Spring and Chalices

It's spring outside, so I took some more pics of my pots outside at a nearby park. Here's one. The next glazing that I do on a big group of yunomis will have these same glazes: spotted shino and alfred's blue, with some wax resist.
Also worked on the chalice stems (or whatever they're called) today. Adrienne (executive director of Clayworks) was really helpful in giving me some tips. Ron did too a few days ago. It seems that it just takes awhile to 'get' it and for my hands to show what others teach me. Tomorrow I'll attach the two parts of the chalices together. these are the top parts. Some still need to be trimmed as they were a bit wet. Am really excited about the barrel and raku firing on Saturday. Also, I think Saturday will be a glaze-a-thon for me as I have over 20 pieces to glaze. That's ALOT for me as I'm learning much and still pretty new at this wonderful art.

What Do I Make Next?

Yesterday, instead of making the chalice stems (it just didn't feel like the day to do it/maybe procrastination?), I decided to make a couple of yunomis and trim some bowls. Later in the day, Becky and Elaine came into the studio and so after trimming the bowls, I chatted with them. We're all getting ready for an upcoming barrel firing and raku firing on Saturday too. Here are some candid shots.Elaine burnishing bottles... (one is there in the pic on her table).
Becky doing design work on cave art bottles.

The question I sometimes ask myself is 'what do I make next?' Pottery is a creative outlet for me, so I don't try to plan much.

These pendants made out of porcelain are for the upcoming barrel firing. Burnished three of them with olive oil and a spoon. I ended up etching a design onto the rim of the bowls and forgot to take a pic.
So, what do I make next? When I'm wondering what to make, I make yunomi cups. I'm learning which forms of cups I like best. Still am trying new ones, like the one on the front left in the first pic. Good times in the studio.

Today, I've got to make those chalice stems.

Tuesday is Class Day

Tonight during class, the focus was on bowls... and Ron did a demo on this big one and how to make it pour.

So I made a couple of bowls. In addition, during class, I worked on making chalice stems (is that what they're called?) and Ron was really helpful in giving great tips. Jen Mecca surprised us with a guest instructor appearance and demo'ed a chalice-- all in one. She made the entire chalice with one piece of clay and showed us how to make it with a 'cookie' at the bottom of the top part of the chalice. The cookie is a small piece of clay, about the size of a quarter or a bit bigger put in the bottom of the finished chalice so the liquid doesn't fall to the bottom. Maybe I'll try that sometime. I like this instructor swap thing that happened tonight at Clayworks. Best of both instructors!
Always something going on at Clayworks.

Come Monday I'll....

Come Monday.

Great song by Jimmy Buffett. I've been singing Buffett songs much recently as I missed the Buffett concert in Charlotte last week. Today and yesterday I've thrown a bunch of pieces. Today, I made the top part of chalices... five for starters. I also trimmed a few bottles in the background of this pic and also trimmed some pieces from yesterday. These are all made with phoenix clay.So now my shelf is getting full. Many yunomis to glaze. Tomorrow I'll make the stems for the chalices. Then plates... Communion sets are in the making.

Yesterday I made these forms. The one on the left will be a utensil holder-- the right a decorative vase. Both will be raku glazed on Saturday!

Yesterday I also made these slabs using zella stone, phoenix, and porcelain clay. Made two trays (in background of pic) to hold some pendant pieces for the bisque firing. I'm on the lookout these days for bottle tops and anything round of different sizes for pendant pieces.

Made this bowl yesterday too. Trimmed it today. It's encouraging that forms are coming so easily at the wheel these days.