The comparison of people to clay is more than just metaphor. Being comprised of 99% of the same ingredients as clay and glaze we also share the ability to be shaped and molded into something useful. The ability to change is a wonderful thing.  

By taking more time to make than a large bowl yet only able to command a modest price, mugs are a true labor of love. Being used on a daily basis they're a good reminder of the many parts and processes we need to go through to become and remain useful. 

Bowls just happen. Centrifugal force causes the clay to open naturally. Only a steady hand is needed to shape and form it as long as the speed remains constant. Just like us, the faster it goes the more out of control it becomes. 

I'm told my containers have held many things. From money and food to tools and ashes. Most pots can hold things, but when you put a lid on it you are entrusting it to that vessel. Feel at ease knowing these containers are made with love to keep safe what you hold most dear. 

We are all missing "pieces" as lost loved ones, pets, jobs or dreams. At first, it seems like we become less with each piece lost. These pots start off whole with no discerning characteristics on their own. A fine pot, though lacking personality or interest. They must undergo the cutting process to become better. When we lose part of ourselves we fundamentally change. Suddenly able to relate with others with similarly lost pieces we realize we need parts cut away to be better.

Vases resist gravity. Many factors are involved in creating tall shapes on the wheel. A drier clay is preferred to hold together better and prevent oversaturation. Hand technique is key to clay that rises when pulling. A slow speed also helps prevent the natural tendency to open. To obtain greater height, attaching two or more pieces is a better solution than throwing it as one piece.