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 The Story of a Mug: Part 2
Tag: pottery
I have made many handmade ceramic pet dishes over the years. The back porch has a half dozen handmade pet dishes filled to the brim with cool fresh water. Just for her. Instead, she prefers, what used to be our son's now grandson's, Tonka dump truck. So, I keep it filled with cool fresh water. … Continue reading You Can Lead a Cat to Water
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 The Story of A Mug: Part One
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 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: 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 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. I make lists for items I need … Continue reading A Note To Myself
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; a respite from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. A time to relax and rejuvenate - change of pace. It may look … Continue reading Hibernating, Not
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 End of Throwing Season
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 22 Hours Later
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.
