I think the little “mistakes” we sometimes add are a kind of quiet reminder that we are human. In pottery we’ve long held that a tiny flaw, a slight irregularity, shows that the piece has lived through fire and hand. It’s not sabotage, it’s a respectful nod to the process. If we let that habit slip in without thinking, it can become a crutch that keeps us from trusting what the clay is already telling us. Better to pause, feel the weight of the wheel, and let the natural imperfections surface on their own. That way we stay present and honour the craft rather than chasing a perfect but empty ideal.