Owl be careful next time...

All of my carved pieces got covered up with the clear glaze I used. The underglaze colors didn't show through like they were suppose to. In this pic the tree bark should have been a muted yellow to light brown. I only dipped the pieces for 1 second. My dilemma is I enjoy carving on my pots but I want them to be functional. Without the glaze they are not food safe. The clear glaze I use comes out quite thick..wondering how to fix this problem..any suggestions?

All Fired Up!

Thrown bowl added handles,glazed,fired^10

 Well some of the pots I made came out quite nice. The others were a learning lesson with the glazes etc.. Here are some that made my list of favorites..

Thrown bowl altered rim,shino glaze,fired^10

Thrown bowl,glazed,fired^10

Thrown Pasta Bowl,glazed,fired^10

Thrown bowl added handles,glazed,fired^10

Thrown bowl, carved,underglaze,glaze,fired^10

Glaze Daze.

Well all my pieces have been glazed and are awaiting the last firing. I have to say I've learned how to organize the glazing process when you are on a time limit! I do enjoy taking my time glazing..being in a rush is not fun. So that will be something to rethink about time management when making pieces at a private studio. The community college would be better for making quantity and having enough time for all the steps that go in to making a piece. I do like the closer attention received at a private studio though so I think I will take class in both places in the future!! And of course get my own lil Pottery shop together in the future.. Pottery to be continued.....

Thinking about glaze .....

This week I learned how to make fancy handles on my bowls to make them look nice. I made a salsa and guacamole bowl. I'm thinking about my glaze options for those..in the mean time I use color underglaze on my carved Owl Bowl also glazed my Dolphin Fruit bowl..Im very excited to see how the glaze comes out on that piece being its my third time making it since 2010 the other glazes at the community college did not come out good. Next week its all about glazing all of my pieces made during this round of 8 week classes. I will take a break for surgery I expect to be out 3 to 4 weeks for recovery, during that time laid up in bed I will be thinking about my next creations. Pictured is some of my bisqueware that needs glazing.

Carving Bowls....

I'm trying different decorating techniques...today I carved one of my bowls then applied a black underglaze. I will continue to practice my carving on imperfect pieces. When I'm better at throwing then my carving skills will also be up to par and my glazing technique. Everything will just flow together at the same time...right!? : } Bowls to be continued.......

Ribbon Curls of Clay...

Yesterday I trimmed 8 bowls and put a foot on them. I have to say I have improved on this greatly. I had one mishap of a hole in the bottom. I have been thinking of designs..Im trying new things out. Today I painted on black underglaze and carved into a greenware  bowl. It was tricky as to how to hold the carving tool. I will fire this and apply a clear glaze on bisque then fire again.Can't wait to see it finished.

Never Say Never!

I took a pottery class 20 years ago. We did hand-building, which consisted of pinch pots , coil pots and slabs. We watched advanced students on the wheel. I made a comment " I could NEVER do that!" Well never say never! Today I threw 7 bowls I could feel myself improving. I even made a fancy rim. :) next class I have 8 bowls to trim and add a foot to. Those mugs I threw a couple of weeks ago are bisque now and awaiting glazing. I love the fun work of pottery!

Beautiful Day for pottery...

It was quite the Beautiful day. So I used some highfire underglaze on two of my mugs today these are just test pieces to see which glazes work well with them. The other 2 mugs I will glaze after bisque.  I also started bowls which I will continue next class. I was very happy with the bowl I threw today...can't wait to trim,carve and glaze it!!

Owl Mug.....

In the Studio I worked on putting feet on my mugs..which took alot of practice and time...with some good instruction from my pottery teacher 4 out of 5 were a success. The Salsa bowl ended up with a hole in the bottom. (o)  not a total loss I can try out some decorative designs on it. So I have been thinking of carving like Deb LeAir so he is my mug all carved...its not Deb LeAir but its darn close!

Time Management

So I threw some cylinders today 4 will be mugs when complete with handles and 1 salsa bowl. Its been over a year since I've been at the wheel..felt sooo good!! :) I've learned time management today..I noticed it took me a shorter time to throw 5 pieces then before. Also learned some much needed tips on how to make a good cylinder. To me a 1:1 instruction from a private pottery studio is much better than taking class at a community college where the class size is bigger. Once again I can't wait for my next class!!!..(however I did bring home a slab of clay for some hand-building)

 Pottery studio owners/teachers are busy people!!! They have alot to juggle..teaching students, supervising their hired help and creating their own work which consist of throwing, decorating, loading, unloading, glazing, more loading and unloading again all of this and more in between all the phone calls and the cat meowing outside the door. ^.^

First Day of Class

Yippee!!! I attended my first ceramics class of the year the other day. :) I have missed clay so much! So I did some Hand-building on my first day so I can familiarize myself with my new working environment. Well My teacher is very creative and I can see I will be learning many new techniques. I am eagerly anticipating my next class. I can't get enough of it...if I could afford to do it daily I would.

Deb LeAir Workshop! AMAZING!!!

OH Happy Day!!!! I attended a ceramic workshop today given by Deb LeAir. She was truly inspiring to watch. Deb LeAir does hand carved work. Just AMAZING!!! I wanted to take a slab of clay home to start my carving...can't wait till class!!!http://home.comcast.net/~dholt99/debleair/