Getting The Boot

You know when you have an idea for something you think you can make, several years go by, and you finally have the skills and materials to give it a try? That's this boot. It isn't quite done yet, but I got to start on the details yesterday.

Out There

Lately I've been creating some really strange pieces in between my standard forms. I made a vase for raku, and when it was done, it looked like a fish to me. So I added eyes and fins.

Then I figured it needed a stopper. So I made another fish.

Now the big fish has a little fish in his mouth.

But the fish are not nearly as out there as this next piece I've been working on. It's a watering can with half a handle, with teacups attached.

The teacups also have pieces missing.

I'm not sure what its ultimate use will be; maybe as a planter, or even a fountain?

I painted the entire watering can with red underglaze, and I carved overlapping squares into the clay, exposing the natural color.

I made one full teacup that is detached from the watering can, and underglazed the inside red to match.

I also painted the bottom red. Why not? I'm hoping that the red doesn't burn off the pieces in the kiln.

This may become known as a "period" within my pottery career, but I won't hazard a guess as to what art historians would call it.

Sneak Peek

... at what I've been working on lately. Hedgehogs. And nests.

And a few other prototypes in my last kiln harvest.

B.I.G.

For those who remember my first attempts at pottery, today's pictures will really demonstrate my improvement over the last year and a half. These pieces are the large piece and the tea pot I started last week at Kevin Crowe's workshop. Below, the large piece sits under the fan, drying before I add the last level. Below, I'm adding the last piece. Please only look at the pot, not me... This is how it's looking now. I collared in the neck, and flared out the rim. I think I want to collar it in a bit more next week, so that the narrowness of the neck mirrors the narrow base. At this point the vase measures around 20 inches tall.

Today I added the handle to my tea pot. Kevin's tea pots have the handle connecting at the top, rather than on the back. At this point I think the tea pot is probably around 16 inches tall at the apex of the handle.

I tried to capture the organic nature of Kevin's work, so there is some "movement" in the body, and some uneven carving in the knob on the lid.

Cross your fingers for me that a) there isn't some horrible accident that knocks over either piece before next week, b) I don't ruin them next week, c) they come out of the bisque firing okay, d) I don't ruin them while glazing them, and e) they come out of the glaze firing okay. But I'm supposed to be zen about my pots, so I shall be aloof while your fingers are crossed.

Marrying Handmade and Vintage

I wanted to share a little preview of something I've been working on. I've wanted to put together vintage pieces with pottery. I only have one set so far, but I repotted a plant into it the other day. I have a few more vintage silver coffee servers, and I intend to make a few more pairs.

Here's to the union of vintage and handmade.

Wood Fire

Lately I've been admiring wood fired pottery. It's a process I haven't experienced yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing the process and its results. I've pulled together some of my favorite wood fired pots from Etsy artists. This stunning bottle is from woodfirejim. I love the variety of colors.

This casserole dish by wagnerpottery demonstrates how lovely the shino glaze can be. As an added bonus, the item description includes a detailed account of the wood firing process for the uninitiated.

The mug above is also from wagnerpottery. You will find that the woodfired pottery is often in this orange-rust-brown color vein.

ttbam2001 features the work of artists like this mug from Gary K. Hootman. I enjoy that he included a bit about the artist in his listing.

This flounder vase by Joe Winter is also found in ttbam2001's shop. I love that the glaze can look like other elements than clay; in this case, it recalls rust.

MorrisPottery offers this funky pitcher. I enjoy the multi-colored glazes, and the extra carving and detailed additions.

This monarch bowl is also from MorrisPottery. The design is done with black and white slip trailing - breathtaking.

I want to learn to make such free formed pieces as this mug from landrydeese. Sometimes my pots are funky, but usually not on purpose and never this cool...

A wood fire post on my blog would not be complete if I didn't include a piece from khphillips. Many of his items are wood fired, including this bowl. I want to visit the bird in the weeds...

I found this gorgeous gravy boat at justinlambert. The spout and handle are perfectly proportioned.

I can't get over the glaze on this teapot I found at JordanTaylorPottery. Doesn't it remind you of old iron patio chairs with layers of decades of white paint?

I love the subtle details and simplicity of this vase from jarstudios. The blue is from blue glass impressed into the piece.

The richness of these goblets from heatherledwards123 is sure to add value to your dining decor and complement the best wine in your home.

GREENWOODSTUDIO offers this mortar and pestle complete with a pulled handle and spout.

You will not see this jug in a country band including a jar harp and washtub with a broomstick and twine on top. The brushstrokes and looped handle are far too elegant. Find it at foxpots.

Clayoh's shop has this lovely plate with a helpful description of some of the magic of what happens in the wood kiln.

Here's why I've been thinking about wood firing lately. I bought 25 pounds of wood fire clay, and have been working on some pieces to give it a whirl. The wood kiln at Tin Barn Pottery is up and running. These pictures are of one piece I've been working on. I threw the pitcher, trimmed the bottom, added a handle, and then added an external spout and carved away some of the original form so that it will pour nicely. My apologies for the bad quality of the pictures, they were taken with my cell phone. I spent half of class on Sunday adding the spout. There are so many opportunities for it to turn out poorly, so I am trying to be coy. If it turns out nicely, great. If not, it was a learning experience, and I'll apply what I learned to the next one.

They say never to get attached to any pot. My heart has been broken enough times that I try to be aloof.

Thrown at Home

Here are some of the pots I've been working on at the home studio that are drying this week.

They're sitting on the brand new wedging table I built over the weekend.