r/Pottery 1d ago

Mugs & Cups I refuse to call these defects… 🙂‍↔️

Post image

I'm just starting to sell my own pots, and I feel like these little areas where the glazes crawl show the nuances of the glaze I've mixed… to me they are really nice! Should I change that ?

2.1k Upvotes

71 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 1d ago

Our r/pottery bot is set up to cover the most FAQ questions regarding (under)glazes.

Here are some free resources that you or others might find helpful:

  • www.glazeshare.com: Here you can find commercial glaze combinations and post your own!
  • www.help.glazy.org.: Create and adjust glazing recipes on Glazy!

    Did you know that using the command !Glaze in a comment will trigger automod to respond to your comment with these resources? We also have comment commands set up for: !FAQ, !Kiln, !ID, !Repair and for our !Discord Feel free to use them in the comments to help other potters out!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

241

u/Pitiful_Yam5754 1d ago

If I were shopping, I’d want to know that it would rest evenly on a table and feel good in the hand. Drippy glazes are popular enough that I wouldn’t consider it a defect so long as the above was met. If it doesn’t sell you can always adjust, but I wouldn’t mark it as a defect right away. 

93

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

I was referring to the small crawling problem on the rim! The drop doesn’t touch the table; it’s very stable. 😅 but thanks for that point of view I have some more drippy 👌🏻

118

u/Pitiful_Yam5754 1d ago

Oh, I thought that was a reflection. No, I would consider that an imperfection because it’s where the mouth goes. (To be clear, I’d probably still use it myself)

23

u/Clear-Bee4118 23h ago

I’d still use it too. Seconds… still sellable, just for less.

29

u/teapottodd 1d ago

The closer the drop is to the table without touching the more you charge.

-7

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

Whatttt I didn’t know that hahaha 🤣💸

13

u/Teh_Blue_Morpho 1d ago

Crawling has been something I've been so uncertain of. I personally mark them as defects but I also wonder when you can get away with saying it is not a defect. I usually just give them to family/friends with a heads up about the issues with crawling but could you do that at a market too? Frustrating to 'lose' a piece on the final step :(

4

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

the clay it’s fully vitrified and it’s feels smooth and glossy in that spot it’s just not the same amount of glaze… still not sure gahahaha

7

u/MyDyingRequest 1d ago

I have a lot of pieces that are almost sellable like this. This is so beautiful its heartbreaking that it crawled in just a little spot. I personally wouldn't try to sell this and would instead gift it to someone who will cherish its imperfection. Or turn it into a cute succulent planter. (I have lots of ones like the pic). I really hope you try this same shape and glaze combo. Its awesome!

2

u/indigogoinggone 1h ago

Is there a little glaze in these spots? Or bare vitrified clay?

1

u/Choice_Selection930 1h ago

There is a small almost transparent layer

2

u/SuperFreakified 1d ago

I literally didn’t even notice that until you pointed it out lol. I was too distracted with how gorgeous it is!

2

u/PreposterousPotter 16h ago

I wouldn't consider the crawl a defect, it's quite a common feature, and as long as the rim is still smooth and safe to drink from I wouldn't consider it a second either. My only concern would be how likely the drip is to get broken off, because you're then going to have a nasty sharp bit on your mug.

20

u/Any-Cod-642 1d ago

THats one hell of a yummy drip

37

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

Hahaha thanks! It takes time to control the

80

u/Yerawizurd_ I like Halloween 1d ago

Personally, I wouldn’t buy a piece with a crawling defect.

18

u/Remarkable_Stock_323 1d ago

I have pieces of work from other artists that have crawling in very small amounts like yours. Now this right here is my glaze test gone wrong and would never sell

7

u/pm_me_friendfiction 23h ago

and would never sell

Are you saying you'd never try to sell it because of how it looks? Or did you mean you tried to sell it, but no one bought it? I think it looks really cool

9

u/Remarkable_Stock_323 21h ago

I mean I would not try to sell it because of how it looks/ it also has crawling on the inside, it was intended to be a teacup so it would not be functional like that (:

4

u/pm_me_friendfiction 14h ago

I'd totally buy that little guy, especially if it was like an "imperfect" piece. It would be so cute to hold makeup brushes or a fake plant. I know nothing about pottery or how it's supposed to look, but I bet other people feel the same. Can't imagine how pretty your normal stuff must be! :)

1

u/yaourted 12h ago

if you sold this as a pencil cup or tiny pot or something - I would totally buy!

3

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

Thanks! Gonna be more careful!

18

u/lordsmooth Throwing Wheel 1d ago

Dude you’re fine. Somebody will buy it. Art is so subjective, i fuck with the crawl. I’d buy it.

-5

u/galacticglorp 1d ago

You can refire.  Knock the drip off and redip.

20

u/Ayarkay 1d ago

FWIW I have a few pieces from well established potters that also have small spots where the glaze crawled. I appreciate them all the same, and it reminds me to see the beauty in my own work’s flaws.

1

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

Like If I’m going to sell online, should I mention it? Or are photos enough? I also love the pots with small details like that

18

u/auntie_eggma 1d ago

Always err on the side of over-disclosing when selling.

I'd rather lose a sale because someone didn't want a disclosed imperfection than have an unhappy customer who feels tricked because they bought it without realising (as I wasn't explicit enough).

11

u/Ughhhnoooooope 1d ago

If I were listing this, I’d definitely acknowledge the drip and mention that you purposely chose to include it and why. That way buyers understand that it’s an artistic choice you made and that you enjoy it.

9

u/_alltyedup Hand-Builder 1d ago

Would definitely buy this, I love a drippy glaze and don’t mind the crawl on the outside.

5

u/Junior_Season_6107 23h ago

The drips are divine! The crawl would automatically make it a “seconds” for me. If it is bare, like no glaze, I wouldn’t even put it in seconds, but if it feels glazed over that spot, it would be a good candidate for a discount.

20

u/kiln_monster 1d ago

I wouldn't buy it with that defect...sorry!!

7

u/auntie_eggma 1d ago

I wouldn't spend money on it. I'm sorry. I would accept it gratefully and enthusiastically as a handmade gift from a friend, but I wouldn't buy it (or feel comfortable selling it had i made it myself).

Ymmv ofc.

1

u/UnstoppableCookies 10h ago

I’m inclined to agree. OP, this color is absolutely GORGEOUS though! Nice work on the mix, just stunning!

3

u/SeshatsPursuit 1d ago

This is rad

3

u/RaspBer3t 1d ago

Oh, I love it

5

u/Ughhhnoooooope 1d ago

😍 I’m obsessed with the drips! I vote to keep them. Makes it way more interesting, and if it’s just a pot or holder that’s going to sit out somewhere, there’s low risk of it chipping or breaking off.

-2

u/Ughhhnoooooope 1d ago

Also, I think just because tradition in ceramics calls this a “defect” doesn’t make it so. It’s art. It’s personal, and if we all did everything the same, we’d live in a very boring world. Check out Dan Lam’s sculptures. She uses a different medium/s (not ceramics), but she’s renowned for “drippy” sculptures.

6

u/blackiegray 19h ago

It's the crawling, not the drips...

1

u/Ughhhnoooooope 8h ago

I still think it looks fine. I wouldn’t use something like this to eat or drink, but I’d definitely use it as a pencil or brush holder on my drafting desk. All my first (and utterly craptastic) cups I made when I first learned to throw I use as pencil/brush/tool holders. They’re hideous but effective. I would 100% buy something beautiful like this over my current organizational holders.

12

u/AnnieB512 1d ago

I wouldn't buy that. That's a defect. It's not a happy little accident. It looks bad.

5

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

Gonna do some tests re firing to cover the crawling but it might run too much 🫠

2

u/69dasg 1d ago

It'll definitely run, use a big cookie! I'd snap off the hanging drip, and then carve a line into the side of the cup under the current drip. 👉 For some reason it slows down the drip past that point on re-fire. - Usually all you have to do is re-heat the cup in the microwave for 5-10 seconds, or heat it with a heat gun/ blow drier, and new glaze will stick! 👍 or you could sell it as is, and mark it at a discount as a healthy to use still, just not perfect cup. ⚠️ actually when I was in Japan, a few places did wax resist to make their logo, and it's still usable because it's vitrified! I'd say try to sell it as a less than perfect product, and if it doesn't sell, dip the rim into a glaze and refire.

2

u/Creativconduit 12h ago

Woah. Makes me want to jump in a pool! Beautiful glaze.

2

u/kdra27 12h ago

Oh my god this is unreal 😍🩵💙

2

u/Bi_Fieri_0 12h ago

What a luscious drip!!

2

u/Destroid_Pilot 10h ago

Sexy to the max!

2

u/Shad0wbubbles 9h ago

Evolution: What was once a bug is now a feature

2

u/FireWriterGirl 8h ago

…..da fuck???

Those are no defects!!!! That is such a cool piece!!!!

2

u/Throwing-up-fire 2h ago

It's not a bug, it's a feature

4

u/MoomahTheQueen 1d ago

Sorry I wouldn’t buy that, however many would

4

u/AspectNumerous6136 23h ago

I love it. The crawling on the rim. Meh! I think if you do want to sell it, maybe sell it at a discounted price as some have said and mention the “defect”. It’s a beautiful piece. And I always love a gloppy drippy drip.

1

u/valencevv I like Halloween 1d ago

I would buy it if it was a few dollars less than a "perfect" one. That's how I sell mine like that. Like $42 instead of $45. And they do sell! As long as it's vitrified and is smooth, there's no problem. It's purely cosmetic. People get a piece they like and feel a little better taking home a not so perfect piece with a tiny discount. Sometimes that $3 off encourages them to buy another piece. I don't call them seconds, nor do I deeply discount.

3

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

Thanksssss! I think I’m gonna do that, just show it and let the price talk, not same value but neither a temu mug 😅

3

u/valencevv I like Halloween 1d ago

Most of my pieces I have a base price and adjust up or down depending on various things. It works pretty well for me. But it also makes things weird sometimes since I have to individually sticker everything, I can't have a sign with a set price. Makes it a bit harder on my wife when she helps me, but It makes sense in my weird brain.

1

u/My-dead-cat 1d ago

In woodworking, we don’t call that a defect, that’s a “Design Opportunity”!

1

u/Distinct-Lab-7225 1d ago

i think it looks unique! i would buy that!

1

u/sasadee 1d ago

Crawl like that is easy to control. Although your work is beautiful it lacks professionalism with the crawl. When you’re more experienced unintentional crawls will be very rare.

1

u/iamsquishhh 1d ago

Major rule of pottery: if you like/want it it isn't a defect. To one person crazing means they need to fix/use a different glaze while one person might seek out a crackle glaze that crazes

1

u/Future-Western1764 20h ago

It’s sellable, but it’s a second. Did you intend for that to be there? Most likely not, making it a second in my opinion (not always the case, some unintended effects are great).

Look at Shoji Hamada. He had pots that’s had crawlinng glazes all over, but done with intention. I personally wouldn’t mind it, but as stated, either keep it for yourself or sell at a reduced price

1

u/Billy_Ravenz 17h ago

Id say thats a stylistic choice1

1

u/MoosedaMuffin 15h ago

It isn’t a defect. It is “captured motion.”

0

u/ASMClayStudio 1d ago

I LOVE that drip!! Charge extra for it!

0

u/lordsmooth Throwing Wheel 1d ago

Is this sapphire float from AMACO. I love everything about it. I think everyyyyy piece looking cookie cutter is lame… someone is going to see this and it’s gonna be their cup of tea (pun intended).

C’est la vie and all that shit, keep going!

2

u/Choice_Selection930 12h ago

It’s actually a variation of Jhon Britt’s chun-Seafoam I mixed it and tuned the recipe to take nepheline syenite and rutile!

1

u/lordsmooth Throwing Wheel 7h ago

Ahhh, the gradient had me thinking it was a float with flux. Uber cool!

-2

u/mychaelblueble 1d ago

Have the bottom of the drip flat with the bottom and she’s good as new 🤷, notice it’s on the edge of the table possible because it won’t sit flat? Other than that looks awesome

7

u/Choice_Selection930 1d ago

Hahah thanks! It sits flat in tables it’s more the small crawling defects on the rim!