Clay Play 102

Previously I promised progress. Well, I'm not sure everyone will agree, but I see progress, and I learned from even the mistakes in said progress. Take this vase, for instance. It's a wee bit taller than previous works. I imprinted leaves from various plants in the yard, and I had hoped to use various glazes to create fall colors. Even though I inquired on the use of different glazes to achieve my purpose, I didn't express myself clearly. I used iron oxide red in the veining and imprint lines of the leaves, and then I added an underglaze in burgundy, yellow orange, and tan to the leaf outlines. Later I learned that the glazes only stay in the imprint, thereby eliminating the effect of the iron oxide and having no effect on the coloring of the leaves themselves. I also learned that not all leaves are created equal when it comes to veining. The best leaves for this came from my dogwood tree. Though not an entire success, I'm pleased (generally) with this vase because of the shape, mainly, and what I've learned through my mishaps.

This vase is a lovely mistake. Though perhaps too short, I like the shape. The ragged edges around the top were the result of not knowing how to use the needle tool effectively to cut away a mistake. But, I decided to try and make them look like petals. I'll concede that they don't exactly look like petals, but I like the effect. My greatest disappointment is that it is too short, but it may make a good bud vase. I dipped this in a raspberry glaze that was rather glumpy, but I lightly sanded down the "glumps" hoping that would prevent them from bursting and leaving gaping holes. It worked, so I count some measure of success. I glazed the rim and painted trios of dots on the with circumference an antique white glaze. Thankfully, I refrained from using a band of antique white below the bulge. Not a grand little vase but "interesting."

And here I have saved the best for last. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with this bowl, though some may think, "Big deal." You've never thrown on a wheel, then. I really like the shape of this. I dipped half of the bowl in Falls Creek Sand glaze and half in Turquoise. This is my favorite glaze combo/treatment yet. You'll see more of this in the future, I promise. This is probably the first sellable piece I've produce, but I plan to give it to a special friend next week. I can always make more, right?!

Next week, I have a raku mug that I've rather pleased with and perhaps a different shaped bowl and mug, if I can get them fired, glazed, and re-fired again in time for posting. Keep checking back for more poetry and pottery.

Clay Date #2

Week 2 of pottery detour produced three more bowls--bowls that I had thought held a promise of improvement. My how shadowy memory is!

Yes, there was some improvement, though quite modest. In my mind, I had thought my bowls had gotten bigger and more "finished" in appearance. If they are bigger, they are only a wee bit bigger. On two of the three, as you will see, I've used stamps to create a design.

The top bowl was supposed to have been a soup bowl, but one would have to fill it about five times to satisfy one's hunger! I've included my lens cap in the photo to help with scale.

The tea bowl above (which IS the right size for sipping tea) and the soup bowl above were embellished with stamps. I then rubbed iron oxide red into the crevices of the design; then I glazed over each piece with peridot. Each bowl has an interior glaze of chino green, which I really like.

The last bowl may become another small dog bowl. It is glazed in a honey amber, which I like, but I think I may mix it with something in the future.

The process of throwing, firing, glazing and re-firing takes some time, which is why I'm on week 2 with the finished product and on week 7 of the course. I didn't glaze anything this week. By only going once a week, I'm further prolonging the process. However, I have been throwing each week, and I'm trying to squeeze in a second day of work in the studio. Subsequent pieces, I believe, will really show progress. I have two vases, two bowls (which is where growth is clearly evident) and two mugs. Of course, memory may be better than the reality!

Either way, I'm hooked! I love the feel of the clay spinning through my hands and the magic of creating something with at least some aesthetic appeal using a lump brown clay.

Come back soon--there will be more poetry and more pottery soon!

Crafty Detours

I've never been able to fully quit the seasonal habit I have of hibernating in the summer, which explains my long absence. I am more acclimated than I was twenty years (or so) ago when I first moved to Alabama. As the summer days grew hotter and longer, I would barricade myself inside the house, usually mid-June, and not come out until mid-October. This seemed a particularly grueling summer, but I was able to stay outside and plant flowers and vegetables until late June, and I've reemerged in late August/early September.

My recent detour, which will likely last for some time, is pottery lessons. Pictured are week 1 creations. Granted, these don't look particularly impressive, but you don't know my pottery history.

Several years ago I took pottery lessons with my daughter Iris. My skills throwing clay were abominable. I left the eight-week course wit only three finished pieces worth keeping, none of which were as tall as any of the three bowls pictured, all of which were made the first day of class. I've made some improvement, at least.

Tiring of the little bowls, but fully aware I wasn't going to make anything much grander that day, I decided to make Mr. Wilson a new bowl to replace the one I broke weeks before. He had been eating out of cereal bowl, which was much larger than he needed and likely resulted in over feeding.

Now, I may be a bit sensitive, but Wilson seemed a tad critical of my endeavors. I had to coax him to eat from his new bowl by tempting him with a morsel from my hand. Deciding food was the most important thing, he deftly–or was it cautiously–lifted one piece of dog food from the bowl and ran to the other side of the kitchen to eat it. This went on for about 30 minutes.

Subsequent pieces, which I'll post as soon as they are glazed and re-fired, have gotten taller, though not refined. But, with each piece I am learning the limitations of the clay, and I'm increasing my ability to pull the clay a little thinner and a little taller. I've also learned to be less cautious with the water–it's good to feel the sleek, smooth surface of the clay slip through your hands, which isn't what you'll feel if the clay is too dry.

This detour is going to be fun!