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Mike Martino

@karatsupots

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New Mexico born potter in Saga, Japan, making Karatsu ceramics.
Making attractive, cool, useful stuff out of dirt since 2006.
www.karatsupots.com

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I was almost right. Managed to get 30 more rice bowl/tea cups and 3 larger tea bowls out of what was left in the bag... Unfortunately, I lost one trimming, but otherwise that amount of trimming scrap is what I like to see after trimming 100 cups. Less work recycling.

#studiopottery #gotanbayashikama #ceramics #mikemartino #karatsupots by @karatsupots

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6 hours ago

Ok, that's 100. I still have some more porcelain in the bag, and I might be able to get about 30 more out of it if I'm lucky.

#studiopottery #gotanbayashikama #ceramics #mikemartino #karatsupots taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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a day ago

Back to these single stone porcelain rice bowl/tea cups. These are a big seller for me, and I can never seem to keep them in stock. If I can take the monotony, I'm thinking about making at least 100 this run.

When I started out in pottery, I was hoping to one day have some designs that would be popular sellers like this. I hope I keep enjoying making them. So far so good.

#studiopottery #gotanbayashikama #ceramics #mikemartino #karatsupots taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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2 days ago

This is one of the first Izumiyama porcelain bowls I ever made and fired. I feel like it has aged well with use, developing a nice patina over the last 10 or so years. The glaze is porcelain stone (a different deposit) and ash, which matures at about 1180C.
When most people think porcelain they think 1300C, but Izumiyama stone matures at much lower temps. 1180C is still low by Izumiyama standards, but this bowl has never leaked or sweated, and rings more than thuds when you give it a finger tap. From the bare clay exterior surface, it's evident that it is porous to a degree, but still very much functional, especially in a tea ceremony context.
When I see this bowl and how the color has developed, it is easy to draw the connection to so many of the old tea bowls (400+years) and the dark color of their unglazed feet contrasting with the very white, yellow, or biwa-iro (loquat color) of the glazed areas. I think that many people (myself included) make the assumption that these old tea bowls were produced with dark iron rich clay, when in fact much lighter bodies were used which simply darkened with time and use.
Oh, and one thirst trap pic for all of the foot lovers. 😘 Can't let the pot thots have all the fun... If you're lucky, maybe I'll work my way up to posting bra-less tank top videos of me (unskillfully) throwing over-sized lumps of clay that are horribly un-centered, causing my sweaty upper body to rock to and fro, showcasing my giant swinging knockers. 😁 taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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3 days ago

WARNING ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ Pictures of sutures...

This is the result of too much sun, mostly during my misspent youth. Noticed a bump develop on my arm in late July. Had it removed about 4 weeks ago. Tests came back as squamous cell carcinoma. The removed piece had clean margins but just as a precaution I had them take an additional 5mm in all directions from the original incision, just to be sure.
I was comfortably numb for the procedure, but it stung pretty good yesterday after the stuff wore off. No pain today, but taking care to avoid vigorous movement with the arm until the stitches come out.

Wear that sunscreen kids!

Don't know why I look so serious in that picture... I'm actually pretty satisfied with my color coordinated band-aid. taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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6 days ago

Saw this little dude this morning, while he was out for his constitutional. taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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6 days ago

Sometimes one just needs to post photos of oatmeal. Happy oatmeal. taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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6 days ago

by @karatsupots

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11 days ago

30 dishes for an order of 20. This single stone porcelain has a tendency to deform in firing, so a few extra won't hurt. If they all come through, that won't hurt either...

#studiopottery #gotanbayashikama #ceramics #mikemartino #karatsupots taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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11 days ago

Break time! taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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12 days ago

I have an order for 20 slab plates which are a smaller version of a design I make on occasion. This was the impetus for me digging into my "partially used bags of clay" post from the other day. So far I have 48 plates made. Once I get the trimmings from these wedged up again I'll probably get 10-15 more... No problem making so many extras because they are an easy to sell size in a shape that also stacks easily.

I'll give them a night to rest, then finish them tomorrow with a damp sponge to knock down/smooth over any flugs left from the carving. taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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17 days ago

Quite a nice view on my morning walk this morning. The air is heavy with humidity following the rains of the last few days, but the smell is amazing. I imagine that if there was a smell for green, this would be it. taken in 五反林窯 by @karatsupots

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18 days ago