The second batch of mugs I’m working on is made out of reclaim clay. I’m thinking that they will still go into the soda kiln, but will look smoother & more evenly finished after the firing. Last night I threw the cylinders… tonight I did the stamping!!!

Tonight I made handles for the first set of mugs I’ve been working on. This set is made of soda clay. I’m trying to make enough work to fill my next soda kiln. So I’ve still got a couple weeks to make more work. But it’s summer… and I want to play outside!!! Needless to say, I’m “trying” to stay productive… and finishing off another set of mugs.

I start by making “carrot” shaped wedges of clay. Slammed on the table to compress, and cut to the right size. I pick them up by the fat end to pull the handles the traditional way.

As each handle is pulled, I do a quick little flip-over to make the rounded shape of the handles. I set them up so they can stiffen up to a “usable wetness.” By setting them up with a curve already established, you don’t need to bend them as much later.

Then the attachment process begins… one mug at a time. Score, slip, attach, repeat. Again.. and again… Once they are all attached, I give them a quick spray of water and keep them wrapped up overnight. That way I feel the moisture levels balance out a bit so the handles are less likely to pop off later.

Next up?... some colored slip accents with flashing slips for the soda kiln.

One of my students was playing on YouTube and ran across this pottery video.
Click here for the video.

It’s kind of long… about an hour and 19 minutes.
But if you jump to about the 1:03 mark that’s when “the magic” begins!!!
And by “magic” I mean a crazy reference about ME!!!

Apparently this whole blogging, Facebooking, YouTubing and more has made me “a little famous” in Santa Clara, California?! The instructor in the video makes a specific reference of me and my “oodles & oodles of stamping.” Kinda cool, huh?!

I spent a lot of my Saturday stamping… including a new batch of cylinders that are well on their way to becoming mugs. My favorite thing to make!!!

Tonight I trimmed the bottoms of the tumblers.

And then added a little colored slip decoration…
accents in the stamps and around the top rim of each tumbler!

So here’s the deal…
Want one of these tumblers?!… You’ve got to go to a party!!!
Yes, I’m donating some of these tumblers for the Lillstreet Art Bash.
And the only way to get one of them is to be a VIP. So call Lillstreet or check it out online.
Tell them you’re a VIP and that you want one of my tumblers!!!

Or, even better… oh, but wait there’s more… click here to purchase your tickets online.
My tumblers will be in some of the VIP Swag Bags so you can drink your signature cocktail from one of my signature tumblers on the exclusive rooftop of Lillstreet Art Center!!!

Tonight I stamped the tumblers I threw last night. They were still a little stickier than I would like, so I let them set out for about a half hour to stiffen them up a little.

But I knew some people would like to see more of the stamped tumblers… so here they are…

Tonight I did a little stamping & detailing of my class demo bowls from Tuesday night.
“Not so basic” just got a little more textured!!!

So my “constellation” of textured wall pockets has been hung in the Gallery Annex. I love how it turned out. And in the perfect location right there at the top of the stairs (thank you Brian). Kinda nice being the very first thing you see as you come up to the second floor. Finishing touches are still being added to the show… and the Opening Reception is next week on Friday, July 24th.

Putting it all together… making a plan for how my collection of textured wall pillows will become a complete “constellation” for the upcoming “Variations In Soda Fired Work” Show.

I’ve been pulling together some of my textured wall pillows for an upcoming show in the Gallery Annex at Lillstreet Art Center. Can’t wait to put it all together…