Surprises in Barrel Firing #4

Saturday was a long, wonderful day! Here's the first surprise.
Ju-Ian was giving away some of her pieces. Can you believe it? Look at the detail from the colors of slip she painted on it. She's an amazingly gifted artist.... and I'm the lucky recipient!

Becky and I made a few last minute stops around Charlotte, despite the gas shortage. Some things just MUST be done! Got some copper scrubbies and steel wool to add to the seaweed from the west coast and east coast. :)
I added four pieces to the Model T barrel. Here are three of mine in the front, along with some of the others. I think they're almost more beautiful before than after the firing. A few of Becky's birds also sat in some of my pieces. Didn't know they could be a nest! Read somewhere that glossy magazines bring good color. It's always so hard to know.

First, some sawdust, copper carbonate (I think), palm fronds from SC, and miracle gro? Hmm I sorta forget.

Here's one of Becky's pieces... notice the gorgeous bird on top covered in stuff. :)
Next, we piled our pieces in... in this photo, Minke's scupture ladies are nestled in. Do you see the foot of one? They are gorgeous pieces.

More birds everywhere! Look closely.

Now, all that's needed is some newspaper. Notice too, the cat litter on the left that made its way into the barrel. Can you believe it? Cat litter for a barrel firing? :) After the barrel was lit, we made sure to keep checking on it. Here's a peek through one of the few holes near the bottom. You can see some color on one of the pieces.

Then, after hours and hours and hours of waiting, here's the first look at the untouched barrel firing #4 pieces. The next blog will show more. :)

Back Home

It's been awhile since I've posted on my blog; work and life have been too busy, and I've been spending way less time at the studio than I'd like. Just returned from Asheville late last night and didn't take any pictures! It's so good to be back though. I even ran out of time an didn't go to any galleries while there. Will have to go back soon. I'm also bummed that the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is on a weekend when I can't attend. Oh well...

Anyway, here is the latest group of pieces that came out of the gas kiln last weekend. I like the forms; I just need all the help I can get with the glazing. In my world, the glazing can only get better.

Two in this group are soda soaked ones. Almost all pieces have the alfred's blue glaze on them;

It seems much easier to make tumblers these days.
And, last weekend at the Circle of Eight sale, one of my friends was in town and bought this piece for me. It's gorgeous; I really like the form and it's from Brad Tucker's collection. Of course, it was SUCH a hard decision to pick one. On that note, it's great that there's another Circle of Eight sale coming soon, I think? I chose Brad's piece because I think it was soda ash fired. Gorgeous... This picture doesn't do it justice.

Gosh, this gas shortage and unstable economy stuff is tough. Gotta stay closer to home; why is the Clayworks studio not just down the street from where I live?

Amazed- a Miracle

I'm amazed. After a long, difficult day, I made this at the wheel. It was a miracle I could even center the clay. It was encouraging to have the Warren MacKenzie piece nearby as I was at the wheel.

God is good.
I learned the 'claw' technique tonight for pulling up a wall. It really helps. Ron is an incredible teacher. I'm thinking of leaving a conference early next week in Asheville to return in time to not miss the class. I hope I remember all or at least most of what I learned in the days to come. Took a bunch of pics to help. These are all of Ron's work in his demo to the class tonight about handles and lids. Gosh, there's so many ways that I can improve.

How to make a handle... He demo'd the lid too, which is a whole other blog in itself.

Some ways to finish off a handle on the side of a casserole.

Adding 'gesture' to the pot.... I like this added touch.

'Gesture' using a stamp and slipping and scoring some clay to the casserole dish.

A mug he made. I really like the shape of this form.

Now, I know more and more what I need to do to get better. All I need now is time, time, time, and patience and an iPod.
How I love playing with clay. It is so peaceful, so refreshing, and so centering.

BBQ Even For Me

What a wonderful thing it is that the Clayworks studio is in Uptown (basically in downtown Charlotte). Discovered yesterday that there was a big blues, beer, and BBQ festival just two blocks away from the studio, so Minke and I took a break from playing with dirt and went and walked around a bit.

And, even me who usually eats only a little bit of chicken (and no beef at all) couldn't resist. Now, I know why it was the Grand Champion last year.

Yummy BBQ! And, here's a picture that I took a few days ago as I finished several tumblers before they went into the bisque kiln. I like the lighting in the pic; however, I'm realizing that I need to venture out and try new forms. That's why I'm taking a class. This form seems to come easily.

Seeing the shells makes me wish that the shore was closer! Still waiting for my 16+ pieces to get fired in the gas kiln....