Tuesday, February 28, 2012

My wine coaster was featured on the Its a Madcap Life Blog today.  This blog features art, culture and design.  All items featured are for sale on Etsy.

Yesterday I added two yarn bowls to my Etsy site.  Last week I had my first sale of the year and it was a yarn bowl, so I decided that perhaps I needed a few more.

Today I will finish glazing since it looks like it won't be raining.


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Visit to the Cabin

This past weekend we went up to our cabin in Bat Cave, mainly to just check on it and chill.  Sunday morning my husband asked me "what do you want to do" and I said "Biltmore".  Check out my cabin blog to read about our cabin and our adventures in the Carolina Mountains.  This summer you should see more photos of nature, since I asked and got a camera for Christmas/Birthday from my mom.  Today the battery died after I took a few photos out front.  Forgot to charge the battery after my son's Regional wrestling tournment last weekend.

Back to pottery.  I will be going out to the studio in a few minutes to wax resist and I plan on glazing tomorrow morning.  Weather permitting.  I have to spray outside so can't do it if it's raining or very windy.

Friday, February 24, 2012

New glazes and casserole dishes

This last glaze load had some experiments.  My plan this year is to phase out all lines except the blue and brown dragonfly line.  I wanted to add some black and white to that line for a more cohesive look.  These are some of the pieces that I liked.  Would love some feed back.  The piece in the back is the cake plate/chip & dip.  I did some glaze tests on some egg separators and they turned out great.  In future glaze loads I plan on trying some on vases.

These pieces will most likely to going to the Falling Rivers Gallery in Albemarle.  I will be setting up the display next Thursday on my way to the North Carolina Potters Conference in Asheboro.


This is the first casserole out of the kiln. I decided to decorate the underside of the lid for a surprise.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Bill VanGilder and Silvie Gratanelli Workshop

Over the weekend I attended the Claymatters Winter Workshop.  The featured artists this year were Bill VanGilder and Silvie Granatelli.  In the photo to the left see a photo of Silvie and I and the piece I had to have.  To see the photo of Bill and the piece of his that I had to have, check out my Facebook page.  I learned so many new techniques that it will takes months for me to try them all.  So check back for photos of my pieces inspired by what I learned.  Also, check out the Claymatters website for a more detailed account and photos of the workshop. (ps. I am the webmaster of that site as well).

I will be glazing tomorrow, I hope.  Lately it seems that life has gotten in the way.  This year I decided to try to live life more and part of that is getting to the Y to work out most mornings.  This means that instead of working in the morning, I don't start until after lunch.  It seems like there are always things I have to attend to in the afternoon, children, groceries, appointments, etc.  So, hopefully by Wednesday there will be photos taken and posted.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Artist Co-op

Artist Co-Op

Yesterday I finished my entry on the Artist co-op site.  It looks like it may have possibilities for promotion of my pottery.  I believe that the site may be new, since there are new people added every day. 

I have been fighting a cold the last few days, so I haven't been in the studio since last Thursday.  Winter finally arrived Saturday and it's been too cold to be out in my studio, especially as there is no time crunch right now.  The weather report shows 60 degrees on Friday so I will probably load the bisque tomorrow and glaze on Friday.  I will be trying out some new ideas in glazing then.  Hopefully I will post some of the items on my Etsy site and others will possibly be going to a new gallery I might be showing some of my work.

Wednesday is again my day to work at Ruby's in NoDa.  The day After Valentines Day, so I don't expect to be very busy.  I'll bet tomorrow see's a rush of men looking for last minute gifts.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Candy Dishes and a bird house

Today was a day of experimenting. The two candy dishes were inspired by a workshop a took from Allison McGowan in November.  She handbuilt her bowl and legs but I decided to throw the bowls and handbuild the legs. 

They were made by cutting out triangles and folding together one side then attaching at the curve on the bottom of the bowl.  You can see how different shaped triangles make different legs.  The bowl to the left also features a double rim with grooves spaced around.  I am not sure that everyone loves candy dishes as much as I do.  I have had many variations throughout the years.  Next I made a bird house for up at our cabin in Bat Cave, NC.  If I like how it turns out, I may make some for sale this spring.  The other two pieces are a wine chiller and utensil holder.  Just because I felt like it.
Be sure to check out my Etsy site for items that I have for sale.  Remember this is just a starting point.  I have lots of other pieces made that have not been placed on there yet.  So you can always send me a convo requesting an item.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Casserole Dishes

Today I made some casserole dishes.  This is the first time I have made lidded casserole dishes.  Years ago in a class I learned how to make lids for canisters and I have made a few over the years but never for casseroles.  I made each one a little different and we will see how they turn out.

For the next few weeks I will be throwing some new forms then I will start glazing.  I have been thinking of dropping a few lines (fiesta, twilight and sunrise) and adding some coordinating lines to what's remaining (dragonfly).  I am doing this for a few reasons.  First, my booth is a mis-mash of colors and I feel that I will not be accepted into any high end shows until this is fixed.  Second, the red glaze costs twice what other glazes cost and I can't raise my prices on everything enough to justify it.  I suppose this is why you see so few potters with red pots.  Of course it will take a while for me to deplete my inventory to make a complete changeover.  I also plan on adding items like cassserole dishes, wine chillers, sponge holders, etc.  There may even be a chance that I will start making dinnerware.