Pottery. Photography. And All Things Handmade.
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... Continue Reading →
Though the calendar says it is autumn, Mother Nature says otherwise! I am thrilled by the warm dry autumn days because I can continue to throw pots on my back porch! Most recently, I have been working on plates. I have been using a certain mid-fire cone 6 clay for over 10 years and... Continue Reading →
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,... Continue Reading →
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
When given lemons . . . . . .make lemonade! Save
This year's throwing season seems to be going well! Very minimal mistakes plus,thanks to learning about an alternative way to take large pots off the bat, I have been able to throw larger pieces: plates, serving bowls, platters and pet bowls! To date, I have thrown over 35 pieces since Memorial Day! 😀 Unfortunately, I'm... Continue Reading →
One reoccurring problem I have had was making large pet dishes (7+ inches or larger in diameter). In almost every single instance, I would ruin the pet dish when taking it off the bat. I had some extra time over the winter to research alternative ways of taking large pots off of the bat. I... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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!
Our grandson looks quite swanky in his "Easy as Pi" shirt from Swanky Shank on Etsy. I love the play on words as well as the design. So creative and fun! It took some coaxing before our grandson would let me get a picture of him in his swanky new shirt. He relented by asking... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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!
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 →
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 →
Back Porch Studio 