In search of American-built Unglazed rectangles

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

This week I interviewed a Nashville based potter named John Cole. We discussed a bit about building unglazed, slab built, rectangles.

You can read bout it here, if you’d like.

Bonsai Potter Spotlight - John Cole

I know next to nothing about how to make Bonsai pottery, but I love everything about Bonsai pots! I love how they look, how they feel. I love learning how to pair the right pot to the right tree. In short, I love bonsai pots!I've had the good fortune to know a few potters over the years and I...

www.peacelovebonsai.com

I’d like to find more American potters building unglazed rectangles. And possibly interview them. Maybe if we raise the awareness of these potters, they’ll make more $$, then produce more pots!! Which benefits all of us.

What other American potters are producing these types of pots? Anyone know? I could use some help!

 

[sorce]

Wow. I didn't realize he was so new. Nice.
I reckon @thams joint is the best place to find potters.

American Bonsai Ceramics

americanbonsaiceramics.com

Sorce

 

[Carol 83]

I’d like to find more American potters building unglazed rectangles. And possibly interview them.

@sorce makes a lot of rectangles, yes? I'm sure an interview with him would be very entertaining!

 

[eryk2kartman]

Hollow point interview! Yes please do make one
It would be Legendary, same as Redman's crib!

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

@sorce makes a lot of rectangles, yes? I'm sure an interview with him would be very entertaining!

I actually have a Sorce unglazed rectangle.

@sorce You still making some of these?!?

 

[sorce]

I actually have a Sorce unglazed rectangle.

@sorce You still making some of these?!?

View attachment 335966

Fursure!

Sorce

 

[parhamr]

I like Vicki Chamberlain’s work: https://earthwares.org/

She does a lot of rounds and ovals but definitely makes some mean rectangles, too.

 

[Trueblackpercula]

I know she makes them and a lot of other pots as well. She also does custom pots as she is making me one right now.
forestinnpottery.com

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@Gdy2000
you did a nice interview.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

@Gdy2000
you did a nice interview.

Thanks Leo!

 

[leatherback]

building unglazed rectangles.

why the focus on rectangles?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

why the focus on rectangles?

In the USA, local USA potters tend to make round, wheel thrown pots. You simply can not find that many good quality USA potter made rectangles. By writing about the fact that the there is a market demand for rectangle that is not being met, hopefully some of the USA potters will begin producing more rectangles. They are not widely available. I can stumble over 12 wheel potters for every potter making rectangles. Its just the nature of the USA market. How available are rectangles in the EU? Are they as common and as cheap as similar size rounds?

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

why the focus on rectangles?

Leo said it well. I would also add that America has some great conifers for bonsai. (One seed junipers, Rocky Mtn Junipers, etc). Overtime, I think we could develop world class trees from these yamadori. While not every conifer must be planted in an unglazed rectangle, it would be awesome if we had a vibrant pottery community that was producing them.

 

[ABCarve]

I think one of the problems is that most bonsai enthusiasts don’t want to pay the added cost that it takes to make rectangles. The US market doesn’t have the volume to warrant tooling up for production to bring the cost down. Why should they when there is plenty good quality rec’s from Asia? Most US potters are doing it as a supplemental income which is why there are some affordable rectangles. If they actually charged for real labor and overhead you would see prices associated with professional potters like Ron Lang has........ unaffordable for most bonsai hobbyists.

 

[leatherback]

If they actually charged for real labor and overhead you would see prices associated with professional potters like Ron Lang has........ unaffordable for most bonsai hobbyists.

Maybe this is more the reason that they are not made?
As long as people consider industrially mass-produced serialized pots from china of similar value to a once-off hand-made piece produced locally there is a problem.

As for, unaffordable.. If I look at what people are willing to spend on a trunk and then think a 100 dollar pot is too expensive.. I think the saying goes: Pot value and tree value mirror eachother.

 

[ABCarve]

Mass produced versus hand made is all about “intrinsic “ value and that’s always an interesting conversation. Manufactured diamonds versus natural. They have no visual difference yet the perception of value is. Twenty dollar bill drawn by an artist sells for thousands. We are a very complex species.

 

[ABCarve]

Does this count as a rectangle?

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Potters Spotlight #2 in the works with our very own @sorce ! We had an awesome chat, looking forward to putting it out for all to see!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Does this count as a rectangle?

View attachment 338721

Why yes, this pot definitely counts as a rectangle. A very nice one at that. Love the glaze.

 

[Cable]

I talked to April Grigsby about doing some unglazed rectangles and she's going to experiment.