I have been asked by several people about making slow feeder bowls for their pets. I didn’t know how to make them and felt a bit intimidated because there is not much information on how to make a slow feeder. But when my Grand-dog asked me to make one for him, I just couldn’t say … More I Didn’t Think I Could
Temperatures in the 70’s this week! I am finally back behind the wheel after a very cold and wet spring! Grand-dog came by for a visit and curious as to what I was doing. Warming up my throwing muscles. Starting with 1/2 pound of clay. Making small bowls to sell as trinket or ring dishes, … More Warming Up!
As a potter, not everything I make comes out how I planned. š± Sometimes my pieces crack or warp. Other times, my pieces never make it off my pottery wheel . . . . . . or a cat decides to sit in or on one of my pieces. And those unfortunate pieces end up … More Reclaiming The Earth One Bucket At A Time!
What beautiful weather we had last week! Clear blue sunny sky. Flowers blooming. Birds, bees and kitties busy. Note the elevated Kitty water bowl: a TONKA Toy dump truck. This TONKA dump truck has been through two generations (children & grandchildren) and now serves as our back porch watering hole for cats, birds, squirrels, … More Well, Sleet!
2023 has presented me with challenges. ChallengesĀ that require my energy to be inĀ manyĀ placesĀ otherĀ than my Back Porch Studio.Ā In 2023 -2024Ā I will be sellingĀ only ready to shipĀ itemsĀ as my time allows.Ā Ā I plan to focus on pet dishes, mugs and wine cups May through October in preparation for the 2023 Holiday Season.Ā If you are NOT in a hurry, please … More Throwing Season 2023
It is official. I am completely sold out. š³ All of my pottery pieces found new homes in 2022! š„³ Meanwhile, I am enjoying a few of my handmade kitchen prep bowls and wine glass that had slight imperfections such as cracked bottoms or a glaze snafu. These imperfections don’t happen often but when they … More Tooting My Horn! Happy New Year!
When leaves fall as well as the temperature, it is time for me to call an end to my throwing season. Because my back porch is not enclosed, I throw things during the warmer months. The warmer months tend to be May through October around here. But much work remains despite putting my pottery wheel … More The End of A Season
New items will be in my shop next month! Meanwhile, enjoy your summer. Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
It starts with a ball of clay. Each ball rolled out flat into a slab then placed over a hump mold. A hump mold is a convex form over which clay slabs are draped until stiff enough to hold the shape. When the clay is stiff enough to hold the shape, it is set aside … More Start to Finish
Spring has sprung! 100 pounds of clay! Playing in the mud, indoors, of course! Still a bit too chilly for the back porch. I am making bowls using slabs of clay draped over a mold. Finishing the rims of these three bowls while enjoying while enjoying a cup of coffee in a handmade mug š … More Life in April
The falling leaves gather around my pottery wheel. My throwing days have come to an end for the year. The temperatures have dropped quite dramatically this week making it a challenge to photograph my pottery on my back porch. “They” say it may snow this weekend! This month I have been busy with many behind … More Take Time
Would you look at that! It’s mid-October. And here I am running around like a squirrel gathering nuts before the snow falls! Instead of gathering nuts . . . I’m glazing and firing. Glazing and firing. Repeat. When I’m not glazing and firing, you will find me on my back porch unloading the kiln and … More Squirrel!
The snow has melted. Temperatures on the rise. Dusted off my tool box. Unearthed my clay. Started some slab work. From a ball of clay to a slab of clay then onto the hump mold. Bowls made from a slab of clay air drying. Resting.
The back porch has a half dozen handmade pet dishes filled to the brim with cool fresh water. I made them just for her, Miss Kitty. She prefers drinking from the Tonka dump truck. It used to be our son’s now it’s our grandson’s Miss Kitty’s. So, I keep it filled with cool fresh water. … More You Can Lead a Cat to Water
Happy whatever day it is! With dear husband working from home since mid-March, it is as if every day is Saturday. Not that he works from home on Saturdays but he is home. Every day. Both of us in the house through the week has taken some getting used to. I think we will survive. … More Checking In
We are having a beautiful spring although I am having trouble remembering what day it is. Each day is like the day before but it has been nice to watch what pops up in the garden. Dear husband has been working from home now for three weeks. I am back behind my wheel. Not quite … More Close to Normal Part 2
Life is close to normal around here. Flowers and trees starting to bloom. And I am back behind my wheel throwing things. I pushed “Publish” before I was done and since then I forgot what else I was going to say! So, with that I’ll bid you adieu. Until next time, stay well. … More Close to Normal
Hello from the blustery and snowy arctic tundra! Okay. Maybe not THE arctic tundra but from my back porch. Brrrr! Though it is winter, I have been playing in the mud inside where it is warm. I am looking forward to sharing with you my latest clay projects. Happy Friday!!!
Finally, after a very wet, gray and dreary spring, an abundance of sunshine this week! *** I took advantage of the natural sunlight streaming through a basement window to shoot some new pottery pieces I made with new clay and glazes. I am pleased to say all of all of these pieces are pit free … More Wordless Wednesday: Straight Out of the Camera
After much thought, reading, note-taking and collaboration with fellow potters, I think I have discovered the reason why I have had pin holes. #1:Ā The glazes were too thick. So early spring, I adjusted my glazes. The result was perfect on two of the three clay bodies. #2: It is a particular clay-body.Ā Ā After talking … More News! Not Breaking but News . . .
I’m a list maker and note taker. I make lists of things “To Do” otherwise things will not get done such as exercise, make doctor’s appointment, and laundry. I also make “To Do” lists for pottery such as prepare test tiles, reclaim clay, make handles and buy more clay. IĀ make lists for items I need … More A Note To Myself
What!? I haven’t posted since October 22nd?! š± Well, happy December! We flew through Halloween! Then Thanksgiving happened in the blink of an eye. Now, December is upon us as well snow . . . . . .and baking season. Cookies, breads and pies are not the only things baking this month. I have a few more … More Merry & Bright
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