This past week in my SURFACE DECORATION class, we had a great demo by “My Talented Friend” Kristen Holub… and then my students got to try out her techniques. Remember the plates with colored slip rims?… this is WHY I made them… for my students to have something to play with!!!

And they did an AMAZING job.
Everyone learned so much, practiced the technique & had so much fun.
Such a great night in class!

Kristen did a great demo. Plus, I brought down my collection of carving & sgraffito tools from DiamondCore Tools for my students to try out. Better tools make better pots!!!

Our second demo this week with my SURFACE DECORATION class, was done by “My Talented Friend” Kristen Holub of Kayho Ceramics. She did an AMAZING sgraffito-carving demo on one of my platters. Remember the one where I shaved-off the bad colored slip, and then added a new layer of ombre’ blended colored slip? Well here it is again!

Kristen started with my colored platter – but then turned it onto a work of art showing off her own carving style. Going step-by-step teaching my students how to go every step of the way. I brought down my collection of DiamondCore Tools for her to use… along with my students who eventually had their chance to play along. It was an amazing night… so much fun & such a great demo!!!

And we can’t forget how great the Decorating Disks are from MKM Pottery Tools for dividing your pots into perfectly spaced segments for “evenly spaced” carved designs!

Kristen started out as a metalsmith when we first become friends many years ago. Then she took time off to become a Mom, and is now embracing her creative side in CLAY!!! She started as pottery student of mine, but quickly developed her skills & her personal style. She has now branched off and has her own studio space & brand-identity online. Be sure to follow her on Instagram – @kayhoceramics.

My how I love having talented friends!!!

This week in my SURFACE DECORATION class, we had a couple wonderful “guest” artists to do some demos. We started with one of my students in class… Sara with the inlaid slip technique she’s been favoring lately. Basically you carve thin lines into your leatherhard piece. Then “fill” that carved line with some colored slip. When it dries to leatherhard, you trim off the excess, leaving a beautifully thin line of slip… perfectly flush to the surface of your pot! Thank you for the demo… and Happy Belated Birthday Sara… it was yesterday!!!

Clouded reflections over the lake this morning.
Breezy & cool, yet quiet & serene. A beautiful way to start the day!

After the morning rain… well-hydrated hydrangeas in the neighborhood.

Just a few plates with bands of color… ready for some sgraffito fun!!!

Adding a swirl of color! Okay, so I can’t stop myself with just a swirl. So I did cover the entire flared flange area of the plates with a full, smooth layer of colored slip. Some green, some blue, some red & some black! Looking forward to some fun carving & sgraffito!!!

Well, it’s been two weeks since that dead rotten tree came crashing down to smash my car!!! My car has been towed. The tree debris has been cleaned up. But STILL no update from my insurance as to how this will all be resolved?! Not very “progressive” if you ask me… still waiting… and getting a bit impatient!

Another chilly start for an early morning in the studio.
This time tackling small plates for this 10×10 Challenge.
More than ten pieces thrown before 10:00am. Gotta love a productive morning!