Pottery. Photography. And All Things Handmade.
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 . . .
Happy New Year! A new week! A new day! Hooray! I made no New Year's resolutions. In fact, a long time ago I resolved not to make New Year's resolutions. Instead I decided to make daily resolutions or, as some may call them, daily affirmations. Daily resolutions are much less daunting. The intent is for... Continue Reading →
I am happy to announce my newest items I am adding to my Etsy shop: whimsical wall art plaques! I am thrilled to be able to continue to work with clay inside this winter where it is nice an warm as opposed to my back porch where it is very cold, icy and snowy this... Continue Reading →
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 →
Below are pictures of a few things I made this summer on my back porch. All are available to purchase on Etsy at Back Porch Studio: Winter is on its way. Time to move all my pottery stuff inside. I did, however, find something new to keep me busy and out of trouble through the... Continue Reading →
Despite the torrent of rain, I was able to throw some pots today! At this point, I wait until the pet dish is dry and stable enough to take off the blue bat. Then I wait some more until the pet dish is dry and stable enough to finish (clean up) the bottom. The next... 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!
This is BIG!! I threw 17 pieces over the three day weekend: dishes, plates, bowls, cups and pet bowls. Could I be a productive potter after all? My next step is to bisque fire these pieces after they completely air dry. Given how humid it has been, air drying will take a while. I'm figuring... Continue Reading →
This summer is filled with sandboxes, wading pools and playing with dump trucks with our first grandchild! Needless to say pottery has taken a back seat. Oh I'm still throwing! My production is just not as quick this summer as in past summers. Sales on Etsy are going strong. In fact, I just finished an... Continue Reading →
I test fired the kiln this week to make sure it is in good working condition. I am happy to say I'm back in production!
Brushing up on my throwing skills and math skills this week.Upon occasion, I have a customer that would like a dish to be a specific size. For more accuracy, I'm finding math helps! For example: I want to make a dish that will be 5 inches after the final firing. The clay I use to... Continue Reading →
Over the weekend we brought my pottery wheel to the basement from the man cave (a.k.a. garage). Wheel maintenance will start this week to make sure everything is in tip top shape for this throwing season. The first thing I need to check out is why the wheel head continues to rotate when the foot... Continue Reading →
It's that time of year where I reclaim the earth one bucket at a time! I wedged 20.5 pounds of clay yesterday. The balls of clay (see photo above) are ready to be thrown onto the wheel and molded into something spectacular! Sadly, though, I'm not in tip-top shape. (And it's still pretty darn cold... Continue Reading →
Curtains shredded. Upholstered furniture threadbare. Carpet tattered. Spring? Still waiting.
Day 'whatever' inside with the humans due to the abominable cold white stuff all over the place outside.I grow tired and bored with the human toys - the curtains, upholstered furniture, carpet , throw rugs and house plants. Sigh...And so, I nap.
So many beautiful handmade things on Etsy by wonderfully talented people. If you have not yet checked out Etsy, why not take a few minutes to look around. There is something for everyone on your shopping list this year! Here are just a few that are my favorites: Christen Largent of bddesigns: She creates custom... Continue Reading →
“There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments and schedules. And unlike illness, it is largely a corporate rather than individual experience. One can almost hear a unified sigh rise from the nearby city and surrounding countryside where... Continue Reading →
Well, here I go again with the crazing! It's crazy! I thought I figured out the cause; apparently not! Argh! The cause could be any number of things: the clay the glaze - it only happens with the clear glaze so that could be a clue! the combination of the clay AND the glaze glaze... Continue Reading →
Days in my back porch studio are numbered. The days are growing shorter and colder. Woke up to snow and ice this morning. Winter is here.This summer was my most productive! I made over 100 pieces. Now, I will be spending my time taking photographs of each piece, writing descriptions and putting them up for... Continue Reading →
Back Porch Studio 