Glaze Class

I can't wait until my next glaze class Tuesday to see how my test tiles look. I did 2 different recipes with 10 variations and 1 recipe without changing anything. There are 4 of us in this class and we all shared recipes and glaze mixes. I'm going for a cornflower blue and a floating blue with my tests. I'm working on putting together a new color  pallet. I'm thinking cornflower blue, a deep red and a green as solids / translucent. I also tend to  like glazes that break and have lots of variation in them. Maybe a blue that breaks brown. I'll probably see my tests and change my mind completely. Can't wait till Tuesday! I did a total of 37 or 38 test tiles. I'll post pictures when I get the tests back.

My accident

The ugliest cup ever, probably in the world. Slab built and yeah... the glaze didn't preform the way I had hoped.

What's cookin'

Tonight for dinner I made chicken and dumplings the way my granny taught me growing up. I always thought there was something magical about the way she made her dumplings. Not just in the way she made them but the ingredients being so simple and the end result being so irresistibly delicious that we could eat until we were about to burst.
When she passed away I claimed ownership to a few of her favorite kitchen items; her rolling pin, her "ferter turner" (should be pronounced fritter) and some of her mixing bowls. I love those things the best.

her bowl and rolling pin

Almost like wedging clay... almost

Now this is the part where a recipe gets added, right? Well... that's not going to happen and not because it's a guarded family secret, it's because nothing is ever measured out. Not because great cooks don't need recipes (she was not and god knows I'm not) but that's just how she did things, mostly because of the depression and the fact that a measuring cup was a luxury. In any event, dinner was awesome, afterward I curled up on the sofa with a good book my girlfriend Tabatha  told me I "had to read". Finding a book that captures my attention that doesn't have pictures is rare, this one has me hook line and sinker.
It's 1:00am, I better get to bed TTFN   

Here she is

I woke up early this morning, fired my kiln and put Aunt Jemima's face on.

This one makes me laugh, all teeth no lip

Final shot

Finished with my signature stamps

Think my dad will love her?

The beginning of something wonderful, or a pile of crap... whichever.

Ahhh, face jugs, my dad is addicted to them and has requested to join the face jug of the month club (a club in which he is the only member, it's not gonna happen but it's cute how he begs). I really have to be in the mood to do one, as soon as dad catches wind of it he stakes his claim before it's even finished. A few days ago we were talking and he requested a lady face jug for the fella's (his male face jugs, I know... he's a nut). He indicated that he would love one that looked like Aunt Jemima, lets be picky dad! So I started it today, I figure it can be his Christmas present. Luckily he doesn't know about my blog and mostly just plays solitaire online so it should be safe to talk about.

Her face will be added in the morning, I love her full lips and happy round cheeks. I'm sure she'll be a challenge. Typically I just make the face up as I go along not really knowing what it will look like in the end. This one will be different because... well it's gotta be Aunt Jemima.

Testing...

Yesterday I sat down to my wheel and made 48 test tiles, I tried to add some pattern to the tiles so I can actually see how the glaze pools and breaks over designs, so I added a double line and a stamped pattern as well as leaving a blank area on the tile.  These should prove to make pretty good test tiles, I hope.

I tried to take a picture of myself and my giant goofus dog, he just didn't want to cooperate, he wants to fall over for tummy rubs, lick the camera and drape himself over me making it impossible to do anything so I grabbed a quicky self portrait and called it quits.

I'm wearing one of my favorite tank tops, I have like 5-6 of these in different colors, Wal-Mart special 3 bucks, gotta love that.

Yay for Atlanta Clay!

I love Atlanta Clay. I hate when you walk into a store of any kind and you feel like you almost have to beg for help or information. Atlanta Clay is the opposite, certainly the sweetest and most helpful and knowledgeable folks I have ever dealt with. I started taking a glaze class there today, lots of information to take in, I can't wait for the next class. While I was there I couldn't help but giggle when I used their rest room and found this...

 Wonder if I can get this in a 50 gallon drum? haha!

On the way home I ran into a pretty heavy thunderstorm which I usually hate but this time it was actually pretty relaxing. Driving slow, listening to country music and howling along with Lady Antebellum (not that they howl, I love them but i know I sound like a wet cat with it's tail caught in a slamming screen door) while eating now & laters must be good for the soul, right?

Wanna see my foot?

 It's not too often that I'll sit down to my wheel with a hunk of clay without a plan. Yesterday I did that and made 2 berry bowls complete with saucers.

I love carving the foot, I could tell you that it's because it's a challenge but really, I think it's how the ribbons of clay peel away under my trimming tool that really attracts me.

Making trailing slip, looks like a mad scientist at work here.

When I took this picture I didn't realize how messy my wedging table was, it becomes a catch-all when I get busy and judging from this picture... it's doing it's job. 

What's in the kiln this weekend

I just completed a custom cupcake plate for a customer. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

This was made on my pottery wheel and then hand carved and stamped with the message "you are special".

Getting ready for winter and the holidays I made some wintry mugs decorated with snow flakes. 

These will be on sale at Plum Nelly in Chattanooga and I'll have some listed in my etsy shop in a few weeks.

New items available in my Etsy store and at Plum Nelly in Chattanooga, I'm pretty excited about these sweet little dishes. I'll also be making them for weddings as ring bearer dishes and keepsakes.For a limited time they will come with the plate stand.

The past few weeks have been crazy for me, I'm struggling to keep my head straight and stay focused on working. I did just sign up for a 3 day glazing class. I'm very much looking forward to that. I feel like I'm at a crossroad with not knowing which direction to take with my pottery. Maybe the glaze classes will help inspire me and my direction.

1 week

Well Theo has been with me for 1 week. I'm happy to say he is crazy about me and the feeling is mutual. He spends most of his time in my studio, occasionally coming over to check on me and sniff whatever it is I'm working on and then he goes about his business. He went to the vet on Monday and weighed in at 108 pounds. The vet says he's about 30-40 pounds under weight. He has a long way to go, but so far he is one happy dog. Oh and she (the vet) thinks he is about 2 years old.

check that drool out! We need a bib :o)