Florian Gadsby

Do I Get Bored Making The Same Pots Over and Over Again?

I’m always asked the question, “Do you get bored when throwing lots of the same pots?”, or something along those lines.   What I don’t mention in my answer in the video is another facet to repetition making that helps me through the long hours at the wheel, and that’s what I listen to in order to help pass the time. After almost fifteen-years of this, I’ve become quite good at separating my mind from my hands after muscle memory really kicks in. This isn’t to say I’m not concentrating on what my hands are doing, as I’m deeply involved in that process, yet I’m able to also comfortably listen to something as I make, be it music or an audiobook. I like a good, engrossing story that keeps my brain happy whilst my hands are feverishly throwing or trimming.   I used to struggle with this, especially when tackling new forms. I’d focus so intently that I’d stop listening but now it’s relatively easy, even when I’m making pots that I’m not too familiar with. It’s almost as if I am truly separating my mind in two, and it’s about the closest I’m able to get to a “flow” state. I wouldn’t call it meditative, as making pottery is still very definitely work for me, yet it does help the hours whizz by when I know I have a long day on the wheel ahead of me.   Strangely, I can’t say the same for when I’m taking photographs, for that process, say for shooting all the product imagery for my online shops, I can listen to music but I cannot follow a story.   As for what’s currently on the listening list, in terms of audiobook, I’m on book five of the mammoth Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio, and for music there’s been lots of Bonny Light Horseman and Billie Marten lately.   #pottery #ceramics #handmade #practicemakesperfect #satisfying