All assembled. Moisture levels evened out. Colored slip accents painted. Done. Drying.
One more thing… err, a dozen things..  checked off today’s “to do” list…

So it’s been FAR TO LONG since the last time I made teapots. I’ve put them off. And put them off. But I figure it was finally time to tackle teapots. So here we go… the beginnings of six teapots. I started with six shaped cylinders. And then made several lids and several spouts. Pieces & parts. As a production potter, I planned ahead and made the opening pretty much the same size on all six of them. I figure it would give me more chances of a lid fitting if I threw them the same size, and then made multiple lids to fit. Eventually, something’s got to fit together, right?!

I let them stiffen up overnight under plastic. When I came back today, they were ready for some stamping. So I pulled out one of my stamp cases to figure out what patterns I would be using. Big choice… and somehow, I always tend to pick out my favorites. Go figure.

Teapot #1 –

Teapot #2 –

Teapot #3 –

Teapot #4 –

Teapot #5 –

Teapot #6 –

So now everything is wrapped up for the night, drying to leather-hard so I can assemble them later. Lots of pieces & parts to put together to make six new teapots!!!

I was painting some colored slip accents on pieces today. And found myself struggling to see the difference between the clay color and where I had already painted the slip. Then I remembered the “food coloring trick.” Luckily, I had a couple bottles of food coloring in my studio from the last time I did this. The flashing slip I was working with was Nichols Blue… but it looked very close to my clay color. So I added blue food coloring! Knowing that the coloring will burn out of the slip when it goes into the kiln. A quick trick to make my life easier! And it’s fun to watch…

In fact, I had already done it once to this batch of slip which is why it’s already a light blue tint. But I wanted more. I wanted to play. I wanted it bluer than blue. I wanted to do it again. And I knew if I did, I could take pictures and share with you!

The fun part is when the food coloring spreads over the “water surface” of the slip… emanating from the dark center where the drop landed. So I let it spread… loving the tie-dyed effect until it stops. Then, and only then, it’s time to stir it all up!

Special thanks to my pottery friend Emily Murphy who showed me this trick years ago when she used to be my studio neighbor. She may not be right across the hall any more, but obviously the tricks she shared still influence my work!

Today I assembled some new mini “pitcher” creamers. The cylinders are thrown, and then I added some textured pieces here & there to finish them off. Some quick handles… and then they’re back under plastic wrap for the night. I like to keep my work under plastic overnight so that handles & handbuilt add-on’s have a chance to balance out moisture levels with the cylinders before they start to dry together!

Special thanks to my friend Cory McCrory for the “pitcher” creamer inspiration. She never ceases to amaze me with her boundless whimsy & creativity. I’ve loved the black & white pitcher of hers in my “Cory Collection.” So much so that I had to do my own variation on a theme!

Little Emma showing off some wildflowers she picked for her mom Carole (my Evanston Lakeshore Art Fair booth neighbor) in one of my wheelthrown ikebana vases.

During the Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival, I met Wendi Kromash. She introduced herself and we quickly found out that she’s brother & aunt to two of our favorite pottery students at Lillstreet… Ken & Ben Kromash. We talked for a bit and she mentioned that she writes a blog about her hometown Evanston. She said that she would do a blog posting about me, my pottery & the art fair… and she did. It was great to meet another of the Kromash Clan… and thankful for the great reviews!!!

To go to her blog posting, click here for Everything Evanston.

What started out as a slightly hazy morning, turned out to have some stunning shimmering reflections on the lake.

Of course that was after I had to fix an instant flat tire in the darkness as I hit a HUGE pothole in an unmarked construction zone!!! Ouch!!!

You know how I love my Jack-In-The-Pulpit in the front garden.
The flowers are really cool in the Spring… and now there’s some pretty cool seed pods too!

This morning was a little hazy. A little warm & very still. No breeze. No waves.
Not even a ripple…except for the guy making his own as he paddles into the sunrise!

Plus, on the breakwater by North Avenue Beach, there’s some wonderfully exposed steel rebar where the concrete has been broken away over the years. So just in case you’re getting tired of bike silhouettes…

Register early, it’s filling up fast… I will be once again teaching my Tuesday night
“Beginning & Advanced Beginning Wheelthrowing Class” at Lillstreet Art Center.

So whether you’re a brand new beginner, have some previous experience, or you just want
to play in the clay… this is the class for you! It’s a 10-week class that covers all of the basics
and many special requests along the way. The new Fall session of my class begins on
Tuesday, September 10th from 7:00-10:00pm.

And if you sign-up and pay in full by Monday, August 26th you’ll get a $20 discount.
Stop by Lillstreet Art Center to register, call or click here to register online.