I don't like trimming. Maybe it's because my tools are dull, or that nothing seems to be centered, or that I'm never quite sure when I've trimmed to an even thickness. When I write this all down it just sounds like I need to get more practice and sharpen my damn tools.
Another classmate stopped by as I was trimming, and she said her and two other classmates had joked about starting a production line - one would throw, one would trim, and one would glaze - because each of them didn't mind doing one of those things. So I wondered - why do we do this if there are so many steps we don't enjoy? I don't like wedging, glazing, or loading the kiln either. On my good days I enjoy throwing, and opening the kiln is usually exciting (if not disappointing, but thankfully it's more often exciting).
So why do I do it? Because I'm (relatively) good at it. I suppose I like the idea of hand-made dishes, but I'm not sure why. I wouldn't sell a plate for less than $10, yet I could buy a nice set of 4 plates for a total of $10 on sale at Pier 1. Though out of all the things I have done, this is what I keep doing, and the only thing I'd rather be doing is dancing. So I guess this works. It suits me well enough - I'm introverted, creative, and I like to be challenged (even though I may complain in the process, the feeling of overcoming a challenge is awesome). My mom has been waiting for me to make plates so she can stop using her Christmas ones year-round, and a friend has commissioned me to make him a dinner set. Hooray for plates.

Lesson in Sgrafitto

Sgrafitto: scratching through a layer of colored slip to the differently colored clay underneath
Mishima: cuts/scratches that are filled with colored slip

Between my unemployment depression, aching back, and overabundance of neglected recycled clay, I gave the elegant set a rest and made some whimsical mugs in the last week. I thought I'd try some sgrafitto, going for a fun, graphic look. Of course I hadn't touched sgrafitto since I'd learned about it two years ago; I knew I wasn't sure what I was doing, though I found out later how clueless I was when a classmate corrected me. It was actually Mishima I was trying to do, and not even correctly. Here's the step by step:

Exhibit A: Mug - lip rim dipped in porcelain slip, complete with handle, evenly dried to leather-hard

1. I scratched a design both on the solid stoneware and up to the porcelain rim.
2. Filled in design with ebony slip, not bothering to stay in the lines.
3. When slip dried, I scraped away the excess outside of the lines. This caused two problems:
a. made scratch marks on the groggy stoneware
b. scraped away some of the porcelain slip

SOLUTION:
1. First wax the area.
2. Scratch/carve the design through the wax.
3. Apply colored slip.

After bisque firing, the excess slip should flake off or be easily sanded to reveal the crisp mishima lines.
.
After the first unsuccessful mug, I gave up with any sort of carving and simply painted my little bicycles. By the time my classmate stopped by I had just a few mugs left, and I was enjoying my simple paintings... Perhaps another day I'll give mishima a second try.