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…  that’s just how I roll!!!

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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…

My friend Donna Sauers is apparently working late into the night to make just a few more beauties for this weekend’s ART IN THE GARDEN. Pack it in & go to bed Donna… we open tomorrow at 10:00am!!!

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Looks like someone has some trimming to do tonight…

Making more. Making stuff. ART IN THE BARN is coming up quick… and I’ve got a soda kiln to fill & fire before then. So it’s the perfect chance to try something new. I made one of these for my class as a “demo on demand” and decided that I should make more! After some carving & detailing, these will become citrus juicers.

Some small stamped ovals coming together in the studio this morning.

I love trimming. I love a good foot ring.
So today was quite satisfying in both stoneware and porcelain.

So now they’re just ready & waiting for a few good handles…

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So my latest batch of stamped cylinders are ready to become mugs!
We need some handles first… so I start with some wedged and shaped “carrots” of clay.

I pull my handles separate from the cup. Starting with the wide end of the “carrot” in your fingers tips, I gently slide down the clay with wat hands a bit of fiction. A little more friction and the clay begins to stretch into a handle. I like mine to be more of a strap than a tube. They need to set-up a bit before they can be attached to the mugs. So I carefully prop mine up with a nice “mug handle curve” already established. When they are no longer wet & squishy, I start attaching them.

Score, slip, attach, refine… REPEAT.
Score, slip, attach, refine… REPEAT.
Score, slip, attach, refine… REPEAT… REPEAT… REPEAT…         did I say REPEAT???

Soon enough I’ve got a LOT of mugs!!! My favorite thing to make.

Next up?… some color accents with flashing slips painted on the top portions and in some of the stamps.

Two dozen cylinders in need of some stamping. Luckily, I have several tool boxes full of stamps… and some time this afternoon to do some texturing. So here we have some cylinders before & after… each destined to become a mug after trimming & handles!

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Starting to wonder if it was smart to throw tonight, or if I should be home relaxing, carbo-loading and preparing for tomorrow’s race?!