Pottery. Photography. And All Things Handmade.
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... Continue Reading →
Mine Mine and Mine 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
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 😉Next,... Continue Reading →
Soaking up the sun on our back porch. Why, yes. I made the mug! 😉 Test tiles waiting to be fired then glazed and fired again. I feel like somebody is watching me! This is Midnight. He is the Semi-feral cat we adopted. He seems to be adjusting very well and has become the most... 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 →
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... Continue Reading →
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!!!
I learned a lot about shooting the moon. The Harvest Moon illuminated night sky the weekend of September 13, 2019. So, I grabbed my camera and tripod. The sky was not 100% clear on Friday night but thought the clouds added drama. I was disappointed, however, Â to see that my photographs were not as... Continue Reading →
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... 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 participated in my first Creativity Challenge in my photo class where I was to apply what I have learned. We were to choose one simple every day object and take five different shots to tell a story. I chose a pencil . . . . * * *
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. IÂ make lists for items I need... Continue Reading →
It may seem as if I am hibernating after the holidays. Goodness knows, I certainly feel as if I could! January and February are quickly becoming my favorite months of the year; Â a respite from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. A time to relax and rejuvenate - change of pace. It may look... Continue Reading →
What!? I haven't posted since October 22nd?! 😱 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... Continue Reading →
I've never seen a summer go by so fast in all my life! Due to the falling temperature, I brought my wheel into the garage from my back porch because I am NOT DONE throwing things! You see, my back porch is not an enclosed porch. It has a roof but no walls. It is... 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 →
Yes, there are time differences between countries, states and cities, but I've noticed time differences affect photography. The outside light changes through the day. You may not notice the vast difference in light as the day proceeds, but through a camera lens that light difference is magnified! Pictured below is one of my newest stoneware... Continue Reading →
New glaze combos. Trusty favorites with a new twist. Unearthed and revived old glazes that I haven't used in years. So, that is what the glaze is going on around here!
I am happily throwing things . . . on my pottery wheel! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bikap9WF75B/?taken-by=pauline_backporchstudio This throwing season, I am focusing on mugs and pet dishes. Not only are they fun to make, they are my best sellers.
Back Porch Studio 