Some Results

Shown are three finished boat bowls with feet made as a special order for an Etsy customer who wanted something to fit a display shelf. These are all a bit shorter than the 22 inches long she wanted, but I hope they pass muster.

Was a little worried that I was oxidizing the helmer shino at the end of my firing to get the kiln to climb, but these were in the right spots in the kiln and still got the nice burnt orange color I love, and that she requested.

UPDATE: She purchased the second one.
Shipping costs were more than I'd expected. Glad this ended up being 20" so I could double box a 16" into a 20" box. A 24" box costs more than double a 20"-er. Difference of $20-$56!!

The layered glaze workshop had a slight set-back when I managed to blow up the pod pieces I'd created for them to work on. The class still had big enough chunks to sand through their layers and get some results. Shown are a nice variety of textures and variations of sanding techniques from the group.

NOTE: if you stop your programmable kiln in the middle of a cycle, make sure that the temp is BELOW the range you want it to return to, or it will climb to the next stage. The pre-heat went from being a long one to one that was way too short... at least you can see the results of both sides of each pod all in one photo.

First Mini-Workshop

These simple looking pieces belie the many layers of colors layered on them that will soon be revealed. Participants in my first mini-workshop came and glazed last night, inbetween talk about hot-flashes, the mean-street playgrounds on which we played as kids, and things learned in other clay classes.

Next week they'll return to these pieces after they've been bisqued to a lower temp than normal, to sand through to see what they get. Fun for me to see what color combos they chose opposed to the same old tried and true that I seem to do.

This spring I did a major garage and studio clean up with hopes I'd have room to host mini-sessions in my studio. It is an intimate space but seems to work... Next month I'm hosting two stack-making workshops. One is already full, but the second one has two slots open. FMI:  Clay Play with Cynthia

Revisiting an older form

At a customer's request, am trying to make a 22" long boat bowl with feet. Haven't made one of these in years and haven't checked shrinkage in awhile either. This started out over 23" and after the bisque it is already down to being under 22" long. Guessing it will be under 21" after the glaze firing... so would need to make a 24-25" piece to end up with one 22". 

It's got two hairline cracks on the other side from stress pushing it to dry fast and one inside, so now I'm doing what I tell my students not to:  spending time trying to do a patch with glaze, sanded clay particulate, and Apt II to try and fill in the cracks, but knowing my luck they will only open up and get worse in the glaze firing... It's only time and clay and gas to cook the mess. Oh dear.

Short Stack

Friend has been prodding me to make a short, smaller version of my stacks for some time because they might be more appealing size and price-wise. Finally had some time and inclination.

Found a little broken red lamp base at the Rebuilding Store that seemed like a perfect start, but the color red can be tricky. (See tiles below for these glazes post firing.)

Left a bit of surform texture on each of them for a second contrast color to sink into after I bisque them. 

Trouble with this is that the little small pieces take almost as much time as a large stack piece, just a lot less finish carving and glaze to paint them.

Greenware pieces, Cone 5 fired tiles.

Red & Black Stack Finds a Home

Got to add this piece to a lovely garden on Grandview Hill west of town today. Misty clouds kept me from seeing any view, but their path with its many discoveries was just as good . . . Plus, it's easier to take photos on days like these.

The rhodies were just ending their run, but the variety of plants and their foliage covering the hillside was still a riot of color and texture.

The stack went in just to the right and in front of the chartreuse smoke plant near the fence. Their gardener quickly transplanted the plant that was there and gave me a level surface for the base. 

My stack will be in good company with these other art focal points in their garden.

Starting Fresh

This year's Spring Cleanup for the studio sale was a bit more intense. Decided to also do a 25-year accumulation purge to dedicate more space to pottery storage and a more organized studio. Since this is being the year of "starting over," a cleaned out space seemed in order.

Out went boxes of bad photos and many negatives, wedding presents only used once if ever, 2 typewriters (DID save the ancient 100 pound Royal), appliances that still had a little life, a lot of paperwork from CFF and the art biz that was obsolete, furniture that made sense at one point but no longer, etc. And boxes and boxes of books. Small dumpster was full in just 2 days, and thankfully neighbor loaned her recycle cart so I had two to fill. The Queen Bee, Kristin Bertilson, came and helped haul away everything that could be donated. She had good ideas for consolidated work areas and tips for keeping it organized into the future. Just like calling for a therapy appointment, making the call to her got my brain into an organizing mindset.

I won't embarrass myself with showing any before photos, but below are the new work spaces that I hope are organized enough to entice a few class and/or workshop attendees:

New display/holding area for more pots instead of accumulated junk

Show furniture and packing materials all in one spot close to door

Shipping area with supplies in one place

Work table and shelf cleared of clutter.

Tools and underglazes organized

Forms and molds all together

All of this effort was completed just in time to welcome four prominent Salem artists to my studio for a visit: Heidi Preuss Grew, Kristin Kuhns, Corrine Loomis Dietz and Bonnie Hull, chief artist herder. We also got to visit the ever evolving home and studio of Ella Rhoades just around the corner, and the calming environs of Claudia Cave up the hill.

This Saturday the Art in the Garden studio sale and then back to work being a potter.

Adding Up

The past nine years it's felt like the development of new work was incredibly slow, almost to be imperceptible.  But in gearing up to make a flyer to send out to my old wholesale account galleries, was pleasantly surprised to see some forms that have taken shape and are refined enough to be out in the world. 

Those of you who hang in there with this blogette have seen most of them as they came to life and, as par the course for me, caused me some amount of struggle to get them to where they are today. 

Hope a few more of them will be heading out to galleries next spring. 

Buter Dish or Cheese Warmer

River Rock Bowls

Leaf Boat Bowls

Leaf Plate Set

Small Sipping Cups