Here’s a quick glimpse at the textured tile wall in my condo. Just under 3,000 tiles on the wall… each one handmade, textured & soda-fired. I love the wall and how the highlights & shadows play over the textures… (2,894 tiles in case you’re wondering.)

The best part of the story was when I was getting ready to install the tiles…

My Dad’s concern was what would happen if the weight of the tiles literally pulled the wall off the studs?! I innocently said “We put a new one back up?!”

And then my Mom’s question was how I was planning on cleaning the wall. To which my response was ‘Who cleans wall?”

It was a very productive night in the studio last night.
Looks like I’ve got some stamping & trimming for later today!

Too many clouds for a sunrise this morning.
But there were other beautiful things to see along the lakefront bike trail.

So I’ve been playing with porcelain again… no time to rest…
unless you’re a SPOON!

Amazing craftsmanship does it once again! So amazing to watch these fine craftsmen create these amazing printing blocks. From simple plank of wood carved with intricate repetitive patterns. All by hand. No machines. Just some simple tools and a plank of wood. Makes my hand-carved ceramic stamps look like child’s play!!

According to Alchemiya.com….
“Turning a plank of wood into an intricately carved printing block. A highly skilled practice filmed by the V&A Museum as part of their Fabric of India Exhibition.”

Click here for the amazing video to go from plank to printing block.

THESE DESIGNS ARE AMAZING!!!… and they’re cookies!!! Even better…
Can you just imaging what this artist could do with some liquid clay slip on some well-thrown pots??? Her slip-trailed pottery would be amazing!!!

According to the link on Colossal.com…
“Chef Judit Czinkné Poór is the mastermind behind Hungarian cake decorating shop Mézesmanna, a small studio with a giant social media presence because of the incredible photos and videos they share of their decorative confections. Nearly everything they produce falls into the ‘looks too good to eat’ category, from elaborate illustrations of animals, to intricate patterns inspired by embroidery. Seen here is a quick video of her ‘royal icing’ technique.”

Click here to see the amazing video of Chef Judit decorating a cookie!

UPDATE :
And then shortly after posting this originally,
I got an e-mail from a follower who just felt he had to share… and I’m glad he did!!

From Tim…
“I saw the same post you shared from Colossal on the cookie decorating people (who are fantastic) and decided to Google their work.  Found this gem and figured you would enjoy it!  Have a good weekend!”

Last night’s class demo was throwing “two-parters” as one piece.
They were unbder plastic overnight… and I did a little stamp detailing today!

Flower pot with attached water drip tray…

Chip & dip serving bowl…

So now it’s a little more drying under plastic before they’re leatherhard and ready for trimming.

Continuing the “Show Me Your PMI Selfie Challenge”… Susan Cordner from Pasadena, California checked in yesterday with her contribution. Not only did she send the Selfie as requested… but she’s been busy in her pottery studio as well.

Sharon took her Selfie, and then went one step further…and started making her own textured wall pillows! Good to know that my little tutorial made sense. That someone could actually read my instructions, follow-along and make something this cool. Glad I did my “job” for POTTERY MAKING ILLUSTRATED. I love the textured pattern she put on them. It looks so much like vintage tooled leather. Style, pattern and surface all look very leathery. Love it.

Here’s my e-mail message from Sharon…
“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your work … and all those beautiful sunrises:). Here’s a … choke/gag … Selfie LOL!  And, my attempt at a wall pillow … that isn’t. I made the basic idea, all slab, handbuilt, textured. These will be decorated with oxide and shino then ^5 ox firing. Thanks so much for sharing your processes!!”

For more about Sharon, her pottery and her new textured wall pillows, check out her Facebook page by clicking here. And thanks again Sharon for sharing your Selfie and your pottery!

Anyone else up for the Selfie Challenge??? Just e-mail me a Selfie of you with your copy of POTTERY MAKING ILLUSTRATED!!! Send to gary@firewhenreadypottery.com

Look at the great bicycle cup my friend & printmaker Judy Zeddes made in her “print on clay” class at Lillstreet. It’s one of her own original print designs typically 2D on paper! I’m going to have to act really surprised when she gives it to me for my birthday!!! Hint, hint…

Three cookies. Two fillings. One yummy cookie combination
last night in my pottery class!