Pottery. Photography. And All Things Handmade.
All my bottoms are waxed and ready to glaze! I can hardly believe this is my last big batch of pottery for the 2016 throwing season on my back porch. Aside from my most popular item, pet dishes, I made a few new things this year: Organic Molded Bowls (To be listed soon but you... Continue Reading →
My newest pieces: organically shaped bowls made from a slab of clay slumped over a plaster mold. They are becoming my favorite to make. I can roll out a slab of clay, slump it over a plaster mold, walk away to do something else! Within 20 to 30 minutes, the clay has dried out just... Continue Reading →
I wish I could say summer 2016 is going at a snail's pace but it is not. It is hard for me to believe the end of July is upon us. Next thing you know it will be Christmas! That said, a lot has been happening in and around the back... Continue Reading →
"The peas are here! The peas are here!" our grandson exclaims. Yeah! Peas!
As any potter will tell you there is always an element of anticipation and surprise when you open the kiln after a glaze firing. A couple of weekend ago I glazed and loaded the kiln. I tried a few new glaze combinations; some I liked and others I didn't and will not do again! (I'm... Continue Reading →
Because the forecast called for rain today, I was hesitant about firing the kiln. (My kiln is on a covered back porch...open to the elements.) Luckily, no high winds! We had a lovely gentle rain most of the day. So, as I fired my first kiln load of the season, I enjoyed taking photos of... Continue Reading →
Is watching clay dry as exciting as watching paint dry or grass grow? Believe it or not I have done all three. WATCHING CLAY DRY WATCHING GRASS GROW While the clay dries, I look out to our yard. The lush green grass (and clover) inspires me to practice taking pictures of, well, grass. A... Continue Reading →
My most recent project came as a request from a dear friend: a whimsical clay plaque with one of her most cherished quotes from one of her most treasured children's book Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney illustrated by Anita Jeram . I took special care in creating a design by playing... Continue Reading →
Gardening is how I relax. It's another form of creating and playing with colors. Oscar de la Renta
We started our garden inside except for the peas which we planted outside last month. So far we have planted the seeds for lettuce, squash, zucchini, cilantro and tomatoes ( Thank you Shelley H! 😉 ) Now we watch, water and wait... Meanwhile . . .
The kiln is loaded. Ready to bisque fire tomorrow. Bisque firing is the first firing at a low temperature. This first firing prepares the clay for glazing by removing all of the moisture from the piece leaving it porous but hard. The bisqued pieces are then ready for glazes. After the pieces are glazed, they... Continue Reading →
I have not had a lot of time for pottery this year. That is not to say I have not been busy. Our grandson comes over every day. His little hands are busy as well as his mind exploring the world around him. While his hands are busy, my hands are busy clicking my camera... Continue Reading →
Bees, peas, bubbles and worms, oh my!
Back Porch Studio 