<https://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/topic/1668-when-can-you-call-yourself-a-potter-dec-26-2011/#comment->
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"I think it is still fun and I have been working in clay for over 45 years. During that time I have also been involved in several professional organizations like the National Council for Ceramic Arts serving on the Board in 1990 and Potters Council serving on that Board for several years. The first organization use to focus on Academic educators but has since opened up to professional potters and hobbyists as well. The conferences have gotten overwhelmingly huge with as many as 200 ceramics exhibitions some years. The presentations, discussions, demonstrations, lectures are great opportunities for furthering one's education.  \nThe Potters Council is opened to anyone involved in ceramics but offers many members benefits to professionals like freight shipping discounts and FEDEX discounts. Their local regional conferences are intended to stay small scale and provide a good venue for learning specific topics. \nAs for the 7 year number, perhaps that comes from the old Guild style apprenticeship. That system taught the professional level of a craft, not just ceramics. I recently met a dentist who proclaimed himself a potter because he had been to several prestigious workshops and had a studio although still a full time dental practitioner. To say one makes a pot so one is a potter, could be applied to children who make pots in a class...as early as kindergarden. I have subscribed to CM and Studio Potter and numerous other professional journals and I can not agree with one who makes one pot. \nIt is a a person who makes pottery. Definition of pottery: \npots, dishes, and other articles made of earthenware or baked clay. Pottery can be broadly divided into earthenware, porcelain, and stoneware.â€¢ the craft or profession of making such ware \nI have to go with this definition: the craft or profession of making such ware \nTo be a potter is to be a professional maker of pottery.  \nFurther, many extremely well known people who work in clay know that clay is a most humbling media. I do not think ego is a big influence in any of this discussion. Few potters I have known have been egotists. I have known Rudy Autio, Gerry Williams, Dave Shaner, Josh DeWeese, Clary Illian, Kurt Weiser to name a few. I find them very approachable, helpful etc. Patty Warashina says we all must be crazy to work in clay..... She means it is a challenging heavy material, requires lots of equipment, can be extremely frustrating, but we all love the \"christmas\" feeling of opening the kiln. \n  "
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