Well, I got a little busy… and the promised alliteration had to wait a couple days.
But I finally got into the studio to do some more work on the “textured terra cotta tubes.”
And the tubes are now taking shape – and becoming ceramic birdhouses!
This evening I worked on adding some of the finishing touches to the construction.
Now with roofs, “doors,” awnings, loops to hang by, and a hole which will be filled
after firing by a real wood branch for the birds to perch on.
Hopefully they will dry overnight. I put them on elevated plastic grids so that air can flow
all around them and they will dry more evenly… and quicker?! Fingers crossed…
If so, tomorrow I can stain them with underglaze, and glaze the roofs & awnings…
as I am hoping to get them into a kiln on Tuesday night, fire on Wednesday, cool Thursday
and unload late Thursday night… just in time for this weekend’s art fair in Hinsdale!
lovely birdhouses!
Hi ya – Could you tell me please, how are you attaching the tops of the birdhouses? I’m a potter myself and have also started making birdhouses recently. Thanks!
With a whole LOT of scoring & slipping!!! I’ve decided to make them as one piece, with an attached lid, so they can sit flat or hang from the hoop. I do also add a row of smaller holes under the roof “eaves” for ventilation so the birds don’t get too hot inside. As well as another hole in the bottom so people can “break up old nests” and remove the old mess through the entry hole. Although I do think that a lot of people just use the birdhouses decoratively, even though they “think” they’re going to put it in the garden for their birds! I’d love to see what yours look like Melissa! Send me a picture…
Oh you have inspired me to start making stamps. It is a beautiful sunny day in Maryland so I put my new DVD in the machine by Kristen Kieffer and started stamping everything I could find. Love your blog and work.
CAROLINE – So glad I could be there to start your “stamping journey.” Just be careful – it is quite addictive! I know have hundreds & hundreds of stamps in my arsenal. And I love that your going to watch Kristen’s DVD at the same time – she’s great and her work is incredible! Have a great time… and be sure to check back on the blog now & again! Thanks. GARY
I am in awe of your work! I’ve been building birdhouses for a while and find yours terribly inspiring. I have a question. How do you create your geometric lines? They look like they are freehand by the way they transform but they are also really perfect. And, do you do the etching before or after you create the cylinder? Thanks!
HEY VIVIENNE – Thank you so much. I love when I can help someone else as an inspiration, or with more information! The geometric lines are made with rolling pins that have grooved lines carved into them. The squiggle line patterns are rolling pins that I’ve made with a cheap piece of PVC tubing from the hardware store and some hot glue designs! I also make hundreds of stamps out of carved clay coils that I bisque. Anything you have lying around the studio can be turned into a texture tool if you’re just a little creative in how you decide to use it. All of the patterns & textures are added to the slab before I stand it up and turn it into a cylinder. You can get much deeper & clearer impressions that way – and less distorted cylinders! I hope this helps with your future birdhouse constructions! Good luck.
I love these birdhouses. You are very talented! I have a challenge with the type of roof that you did. Yours are perfect!
I love your birdhouses.We also make a lot of pottery birdhouses and feeders.I love how they are all so unique.Thanks so much for sharing.
Caroline
I live in Texas and love birdhouses. I am very interested to see the finished product. What are your prices going to be and will you do mail orders?
HEY CAROLINE – Thanks for checking in! Good to see that other people are making ceramic birdhouses besides me! I like your whimsical approach. They would look cute in anyone’s garden!!!
SHANNON – It seems so long go that I made those birdhouses… almost a year! Luckily, they sold really well and I no longer have any. It is Spring again, and the art fairs seem to be right around the corner. So there’s a good chance that I will be making more of them pretty soon. Keep checking my blog and there’s a good chance there may be some new birdhouses in the next month or so! And remember, you can also follow Fire When Ready Pottery on Facebook for more instant updates!
Hi from Canada Gary!
Really like you stuff, found you thru Pinterest.
Do you mind sharing what you charge for the birdhouses? And about how tall are they? I make birdhouses as well. You can see them on my blog as well as my barrel fired pots. Playsinclay.blogspot.com
Keep on potting, you are very talented!
LORRAINE – Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. It’s been pretty hectic around here. My birdhouses range in price depending on size. But mostly between $75-$95. They are anywhere from 10″-14″ tall, sometimes smaller. But I kinda like the larger ones! They are generally terra cotta, with some underglaze accents and a glazed roof. I hope that helps answer your questions. “Migrate” back to my blog soon as I’m sure there will be another “flock” of birdhouses early on next year when I get ready for the Spring art fairs!!!
Just started making birdhouses, or attempting them..I love your blog and website. You are generous and I think a teacher at heart
Hi! Your birdhouses are amazing, I love them! May I ask how big the clean out hole is in the bottom? Thanks!
Kendra
KENDRA – Thanks for checking in. The hole in the bottom is not too big. I would guess maybe half an inch? I tell customers that they should use a wire hanger or sharp stick to break up the old nest, and then pull the pieces out through the front entry hole. I think that if the bottom hole were too much larger, stuff would fall through. Or it would just look like a silly gaping hole on the bottom! So I stick with the smaller hole… and I’ve had no complaints.
HI Gary,
Been following you a long time!! Making birdhouses, but I have trouble getting a nice roof. Do you cut a circle, and then cut a triangle out of it and mend the edges? I appreciate any help you can give,
Nancy
HEY NANCY –
bing, bing, bing… we have a winner…
YOU ARE CORRECT!!!
I do indeed make a slab first, texture it, cut the circle, then a pie-shaped wedge out of it. Carefully “cone-it-up” and attach the seam. I actually don’t do much “mending” of the edges. I just overlap them a bit, and leave the seam show. I let it set-up a bit as a cone before trying to get it onto the birdhouse. Then it’s some gentle setting on top, pivoting a bit so it looks centered, and then I trim off the excess so it has an even overhang. Thanks for checking in… and with Spring not too far away, I think it’s almost time to start making some new birdhouses myself!!!
Thank you, Gary, for the information. I have admired your work for about four years now!
Nancy
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