Hi Reader,

I've been getting quite a few messages lately from people feeling frustrated with their pottery attempts. The same themes keep coming up:

"Every piece I make cracks or looks wonky...""I'm starting to think I'm just not cut out for this...""What am I doing wrong?"

This frustration breaks my heart because I've been exactly there myself.

But here's what I wish someone had told me 12 years ago:

The problem isn't your hands. It's not your creativity. And it's definitely not your potential.

The problem is that most pottery tutorials skip the most crucial element: proper planning and preparation.

The Science Behind Pottery Failures

In my neuroscience research, I learned that our brains struggle with spatial reasoning when we're also trying to learn new motor skills. It's called "cognitive overload" – basically, we're asking our brain to do too many new things at once.

Traditional pottery tutorials dump everything on you simultaneously:

• Learn to work with clay
• Design a shape that works structurally
• Master the techniques
• Troubleshoot problems as they arise

No wonder most people give up after their first few attempts!

The Professional Secret No One Talks About

Here's something that might surprise you: Professional potters rarely "wing it" when creating pieces. They use templates, guides, and systematic approaches that ensure success before they even touch the clay.

I learned this the hard way during my pottery journey. For years, I'd sit down with a lump of clay and just... hope for the best. The results were exactly what you'd expect – wonky bowls, cracked mugs, and loads of frustration.

Everything changed when I started approaching pottery like the scientist I am: with proper planning, tested methods, and systematic troubleshooting.

A Gentler Approach That Actually Works

If you want your next pottery project to be more successful (and way less stressful), here's what I've found helpful:

1. Start with a loose plan Having a rough idea of dimensions and clay amount before you begin makes everything easier. It doesn't need to be perfect – just better than diving in completely blind.

2. Lean on what works There are some time-tested proportions that tend to create stable, pleasing pieces. Why not use these as your starting point rather than reinventing the wheel each time?

3. Take it step by step Instead of trying to master everything at once, focus on one element at a time. Your brain (and your pottery) will thank you for it.

What I'm Working On (Exciting News!)

Speaking of systematic approaches... I've been developing something that takes all the guesswork out of pottery planning.

Over the past months, I've been creating detailed guides that give you the exact specifications, proportions, and step-by-step breakdown for beautiful pottery pieces – designed for home potters whether you're working with air-dry clay or planning to use a kiln.

Think of them as blueprints for pottery success. No more guessing at clay amounts, no more wonky proportions, no more structural failures.

I can't share all the details yet, but if you're tired of pottery projects that crack, warp, or just look "off," you'll want to keep an eye on your inbox over the next couple of weeks. 😉

This Week's Mini-Challenge

Before my next email, try this simple exercise:

The Proportion Test: Find a mug you love in your kitchen. Measure its height, rim diameter, and base diameter. Notice the mathematical relationship between these measurements.

Most successful mugs follow a specific ratio – the height is usually 1.2-1.4 times the rim diameter, and the base is (at least) 70-80% of the rim width.

Try sketching a new mug design using these proportions before you touch any clay. I bet it'll look more "right" than designs you've created by eye alone.

(This is exactly the kind of systematic thinking that transforms pottery from frustrating guesswork into reliable creation)

A Quick Ask

I'd love to hear from you – what's your biggest pottery challenge right now? Hit reply and let me know. I read every email and often use your questions to guide what I share next.

Also, if you found this helpful, would you mind forwarding this email to one friend who might enjoy it? Growing this community of home potters means everything to me.

Keep creating,

Victor

P.S. The proportion test really works – I've seen so many people have their "aha moment" when they realise their favourite mug follows these mathematical relationships. Sometimes the solution is simpler than we think :)