Pottery. Photography. And All Things Handmade.
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... Continue Reading →
I am sensing a theme for this year. Mayhem. Life has changed since early March. Shelter at home. Social distancing. Face masks. Shortage of toilet paper, Lysol spray and disinfectant wipes. Here it is June of 2020. I think I have finally grown accustomed to dear husband working from home. Both of us have learned... Continue Reading →
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. ... Continue Reading →
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: 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. After talking... Continue Reading →
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. I make lists for items I need... Continue Reading →
It was a crisp November day. I loaded the kiln for the last time of the 2017 throwing season. Flipped the switch on the kiln expecting the glaze firing to take 10 to 12 hours. When 10 hours passed, I suspected something was wrong. The results of the longest glaze firing ever . . .... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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... 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 →
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!
The good news is our circuit breaker is working as it should! The bad news is it is too hot outside! Apparently, the hot summer heat in addition to the electrical heat from running the kiln created sooooo much heat that the circuit tripped during my glaze firing on Monday. Two factors combine to heat... Continue Reading →
In February I discovered some of my pottery developed crazing – small hairline cracks that appear in the clear glaze giving a crackle effect. This crackle effect was not intentional. Since then, I've been reading and contemplating what to do with the seven pieces of pottery that exhibited the crazing. Last week, I decided to... Continue Reading →
I'm horrified! Several of my pieces glazed with a clear glaze have what is called crazing – small hairline cracks that appear in the clear glaze giving a crackle effect. Not the intended result! The crazing does happen to pottery over time but I just fired these in September. The causes, which can be numerous,... Continue Reading →
It's hot. Hot. Hot! Loading the kiln today. Soon the first bisque firing will be underway (as soon as the undies in the dryer are done! Kiln and dryer are on the same circuit and, therefore, can not run at the same time.) The pots have been allowed to air dry up to this point;... Continue Reading →
Today is the big day! Back Porch Studio LIVE on Etsy! I must confess, I'm a bit anxious. Excited too! Did I mention anxious?
Back Porch Studio 