Its so easy to take short-cuts and neglect our bodies as a maker in the run up to busy festive season. Working with clay, especially can be quite hazardous and I’ve noticed myself slipping into bad habits so I’m posting this not to say I’m doing it right but to also get some future accountability.

Following a family bereavement and a health check which said I was borderline diabetic I’ve also changed my exercise routine and cut down on sugar, this has also been particularly helpful in creating a positive outlook and helping with sleep.

My latest kiln load with the last commissions for this year

This year is even more stressful for everyone, and even the most assured amongst us cannot fail to be influenced by living in the midst of a global pandemic. But something that I’ve learnt this year, even though it can be super tricky its actually really empowering to be able to say no.

I’m a people pleaser - I find it really hard to say no to family, friends, customers but it can actually be really empowering. By saying no you are not fitting yourself into someone else’s schedule and it means you can prioritise yourself and your own plans. I’m still not brilliant at it, but for example I’m now saying no to further commissions this close to Christmas. So I can stick to my schedule and not feel overwhelmed by cramming in extra activities or making that I haven’t planned for.

I have a confession to make. My studio doesn’t always look this clean and tidy, But I’m trying.

A few months ago I went on a course with Richard St John Heeley, and I was reminded that although health and safety can be a pretty dry subject, its absolutely essential. The pottery throwdown has been brilliant for aspiring a nation of budding potters, but it does scare me that people are having their own studios and are neglecting some important aspects which could have a detrimental effect on their lives.

Pottery and glaze dust is a big enemy of the potter. They call it ‘potters’ rot’, but the inhalation of silica over the years can lead to a rasping cough which never goes away and can effect lung capacity. To minimise dust you can do several things:

Change your apron every day. I’ve only recently implemented this. Stray bits of clay land right near your chest so its worth having a cleaned apron every day. Guess what’s going on my Christmas list this year!
Use a clean towel every day.
Wet mop (never dry mop) as this causes more dust.
Keep on top of surfaces.
I will mop as often as is necessary - depending on whether I’ve been throwing/glazing/handbuilding etc.
I’m going to do a deep-clean TWICE a year. Can someone hold this to me please? This will involve cleaning all the shelves and moving quite a lot of heavy buckets.
Always wear a proper respiratory mask when mixing glazes, or sanding. Also add your glaze powders into water (don’t dry mix first).

No, not my Halloween costume, but necessary work-wear.

Nowadays the dirty aprons, and trousers go straight in the washing machine after a day of throwing. I got my lovely denim apron from the Stitch Society.

I hear a lot of potters who have their kiln in the same room as their studio, sometimes this is unavoidable, but if you are planning a new studio then I’d definitely aim to have it in a different room. Early stages of bisque firing involves the oxidation of organic clay matter and long term inhalation of these gases can cause bronchitis. Also depending on glaze materials there can be nasty fumes from a glaze firing. If we know this isn’t it best to be safe rather than sorry. To fire the kiln in an evening when you are not in the studio, keeping windows open, or get an extractor fan fitted. I have my kiln in a separate fire-proof room - and also have a fire extinguisher in there, though I’ve never heard of any problems with an electric kiln.

So back to our bodies - a potter is basically in a hunched position for long periods of time. To counteract this I take regular breaks, every half hour I have a little stretch. I try and do some kind of movement every day. For the last 6 months I have been going to yoga two or three times a week. (I’m lucky to have yoga studio which has classes at 6.45am, so I can be home for 8am and it doesn’t impact my day). I am also running 2-3 times a week; again I try and do this early in the morning, generally before my kids are awake! I recently did my second 5k park-run and achieved a personal best of just over 30 minutes - though I don’t achieve that every time! Both running and yoga allow me to zone out, and I also practise daily meditation with the headspace app. I did this initially as I couldn’t cope with grief at bedtime, and have continued as I really believe there are strong benefits from having this time and space to allow the mind to quieten.

So these are just a few of the things that I’m implementing. What have I missed? Who wants to be my accountability partner for a pottery spring clean?

Happy and safe potting everyone!

Katie

Some pretty shelves of hand-made porcelain vases and vessels - just because!

Blogpost exploring health and safety tips in a pottery studio; as well as personal tips for keeping in shape as a potter.

Keeping healthy and sane in the run-up to Christmas - edited version