Gentleness

In a world that is at times not gentle, I was mindful while at the wheel today that there's a gentleness, an indescribable grace, about being at the wheel making pottery from the earth. And, impatience has no place at the wheel. Time is a necessity. In the midst of much going on, I was able to make this at the wheel...This is a miracle. A simple tumbler. When it becomes leather-hard, I'll add some definition to it. I have some ideas in mind. What a simple form... so beautiful.

Lots

One of my ongoing good challenges these days is what to do with all the pieces I'm making. I'm giving some away to friends.
Some have turned into homes for my plants.... here's an old piece from soon after I started, now housing a violet- that has purple blooms! Look closely. :)

Any ideas?

Writing and Raku

Here are the pieces that came out of the gas kiln about a month ago or so. On the way left, is one that has writing etched into it. Sorta hard to see. I made it for Meg, a friend of mine.

Today, I etched some more words into another tumbler. This time, for Sarah, another friend. Both were made in zella stone cone 10 clay and the first like this one, was glazed with Tom's clear glaze. Gave it a good, natural effect. Both are priests in the Episcopal church. I like this personal touch added to pieces. Maybe I'll do more of this style. Meanwhile, my instructor, Ron Philbeck, has been saying that some of my pieces are yunomi style. Yunomi is a small cup, usually used for tea in a Japanese tea ceremony. And I'm not even Japanese? Gotta look into that more. :) Here's a basic link about yunomi teacups.

Next week is our last class of the fall and we're gonna have a raku party. Here's one piece I'll put some raku glaze on and use in the kitchen for small utensils. This form is one that comes easily for me at the wheel. It's too big to be a tumbler. Perfect as a small utensil holder.

Gotta make more pieces to raku. :)

Just One on Halloween

On this Halloween, here are the ones that didn't make it into the barrel. Their next step is the glaze buckets and then the gas kiln. As you can see...I've been into tumblers lately.

I finally decided on one tumbler to add to the barrel. Here's the 'before' pic, next to a lucky halloween goblet of wine. This is a tumbler made out of zella stone and bisqued. It has seaweed Bainbridge Island, just outside of Seattle :) and copper scrubbie, plus a copper wire around it and is sprinkled with copper carbonate overflowing with glossy magazine scraps. Oh, and the cord was soaked in ocean water (it really smelled horrible) from Pawley's Island, SC. (Thanks Becky, for the lucky goblet..) Here are some of the others that went into the barrel. Instead of being in the sea, one of Susan's seals had a different place to rest. There was so much going on, it was hard to get a pic of all the pieces 'before' the firing started. Next, here's the Model T barrel, with some good luck pumpkins all around. Becky brought the Jack-o-lanterns. The weather was perfect for a barrel firing! Notice the holes at the bottom; I think that really helps with the air circulation... who knows, though. There is much mystery in all this. Some more 'before' pics of the pieces. My one and only is on the top of the cart.

This is some of what we used to put inside the barrel-- copper carbonate, and yes, cat food seems to work well--- glossy magazine pics, too.

Here's a shot of the first layer of pieces inside the barrel. Great colors. That looks like mine in the center, but it isn't. The big palm frond is from SC too.

Here's the second layer, with my piece in the center. Lots of beautiful birds everywhere!

Next, some red iron oxide sprinkled on top (I think that's what it is)Then the fire was lit and here we're making sure there is enough wood and newspaper in it.
Now the barrel's lit. It was great that there was a big crowd to watch it... who is that guy there on the way left of the picture? Haven't seen him before. :)
Becky also made a mini barrel for a few of her birds.
Pete played two of his original songs as the time flew by...

The flames were a rainbow of colors.

A very HOT fire. The pumpkins watched the barrel closely too way into the night. I think they were awake longer than I, as I left at just before 11 pm.
The next day, here was the barrel at first glance, untouched. We ended up unloading it at 3:30 pm and some pieces in the bottom were still too hot to touch.
Still, all the pieces were retrieved. Here's my tumbler. Still some glossy magazine scraps inside it. Plus, some of the copper scrubbie was still intact. And among some of the other pieces, mine looks darker... must be that it's zella stone clay. Overall, I think we were all pleased with most of the results. Here's the finished piece.. lots of color. I'm so pleased- I only wish I could drink out of it!
Here's another side of it. I think I need to take a class in photography. Little of red on one side.
Lots of pics in this post. We never managed to get a group shot though... there was so much action! Next time, I hope to add more than one piece to the barrel. Also, check out Becky, Elaine, and John's postings for more. What fun-- my first Halloween firing!