Warming Up!

Temperatures in the 70’s this week! I am finally back behind the wheel after a very cold and wet spring! Grand-dog came by for a visit and curious as to what I was doing. Warming up my throwing muscles. Starting with 1/2 pound of clay. Making small bowls to sell as trinket or ring dishes, … More Warming Up!

Well, Sleet!

What beautiful weather we had last week!   Clear blue sunny sky.  Flowers blooming. Birds, bees and kitties busy.  Note the elevated Kitty water bowl: a TONKA Toy dump truck. This TONKA dump truck has been through two generations (children & grandchildren) and now serves as our back porch watering hole for cats, birds, squirrels, … More Well, Sleet!

Throwing Season 2023

2023 has presented me with challenges. Challenges that require my energy to be in many places other than my Back Porch Studio. In 2023 -2024 I will be selling only ready to ship items as my time allows.  I plan to focus on pet dishes, mugs and wine cups May through October in preparation for the 2023 Holiday Season. If you are NOT in a hurry, please … More Throwing Season 2023

The End of A Season

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 … More The End of A Season

Start to Finish

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 … More Start to Finish

Life in April

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 😉 … More Life in April

Take Time

The falling leaves gather around my pottery wheel. My throwing days have come to an end for the year. The temperatures have dropped quite dramatically this week making it a challenge to photograph my pottery on my back porch. “They” say it may snow this weekend! This month I have been busy with many behind … More Take Time

Squirrel!

Would you look at that! It’s mid-October. And here I am running around like a squirrel gathering nuts before the snow falls! Instead of gathering nuts . . . I’m glazing and firing. Glazing and firing. Repeat. When I’m not glazing and firing, you will find me on my back porch unloading the kiln and … More Squirrel!

Mayhem

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 … More Mayhem

A Note To Myself

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 … More A Note To Myself

Hibernating, Not

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 … More Hibernating, Not

22 Hours Later

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 . . . … More 22 Hours Later

It’s Throwing Season!

I am happily throwing things . . . on  my pottery wheel! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Back Porch Studio (@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.