I have an extremely privileged set up. I have access to a wheel and soon will have access to a kiln with very little restrictions. I have no issue with recycling clay so I'm not worried about having to like what I throw or hand build and can very easily scrap something up until bisque fire without "losing" anything other than my own time.

I've been focusing on practicing the technical aspects, so throwing cylinders and other objects with no intention to keep them. Some I recycle immediately (cutting them so I can see the cross section and what I need to pay more attention to) and some I keep to practice trimming. I still throw too thick, so I have a lot to trim off. I've taken to carving (like this object) to cut out a lot of weight fast and also to play with carving as a technique.

When carving, I find myself thinking, "How to I make this the most uncomfortable/unnerving/evil but still useful object possible?". Not like poorly constructed object but an object that makes the user feel uneasy while using it. While they are still technically functional, I think of it as more an art object because it's meant to be experienced by people in a specific context not just something you have in your house or give as a gift. It feels expressive which could be nice.

I have a laundry list of objects I want to make for myself, basically custom dishware. There is some creativity in that for sure, but the intent is practical use.

My partner gets inspired when thinking about gifts to make specific people. He's got two people in mind right now and describes it as just knowing what he wants to make them. I think that's super cool.

Anyways, if you had no time pressures, equipment access pressures or need to create objects that sell, what would you make? How do you balance creative work with functional or did you find a sweet spot where you get both? I'd love to hear your process!