The Personalization of Pottery
The ability to create a unique piece of personal pottery is a great talent. The uniqueness comes from the colors, textures and decoration of the pottery. Its uses vary widely as well. One person might create mostly vases or collectible plates while another potter loves to make entire sets. There are no limits on the size, shape or color of your pottery pieces. Your imagination combined with the medium work together to make your pottery your own signature type. You can paint your pottery any color you like and add stones or gems to it. Your can carve out lines and decorative designs. The best thing is that you can make any or all of these in different colors. No matter what you make, it will be a one of a kind piece.
The first consideration for how you will decorate your pottery is what you\'re making the pottery for. If you have made a dish that will go in the oven, then certain things cannot be used in that particular piece of pottery. Beads, flowers and jewels should be saved and put into something that is not intended for the kitchen. If you make a vase, consider whether or not you want it to be dishwasher safe. You should stamp this kind of information on the bottom of the piece. Many people will assume that a vase can go in the dishwasher, not considering that cool water meant for flowers is not the same as hot water will dish detergent.
When you are buying paint for your pottery, be careful to choose the lead free kind. Lead is often in paint and it is a harmful toxin for children. If your paint is not waterproof, you should lacquer your pottery after painting it in order to seal the paint and keep it from wearing off. Depending on the type of pottery you have made, it may or may not be paintable. The idea is to plan how you will do an entire project before you do it in order to avoid making a mistake that will compromise your artwork.
A gift of handmade pottery can be made more personal by what you put on it. You can write someone\'s name on your pottery or paint a custom design or scene with them in mind. Quality pottery makes a great house warming gift or a special present for baby showers and graduations. A set of stoneware may be given to a couple for their wedding. There are all kinds of applications for giving pottery as a gift. The love you put into creating a personalized gift of pottery is what makes it valuable more than anything else.
Give the gift of pottery and create warm feelings all around. When someone looks at their personalized pottery, they will remember you and when someone else sees the beautiful handmade pieces, they will want to know who made them and how they can get some of that pottery for themselves.