How do you get into "the zone"?

when i just can't seem to throw right, i switch to hand building for a while.

or radically change your normal throwing. try really LARGE pieces, or really SMALL pieces.

see ya

steve

I verify that my hip joint and the "off arm" (left for me, since I'm more right-handed in my throwing) elbow are securely meeting together. I then start power-wedging (make the clay go into a tall shape, bring it down low, repeat) until I "feel" the clay again.

Finally, I don't talk with anyone, and keep music as background as possible. Wheel-work should take all your attention, it's perhaps the closest to pure meditation that you get without sitting zazen or chanting "om".

Nope, not "one with the clay" boss of the clay. Don't let it push you around, think about holding your hands firm and not letting the clay move them. More than that is just technique, and those vary.

Hmmmm - I think you have a point. The clay does seem to be bossing me around! :-)

Will try to be more strict with it today. Thanks!

Marianne

Okay - in other words, just kind of keep at it until you get there.

Hmmmm - difficult when hubby is back and forth to his workshop in the garage and keeps stopping at my window to ask how it is going! Hehe! Will tell him to shut up from now on ;-)

I agree about meditation. When I really am "in the zone", there's almost nothing like it - except maybe when I am scuba diving and just listening to my own breathing and floating in the middle of wonderful :-)

Marianne

I am tempted to do that, but then it will just take even longer before I get back into throwing, and I have christening-gifts to make for my new niece - and I want to throw those.

I have been doing pieces of about 600 grams. Much smaller, and they will be almost impossible. Larger, I think, won't be any easier to center.

Hmmmm - will do some meditating over it all and see what I come up with :-)

Marianne

You might be trying 'too hard'. Remember to make the end of your centering real soft. That is lighten up your touch until you barely feel the clay before taking your hands away. It is real easy when you are trying real hard to just be pushing in with all your might and then releasing too quickly and in doing so completely off center the piece. Take some deep long breaths, think soft and how sweet it feels.....

Donna

I have been working on the wheel for years....and still have bad days when the clay just doesnt want to center...(notice its not me, its the clay)...but seriosly the best days and quickest centers are the days when i am focusing more on the conversation i am having with other potters....(i work in a studio with other potters)...and am not overly focusing on the centering....thats tip 1......tip 2...is did you ever try centering with your eyes closed?....it is your hands and "feel" that centers the clay....closing your eyes helps sharpen this feel....give it a try......Jim from Jersey

Bubbles wrote:

Hi Jim

Well - when you "know" how to center, I guess you don't need to concentrate so much ;-)

I have tried _checking_ my centering by laying my hands gently on the piece and closing my eyes to feel it, but never thought of "going blind" to center. I will give that a try. Thanks.

Sometimes, I can feel the piece going into center, and then right out of center again. THAT is really frustrating!

Marianne

...we all have been there...and bacak gain....you will get it...but remeber this is suppsoed to be fun....i sometimes have to remindmyself that....cause of those frustrating days....god luck

Bubbles wrote: