09.14.2016
Categories: kiln firing
Always a relief. So nice to see that the bisque kiln you packed tight and turned on last night fired without fail. And is now COMPLETE!!! Let the cooling begin…
09.14.2016
Last night was the kick-off of a new session of classes at Lillstreet.
My class is full of returning “beginners” so this session might be a bit more challenging… for them. Ha!! At least we had some OREO’s “returning” as well. Pumpkin Spice and the new “Choco Chip” which oddly tasted more like maple than chocolate chip cookies?!
And we are still on the quest to find the latest new flavor “Swedish Fish Oreos.” We can’t find them anywhere here in Chicago?!!! What’s up with that?
09.13.2016
Categories: production, stamped
SOMETHING NEW!!! Citrus juicers “quick drying” for tonight’s bisque firing. Hopefully the elevated plastic grid will help speed along the process with air now on all sides!
09.13.2016
Some lidded jars… stamped, detailed and drying for tonight’s bisque firing.
09.12.2016
Clear skies. Orange reflections. Spoke silhouettes.
09.11.2016
A beautiful morning. A little on the chilly side. Feels like Fall… and I’m still in “summer mode.” Didn’t appreciate having to wear long sleeves this morning! But this sunrise made it worthwhile!!!
09.10.2016
Did some good trimming tonight and added colored flashing slip accents. I like to add colored slip to the top flange and a dab of color in the center of every stamp. A little obsessive-compulsive… but, well…Â that’s just how I roll!!!
09.10.2016
So many pots. Cranking out as much as I can getting ready for ART IN THE BARN. It’s two weeks from today and I still have so much work to do. Including a couple more kiln firings. My plan is to get all of these pieces into glaze kilns next week. I have a full soda kiln scheduled for net Saturday. So even though I’m in “the middle” of ART IN THE GARDEN this weekend, I still had to go into the studio to unload this bisque kiln. No rest for the weary.
Kiln Layer #1 – Mugs. Mugs. Mugs… ALL MUGS!!! My favorite!
Kiln Layer #2 – My mostly porcelain layer. Mugs, cups and a couple bowls.
Kiln Layer #3 – Stars. Stars. And more stars!!! And a few bowls, ovals & cups!
Kiln Layer #3.5 – Stamped platter, spoon rests… and some fortune cookies!
Kiln Layer #4 – Bowls, mugs, ornaments and a LOT of tiles!!!
And you know how I like to get close to the top…
09.10.2016
Categories: ornaments
Another apology for being delayed in posting again this month.
Kinda scary how fast the year is passing by. We’ve all been so busy!!!
Busy in our studios making art. Busy at the weekend art fairs.
Here’s another batch of holiday ornaments made by me & four of My Talented Friends.
Remember, we’ve all signed-on for a Monthly Holiday Ornament Challenge.
The plan is for each of us to make a new ornament each month of the year.
My Talented Friend : Cory McCrory
Cory has had a hectic schedule. She recently married off her son, and became a grandmother by her eldest daughter. And yet she still had time to crank out these adorable little stars!
My Talented Friend : Sarah Chapman
Sarah’s had fun playing with copper wire this month. Twisting & turning. Forming this little Christmas tree out of hoops, rings & wires.
My Talented Friend : Roberta Polfus
Roberta created these wonderful “pod” ornaments by shaving & faceting the surface for these wonderful textures.
My Talented Friend : Amy Taylor
For August, Amy has sort of “cheated” and is offering up these collaboration pieces as her entry into the Ornament Challenge. We worked on these pieces together and they will “revealed” at ART IN THE GARDEN this weekend in Glenview. I made the textured clay cabachon discs, and Amy made the sterling silver cages that hold the discs. Not sure if these are really Christmas ornaments.. but more like “ornaments” for your neck!
My Talented Friend : … oh wait, it’s ME again!!!
For August, I went with the traditional star ornament. And yet I gave them some texture and dimension. Each quadrant of the star was treated differently… some textured, some plain, some painted with flashing slips. They are destined for my next soda kiln – and I can’t wait to see how the flames created some wonderful flashings on these stars.
So there they are… August ornaments from My Talented Friends Cory, Sarah, Roberta & Amy. Hopefully everyone’s schedule will settle down a bit now that we;re headed into Fall.
Be sure to check out everyone’s websites. They’re all in the LINKS section in the far right column. And they all have fun Facebook pages too. Find your favorites & follow them everywhere!