The other two-pots-thrown-as-one demo was a large chip & dip bowl.
So it’s now stamped and “drying” slowly in my studio… waiting to be trimmed.

This week’s class demos were about two-piece pots thrown as one. Like this large flower pot with an attached water tray. I threw the pot in class, but did the stamping later in my studio after it had stiffened up a bit.

Finished “detailing” a few more mugs this evening with accents of colored flashing slips. They’re now drying and waiting for a trip into my next bisque kiln.

Here’s my stamped demo platter again from tonight’s class.
Amazing how a little different lighting can make a world of difference.

So much more dramatic, huh?! And this is just from the compact fluorescent bulb in the task lighting on my wedging table. I like the dramatic shadows it provides, but not a huge fan of the yellow tint it gives everything?! But for a cheap IKEA task lamp, it’s not too bad!!!

Tonight I subbed for Dave Trost’s Advanced Wheelthrowing Class.
I gave them the option for whatever they wanted me to show them… “Demo On Demand.”
One guy requested a goblet thrown as one piece, and I offered up a stamped platter.
Other than those demos. it was a pretty easy night… no crazy requests?! Bring it on!!!

So I did a platter demo, both throwing & stamping.
Presumably the “best” demo that class has ever seen!!!
Or at least that’s what we’re telling Dave when he gets back from vacation! Ha!!!

So here’s my stamped demo platter…

And here’s one of the student’s stamped platters. Nicely done Stephanie!
I love when students actually follow along and do the demo piece in class.

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!!!