It's Been Too Long!

I have been away from blogging for a long time. I've missed it. Lots has happened. My job ended at the end of May and the clayworks studio closed because it has changed locations. So I was without time at the wheel for almost two months! I've also been traveling.
Even so, I returned to the new (air conditioned) studio this past Tuesday and made these three pieces above. An okay beginning. At least I could center the clay! I was a bit concerned- wondering what I'd remember, and am so thankful that I remembered what I did.

Soon- on Wednesday night, I made these three and some more teabowls. When I had some time alone, I got back into the rhythm of being at the wheel. Peaceful! The clay in the front of the three teabowls was turned into a teabowl too-- in time.

More teabowls. As I consider this my 'default' form, I am pleased with this new chapter of pottery. I also sense that my pottery will change a bit. More on that soon...

Best for Last

Perhaps the best for last? This was the gas kiln firing at Clayworks' current location. In late July, we'll move to Monroe Rd. While I was contemplating whether to switch glazes, I got these results. Gorgeous! Think I'll stay with these glaze combos awhile longer. Above are small salsa/yogurt/hummus bowls.

LOVE these teabowls. Will be hard to part with any of them. Wisdom learned...

Use more soda ash! glaze combo is spotted shino with accents of alfred's blue and blue/green celadon (which turned purple). Some good crystal parts from the soda ash too.

Not a good pic, yet these tumblers are beautiful! Will take more pics later. These are perfect for iced tea. The soda ash and wood ash really showed up this time! Not always the case.

Closer look at some tumblers. Blue/green celadon turned purple!

Wow... these are amazing. All the tumblers have a thumb notch for easy handling.

Two vases. On the vase on the right, poured some mystery glaze onto it. I'm so happy with these. May just keep them...

Same jars. On the other side. Put some broken glass on the rims of these after glazing. Rich colors!

Bowls which did some interesting things. Cloudy appearance.... wondering why. Will ask Adrienne, director at Clayworks. She'll know. Still, most of the words can be read.

A jar, despite the fact taht the whole jar isn't in the picture! Perfect for a couple flowers.

Pitcher I made for a friend. She wanted the trinity symbol on it, for baptisms. hope she likes it! A bit darker than I thought it would be, yet I'm so pleased!

The inside of it is much lighter. The gas kiln produces so many mysterious results. I like this.

More bowls....

More pictures to follow.

Glazing...

Glazed these Tuesday evening. All have a spotted shino base with an accent of alfred's blue glaze.

Put some copper carbonate on some of the pots. Also applied soda ash to all of them.

Put more soda ash on these teabowls than ones in the past. They're also a bit larger--- they all shrink so much in the gas kiln. It is good that these are bigger. Notice the green copper carb mark on the left teabowl.

Made this cookie jar too. Two lids just to make sure that one of them works! Am busy using as much clay as I can and getting a bunch of pieces done before Saturday before I fly to PA to be with my family for Mother's Day and my grandfather's memorial service on Monday.

Really like this birdhouse. Adrienne, my instructor made it. It's big! Maybe I'll make one of a similar shape in the days to come. I see a busy weekend ahead!

Kiln Unloading and More!

Two soon to be vases!

Made these tumblers yesterday... will trim them a bit--- not too sure whether I like the new form or not. Time will tell! :)

Once again, the kiln was unloaded. I hope I never get tired of this! As I had hoped, all my pieces did well. One bowl was warped, which was expected as it went in a bit warped.

This was a student firign, so there were pots of all kinds in the gas kiln. The two bowls on the right are mine.

That teabowl in the back-- the shino one, is mine. Cone 10 for this firing- about 2350 degrees.

Both of these bowls turned out well--- the purplish color on the one on the left is from some alfred's blue on the blue/green celadon. The St. Francis prayer is written on it.

Those bowls in the back are mine. Plus the teabowls on the bottom.

These teabowls are beautiful! The black is from the copper carbonate I brushed onto the teabowl. Interestingly, the blue/green celadon that I sprayed onto the teabowls turned only white--- no red or purple and the wax resist that I put on some teabowls didn't show either.

Some teabowls have a hint of blue- like one of those at the top.

These small bowls are my favorite. Spotted shino base glaze with some soda ash and copper carbonate sprinkled on the outside. I'll make more like these.

I think the next round of glazing (which I'll do this week) will include some more blue on the spotted shino glaze and some more blue/green celadon too.

Went to the Thrown Together sale yesterday. It was wonderful to see potters there---- here are Jennifer Mecca's pieces- someday I will get one of hers!

Here are some of Julie Wiggins' pieces. She's been busy lately in the studio!

It was a gorgeous day!

Matt Jones was the guest potter. Amazing pottery!

Ron Philbeck's pottery too... Ahhh, a wonderful day, which ended with time in the studio.