Pottery. Photography. And All Things Handmade.
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 →
Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence It is officially autumn. The falling leaves gather around my pottery wheel on my back porch which means my throwing days have come to an end. The fall color is spectacular! With unraked leaves, we had our first snow fall which... Continue Reading →
The Story of a Mug: Part 1 left off where the mug is left to air dry. Air drying takes about one week. After air drying, the mug is "bone dry" which means very dry and brittle. The mug is now referred to as "green ware" which means unfired pottery. It is time to turn up... Continue Reading →
It all starts with a lump of clay. The lump of clay is placed on the pottery wheel and centered by the potter's hands. Once centered, the potter opens up the ball of clay. . . . . . and pulls it up for height. It is shaped into a simple cylinder . . .... 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 →
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.
I made another box but with feet! When I made the first one, I intened it to be a planter but it didn't have drainage hole or feet to ensure airflow and drainage. Happy feet! Happy Friday!
Having a slab roller really simplifies things and conserves my energy verses a rolling pin! I was thinking about making this a succulent planter! However, I may need to rethink its design. A planter needs a pot with a drainage hole or feet to ensure better airflow. This box doesn't have either one. So, what... Continue Reading →
