Just when I was ready to throw in the towel early this month due to groggy clay , I decided to talk to the folks at my local pottery supply store to see if they could recommend a new clay body similar to what I had been using for over ten years. I am SO happy … More New Clay! Great Things!
Glazing is not my favorite part of the pottery process but when my pieces come out of the kiln, glazing is well worth the effort! Most of my pieces have two different glazes applied giving the pottery one color on the inside and another color on the outside. This process involves a combination of pouring … More A Little Bit About Glazing
As the temperature cools, my throwing season is coming to an end. But, that doesn’t mean I’m done with pottery! I have more work to do 🙂 Follow me on Instagram for some behind-the-scenes shots!
I have been doing a lot of throwing lately thanks to the good weather we have had this summer. I am currently working on new inventory for my Etsy store including mugs, platters and larger pet bowls! By the end of September 2017, I will start adding the new inventory to my shop. For updates, … More Throwing Things!
I have been using 112 brown clay for over ten years and have never experienced the problems with grog as I have this year. The particle size of the grog seems unusually large causing a lot of damage and heartbreak. 😦 Looks like I will be looking for a new clay. Save
Glazed Bottoms or Bare Naked Bottoms? These are my newest pieces: free formed shaped bowls made from a slab of clay slumped over a plaster mold. They are becoming my favorite to make; however, when it comes to glazing I cannot decide whether to glaze the bottoms or leave them bare and naked. Which do … More Bottoms. Glazed or Bare?
Well, this is a first! Apparently one of our cats took refuge in my drying box . . .on a bowl! LOL
We had so much fun at the pottery supply store this week! So many wonderful and pretty things to look at including a huge turquoise ceramic bowl filled with MKM small circular wooden stamps. The wooden stamp filled bowl was right at our grandson’s reach. He relished the feel and look of each and every … More Back In Production!
This is an annual move from the basement to the back porch. Luckily, this year I didn’t have too many loads to lug up the stairs (12 steps). My pottery wheel stayed under wraps on the back porch over the winter. I was happy to unwrap it, clean it off and set it up! So … More Today was Moving Day!
Over the winter, my thoughts turn to solving pottery problems, learning about new ideas and techniques. One reoccurring problem I have had was making large pet dishes (8 inches or larger in diameter). In almost every single instance, I would ruin the pet dish when taking it off the bat. It wasn’t until I had … More New Ideas New Possibilities
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I love that some of my pottery pieces are going to new homes! Also on Etsy. . . I can vouch for each shop. I have shopped at each one. Wonderful products! Wonderful people!
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 … More Ready for Glaze ~ Last Batch of 2016
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 … More New: Organic Bowls
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 … More At A Snail’s Pace
Bisque firing today! Meanwhile, the zucchini, squash and cucumbers are doing well. Soon we will have bowls for zucchini bisque, squash bisque and cucumber bisque!
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 … More An Element of Surprise
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 … More Watching Clay Dry
Warmer weather has arrived which means I was able to play in the mud this weekend! Had time to play, too! Now it is time for some garden fresh strawberries with whipped cream (from a can)! Summer is here!
Sunny and 70!
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 … More A Whimsical Clay Plaque for a Dear Friend
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