a bin that was the right size before I stumbled upon this one, but even a cardboard box works (and can be cut without special tools).
February 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
I made a DIY pottery trim guard for $15 and I’m pretty happy with it. Had the foresight to record most of the process too! It took me actual months of looking for a bin that was the right size before I stumbled upon this one, but even a cardboard box works (and can be cut without special tools).
At the student/hobby potter phase of scrounging around for finished pottery to give away every time I meet up with friends or family. Today’s picks:
February 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
At the student/hobby potter phase of scrounging around for finished pottery to give away every time I meet up with friends or family. Today’s picks:
Baby’s first combination of wheel thrown and hand built clay elements. I could probably keep poking at it forever, but today was week 5 of an 8 week session, so I wrapped the top loosely and left it to dry in the kiln room. 🤞
February 8, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Baby’s first combination of wheel thrown and hand built clay elements. I could probably keep poking at it forever, but today was week 5 of an 8 week session, so I wrapped the top loosely and left it to dry in the kiln room. 🤞
So I acquired a lil baby barely used @skuttkilns.bsky.social KM-614-3 awhile ago. We don’t have a garage so I’m looking to install in the basement. I’ve got Envirovent parts ready but having a little anxiety about doing this right. Any potters using air quality monitors in their studios? Other tips?
January 27, 2025 at 12:32 PM
So I acquired a lil baby barely used @skuttkilns.bsky.social KM-614-3 awhile ago. We don’t have a garage so I’m looking to install in the basement. I’ve got Envirovent parts ready but having a little anxiety about doing this right. Any potters using air quality monitors in their studios? Other tips?
Nothing makes me feel more like I don’t know what I’m doing that trying a new idea stuck in my head. Testing a small honeypot with an integrated dipper. Never tried throwing a solid “stem” like this before now, probably could have trimmed it thinner but got nervous about breaking it.
January 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Nothing makes me feel more like I don’t know what I’m doing that trying a new idea stuck in my head. Testing a small honeypot with an integrated dipper. Never tried throwing a solid “stem” like this before now, probably could have trimmed it thinner but got nervous about breaking it.
Greetings from Pittsburgh, where it’s currently -6F. Today’s tea is in my new Eva Conrad (depositunknown) mug. I just finished reading “The Weight of Nature” and can’t help but see cyanobacteria here. I love the quality of their work; painterly, organic, fingerprinted. #pottery #ceramics
January 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Today’s tea is in mug I made about a year ago. Porcelain w/studio glazes (a deep matte green + titanium dipped rim) fired in ^10r. Not quite symmetrical, handle not comfy, foot rather unconsidered; but I still love this angular bellied-out shape (& glaze). #pottery #wheelthrown #beginnermindset
January 20, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Today’s tea is in mug I made about a year ago. Porcelain w/studio glazes (a deep matte green + titanium dipped rim) fired in ^10r. Not quite symmetrical, handle not comfy, foot rather unconsidered; but I still love this angular bellied-out shape (& glaze). #pottery #wheelthrown #beginnermindset
Reposted by volkpots
Born to watch Star Trek, forced to live in the apocalypse from the wreckage of which a better world must one day be built.
January 20, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Born to watch Star Trek, forced to live in the apocalypse from the wreckage of which a better world must one day be built.
Finding lots of #pottery people here is nice! But can someone teach me how to interrupt my feed with disturbing plastic surgery influencers, unsolicited weight lifting advice, and accounts that show me thirty seconds of a movie but don’t tell me what the movie is?
January 19, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Finding lots of #pottery people here is nice! But can someone teach me how to interrupt my feed with disturbing plastic surgery influencers, unsolicited weight lifting advice, and accounts that show me thirty seconds of a movie but don’t tell me what the movie is?