Simple is Good

This Wednesday, some at Clayworks are doing raku. I hope to add these in. Made some simple pendants and four tiny bowls, all with the tools shown (bottle caps, a seashell, and a stamp), minus one drawing tool. All are made with phoenix clay which has done well in the raku kiln for me in the past.
As I made the designs, I told myself; simple is good. I hope to sell some of these at my sale next weekend and take some to Bolivia for my nieces and cousins for gifts as pendants.
Also trimmed some plates today too. It was gorgeous outside and a bit hard to be for the short time that I was.
Meanwhile, my plants are flourishing. I noticed a few days ago that my hydrangea now has blooms on it. I love that! Hard to see here, but on the branch at about 11 o'clock in the top left there's a cluster. I've had this hydrangea for a couple years, since Easter 2007.

The Journey Continues

I'm out of town, and that means time away from the studio. It's great that I'll be back tomorrow. Instead, this is the closest I can get to clay for today-- posting pictures. This is my biggest jar to date. I'm liking making jars more and more. This was made with 3 1/2 pounds of clay.

Chris Beloni made this form; two thrown pieces put together at the bottom of the white slip in this pic. This will be a great 'bowl' of sorts for fruit.

Here's the beginning of the lid for the jar. It's upside down of course, and in time, I'll trim it.

Here's another go-round of the tumbler that I'm working on. This is about 4 1/2 plus inches tall. I like how it. I think I'll make many more of these to sell.

Making pottery is a journey that is never ending... there is always a new form to make; there is always something new to learn, right around the corner. So many possibilities! The journey of pottery goes on.

A Few Days Ago

A few days ago was class. Ron did several demos, and the above picture is about how to make a plate. I had seen him demo a plate before, but as it is with learning, it is gradual and the learning builds on prior learning. This was the case for sure that evening. Ron always has something new to teach us.

As usual, Ron always makes it look so easy.

I really like the line or ridge that he puts on the plates. One of the hardest parts for me is making sure I start off with enough clay; clay that will be trimmed off in time.

Susan was putting 'feet' on two pots. Ballerina feet on one and boots on the other. How clever and creative!

Becky spent part of the evening adding texture and color to her big bird. It's simply gorgeous! Will be fun to see how this when finished!

I spent the evening following Ron's teaching and made a couple of plates. I later changed the exterior rim of these a bit, defining them more.All of the students are also in the prcoess of cleaning our shelves at Clayworks. Soon, new shelves will be created, so it's spring cleaning in a way. As I've read posts these past months, I've also learned about the art of dumpster diving. Several of my potter friends have learned where and when to find the best boxes, packing bubbles, etc. So, here was a dumpster diving of sorts right at Clayworks. Right after Jen Mecca threw her mug in the clay recycle bucket, I grabbed it.

Now you can see why.

Ron was also giving away some of his demo pots. Here are two casserole pots with lids. They are simply to be used as models as Ron wasn't sure what kind of clay was used in making them. Check out these forms. This was all just a few days ago.

Oh, the Arts Places I Go

North Carolina is FULL of opportunities to celebrate the arts. On a recent trip to Asheville, I stopped by the New Morning Gallery which was simply wonderful (as it always is). This visit these posters caught my eye. They're from past year's 'Village Art& Craft Fair' celebrations. I learned this event is always held on the first Saturday/Sunday of August. I really want to go to one someday. These posters become collector's items. :)
Also saw a bunch of pottery.... most of it didn't have the artist's name. :( I like the glaze on these mugs above... Oh, if you know the artist on any of these, please comment!

The etching on these bowls caught my eye.

This was unique, which is always good!

I liked these tumblers.

I did see that these cups and yunomis were signed by Mangum Pottery. The walls of them are so thin! Wax resist used on some.

Once again, not sure of the artist. Gorgeous!

Black Mountain, NC is also one of my favorite places. Seven Sisters Gallery is an art lover's 'must see' destination.

My Father's Pizza, right across the street is too. I always order stromboli.

This is the view across from the Gallery. Koi fish in the pond, I think. Can't see the mountains well in this picture, but they're there and close and magnificent. So peaceful there. Pictures just can't capture the beauty of Black Mountain.