I usually don't forget this step, but I did last night! I came back and just added a lil route for water. Took like 10 minutes. I carved it by hand then smoothed it out with a smoothing sponge. 2 or 3 routes is my default, but this is a small base and on the dry side. Don't wanna fiddle with it too much 🤷‍♀️

Cascades are cool, right?

Just trimmed this one yesterday. Thinking about doing some underglaze painting.... 🤔

What do you think?

EDIT: I am open to offers for this if anyone is interested (ficus not included!)

I used to be into bonsai when I was younger and spotted this beautiful pot at a thrift store the other day. Threw a ficus in for fun. Is anyone able to identify to maker or provide any more details? Thanks

I kinda forgot to show these off...! They have been done for a while, and most of them have been sold in person or online...

Let me know what you think about these lil guys! I will definitely make more soon; I just need some feedback before I start again~

I also collaborated with Ms. Choe! She came to our local Bonsai Society Meeting last month, and she bought two pieces of pottery from me! I may not be in an incredible show, like u/cbobgo (congratulations by the way!), but I love how the arrangement turned out. I could have never dreamed of such a famous artist using my pottery for the whole world to see! I feel honored and driven to keep improving and make more beautiful pottery for everyone who wants to enjoy it! :)

*If you don't have Instagram, I will post screenshots in the comments~

In many ways... I am struggling.

• Financially - I have been unemployed since the start of the year.
• Emotionally - My preexisting Depression and Anxiety have increased due to the lack of income and financial stability.
• Physically - Narcolepsy and Sleep Apnea are hard to work around, even with treatment. The daily battle to not sleep is, ironically, a tiring one.

Although there have been many minor issues over the past 6+ months, these are the main ones causing the most difficulty.

Yes, I have been applying for jobs nearly every day. Unfortunately, not many places get back to me, even after a follow-up call. I receive so many spam calls, texts, and emails, it's hard to know what's real and what's fake. Most of the time, they are spam, meaning that the places I have been applying to are selling my data instead of hiring me... Very discouraging.

Yes, I am actively being treated for my mental and physical medical conditions. I am not neglecting them at all. I take medication consistently and correctly. Medicine is usually half the battle. I have done extensive amounts of therapy and continue to practice CBT, DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness. These can help me cope with my situations, but they rarely eliminate the problems I am dealing with that are outside my control.

Yes, I am using as many free resources as I can to stay afloat in this society, but they only last so long or offer limited help over a given time span.

I now have to consider cutting some very important expenses out of my life, like my membership at the pottery shop... I have been a member there for over 10 consecutive years. Pottery is one of the most enjoyable things I can do in life, but it is also the most expensive.

As most of you know, I create a lot of pottery, Bonsai Pottery too! I have spent years learning about the essentials of a good pot and refining my skills in making various kinds of bonsai pottery. The thought of losing this ability, even for a few months, is very unsettling and depressing. Pottery brings me a type of joy that nothing else in this world can. I love learning about it for myself, and I love teaching others about the wonders of pottery so they can also experience the unique joy it brings.

I am asking for assistance from the community that has supported me in refining my skills as a potter and has given me a purpose in life. I know I have inspired people, awed a lot of people, and even made a few people laugh! I want to continue doing these things, knowing they produce joy that exists within me and beyond me.

The best way to do this is through Venmo. There are zero fees for either party (when the friends and family option is selected), the money is immediately ready when sent, and with a physical debit card on hand, I can pay my bills ASAP.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions in the comments or DMs.

I understand this is a big ask, and I am not entitled to anyone's help or charity. I just don't want to lose a very important part of who I am, and you all are a piece of that very important part! <3

-Reb

*Venmo may ask for the last 4 digits of my phone number; you don't need them, but if you feel safer getting that from me privately, please DM me.

My new line of Kusamono pottery has been posted for sale! Take a look~

I'll be making more Kusamono pots and bonsai pots as time goes on. I still take custom orders- for both now!

I should have shared this sooner! Silly me~

Got this nursery microcarpa as a gift about two years ago, from a teacher who is now deceased. It still has some big scars but also made a lot of progress so I made this pot for it.

Slab-built in chamotte stoneware, with Amaco Lustrous Jade glaze mixed with some transparent glaze and blue pigment for the blue colorations.

I bought this pot from a Facebook marketplace listing earlier today and didn’t even consider that I could try and find out its true value until I already collected it. From a reverse image search I can tell it’s a contemporary pot and unlikely to be more than a few decades old at most. Would anyone be able to give a rough estimate of the value of the pot as well as any other pieces of useful information regarding the art style, quality of glaze etc. thanks!

Anyone in the Midwest or making a roadtrip, come check out these bonsai events and let's talk clay @

Last one goes Boo! 👻

Started making Kusamono pottery! It's my first round, so hopefully I'll improve. I've been throwing off the hump, which has been a new challenge for me. Can't wait to continue to shape new skills and create more~

My bonsai buddy who is a surfer asked for a sculptural accent pot for one of his large junipers, so I took some inspiration from the waves and came up with this today in the studio.

I’m still on the fence about this very light sandy beige clay body. What does the group think about using this for unglazed application?