iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

been a busy spring and early summer, but now back to the kiln building and figured id give yall an update. need to drill some blow holes in the arch, but besided that its done. one step done, and another begun.. getting there. #pottery #kiln #woodfire #handmade #carolinapottery

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Since i shared a video of grinding yesterday, figured id explain my process a bit today. Importantly, one must wear eye protection and a respirator when doing this work, and i dip the piece in water on occasion to keep dust down and clear away debris #pottery #process #folkart #handmade #clay

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

a very hot wood burning kiln, beautifully runny ash glazes, plus chips of glass melted over for decoration means there will be some drips... some careful drip grinding is often part of the process. #pottery #facejug #woodfire #folkart #stoneware

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

had a wonderful wood kiln firing with a group of friends, and yesterday we unloaded it. always good to be part in the community, and keep the tradition of catawba valley stoneware rolling on #pottery #woodfire #ncpottery #folkart #stoneware

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

had a wonderful wood kiln firing over the weekend, its always hard work, but working as one we all made it go with ease. working together, in community, as friends, makes things work better. give me hope to get out and prove how things can be #pottery #friendship #comminity #cooperative #affirmation

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

i reckon most of us have been through some things, and we all need to defend ourselves from time to time... but gotta be careful not to get stuck into the reaction loop, sometimes what we need is a little bit of honey #pottery #folkart #conciseness #mindfulness #mentalhealth

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

been doing a ton of glazing here, a glazestravaganza... part of that process is waxing the pot bottoms, which i do with hot wax. any sort of wax will work really, and should have mentioned, dont overheat the wax, and never leave a hot pot unattended. #pottery #art #folkart #glazing #handmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

thought i would show off another little small piece which is now candling in the bisque kiln. a hollow pinched clay pipe incised with 59 eyes #clay #pipe #evileye #nazar #folkart

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

sometimes things dont move as well as id like them to, but in this case, think it may be a sign to just use them in a better way. i am not a big believer in money, and love to barter... so, crypticcurrency it is. #beads #handmade #barter #cryptic #currency

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

i like things that force me to feel, there are alot of things to feel, and shew, was i having some big feels today, hot damn! sometimes it all needs to get scattered on the floor so it can be examined and sorted. Feeling is good, love yall #pottery #music #feeling #fallingapart #comingtogether

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

reckon its important to keep conscious of what we allow ourselves to do and be. floating through life on autopilot is not a great way to a better way, and will not absolve one of responsibility or culpability. #clay #tile #thoughts #permission #responsibility

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

after digging and washing a bunch of kaolin to mix into hundreds of lbs of refractory clay, to hand make and lay hundreds of bricks for the new kiln arch, we where finally able to do the last form pull. it was tricky to remove, but we did it #kiln #pottery #arch #brick #handmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

thought i would show yall the results of the work i was showing yesterday. decided to inscribe it with a reminder to humble ourselves and remember that we are not separate from nature. we come from it, we live in it, and will return to it. #pottery #folkart #nature #skull #humbled

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

i get occasional questions about my unique incising technique, so i thought i would start making some videos with pointers and insights on this process. today i explain how i get deep patterns without damaging the piece #pottery #carving #folkart #handmade #clay

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

guess ive been on an incised pitcher kick lately. had a good buddy ask about a stout gallon with a snake, and since he digs astronomy, went ahead and added some pearl stars as well #pottery #pitcher #folkart #snake #stars

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

i have nothing against hard work, its most of what i do... but because i like to see the fruits of my labors, i advocate that others reap the rewards of their work as well. there is no sense in hustling or grinding for a system that is rigged against us #pottery #clay #labor #solidarity #work

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

finished up this pitcher today, always love some mushrooms. its one of the last pieces from the old clay batch, pugging the new batch tomorrow. this is the ends of a batch i began a few years ago, new batch i began last year. Ars longa, vita brevis #pottery #folkart #mushrooms #wildclay #handmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

i spend alot of time thinking about the deeply delusional and illusory aspects of society, and my own participation and complicity in it. this sortof leads me to not enjoy social media, it brings gifts, but it is not our friend #pottery #society #justthinking #social #reality

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

hey guys. today im bringing a little about feldspar pearls, and a recent misadventure with the gaps in knowledge. the process of learning necessitates finding what we dont know, and folks who pretend to have all the answers seldom learn a damn thing. #folkart #pottery #minerals #learning #knowledge

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Just thought i would share a little video i made explaining how i add a little coil wedge for a smoother and stronger handle join. Hope yall are well, lots of love youtu.be/hn2cAZcJH78?...

youtu.be

Adding a coil wedge for a cleaner and stronger handle

YouTube video by Transfigured earth studio

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

put the finishing touches on these skull jugs, wheel turned and modified. per usual, i have inscribed them "memento vitae", death is inevitable, we must chose to live. be well my friends #folkart #skull #life #handmade #art

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

for those interested, may 6th 2026, will see the opening of the 14th annual face jug show at American folk art and framing in asheville nc. the show begins online, so do yourself a favor and check out their site for the deatails and catalog. #folkart #facejug #pottery #smallbusiness #asheville

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

finished up this jar here, figured as it was a mayday, a big oak tree would be appropriate. takes a good while to draw and incise the pattern, i press the design in with wooden tools to keep the thickness reasonable #pottery #wildclay #folkart #tree #nature

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

happy mayday! besides the veneration of the turning season, we are also called to remember the ongoing struggle. over a century after haymarket, we are still struggling for the rights of the worker, and against the abuse of the boss. solidarity forever #pottery #mayday #labor #history #solidarity

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

managed to finish up this face jar today. reckon ill see if this one wants to end up on display in lincolnton N.C to replaced some damaged pieces, as the town is famous for its downtown face jugs #facejug #folkart #NCpottery #handmade #pottery

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

ive always enjoyed movies, and in these strange times we live in, find them really helpful just to help me tune out before bed. grew up with the marx brothers, and duck soup certainly holds up as a satirical critique of power #movies #marxbrothers #comedy #satire #recommendations

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

here is the results of the devil jug i was working on the other week... a little haggard, but still has some looks dont he? #folkart #facejug #pottery #wildclay #handmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

i dont believe in a devil, or demons, or djinn for that matter, but i find the personification and symbol and belief very interesting. i understand the wish to externalize, its not healthy or productive. folk devils run alot of cover for very human evils. #folkart #facejug #devil #society #pottery

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

been a mighty buys week around here, but getting a few of these buggy jugs off the bench. love the peeking over look these have. hope yall are well, lots of love #pottery #folkart #facejug #handmade #devil

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

in a time where "normality" fails us over and over, creativity and the possibilities it opens are absolute necessity. its worth minding that most forms of progress where once considered absurd... creative solutions are a must for a better world #pottery #folkart #creativity #art #survival

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

another garden bell is coming off the bench this afternoon. inspirations from nature have a way of finding the way into my work, and this one is is heavily inspired by the seedpods of datura. how i look forward to the heavenly fragrance of their blossoms #pottery #folkart #bell #flower #garden

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

been a dry spring so far, but yet, i am enjoying the warm breezes and the feast of flowers that greet me out the window. been making more wind bells, think this is one of my favorite things to make. #pottery #bell #garden #windchimes #handmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

with insanity all around us, i find it difficult but necessary to speak of it. i could speak for hours on all of the specific evils, but i find it important to talk about the common roots. those roots must be pulled, and together we can plant new fields. #pottery #society #community #future #peace

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

another year has come and gone, another trip around the sun... im still standing, and ive become more of my better self. its important to grow, not just become the jaded curmudgeon that many people seem to intend when they say "grow up" #pottery #snake #folkart #growth #life

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Reposted by Ben the potter

Tom Reagan’s Witch’s Hat @rufustsuperfly.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

John Waters never disappoints

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

hope yall are enjoying the spring so far (or autumn for my southern hemisphere friends). it seems im starting mine off with a cold and/or allergies... but anyhow, thought i would show yall how that ring jug turned out #pottery #folkart #craft #clay #handmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

here are a few pics from firing my friend Stephen's groundhog kiln down in sc. the other weekend. the groundhog is the traditional kiln to this region, and its always a pleasure to get together with my favorite people and fire one #pottery #folkart #stoneware #kiln #woodfire

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

was over here turning a ring jug, and figured id take time to show yall a trick. these forms are notorious for forming cracks at the join, but this technique increases the surface area of the join improving the situation significantly #pottery #folkart #stoneware #handmade #humanmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

i dont really care what ya call it, what does it do? craft vs. art vs. folkart... and i didnt even mention "outsider art", because most artists are outsider, no matter their esthetic. i find that labels are often more a hinderence than they are worth #folkart #pottery #craft #art #labels

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

have a bisque firing warming up today, but managed to get this crock all snaked up. the weather is warming up here, the toads are coming out of their burrows, and i nearly stepped on a little copperhead the other day... alll good though #pottery #handmade #snakes #folkart #clay

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

been a busy week over here, finally got the bisque kiln wired up, loaded, and have it candling. here i am unloading a tile drying rack onto my bench before cleaning up the edges and preparing them to go into the kiln... slow process, and the road is long #tile #handmade #folkart #clay #humanmade

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

the good folks behind rifftrax and mst3k have been making me laugh for most of my life, and are still at it. would highly recommend checking out their work, absurd times demand absurd comedy #pottery #sanity #rifftrax #mst3k #laughter

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

been busy this week cleaning up a backlog of pots in preparation for a bisque firing, but did manage to finish this tiny little buggy jug turned from the last bit of clay left after turning a batch of bowls. a reminder to keep our nose above the water. #folkart #facejug #pottery #handmade #wildclay

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

most of my work requires some level of detailing in every step of the process, its alot of work, and alot of time, but thats what it takes to get the look i want. i just really dont care for austere minimalism, it looks and feels too lifeless to me #pottery #handmade #maximalism #folkart #art

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

been a busy week over here, planting the spring garden. but finished this crock here, made intentianally hard to pick up by the 3 asymmetrical handles... when we come together, we are mighty hard to handle. #folkart #handmade #snake #rise #pottery

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

ive made several videos about my process for creating work, but with pottery, especially heavily detailed pieces, its just as important how we dry the work. i have used this tent method for many years, and almost never have any issue with drying cracks #pottery #clay #folkart #wildclay #stoneware

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

just putting the last touches on this kings head crock. finished it off with a line of "the diggers song", a rhyme popular among the followers of the "true levelers" or diggers movement during the english civil war of the mid 17th century #pottery #folkart #History #skull #kingshead

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

been feeling a little under the weather, but on the mend... did some garden work in the sun today, and finished up this weird jar. pretty traditional form, but im always playing with ways to make em less traditional #folkart #pottery #handmade #wildclay #clay

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

weather has been warming up over here, and it seems im coming down with a cold... so instead of trying to do some advice videos as i had planned, figured id show ya a batch of poison flasks ive finished. #folkart #pottery #handmade #skull #wildclay

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Ben the potter @transfiguredearth.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

hey guys. just thought i would share some of the tiles i have avalable up on the site (check bio). been sorta sitting on these for a minute, but figured its as good a time as any to let em go. hope to have lots more come spring #tile #handmade #stoneware #clay #folkart

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