Adventures in bisque during school break...

I'm still trying to find "my style", and throwing bowls for Tidewater Gallery's Souper Supper has been a good motivation to get focused practice time in.

This was a good mishap, since it gave me a chance to check my walls. :) This one was a rice-bowl with chopstick notches. Those are always fun to eat out of...

For a while I was worried about consistent wall thickness, now I think I need to concentrate on the base, and letting the rim keep a bit more thickness to avoid chipping.

After 4 weeks of practice, this is what I settled on. (I need a scale so I can keep the balls of clay the same size though) I was not only experimenting on shapes, but on my signature, and I think I came up with a version I like enough to make a stamp out of. :)

*risky drying before loading the kiln...*

This is a fun new addition to my studio. On a lego-night while I was working, Jade brought out her leg0-impression of ME! I love it so much, and it goes well next to my dad's tiny welded-"Tara"-sculpture.

More TrOUT cups for the Steelhead Festival.

AAAAND my big mishap... I fired some work for a classmate, and 3 of his sculptures exploded...badly. Bisque crumbs are tucked all over in the elements. :( I'm waiting for him to come over and clean it himself. *sigh*

Unfortunately, his explosions his some of Jade's animal sculptures which are now missing a few legs and ears. Thankfully she and I have been discussing the issue of "non-attachment" for an artist, so no tears, she will just make them again. :)

It's always a learning process... I'm happy with what came out so far, now to glaze!

The kids have had fun this week hanging out with me in the studio while I get bowls made for Tidewater Gallery's annual "Souper Supper" Event. And of course more "TrOUT" items for the Steelhead festival.
I'm experimenting with silica sand... not sure if it's going to be a happy experiment or what...

Busy, busy, but I'm enjoying it. The semester starts next week, so this is my big push on wheel work for a little while. I'm getting lots of practice which has been SO helpful, and it's fun to try out new forms, or in these last few pics, variations on surface decoration will come later. :)

Happy January 2011!!!

Lodi Art Center Holiday Sale

My phone doesn't take good pics, but this is my set up mid-sale. (I forgot to snag a shot at the beginning before selling stuff)

15" platter.

my first Tandori. I want to get some flameware clay to make the base so I can use it for stovetop cooking as well.

Experimental mugs. (I had some glaze issues), but I like the shapes. (there were not in the sale, they are just for my learning)

Salt domes. Half were made with larger holes for sea salt, and they are fun to use.

One of Jade's bowls...

The next two yunomi are my favorites. And fortunately, they were "traded" with two wonderful artists who I know appreciate that they are the workings of a talented 13 yr old. :)

Cup Study

I made a few yunomi for the Steelhead Festival, but was sad to see half had s-cracks. I wet them down, sliced 'em in half, to see what the issue was. These are the ones that died and were dissected for the sake of advance knowledge...

I didn't realize I had a tendency to leave the base so thick! I'm glad these didn't survive. I'm not posting pics of all the cuts, but these next two show the trend... I'm happy with the wall thickness, but the floor needs attention...

I have picked up a few tips since making these, and I just need more practice to make sure I've got the new standard down. Happy learning mistakes!

Bookmarks to sell in Cafe By The Spa on Thorton Rd

Cafe By The Spa in Stockton, Ca is now open! I hope to have some pottery ready to sell by the end of this month. (coffee mugs, tea cups, soup & rice bowls) For now, these bookmarks are it.

I'm happy with this bunch. :) Head over to the cafe if you would like to purchase them! AND enjoy some yummy soup, a sandwich, coffee, or smoothie. (in Thorton Village, right next to Styles Unlimited, near the corner of Davis Rd and Thorton)

Winter boutique 2008

I finally got around to putting some photos on our computer. They are terrible pictures, but I do not have a photo program to mess around with yet. (new computer, it just has basics on it) I will redo these photos later. For now, this is what I have. :) My blog is undergoing a little makeover, slowly. If any of you have some suggestions for a good photo/image software program, please let me know!

Here are some of the soldered jewelry I have made. Mostly pendants. As you scroll through the photos, if you see anything orange/blue/white, those are for the local high school. Most of the necklaces I made, and a number of the bookmarks, are related to the local high school. (Go Bengals!)
I can made them with any kind of image, paper, lettering, etc. I mix the glass pendants with art glass pieces, wire, and beads. (some are my own lampwork beads)

I started making "mini" bookmarks this year. I sell them for $6 - $7.

The large bookmarks still run between $12 - $16. That depends on the cost of the beads.

The next few pictures are difficult to see. I am still learning how to use my new camera. (also, I really need a good photo editing program)

My little display. It is a bit crowded in this picture. Later, after I left, they found a larger table so my little creations had some room to breath. :)

Since this boutique, I have made more bookmarks, beads, and necklaces. I am doing an order for the highschool cheerleading team, and I will post that as soon as I'm done. That is going to be a fun project, I hope the girls like them. More to come!!!