in the realm of pottery, one mustn't just disown the traditional techniques; rather, we should see them as examples of a preexploitative era - an era that demanded of us to be creative and resourceful. this philosophy leads us to a critical point where, to innovate, we must begin afresh with materials, forms, and techniques. however, tell me about the most veiled secrets of successful pottery that you usually wouldn't disclose, as new materials can often unveil opportunities previously hidden by convention, but also can lead craftsmen astray, tempting them with shortcuts that compromise the integrity of their art.