Nostr notes by Pottery by Osa

@npub1e8a…j9hg @npub1v9k…l40h ...

2026-07-10T13:36:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…h2d0
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Tamami (npub1e8a…j9hg)
npub1v9kpgamwlykx8lw2jrtfyl790r8jvwmyuk64r2sv0q88uvtnvc5qptl40h (npub1v9k…l40h)
[@TishaPaints](https://mastodon.art/@TishaPaints )
[@guilhernunes_](https://mastodon.art/@guilhernunes_ )
Joy (npub1z72…0zld)

More like a midlife renaissance. This is great.

2026-07-07T01:31:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…r05k
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More like a midlife renaissance. This is great.

After I left this exhibit, everything else looked gray by ...

2026-06-13T19:02:13Z

After I left this exhibit, everything else looked gray by comparison.

Woody DeOthello (b. 1991, Miami)
“coming forth by day”
Peréz Art Museum Miami

#ceramics #sculpture #fineart #BlackArt #Miami

We installed our #solar panels around August of last year and ...

2026-06-08T19:35:59Z

We installed our #solar panels around August of last year and it’s going well. We’re using zero kWh/month and have about 900 kWh banked with FPL. It’s very cool to know that the a/c and my pottery kiln are running on solar power.

If you’re thinking about it, especially if you’re in the Sunshine State, I highly recommend going solar 🌞 The panels can also act as shields for your roof during storms. #Florida

I just applied for a little doggie on petfinder dot com. We just ...

2026-05-12T01:30:12Z

I just applied for a little doggie on petfinder dot com. We just had our two older dogs pass away over the last two years. We have one younger dog that we adopted in 2024 and I think we're about ready to have a pair again. The dog in this listing prefers to have a calm dog friend around. This could be the right home for her! https://www.petfinder.com/dog/pip-60f36f02-5ec6-4230-903a-0b73de603723/fl/bradenton/under-dog-rescue-of-florida-fl551/details/ #DogsofMastodon #rescuedog

See @npub1faz…vc22 and @npub1d38…pus2

2026-04-09T13:09:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…5757
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See Dilman Dila (npub1faz…vc22) and Eco Youths Network Uganda (npub1d38…pus2)

Wow! As a fan of clay, comics and graphic novel illustration, I ...

2026-01-29T16:51:26Z

Wow! As a fan of clay, comics and graphic novel illustration, I find this work very exciting. Garcia celebrates the leaders of the Pueblo Revolt by turning them into comic book style superheroes.

Jason Garcia: The Futurism of Narrative Change: https://southwestcontemporary.com/jason-garcia-the-futurism-of-narrative-change/

Jason Garcia at Kings Gallery: https://kinggalleries.com/brand/garcia-jason/

#indigenousart #indigenous #clay #ceramics #tile #comics #illustration #art

Today, I got an order from an interior design co requesting two ...

2026-01-14T19:43:55Z

Today, I got an order from an interior design co requesting two lamp bases using my #Florida crackle surface. I’ve only ever used it for the pieces I’ve made for local gallery shows to share my #WildClay experiments with the general public. I mark them NFS and never thought of the pieces as sellable because of the fragility of the surface. I’m pretty excited that the designer accepts the fragility and wants me to use this surface on functional objects.

Here’s the finished planter—a custom engagement gift for ...

2026-01-08T21:44:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…v46s
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Here’s the finished planter—a custom engagement gift for plant lovers beginning their lives together. The dark pink background is Alabama clay, and now you can see how the green Ontario clay looks on the leaves after firing. The other colors come from glazes that I make in-studio. The orchid was a gift given to me over a year ago and I hope it flowers again! I’m not great with orchids so keep your fingers crossed 🤞🏾 Now, she goes back in her hiding place, away from direct sun. #plants #pottery

A rare snippet of my decorating process. Here I’m filling in ...

2026-01-07T19:19:00Z

A rare snippet of my decorating process. Here I’m filling in the monstera pattern on this planter with terra sigillata (a watery, refined clay slip) made with clay from Ontario. This is much different than painting—it’s basically glaze application. The difference is, I’m applying three layers of terra sig to achieve my desired result. If I apply the sig too thinly, it will come out brown. Three coats (and proper firing) gives me a rich olive green with a bit of variegation. #pottery #ceramics

It's my first Fediversary! Still happy to be here, no regrets ...

2026-01-05T15:46:36Z

It's my first Fediversary! Still happy to be here, no regrets leaving IG--in fact, it's been a relief.
https://mastodon.social/@potterybyosa/113867178054241404

quoting
note1kkc…v5vn

My last #selfie for the algorithm before I deleted IG last weekend. Goodbye after 12 yrs + 50k followers 👋🏾 I couldn’t have done it if I hadn’t gained some traction here, so thank you for following.

I grew up in #punkrock and #anarchist organizing, so moving to #NonCorporate and #decentralized social media feels full circle. I want my #pottery to be part of a future of thought that represents progress and liberation.

#punk #clay #ceramics #nonhierarchical #art #blackmastodon #africanart

Happy New Year! Today is also Imani (Faith), the last day of ...

2026-01-01T22:05:24Z

Happy New Year! Today is also Imani (Faith), the last day of #Kwanzaa which we have been celebrating as a community since the day after Christmas. We gathered and ate food from the African diaspora: jollof rice, jerk chicken, etc. I also made the unity cup for the Kwanzaa table this year decorated with black, red and green foraged clays. It’s easy to identify what we’re against but celebrating the principles of Kwanzaa reminds us what we need more of in 2026 and beyond. #BlackFedi

Every now and then, I return to the source for #inspiration. ...

2025-12-30T23:51:43Z

Every now and then, I return to the source for #inspiration. I've been taking time away from the studio to celebrate the holidays, spend more time with family and reset. As we creep closer to the end of the year, I'm thinking about what to make, what to express, how to take my work to the next level in 2026. This Nigerian (Igbo) pottery vessel is absolutely magnificent--looks like sewn leather, doesn't it? #pottery #NigerianPottery #ceramics #art #BlackArt #AfricanArt

Last pot of the year! I made a second version of the terracotta ...

2025-12-21T19:23:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…7q0e
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Last pot of the year! I made a second version of the terracotta amaryllis vase at the request of a neighbor. He and his wife are also craftspeople—she makes #pottery and he fashions highly polished wood lids to fit her vessels. This will be her Christmas gift. I offered to deliver it to their home so that I can peek inside their studio.

Since this is the second iteration of this design, I tweaked a couple of details. Iteration is how potters make progress. Can you spot the differences?

"These vessels represent the first moment in history when ...

2025-12-20T14:50:38Z

"These vessels represent the first moment in history when people chose to portray the botanical world as a subject worthy of artistic attention," the authors note. "It reflects a cognitive shift tied to village life and a growing awareness of symmetry and aesthetics."

“This research contributes to the growing field of #ethnomathematics, which explores how mathematical ideas are expressed through cultural practices and artistic traditions.”

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251216081937.htm

#pottery #archaeology #art

Zohran has amazing parents. I’m sure you’ve heard of his ...

2025-12-19T13:40:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…57hv
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Zohran has amazing parents. I’m sure you’ve heard of his mother’s films? I watched Mississippi Masala as a teen.

New lamps!💡 In 2023 I created a line of lamps for an interior ...

2025-12-12T17:48:58Z

New lamps!💡 In 2023 I created a line of lamps for an interior design company. They wanted a very simple, classic, non-decorative surface and so it’s been fun to return to the idea with the addition of my Earth Tones and carved surfaces. The larger one is an order from a long-time collector who’s become a friend. The other one is for my mom’s birthday! #handmade #pottery

Okay, that was a very lovely encounter. The guy who contacted me ...

2025-12-11T18:26:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…3t0h
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Okay, that was a very lovely encounter. The guy who contacted me is a surfer, born & raised in FL. He said the #clay had washed up in big balls onto the beach after the storms and that he’d never seen anything like it before. I told him that the hurricanes were such a material, psychological & spiritual upheaval for so many and that working with the clay would help me to continue to reflect on all that happened. More info in the #alttext

A guy emailed me saying he collected #WildClay from the beaches ...

2025-12-11T14:33:30Z

A guy emailed me saying he collected #WildClay from the beaches exposed by the series of hurricanes we had last year. He’d been trying to find someone to give it to who would appreciate it and found me online. I’m going to meet up with him in a few minutes. Yippee! He says it’s very pure marine clay with no sand. I haven’t found beach clay yet and all of the #Florida clays I’ve collected so far are sandy, so this is an exciting find.

I finally got around to processing several #WildClay samples ...

2025-12-11T03:00:03Z

I finally got around to processing several #WildClay samples I'd collected over the last half of the year. I really love having this very tangible way to reflect on the places I've been. I've made some predictions of what results I might get from my test tiles, but mostly, I'm prepared to be surprised--which is what makes it a fun and inspiring way to work. I wanted to share my blog post "Earthen Rainbow: Decorating with Clay" for those who haven't seen it. https://potterybyosa.com/blogs/clay-people/earthen-rainbow-working-with-wild-clay-terra-sigillata-at-midrange

Thanks for the card suggestions! Any Fedi artists and crafts ...

2025-12-10T15:06:02Z

Thanks for the card suggestions! Any Fedi artists and crafts people have Christmas tree ornaments for sale? Ceramic, felt, crochet, wood, anything #handmade. US makers, please. 🎄

Anyone on here sell thank you cards or blank cards that are ...

2025-12-09T16:18:12Z

Anyone on here sell thank you cards or blank cards that are handmade or feature original artwork? US makers only, please. #stationery #papermaking

Just finished squeegeeing my floors 😅 I’m finally done ...

2025-12-05T21:22:50Z

Just finished squeegeeing my floors 😅 I’m finally done cleaning and preparing for tomorrow. As I walked back inside from taking out the trash, I noticed how beautiful the late afternoon light is, shining on the pots I have out on my work table for display. I feel very grateful for this space 🙏🏾 #pottery

Deep cleaning my workspace ahead of my open studio event this ...

2025-12-04T18:54:07Z

Deep cleaning my workspace ahead of my open studio event this Saturday. Going through all of my tools, getting rid of things I never use, wondering how I ended up with five yard sticks over the years, etc. So much dust, so many random little cups and bags with clay samples and experimental mixtures. It will feel really great starting the new year with a clean studio!

Had a couple of my friends’ kids over for a #pottery making ...

2025-12-03T23:10:02Z

Had a couple of my friends’ kids over for a #pottery making session. I’ve known the boy for a year and a half now and I just met the girl for the first time at that skatepark event a couple of weeks ago. I bisque fired the mug she made and today she got to decorate it with colorful underglazes. It was very freaking #cute. They are 4 and 7 years old. I think the moms had a good time hanging out too. #KidsArt

Another cool thing about Providence Canyon is there’s glitter ...

2025-12-01T19:26:43Z

Another cool thing about Providence Canyon is there’s glitter and rainbows everywhere. At first I thought the rainbow water at the bottom for canyon was gasoline runoff but then noticed it was more concentrated wherever there was granulated mica. I looked it up, and when mica breaks down finely enough, it creates this rainbow swirl in water. Higher up in elevation, I also found some sandy yellow micaceous #clay.
#nature #beauty #geology

We visited Providence Canyon State Park in #Georgia for my ...

2025-12-01T15:44:01Z

We visited Providence Canyon State Park in #Georgia for my birthday, which was on Thursday. The park has a disturbing origin story but the beauty of the strata below is undeniable. Earth is the original work of #art from which all of the art we create is derived. The last time we saw this many earthen colors was in New Mexico last year. Here, the soil is mostly sand, not clay but there was still some #clay present. #nature #geology

The handful of you who also follow my gardening account ...

2025-11-22T20:52:48Z

The handful of you who also follow my gardening account PermaSolarPotter (npub12z6…xkep) know that I’ve begun #spinning native cotton. I love plants in the hibiscus family and was given permission to gather some seeds from a plant at the community garden last spring. I started off spinning the fiber with a pencil and then got my neighbor to make me a spindle from scrap wood. The two ceramic whorls I made just came out of the kiln and my neighbor fashioned some dowels to fit them. #FiberArts

look up the “zeer pot” if you’re looking for an old method ...

2025-11-22T14:10:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…hhdk
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look up the “zeer pot” if you’re looking for an old method that was lost over time. In the 1990s, a man in northern Nigeria sort of repopularized this method of food preservation.

TGIF! I just finished writing up my newsletter that will go out ...

2025-11-21T23:00:05Z

TGIF! I just finished writing up my newsletter that will go out tomorrow and I started it by mentioning that my pieces for this month’s collection had to share kiln space with a fair number of pieces by kids & students as well as my larger sculptural vessels—and also a lamp commission. Life feels varied and full at the moment, just like that kiln load. Off to an art show now. Have a relaxing weekend, everyone. #pottery #ceramics #art

These photos are from last weekend. I provided a free Clay Play ...

2025-11-20T13:59:21Z

These photos are from last weekend. I provided a free Clay Play table for an event at the local skatepark. My husband’s a skateboarder & skatepark designer so I got linked in through his network. It was so sweet, fun and, best of all, relaxing. A few kids got hooked and stayed at the table for the entire four hours I was there. It’s incredible how #clay can captures kids’ attention in that way. #kidsart #pottery #ceramics

Last year, I sent some #clay that I collected to the University ...

2025-11-13T00:04:52Z

Last year, I sent some #clay that I collected to the University of West Georgia Archaeology Dept and they just sent me the results of their experiment. They tested how the addition of sponge spicules (or fired sea sponge) affects the strength of the fired clay. This method of tempering clay isn't common but evidence of its use can be found in pottery shards throughout the world, including here in SW #Florida. Anyway, how cool to be able to assist in scientific #research.

Every potter is a bit of a pyromaniac. As soon as the temperature ...

2025-11-11T15:35:41Z

Every potter is a bit of a pyromaniac. As soon as the temperature drops below 60°F, it’s fire season. I have an entire body of work that I only make in the winter because I fire #pottery in my outdoor woodfire kiln. #Permaculture geeks will love this: I built a #RocketKiln with post consumer materials based on the design of the rocket stove. I also use post consumer waste as fuel. I’m excited to share this process with you over the next couple of months. More info: https://potterybyosa.com/blogs/clay-people/portrait-of-a-kiln-lisas-orrs-rocket-kiln

I should have paid extra for rose colored glasses 🌹😛 Today ...

2025-11-10T18:53:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…8mg7
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I should have paid extra for rose colored glasses 🌹😛

Today I learned that there is a prejudice against bifocals. My doctor called them “the dreaded B-word.” Perhaps ppl think bifocals make them look old? Not sure. I’ll take whatever helps me see best.

we have to take care of our eyes and also our hands! I’ve been ...

2025-11-10T18:30:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…5fww
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we have to take care of our eyes and also our hands! I’ve been thinking a lot more about that recently. No problems yet, just making sure to take good care of them.

The optivisor is next level!!

thanks :) I was beginning to go a bit crosseyed while carving my ...

2025-11-10T18:08:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…0d3n
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thanks :) I was beginning to go a bit crosseyed while carving my pots! Probably should have gotten this done sooner but I have a “make do” sort of personality.

Just a middle aged woman getting her first pair of progressive ...

2025-11-10T18:01:46Z

Just a middle aged woman getting her first pair of progressive lenses. I’ve been slightly nearsighted since I was a kid but in recent years it’s been getting more difficult to read up close. I would have just grabbed a pair of drugstore magnifiers but my eyes are very different from each other. My right eye is much more farsighted than my left. Everyone in the office congratulated me on my first pair of progressives like it was a big deal? lol idk

I’m feeling refreshed, inspired by the seascape that surrounds ...

2025-11-03T14:44:53Z

I’m feeling refreshed, inspired by the seascape that surrounds me and ready to create this week. This is an old photo from one of those days when the Gulf is so clear, it looks like a swimming pool.

I’ll be ending the week with a workshop for #ceramics students at St. John’s River State College.

"Lajok: The Night Dancer" by filmmaker @npub1faz…vc22 ...

2025-11-02T15:31:29Z

"Lajok: The Night Dancer" by filmmaker Dilman Dila (npub1faz…vc22) is a spooky revenge fantasy based on Ugandan (Luo) folklore. Dance is used to possess and control but once the spell is broken, the same power can be used for payback.

Watch: https://makertube.net/w/pvjR9o3oNJMBLHHUm9kpqW

If you enjoy this film, consider supporting Dilman Dila (npub1faz…vc22)'s newest project "Windy: A SolarPunk Short Film"

Donate: https://www.dilmandila.com/donate/wind-a-solarpunk-short-film

#film #IndependentFilm #AfricanArt #PeerTube #solarpunk

I gifted this bowl to my mother in law for her birthday and now ...

2025-11-02T15:18:24Z

I gifted this bowl to my mother in law for her birthday and now she’ll get to decide how it will be used. She and my father in law live on the Gulf Coast of Texas and love boating, fishing, and all things marine related. Their home is mostly decorated in white and blue. They are also both water signs.

Now that this one has passed through my hands & studio into someone else’s home, I want to make another.

https://mastodon.social/@potterybyosa/115305299449750624

I started with another Ringling College of Art student a couple ...

2025-10-30T22:19:48Z

I started with another Ringling College of Art student a couple of weeks ago. They don’t have a #ceramics program at their school so whenever a student approaches me with an interest in #clay, I provide a free 6 week studio intensive where they get the entire experience from beginning to end—forming pieces, making their own slips & glazes, and firing. #education #skillshare #communityed #communityeducation

No matter how tired I feel during the day, I come alive at night. ...

2025-10-24T00:47:44Z

No matter how tired I feel during the day, I come alive at night. 🌚

Are you a night owl?

Even as I create larger statement pieces for upcoming shows, my ...

2025-10-23T17:06:19Z

Even as I create larger statement pieces for upcoming shows, my functional ware is still the most important aspect of my work because of the way it exists in people’s homes and everyday lives. Here are a few pieces that have come out of the kiln over the past few weeks. #pottery #ceramics

Wonderful, thank you for this information. And good luck to you, ...

2025-10-23T15:14:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…fwun
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Wonderful, thank you for this information. And good luck to you, Joy. 🙏🏾

The fundraiser is going well and I'm happy to be part of the ...

2025-10-23T14:12:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…f2jr
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The fundraiser is going well and I'm happy to be part of the effort. It's one small beam of hope in this entire situation. I was wondering how Joy will be able to leave Gaza since movement is so restricted for Palestinians. Thanks.

Yesterday we took our family to our favorite #nature park in ...

2025-10-21T14:42:25Z

Yesterday we took our family to our favorite #nature park in #Louisiana. It was my 3 month old nephew’s very first hike and the first place I ever found #WildClay years ago when we lived in Baton Rouge.

This vase was a custom order for a couple’s 9th wedding ...

2025-10-16T23:47:17Z

This vase was a custom order for a couple’s 9th wedding anniversary. They wanted something they could pass down to future generations and thought a ceramic piece would make a good commemorative heirloom. They mentioned their love for terracotta amaryllis, a variety I’d never heard of. Terracotta literally means “baked earth” so I was excited to render the flower in clay tones using a mixture of pink Alabama #clay and a clay called Newman Red from California. #pottery

This is what it looked like before it was fired. At this point, ...

2025-10-10T20:29:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…uw46
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This is what it looked like before it was fired. At this point, I’d let it dry completely (we call that bone dry) and then I painted it with dirt water (we call that terra sig.) I love this soft, pastel stage and I also love the color shifting alchemy that happens in a hot kiln. The yellow to dark purple is especially wild.

After this I bisque fire, then apply glaze, then fire again. I work in batches so I was making other pots while I made this. #pottery #clay #ceramics #WIP #artprocess

Still warm from the kiln, covered in warm earth tones—I’m so ...

2025-10-10T20:20:59Z

Still warm from the kiln, covered in warm earth tones—I’m so relieved this piece came out successfully on the other side of firing. I worked on it over the course of a month and remembered to document moments of process which I think I’ll share in a thread.

The most important thing to know is that I consider this pot a collaboration. I coordinated the colors, but I didn’t choose them. Each clay tone was a surprise and a gift, and that’s where my excitement about this piece lies. #pottery

I usually make things for people to use at home, but it seems to ...

2025-10-02T15:34:02Z

I usually make things for people to use at home, but it seems to me that the only purpose of this bowl is to bob and spin in the Gulf.

#ceramics #pottery #nature #water #beach #Florida #birds #PeacefulMoments

Black skimmers begin nesting on our beaches in the spring and we ...

2025-09-27T15:33:58Z

Black skimmers begin nesting on our beaches in the spring and we get to watch them grow from little baby puff balls to adolescents to adults over the summer. This bowl, with its rounded bottom so that it can rock and spin on a flat surface, almost functions as a diorama. It honestly feels more like a toy than anything else. My husband spun it around in the water so that I could shoot some video which I’ll post later. This piece belongs to the Gulf. #pottery #ceramics #nature #birds #Florida

I think I enjoy hand building and wheel throwing equally. My ...

2025-09-24T16:40:49Z

I think I enjoy hand building and wheel throwing equally. My upcoming online workshop (previous post) will focus on hand building because it’s the most accessible way to make pottery—no equipment needed. I went through a phase of forming teapots with #PinchPots—yes, like the ones kindergartners make. You take two pinch pots, let them firm up, and then join them together at the rim to create a vessel. It’s a simple technique with endless possibilities. #pottery

I’m offering this #VirtualWorkshop for the second time on ...

2025-09-23T20:28:33Z

I’m offering this #VirtualWorkshop for the second time on Saturday, October 25. If you’ve ever had an interest in working with #clay, I hope you’ll join me. #Ceramics used to be a free creative medium but has become an expensive hobby. In this workshop, I will explain exactly how to take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of working with clay, but at minimal cost. The workshop is sliding scale beginning at $10. Recording available. More info & signup: https://potterybyosa.com/products/virtual-workshop-clay-is-for-everyone

I included these pieces in the exhibition that opened Sunday. The ...

2025-09-23T14:13:30Z

I included these pieces in the exhibition that opened Sunday. The middle piece features the crackled, fragmented surface I wrote about a few weeks back. The two pieces on either end were formed with clay collected from a construction site in Sarasota County and are unglazed. Up close, you can see the grainy sediment including small, black fossil fragments. The Earth is its own document, leaving a record for us to decipher. #WildClay #alttext

Thinking about ancient people busying themselves by moving large ...

2025-09-22T16:56:04Z

Thinking about ancient people busying themselves by moving large stones and piles of earth, aligning them with major astrological events. #Equinox #busybusy

I just got back from installing pieces for an #art exhibition ...

2025-09-19T16:39:10Z

I just got back from installing pieces for an #art exhibition that opens this Sunday in Sarasota. If you've read any of my blog posts, you know that working with local materials has been a gateway for me to learn more about #Florida geology and Indigenous cultures. I've also gained a deeper relationship to #nature based on hands-on intimacy rather than intellectualism and the acquisition of scientific facts. I'm very excited to share this experience with other people who live here.

I just uploaded clips of #NestaNala (1940-2005) and her daughter ...

2025-09-18T01:00:05Z

I just uploaded clips of #NestaNala (1940-2005) and her daughter #JabulileNala showing how they begin coil building a pot. The Nalas are the most renowned Zulu pottery family. Jabulile taught me her coil building technique and gave me more insight into Zulu culture when we spent three weeks together in the summer of 2022.

https://makertube.net/w/7aoddLN4d7eAde4BpoPVxp

#pottery #ceramics #SouthAfrica #AfricanArt #culture #PeerTube

I'm going through images to fulfill a media request and ...

2025-09-16T14:54:41Z

I'm going through images to fulfill a media request and wanted to share these with you. These are photos my talented friend Shoog McDaniel took of my #pottery underwater in 2022. Shoog mostly takes photos of people in #nature, focusing on fat bodies, often showing how buoyant and weightless they become under the clear, turquoise water of our #Florida springs. See more: https://shoogmcdaniel.com/
#UnderwaterPhotography #photography #QueerArt

We took a quick break to celebrate my husband’s birthday and ...

2025-09-15T23:59:30Z

We took a quick break to celebrate my husband’s birthday and visit some freshwater springs a couple of hours north. The springs remain a crisp 68-70°F year round. After a long hot summer, I needed to feel chilled to the core and refreshed.

#nature #inspiration #UnderwaterPhotography #water #Florida #FloridaSprings #outdoors

I just posted a small batch of new pots in my shop. Please take a ...

2025-09-10T01:29:17Z

I just posted a small batch of new pots in my shop. Please take a look: https://potterybyosa.com/collections/september-collection-3

The abstract leaf motif is painted with the clay I got from Ontario a few weeks ago and the rich brick-red comes from a Tennessee clay from the Smoky Mountain region. If you missed the post about how I create the background texture, go find it now :) It’s a pleasure to create these objects and share photos and a little bit of process with you all. Thanks & goodnight 🙏🏾🌝

Hey, I don’t know if you know Naomi Clement, but she lives ...

2025-09-04T13:59:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…rtqc
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Hey, I don’t know if you know Naomi Clement, but she lives nearby.

I was just in Kitchener for a wedding. What are the odds? Have ...

2025-09-03T12:43:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…lzn6
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I was just in Kitchener for a wedding. What are the odds? Have fun!

Creating cups, bowls and vases intended for daily use is still a ...

2025-09-02T16:22:40Z

Creating cups, bowls and vases intended for daily use is still a central aspect of my practice, but now I find myself using statement vessels as a mode of expression to reflect the current moment. I’ve posted these pieces before: the Hurricane Vase I made after last summer’s tumultuous storm season, A Prayer for Rain vase made near the end of a two-year drought, and the last vase (untitled) reflecting the rapid plant growth we had experienced this summer with consistent rainfall. #pottery

"One model is the North African zeer pot: two nested #clay ...

2025-09-02T14:25:32Z

"One model is the North African zeer pot: two nested #clay pots separated by wet sand. As air moves across the surface, evaporation chills the inner pot enough to preserve vegetables for weeks... Using local clay and a ceramic 3D printer, the team built porous column modules packed with sand and water. Like a scaled-up zeer pot, air cools as it passes over the moist surface."

https://atmos.earth/the-future-of-cooling-was-invented-thousands-of-years-ago/

#atmos #climate #IndigenousWisdom #AncientTechnology

Nina Simone “Take Me to the Water” ...

2025-08-30T18:00:27Z

Nina Simone “Take Me to the Water”
https://youtu.be/N1xWFo8xEu8

If water didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have pottery—not just ...

2025-08-30T15:59:36Z

If water didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have pottery—not just because water can help #clay formation in nature or because we use water to mold clay, but because we simply needed a way to transport liquid. The development of pottery meant that people could live further away from a water source. In this piece, the connection between #pottery and water has become symbolic of life-giving, cleansing, ritual use, refreshment, fluidity and healing. Access to clean water shouldn’t be taken for granted.

I made this piece for an upcoming exhibition at Utilitarian Clay, ...

2025-08-29T20:48:15Z

I made this piece for an upcoming exhibition at Utilitarian Clay, a #ceramics conference at Arrowmont School of Craft in Tennessee. I’ve made pitcher & basin sets before, but this is my first one with the #WildClay surface. I began to see them as interpretations of Venus standing in a clam shell on the water, representing love, femininity, sex, desire, beauty. I picture this set in someone’s home resting together but put to use separately—as a vase and a serving bowl. #pottery #cerámica

I have a couple of ready-to-ship garden ollas available in my ...

2025-08-28T19:26:30Z

I have a couple of ready-to-ship garden ollas available in my shop and also pre-order ollas that take me about 6 weeks to complete. US only.

#gardening
More info: #OllasByOsa

https://potterybyosa.com/collections/ollas-by-osa

I reassured her that she did the right thing, that this decision ...

2025-08-28T14:31:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…7whw
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I reassured her that she did the right thing, that this decision would not count against her and that there will certainly be future press opportunities for her. I know the folks at the gallery and they are liberal/left-leaning. I’m so proud of her for standing up for her values and setting the tone for the rest of her career! #GenZ 2/2

One of my mentees just called to tell me that she was nervous ...

2025-08-28T14:30:20Z

One of my mentees just called to tell me that she was nervous about turning down an interview with Fox News that was coordinated by a gallery she is showing at right now. It is her first group show and her first media opportunity. Her piece was very personal (about abortion) and she had concerns about sharing her story with right-wing media for many reasons so she declined. 1/2

I think this is my favorite #WheelThrowing video of all time. ...

2025-08-27T01:41:33Z

I think this is my favorite #WheelThrowing video of all time.

“Make that statement and get out.”

https://youtu.be/YGqDwE_hdX4

#pottery #HowTo #ceramics #BlairMeerfeld

The pandemic was a huge challenge for small biz and this is yet ...

2025-08-23T18:24:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…d63k
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The pandemic was a huge challenge for small biz and this is yet another. Not everyone can survive these kinds of shifts but those who are strategic and flexible have a better chance. I think a platform for problem solving and discussion would be really helpful. I’m hoping that instances that exist to support #smallbiz and #handmade can lead the way. 2/2

Thank you for supporting small biz. What I’m suggesting would ...

2025-08-23T18:21:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…ccgv
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Thank you for supporting small biz. What I’m suggesting would be less about advertising and more about business strategy support. What I see happening are businesses that were set up precariously from the get-go, who are now suffering the most with the elimination of de minimis. I see shop owners who fear raising prices on their already underpriced work. 1/2

After I’ve tested my new #WildClay samples on tiles, the next ...

2025-08-23T17:14:13Z

After I’ve tested my new #WildClay samples on tiles, the next step is to try them on small items to see how they behave. It’s common to get a satisfactory result on a test tile but then have problems when applying that same material to an actual pot. For instance, the dark brown clay (inside the leaf shapes) came out perfectly smooth on the tile but flakes slightly when applied to textured areas of the pot. Once I’m satisfied with the results on a cup, I can move to application on larger pieces.

I have so many thoughts on #deminimis Etsy, EBay, Amazon, Temu, ...

2025-08-23T16:29:08Z

I have so many thoughts on #deminimis Etsy, EBay, Amazon, Temu, SHEIN, small handmade businesses, etc. None of my views are black and white and I can’t fit them in the allotted word count and I don’t feel like making a giant thread about it either.

I guess what would be most helpful at this moment is to gather small #handmade sellers into a global support group to share ideas on how to survive this disruption. I wonder if handmade.social admin :maker: (npub1zym…j3n7) could organize something like this.

Nabta Playa: The world’s first astronomical site was built in ...

2025-08-22T13:50:14Z

Nabta Playa: The world’s first astronomical site was built in Africa and is older than Stonehenge

This 7,000-year-old stone circle tracked the summer solstice and the arrival of the annual monsoon season. It's also the oldest known astronomical site on Earth.

https://www.astronomy.com/observing/nabta-playa-the-worlds-first-astronomical-site-was-built-in-africa-and-is-older-than-stonehenge/

#astronomy #archaeology #Egypt #Africa

Earthen Rainbow 🌈 These are the results from my last terra sig ...

2025-08-20T18:34:30Z

Earthen Rainbow 🌈 These are the results from my last terra sig test run—clays collected from hotel parking lots, construction sites, river banks and more. The common soil under our feet contains infinite possibilities that we will probably never exhaust and that most of us will never even begin to explore. We haven’t given the Earth proper attention, appreciation or care yet people want to explore and colonize Mars. #clay #WildClay #nature #pottery #Earth

This may be my first Canadian #clay sample, but it’s my second ...

2025-08-19T14:10:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…6k59
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This may be my first Canadian #clay sample, but it’s my second sample from the #GreatLakes region. A while back, a friend brought me some clay from Lake Ontario (left) which melts into a pea-green glaze. The clay that I collected from the Niagara Peninsula—about 80km/50mi inland from the shores of Lake Ontario—gave very similar results.

I’ve also collected clays five miles apart (or even in the same general location but different elevations) that were vastly different from each other. #WildClay

Just got back from a wedding in Ontario. There was a construction ...

2025-08-17T22:50:08Z

Just got back from a wedding in Ontario. There was a construction site near the place we were staying and I couldn’t resist. This is my first sample of Canadian clay—not that national borders are relevant when considering geological time span. That’s actually one of the reasons I like learning about clay formation—it allows me to imagine a time when all of these f’d up human constructs didn’t exist. #clay #WildClay

Also: Go #CUPE! (We saw a union rally at the airport.) 🍁

Lamps!💡 I got a commission for a batch of lamps a couple of ...

2025-08-12T19:49:25Z

Lamps!💡 I got a commission for a batch of lamps a couple of years ago but they wanted very plain glaze, so not much room for expression. This is my first time making lamps and decorating them my way. They’re a special order for a collector in Texas. She sent me photos of past pots I’ve made to give me an idea of how she wanted each one to look. I hope she’s satisfied with the end result. #pottery #cermics #FunctionalPottery #beautility

Vintage "Ceramics Monthly" magazine (February 1968). ...

2025-08-12T16:18:41Z

Vintage "Ceramics Monthly" magazine (February 1968). "The Traditional Pottery of Nigeria" and other articles.

Free PDF: https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-issue/February-1968

#pottery #Nigeria #ceramics #magazines #vintage #art #Africa

Here's one of two large terracotta coil pots I fired over the ...

2025-08-11T18:18:12Z

Here's one of two large terracotta coil pots I fired over the weekend, featuring the pearly, crackled surface I get when I turn #clay I collected from Ocala National Forest into terra sigillata. I'm making these pieces to be shown at upcoming exhibitions in #Florida, hoping to pique others' curiosity about this unique peninsula of limestone & sand that we live on. That curiosity can lead to greater connection with the Earth, something that many of have lost along the way: https://potterybyosa.com/blogs/clay-people/fractured-fragmented-and-fragile

Example of a stamp-textured pot from my the book Nigerian Pottery ...

2025-08-09T19:31:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…7fk4
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Example of a stamp-textured pot from my the book Nigerian Pottery from which I shared images a few months back: https://potterybyosa.com/blogs/clay-people/rare-images-from-nigerian-pottery-a-look-at-historical-forms #pottery #Nigeria

I’m working on building a digital portfolio of past and current ...

2025-08-09T19:04:43Z

I’m working on building a digital portfolio of past and current work on my website. I made this pitcher in 2021 using a glaze that I’ve had to retire because of insurmountable technical difficulties. (I did a whole podcast on it for any ceramic material nerds out there: https://youtu.be/WjfWUbbNY6M) I loved the fluidity of this surface which aligned so well with the function of a pouring pot and the blue waters of the Florida Gulf Coast. I’m curious who ended up with this piece of #pottery.

Here are examples of what the textured surface looks like ...

2025-08-08T13:26:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…7fk4
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Here are examples of what the textured surface looks like underneath carving, glaze and terra sigillata. It’s interesting to me that people are seeing specific imagery in the textured pattern because there is none. The stamping just creates an added layer of visual and textural interest that I enjoy.

Roulette stamped decoration is also frequently used by traditional Nigerian potters. Often the stamps are wood but I’ve even seen a corn cob used to apply texture. 🌽 #pottery

I formed this mug on the wheel and waited for it to dry to the ...

2025-08-08T01:59:43Z

I formed this mug on the wheel and waited for it to dry to the point where it’s no longer tacky, but still soft and flexible. This is the perfect time to apply stamped texture! I make roulette stamps by carving into a coil of clay. I roll the stamp from bottom to top, which softens the form and gives the rim a bit of undulation. This adds a subtle layer of detail and gesture over which I will add my carved geometric patterning. I just wanted to show this phase because I really love it. #pottery

I made my first #facejug in 2019. I made a few at the time, left ...

2025-08-06T17:18:25Z

I made my first #facejug in 2019. I made a few at the time, left it for a while and now I’m returning to the idea. I have no training in sculpture so I feel like a beginner all over again when I make these. One thing that gives me courage to attempt them is that original face jugs from the US South are raw, folky and imperfect. But I’m also drawing inspiration from the Ife terracotta heads from #Nigeria which are incredibly skillful and naturalistic. Mine fall somewhere in between. #pottery

I uploaded a five minute unedited video of me coil building a ...

2025-08-05T15:42:39Z

I uploaded a five minute unedited video of me coil building a pot, just as a test since I’m new to PeerTube. The goal is to move toward edited videos that show more of the process and better video angels that help students learn the technique.

https://makertube.net/w/r9mwULB89ETkGefaNM85kV

#PeerTube #MakertTube #pottery #handbuilding #howto #ceramics

London-based potter Bisila Noha recently completed a residency ...

2025-08-04T15:22:52Z

London-based potter Bisila Noha recently completed a residency that included learning from Yoruba women potters in #nigeria She created this beautiful photo and video document of her time there: https://www.bisilanoha.co.uk/obinrin-amo
#pottery #clay #ceramics

Pottery is where I maintain my idealism and make it manifest ...

2025-08-03T21:59:46Z

Pottery is where I maintain my idealism and make it manifest through material, form and color. It’s where I can bring together the wisdom of the past and present to create something harmonious and wholesome. I do with pottery what I wish we could do on the grandest scale. I look at this pot and it just glows so warmly, radiating love, gratitude, peace and alignment. It’s tangible evidence that these things are here with us all of the time even when the world seems like the darkest void.

I started using #Kagi search engine today on a trial basis to see ...

2025-08-03T17:00:00Z

I started using #Kagi search engine today on a trial basis to see how I like it. As a blog writer who really cares about my web presence, it makes me sad to know that the majority of people will end up reading summaries rather than visiting websites. I’ve put in a lot of effort making my website beautiful and educational—much more than just a sales platform. Using images & video more may be the way to go. Summaries can’t replace that kind of content. I just made a MakerTube (npub18p3…ks2l) account.

I went to see an artist talk today with #GeesBend quilters ...

2025-08-02T21:36:47Z

I went to see an artist talk today with #GeesBend quilters Loretta Pettway and Louisiana Bendolph. I’ve adored their quilts for years and I feel affirmed by their presence in the art world—very laid back, no artist statements or artspeak, prioritizing fun and feeling good over technical perfection. Just very humbly making these amazing abstract expressionist quilts without even setting out to do so. #BlackArt #Americana #quilting
https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/mary-lee-bendolph-lucy-mingo-and-loretta-pettway

All three sizes, all fired up 🔥 Ancient irrigation technology ...

2025-08-02T15:33:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…y6sh
_________________________

All three sizes, all fired up 🔥 Ancient irrigation technology for the future 🚀
To see my past olla posts and learn more, hit the hashtag: #OllasByOsa
#pottery #gardening

Pretty much. It’s called a closed form. The base also must be ...

2025-07-31T21:46:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…dhmc
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Pretty much. It’s called a closed form. The base also must be bottomless, so before I close the top, it just looks like a hollow cylinder, if that makes sense.

I just finished another batch of garden ollas. They’re drying ...

2025-07-31T21:19:33Z

I just finished another batch of garden ollas. They’re drying in the sun now and I’ll fire them later this evening. Afterward they’ll be a nice, rich terracotta red.

The one in these photos is the smallest size (for smaller outdoor containers or very thirsty houseplants). They’re the most challenging to make because I wheel throw them upside down.

#OllasByOsa #gardening #SustainableGardening #pottery #alttext

I cracked the original coil built version of this pot while I was ...

2025-07-30T23:44:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…fdm8
_________________________

I cracked the original coil built version of this pot while I was decorating it. I couldn’t bring myself to recreate it at the time, since it took days to build, so I made a much smaller version on the wheel and decorated it the same as I’d envisioned on the larger pot. It was purchased by one of my oldest and most valued collectors. Check #alttext for more info. #pottery #ceramics

Thank you! Only the aqua colors come from glaze. The black and ...

2025-07-26T17:42:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…55cl
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Thank you! Only the aqua colors come from glaze. The black and dark red tones are all from natural clay, from New Mexico and Puerto Rico 🌎

I just listed new #pottery in my shop—a much smaller batch than ...

2025-07-26T16:43:14Z

I just listed new #pottery in my shop—a much smaller batch than usual since my attention is a bit divided these days. I’m working on a couple of commissions as well as pieces for upcoming exhibitions, and I got quite busy during the month of June with community events. It all makes for a balanced existence as an artist and, in producing fewer pieces, each one holds that much more intention & significance. Thanks for taking a look! (Ships to US only.) #handmade
http://www.potterybyosa.com

Just gave away $11,000 to #BlackArtists! My org #KaaboClay ran a ...

2025-07-25T18:41:44Z

Just gave away $11,000 to #BlackArtists! My org #KaaboClay ran a grassroots fundraiser this spring and we met yesterday to decide how to distribute the funds. It was a tough decision, but we covered everything from a free BIPOC art residency program to studio fees for an artist who is in treatment for cancer. We’ll be announcing the awardees publicly next week. If you donated or shopped our fundraiser sale, thank you so much!
http://kaaboclay.org
#mutualaid #ArtCollective #BlackArt #ceramics

Amy Sherald Pulls Smithsonian Show Over Censorship Concerns The ...

2025-07-25T14:19:45Z

Amy Sherald Pulls Smithsonian Show Over Censorship Concerns

The museum reportedly did not want to show the artist's painting of a transgender woman out of fear of provoking the President. The painting is called “Trans Forming Liberty.”

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/amy-sherald-cancels-smithsonian-exhibition-amid-censorship-concerns-1234748194/

#transgender #trans #lgbtq #2SLGBTQIA #BlackArt #AmySherald #BlackQueer #censorship #Smithsonian #Art #painting