A Long Friday

Sometimes days are long. Today was one of those days. Still, at the end of the day, the last form I made at the wheel was this. It was my favorite form out of all the yunomis I created late in the day.

I was quite pleased. I'm beginning to like more and more the gentle lines and curves of certain yunomi designs. Sometimes the world is not gentle, so I love it when the clay is. Tonight, this phoenix clay was.

Made eight yunomis. Will trim them and make some bottle forms tomorrow. I'll be out of town next week, so I'm putting extra time in at the studio, which of course, I love. I'm getting faster at making the cups and as time goes on even when I'm not trying to be quicker. It's coming more naturally. That's encouraging.

Earlier in the day at around noon I walked a few blocks from the studio to go and see a demo by Julie, the resident studio manager outside the Mint Museum. All of her work is with porcelain clay and the look is so distinctive and gorgeous. It was a bit cold with the spring breeze and being in the shade, but I sat and listened and watched Julie. She's an excellent teacher, making sure to explain little details clearly and like some other artists, she makes it all look so easy. Those are some of her pots in the foreground of this pic. Someday I hope to buy a piece-- one piece from each artist. I definitely want one of Julie's teacups.

My yunomis. Trimming is tomorrow...

The last two I made. Glad it's Saturday tomorrow. I'm exhausted, but I must admit that it has been wonderful these past few weeks to eat all of my food out of MY pottery. :)

Easter Eggs--- No, Better Yet- Easter Cups!

Brand new, just out of the kiln. 9 Easter cups! This was my best firing so far. Five... And a few more below... sorry the lighting in the pic is not the best. I need a new camera. Might start a 'camera fund.' :)
Hope to sell all of these. Had to get outside and take some spring pics. These make great gifts for self, loved ones, or Mom for Mother's Day! These will soon be available on Etsy, or if you want one, you can also comment on this post.

Will definitely make more like this. How fun, fun this is!

Some of the student and resident artist pieces.
Becky's birds.
Elaine's pieces.

All in all, it was a wonderful firing. I'm told that the humidity in the air helped, plus a little rain earlier in the week.
Finally, one more kiln pic. This yunomi was on the top shelf of the kiln on the right side. Got good reduction; I think that one of Becky's birds nearby helped cheer it on to get some good colors.
p.s. all the cups are made with phoenix clay and then glazed with spotted shino: accents in alfred's blue; some have soda ash sprinkled on the outside (all cone 10).

Easter Kiln is Open!

The Easter Kiln was unloaded this morning. My best results yet. My cups are the ones with the blue/purple rim on the right side of the kiln. More pics coming soon. These speak for themselves.

Yeah!

This one was taken just as the kiln door was cracked open while it was too hot to open fully.

Trimming

Trimming pots takes awhile. Still today, I trimmed six yunomi cups and it didn't take all day! I think I have lots of improving to do in this though. It takes lots of practice; it just takes time to do this. For the first time, I decided to try using the wheel that some potters use when standing. Didn't take a pic, but I've heard that it's better for one's back to throw while standing too. Trimming worked out okay doing this.

Tomorrow morning the kiln will be unloaded. Yeah! Can hardly wait.