iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Congratulations! That’s exciting! Sadly I’ll be in Michigan for winter. I hope it’s an awesome show for you, please post pictures!

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Reposted by Benjamin Shewan

Kelsey Shoein @kura-shew.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Today I’m a heckin booth babe for my husben @bigblackbearben.bsky.social at the #GVSU renaissance Festival. Maybe booth babe is the wrong word.. I did paint on his #ceramics in picture #2

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Reposted by Benjamin Shewan

Kelsey Shoein @kura-shew.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Before and after firing. I haven’t been #painting long… let alone on #pottery… but I like this #littleguy I did for a commission last month.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Grand Valley State University Renaissance Faire is live! I’m selling my stock of wheel thrown mugs at a special price this weekend only! If you are near the Allendale, MI campus this weekend come by and say hello!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Very nice! Can’t wait to see the volume of work next year with that much ammunition for creativity!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Follow your intuition, I think you’re right to remove the bottom lines. The pattern above will draw the eye back up to the top 1/3 and the lip. I think that will make the form visually lighter.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Two pots. First pic was an attempt from yesterday with 25lbs of clay. Got away from me a bit and the form is not even. So I wadded it up and waited until today. I used about 22.5 lbs of clay and with a little more patience I got something I feel way better about!

Two pots. The inspiration on the left, and the poor result on the right. This was an attempt from yesterday with 25lbs of clay. Got away from me a bit and the form is not even. So I wadded it up and waited until today.

Two pots. The inspiration on the left, and the poor result on the right. This was an attempt from today with 22.5lbs of clay. This is much closer to my vision, I think I’ll keep it.

A big pottery vase bellies out in the middle. Inspired by moon jars in Korea.

Top view of a moon jar style pottery vase. 22.5lbs of clay

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Out at the Otsego, MI festival of the arts until 4pm! Come on out and say hey!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I got all the clay I’ll need until spring!

Got my clay for this winter situated! Man with a mustache laying on a 1000lb pallet of clay!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Trimmed a handsome foot on this form. I think it balanced the rim nicely.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The pose is fantastic, this series of jars are very cool. I’m digging the mossy green on this one in particular. It fits your form perfectly!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I was able to throw a very tall vessel today! Huge shout out to the community here for your encouragement and sharing techniques that got me to this point!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

After the show yesterday I decided I wanted to make something large. Here is the result! I’m happy with the shape, but I will need to decide on a foot shape to carve and balance the form.

Large round vessel with a pronounced belly and simple rim.

Large round vessel with a pronounced belly and simple rim. Thrown on my new pottery wheel!

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Reposted by Benjamin Shewan

daltonthetart.bsky.social @daltonthetart.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Went low budget effects for this one 😂 Link goes to the Halloween section of my shop! www.etsy.com/shop/LesserI...

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Practical effects are where it’s at!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Had my best show in sales today! A special thank you to all those who and by to say hello!!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Incredible! Thank you for the tutorial!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Today in Zeeland Michigan you will find me and 70 of my friends selling handmade goods, making food, or entertaining the public. Come down between 9am and 3pm to see me and my work!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Come on out Saturday and Feel the Zeel at the Fall Peddler’s Market in Zeeland,MI! I will be at booth #70 with new pottery for you to buy and enjoy! If you google the location of the post office it will take right to downtown.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Huge variety in this kiln load! It looks like my new clay will work with my current glazes. The green runs more on this body. The brown crazed a little bit on some pieces. I’ll have to experiment and adjust for the thermal expansion.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Robinhood was one of my favorites growing up! My aunt had a shelf of vhs tapes and this was my go to movie pick when I visited my cousins.

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Reposted by Benjamin Shewan

daltonthetart.bsky.social @daltonthetart.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I spent a bunch of time today doing the ropes and detailing this ceramic barrel I decided to start yesterday. The body started at 7 pounds which is about the top end of how much I like to throw on the kick wheel. Started as a barrel for Sir Hiss, but I might make a bunch of monkeys too.

A brown clay barrel with clay ropes for hoops and a tan clay cork

Friar Tuck shoving Sir Hiss in a barrel, from the animated Robin Hood

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

That was a delightful read, thank you!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

A few more successes from yesterday’s session. I saw someone make a goblet in one piece and just had to give it a whirl!

Little belly mug form with a pronounced foot ring

Chalice on the pottery wheel head, reflected in a mirror on the far side of it.

Inside of a goblet, sitting on the wheel head

A slightly taller belly mug with lip and foot rings

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Got myself a new-to-me electric pottery wheel. A new bearing and shaft later and it is working! Unfortunately I’m not good at electric wheels, but I’m getting better! After switching to a taller seat I made some keepers. Finding the right speed still takes some finesse with the pedal.

Pottery wheel spare parts. A bearing and shaft assembly

A newly refurbished pottery wheel ready to get dirty. Tools and a mirror sit on the far side of the operator on a little board.

A couple failed pots, wadded up sitting on a tile to dry a bit

A bamboo looking cup fresh from the wheel head

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Did you use AI to make this image?

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Trying out some handles with the new clay. Pulling handles with this body is a dream, so smooth! I even tested a press mold and it took the details well. I’m enjoying having less grog - so far we haven’t had any issues. 🤞

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

First of all, these sea creature mugs are great! Second, what is #bsnm?

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Tried out a new clay body today: Rovin ceramics You Betcha Mix. It has some mullite grog, but is smooth as porcelain. You Betcha moves SO easily! I am used to Laguna b-mix with grog this new clay is much smoother and less abrasive. I can’t wait to try trimming. I’m hoping to get some crispy edges!!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The splat is PERFECT! Very nice work.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I used to think a failed pot had to go in the reclaim bucket because the clay was tired. I JUST learned that you can take that flopped or wobbly pot, ball it up, and slap it on your wedging table to dry. Just wedge it once it’s firmed up a bit. Makes failure way less daunting!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I have this issue too. I have been endearingly described as a space invader. Also, I didn’t know you were using a Lockerbie kick wheel too! Did you make that catch pan custom?

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Can’t agree more! What a cool outcome. I have heard pottery described as mercurial and it just keeps being more true the longer I do this art.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

You can catch me in Old Town Lansing, MI for the Art Feast. Come on down and get yourself some flavor at the food trucks on Clinton Ave while browsing the art of Michigan locals. See yours truly at booth 96!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I think they look pretty smart with their handles. Also, 3 bowls I made tonight. Tomorrow is the Art Feast in East Lansing, MI. I will be there with my creations. Come on by and say hi!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I have been trying out faceting on the wheel with very limited success…until today! My first two faceted forms for you to enjoy.

Two small faceted cup forms side by side with a cluttered background.

Two small faceted cup forms side by side viewed from the top.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Yess! It’s a new method to me. I saw your last post with the pots fresh off the wheel. I wan wasn’t understanding the carved bit in the middle until I looked up single piece jars. Can’t wait to see those glazed up!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Your display is so cohesive! I’m really liking the way you laid out your booth.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Today I am in Lake Odessa, Michigan for the 51st annual Art In The Park! Just a half hour from Grand Rapids you will find live entertainment and over 100 booths filled with artists, food, and vendors. Come down to booth 70 and say hi! www.lakeodessaarts.com

Simple white tent housing 2 shelves and a table packed to the gills with pottery

Another shelf with 5 tiers layered with pottery

A 6 foot table with two layers of pottery

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I got my glazes from @ceramicmaterials.bsky.social and cannot wait for my next glaze firing! I want you all to notice they include a separate label with your dry glaze to attach to your glaze bucket/container. It’s so thoughtful!!

Three vacuum packed small batches of dry glaze.

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Looking like another gorgeous day in Holland, MI. Come out to the Knights of the Realm at Nelis Dutch Village to see my work!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Folks! I am at the Nelis’ Family Dutch Village in Holland Michigan. My tent is right by the Nelis tulip farm ride, come on down and see me and some pots!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Such variety of work! I spent way too long zooming in and checking out everything in each photo. Hope today is successful for you all!

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Benjamin Shewan @bigblackbearben.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Definitely looks polished! They feel like gallery pieces on the all white background.

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