Kiln Firing

Kiln Firing! Kiln was loaded last night and it's almost full. Firing begins tonight. There are a bunch of my teacups and bowls in this one.

Meanwhile tonight at the studio I etched a quote by Langston Hughes onto this jar and this bowl. Bowl will dry a bit more and then I'll put the black stain into the words and take a soft sponge and wipe off the excess black stain. A long, tedious process, but I really like the finished product.

Here are many of my teacups with one of Becky's bird and a bowl----not sure whose. All of my pieces are glazed in blue/green celadon and then dipped in alfred's blue.

The back stack of the kiln. That shelf with the teacups and bird is the third shelf from the bottom on the right stack.

Can hardly wait to see what the results are! Kiln unloading is Sunday afternoon. :)

Most of these will be sold at an upcoming sale on November 13 from 6-9 pm. More about that later.

Monday

Spent an hour in the studio. Made these four cups. The form on the left is a new one for me. It just appeared. Wanted to try something different, especially with life changing around me. Leaves, etc.... life just keeps on changing.

A bowl and jar that are drying. I may etch some words on the outside of them. Just not sure of those words yet.

More

Here's what I worked on in the studio this weekend. Two tumblers. Two teacups and two vases.

More writing on a bowl...

New form for me.

Meeting Linda Starr, Jacksonville...and more pottery!

It's been awhile. Too long. Most recently, I was out of town for two weeks... and when I returned, this bowl awaited me.

Here's one side of it. I like the glaze colors and while it takes awhile to etch the writing and paint the black in it and wipe off the excess black, I really like the finished piece. The writing on this one are the words from my favorite hymn.... 'love divine all loves excelling.'

Some more yunomis, my default and favorite form. Am experimenting with simple glaze patterns.

The teacup on the way left--- has a Julian of Norwich quote and it's my favorite. All shall be well, it says. Those colors--- blue/green celadon wiht alfred's blue dipped over half of the teacup.... that is my favorite combo. More of those to come.

I recently spent a week in Jacksonville, FL visiting another Episcopal parish there. It was refreshing in more ways than I have time to write now. During my time there, I saw Linda Starr again.... after her and Gary's short visit here to Charlotte. I learned in reading her blog that she and Gary had stopped at Amelia Island for a few days on their way home. So, I met her and Gary there and we walked around a bit at an outdoor arts festival. We met Chris Jones there, who is a potter on the island. Here are some of his mugs. Bought one. Smart purchase! Check out his website for more.

I'm a booklover, which accounts for the over 20 boxes of books I have. Went to the BIGGEST used bookstore I've ever visited in Jacksonville. I was pleasantly overwhelmed by how many books were there. And they even gave me a teacher's discount--- 10% and I'm a priest! Bought a couple books and shipped them to my home-- media mail. This was a taste of heaven. Check out Chamblin's Bookmine. And I only spent a few hours there--- in one small section of the huge bookstore. If you're ever in Jacksonville, this is a must-visit place. I only bought 5 books.

Just one of many, many shelves.... more than I could count.

Managed to visit the beach three times. Loved time there. Even ran a bit on the beach. Loved time there.

And, I really enjoyed meeting Linda Starr--- a wonderful potter and blogger. She and Gary were passing through Charlotte and our paths crossed a bit. She brought me this beautiful leaf--- as a small gift. She's full of pottery creativity, wisdom, and IDEAS. Gosh, I wish she and Gary were closer. It would be fun to get together more. AT least I know a few more people in Florida. Thanks, Linda for your generosity and kindness. And to the reader-- just in case you haven't checked out her blog, it's here. Hope our paths cross again soon! Gosh, there really is a whole additional community in the blogging world.