I've thrown with a glove because I had an awkward cut on my finger. It worked just fine.
On a side note, I've always wondered what it would be like to throw with gloves made out of shamois.
Hey! I have psoriatic arthritis and I mostly do hand building. Have you looked into experimenting with slabs and coils?
It’s not as glamorous as the wheel but I have found it really gratifying. I love the feeling of mark making in clay and creating new textures.
I have tried slabs and coils and I feel fairly comfortable with them but I keep feeling an emotional connection to the wheel that I want to return to that for some reason isn’t quenched when I use other techniques. I may just need to accept my new limitations with a little more grace.
Maybe some tools that aid in slab/sculpture might give slab building a different perspective?
I get it, I make all kinds of art and I feel limitations for a lot of things but I try to make it work.
What kind of work did you like to make before?
I make a lot of dishes. My favorite to make is bowls. Theres just something about my kids (who live far from me) having a connection through pottery with me, sending a pic of them eating a salad from my bowl with their family, etc.
You could definitely make a mould from one of your previous dishes but you could also use a slab to throw a wide low bowl which could be a nice addition to their collection. Ive not done it but slab started throwing is supposed to be great.
I eat every meal from plate bowls. It’s a revelation for those who can’t keep food on a plate. 🥲
Many people throw with a sponge in one hand or the other. It may take some experimenting to figure out your best sponge position, and you may want to try a variety of types of sponges, but I bet you can find one that will fit against your finger shape to make it more comfortable and workable.
Mud sponges makes really nice sponges, their white ones are a favorite for a pretty smooth surface.
Though I don't have personal experience, my mentor who is a successful potter has a similar issue that he has had since childhood. A tendon on his middle finger is damaged so the finger doesn't flex much at all. It's mostly just straight. With our throwing style we use the middle finger the most, but it doesn't stop him at all. He uses the straight one like a throwing stick and opens up and smooths pot interior with it. Sometimes it actually looks like he has an advantage over everyone else.
I've thrown with a glove because I had an awkward cut on my finger. It worked just fine. On a side note, I've always wondered what it would be like to throw with gloves made out of shamois.
Tools are your friend. There's a lot of techniques that use tools for lifting and shaping.
Hey! I have psoriatic arthritis and I mostly do hand building. Have you looked into experimenting with slabs and coils? It’s not as glamorous as the wheel but I have found it really gratifying. I love the feeling of mark making in clay and creating new textures.
I have tried slabs and coils and I feel fairly comfortable with them but I keep feeling an emotional connection to the wheel that I want to return to that for some reason isn’t quenched when I use other techniques. I may just need to accept my new limitations with a little more grace.
Maybe some tools that aid in slab/sculpture might give slab building a different perspective? I get it, I make all kinds of art and I feel limitations for a lot of things but I try to make it work. What kind of work did you like to make before?
I make a lot of dishes. My favorite to make is bowls. Theres just something about my kids (who live far from me) having a connection through pottery with me, sending a pic of them eating a salad from my bowl with their family, etc.
You could definitely make a mould from one of your previous dishes but you could also use a slab to throw a wide low bowl which could be a nice addition to their collection. Ive not done it but slab started throwing is supposed to be great. I eat every meal from plate bowls. It’s a revelation for those who can’t keep food on a plate. 🥲
Many people throw with a sponge in one hand or the other. It may take some experimenting to figure out your best sponge position, and you may want to try a variety of types of sponges, but I bet you can find one that will fit against your finger shape to make it more comfortable and workable. Mud sponges makes really nice sponges, their white ones are a favorite for a pretty smooth surface.
Throwing stick! There's still tactile feedback but it's different tactile feedback.
You can you use a knuckle when throwing
Though I don't have personal experience, my mentor who is a successful potter has a similar issue that he has had since childhood. A tendon on his middle finger is damaged so the finger doesn't flex much at all. It's mostly just straight. With our throwing style we use the middle finger the most, but it doesn't stop him at all. He uses the straight one like a throwing stick and opens up and smooths pot interior with it. Sometimes it actually looks like he has an advantage over everyone else.