recent sweetness from the studio

i've gotten a few more things done that need to be trimmed and handled and made ready for bisque fire.  i didn't take pics of all of them as i had put them away b4 i thought of it.  but, i will take more pics tmw when i go in to trim.

the casserole i'd have entered in the casserole contest:



pitchers that need handles yet and perhaps a bit of a trim:



a bowl i threw today:



a cup and two mugs that need handles and a trim:



bisqueware pending glazing:



a plate i made to go with the bowl (prize for casserole contest) and casserole:

here's the bowl:

NOTE:  the bowl in the previous picture was fired in a different kiln, thus the difference in color.

well that's it for today.

regards

updated my muddy talk blog.

updated my muddy talk blog

i've updated my blog for mudd talk.  things down and rather mucky there.  :D

http://morrigaespottery.blogspot.com/

regards

Me At Facebook

my facebook link:  http://www.facebook.com/ArachnesWorkshop

regards

a long overdue post . . .

i've had a major breakthrough in my technique.  getting the centering mastered has made it possible to get a better handle on trimming and footing, pulling, and other related tasks.  my handles are looking way better also.  also, i have found that chattering is occurring accidently but is a very pretty yet delicate embellishment and i have been keeping that as part of the finished pot.  i wish i could figure out how to do that intentionally.  having reduced the amount of water i use tremendously, i have also found the clay to be more friendly.  i was relieved when the studio mgr was demo'g something on a mug i was throwing and had issues w/the clay body's not being easy to keep wet enough to work with.  he resorted to pulling with a sponge.  so, these next items are what i've been doing during this time of epiphany.  click on the thumbnail to see the larger image.

this is a bowl i threw and footed.  the footing is very pretty, it think.  i need to manage the inside better.  i have the slight ridge towards the bottom on the inside of the bowl that i can't get rid of.  simon leach is always saying that's the mark of a new potter.  there's also a bit of chattering going on around the base.  it's somewhat visible in the larger image.

 

one of my new mugs.  the mugs evidence a lot of improvement.  i'm very pleased with them. 

   

   



here's a teapot i made.  i was trying to completely enclose the top so i ended up with a bottle/jar form instead.  i plan to make teapots out of these bottles whenever one happens.




I was playing with faceting here.  i plan to go back to it.  i have a slew of mugs i need to make first.  btw, on the mugs, they are starting out a bit larger but the shrinkage rate is phenomenal.

 

a dish i did.  i'm gonna hold off on making many more dishes.  i need to work the kinks out of bowls and straight cylinders.




the bowls i used for my 2d and 3rd attempts at making a square footed bowl.  i threw them with no base.  the second one will make a nice planter.



now the actual square-footed bowls (these are prototypes and thus need work):




a small hollow-rimmed bowl/teabowl:



i'm enjoying playing with hollow rims.  i have more tea cups for which i haven't taken pics.  i'll try to get some today.

the square footing is actually inspired by keith phillips squre mug.



regards

just catching up . . . .

i'll start w/the glazed work then move on to what came out of the kiln last week.

this is a serving plate.  it didn't make it into this kiln load.  image 1. 

this is the bowl i'd made.  image 1, image 2.

this is the casserole i have in the works.  i'll probly use it for the challenge if nothing else is ready by the deadline.  it didn't make it into this kiln load.  image 1, image 2.

the teapot i have had in the works for a bit.  i finally got cups made to go w/it.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6.

another bowl.  image 1,image 2.

small plate.  image 1.

small cup.  image 1, image 2.

smaller bowl.  image 1, image 2.

this is my favorite thing i've made of late.  it's a hand-builed iced-tea pot w/matching mugs.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

my mug and pot set for the swap.  the pot was an extra surprise kinda thing.  my reationale is i like to have a refill ready at hand and if i chill the pot and then put my liquid in it i can keep it ready to refill.  a container w/ice on the side will keep the beverage from getting watered down.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

the large bowl out of glaze fire.  i'm greatly disappointed.  i'd been telling the studio mgr there's crap in the clay and though i get some of it out in throwing and building, some of it just isn't apparent.  well, this went all the way thru to glaze and though after bisque fire it was apparent, there was nothing to be done but glaze, assuming the glaze wd cover it.  well, the glaze flowed around the flaw and there's a hole in it now.  i'm so not happy w/that result.  also, on the pieces from this bisque fire i'm very pleased over all in the subtle differences in color, but the runny glazes (vanilla cream and rutile) didn't run they kinda spidered in places.  image 1, image 2.

the brown stiped things.  i am not pleased with these over much.  it's the technique i was trying.  but in a design scheme that includes tiger stripes in browns, they will fit in well.  [eye roll]  i'm not gonna make a separate paragraph for each item.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6, image 7.

this is the teapot i'd been holding my breath for.  though i had a few misgivings abt it along the way, i'd hope the glaze wd make up for it.  it wasn't bad in result except the ich in the clay ruined the cups.  the pot was accomplished weeks ago whereas the cups were done later out of that awful batch.  i'm goning to try playing with this coloring a bit more in the future.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

the mugs and iced teapot set.  i'm really pleased with this.  i'll have to try the technique i used in another firing in the other electric kiln.  the colors are a tad flat.  i brushed on under glazes then sponged part of them off.  overall though, the colors have a very nice cool quality and compliment it's intended use well.  the pieces have character.  i like it though.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6, image 7.  btw, the colors are a sea green celadon over cinnamon, dk blue green, and sage under glazes. 

the swap mug and surprise spouted pot.  i do so love the color of the plum glaze.  that's one recipe i'm gonna have to get.  it only comes out this purple/blue in the smaller kiln, so i forsee doing sets of things in this color.  the purple isn't as pronounced in the dish set i did that was fired in the larger kiln.  now, some people thumb their noses at dipped glazing rather than brushing and detailing.  i try my hand at both, but i do find the dipping gives a uniqueness that's harder to get w/out being deliberate about it when brushing and detailing.  i'm not a clone nor shd my work be clonish.  i hear the beat of that other drummer loud and clear.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6, image 7, image 8.

well, off to play in the clay again today.  it's been a while actually as i've had to make adjustments for work.  i need it.  but, i'm enjoying work so much i'm not so stressed out.

regards

kiln load 10-06-09

this serving bowl came out very well, to my way of thinking.  since the serving plate drooped i'll be selling this separately or keeping it altogether.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

mugs for the dish set.  image 1, image 2, image 3.
another of the mugs.  image 1, image 2.

dessert/salad bowls for the dish set.  image 1, image 2,image  3.

the failed serving plate.  one corner actually chipped off.  i'm gonna glue it back on then hang it on the wall.  i think it's really quite pretty in spite of.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

these are the dessert plates/cup saucers.  image 1, image 2, image 3. image 4.

the dinner plates are so pretty.  i can't believe i've fallen in love with this.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

this is a medium dish of sorts.  can be used to serve hot or cold.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

this is another medium bowl.  i love how subtle the green color is.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.

this little plate was  fun to do.  the scene is a tree in the beginning of fall as leaves are falling.  i like to think this is how such a live scene wd look to me w/o my glasses.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

this is one setting of the dish set.  image 1.

another mug.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

spouted pouring vessel.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.

well, tmw i hope to start on conucopias.  today i'm gonna be cutting out more sewing projects.  i hope to throw a few things as well.

regards

Gosh I'm Laggin' . . . .

this is stuff i did thursday 10/01 thru tuesday 10/06.  i've not been to the studio since then.  i plan to go today.  so, no specific dates for the tasks below.

this is that awkward looking bowl trimmed.  image 1.  b4 trimming.

the plate had a passable base, but was too thin for a more pronounced foot.  image 1.  b4 trimming image 1, image 2, image 3.

of all the cups i threw from the hump i only retained these.  i trimmed them.  the others, many of them, had gotten too dry.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.  i really like the inperfect ness of these.  they will comprise the teapot set.  i'll be glad to get that teapot glazed and fired.  b4 trimming image 1, image 2.

this is the small casserole/bowl/baking dish i threw the same day as the large bowl.  image 1, image 2.

the small bowl/ramekin and plate i threw that day also.  image 1, image 2.

i'll be going to the studio today to take pics of the stuff from the kiln the other day.  i may also take pics of the bags i cut out.  3 of 'em.  obviously pottery is my fave whereas the bags take second in priority.

check back later for the pics of that wonderful dish set.

regards

get 'em while they're hot . . . .

. . . . or at least soon's they're cooled.  the post below contains images mostly from the recent kiln load but also a few items from today.

would've had this up sooner but the internet conx has been really flakey this am.

a tea pot and mug set i'm working on. image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6.

now for the glaze fired items:
* funky vase 2; image 1, image 2, image 3.  no complex glazing here, but i love the vividness of the hunter green and navy on the porcelain clay body.  this was fired redux.  notice how the porcelain retains its white color whereas the stoneware turns very dark in color.  you can see the clay color at the base of the piece as the resist prevents the glaze from adhering over the wax however you'll note that in the case of runny glazes the resist doesn't help at all.
* mug; image 1, image 2, image 3.  this mug has a kinda two-finger handle going for it.  i find it comfortable to stick my 2 fingers in then wrap the others around outter part of the handle using the thumb for balance.
* mug; image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.  i like the curry's pink red glaze.  lovely color.  i think i'll use it on some of my larger pieces.  i'm waiting to see what it looks like in oxidax fire.
* round bowl; image 1, image 2, image 3.
* coffee pot and mugs; image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6, image 7, image 8.  i'm really pleased w/how this came out.  i've fondly dubbed it the harlequinne motley coffee pot set.
* funky vase 3; image 1, image 2, image 3.
* squatty vase 4; image 1, image 2, image 3.
* small spouted bowl; image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.
* the whole lot; image 1.

i'm rather pleased with several items this time.  even though on the glaze colors, i'm getting tired of seeing shades of chocolate since i'm not even a fan of chocolate.  hopefully the oxidax load will be done by the weekend.  i'm dying to see what some of the redux glazes do in oxidax.

oh, and my facebook page.

regards

i even was at the studio thursday, friday, saturday and sunday . . . .

okay this post will be for sept 24 - 27.  i have been slacking.  in my defense i had a job orientation on saturday.  i was pooped after wednesday's glazing spree.  i've forgotten the details of what was done on what day, so ambiguity of such details will be glaring as you read through.

so, i threw this bowl and hope to trim it today.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

i played a bit w/throwing from the hump.  i'm really rusty as i only learned the technique abt 6 yrs ago and didn't do much with it.  my goal was to throw cups to go with the leaf teapot and the other teapot i have sitting in bisque state waiting for cups.  image 1, image 2, image 3.  they need trimmed, obviously.

i built this pot then did the cups the day after.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.  i may redo the handle on the cups as they seem to have dropped.  i'll check today so i can decide.

sunday, i glazed this dish.  it's the dish i salvaged by hanging.  you'll find the post here.  it's round abt the 11th bulletted item.  image 1, image 2.

i also threw this.  image 1, image 2.  though nothing was wrong w/it, i decided it'd be better as a spouted vessel.

stuff came out of the kiln on saturday.  i haven't taken pics yet, so i'll do that first thing today.  i'm gonna hold off listing a few items as i want to compare the color differences btw redux and oxidax firings.  :D

i'm so jazzed as bags will be listed soon at my other store:  http://morrigaesbagsnthangs.etsy.com


regards

Where are dem purses?

BION, i finally started cutting out the first battery of bags.  i'm doing the simplest in the lot for now as they'll take the least time to get completed and listed.  oh, just a reminder my handbags, purses, and nit noi will be sold at this etsy store:  Morrigae's Bags N Thangs.

i'll be updating progress on my bags soon.

regards

glaze berserker, that's me . . . .

i glazed like a fool yersterday.  dancing dolphin thanks for following my blog.  glazing is my least favorite so i was there from a little b4 12 noon to 7 pm on the glazing.  i chose colors for the dish set that wdn't appeal to me on my table so i wdn't be tempted to keep it.  this hobby of mine has to pay for itself.  it was a 2-1/2 table deal yesterday.  i try to contain my work when i go in to one table so if we have an influx of participants i don't have to move things around mid throw.

the dish set was what took the longest of course.  so here are the piccies:
prep (washing and resisiting, etc.) took 2 hrs.  image 1, image 2, image 3.
glazing the bottoms:  3 colors and a vanilla cream splatter image 1, image 2, image 3.
glazing the tops:  3 colors and turq and plum splatters image 1, image 2, image 3, image4.

i discovered that glazing the floor is my forté:  image 1.  you shd see what it looked like b4 the first mopping before this one.

i glazed a few mugs and a cup. image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6. image 7, image 8, image 9.

i had another one of those funky vases in the mix as well.  image 1, image 2

i glazed the mugs, cup, and vase similarly 2 each so one can go in redux and one can go in oxidax.  i want to know how a few colors look in each.  some of the pics are blurry.  sorry.  i use my camera phone.  when it's towards the end of the day i find i'm way tired and holding the dang thing steady is difficult.

regards

all my blogginess . . .

here are my blogs: 

http://morrigaesself.blogspot.com/
http://morrigaespottery.blogspot.com/
http://morrigaesetsy.blogspot.com/
http://morrigaestwitter.blogspot.com/

regards

productivity never hurts . . . .

so, i finished the large vase/goblet sculpture.  i figure if someone want's to pass it around it can be used as a large goblet instead.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5.

i also finished my tea/sake pot.  image 1, image 2, image 3.  i need to make tea cups 2 or 4.  this thing will probly hold no more than 1/2 c liquid if that much.  it's just so adorable.

i need to get back on my pieces for the chess set.  the pawns are done, pretty much.

regards

i'm actually almost ready to start new stuff . . . .

thursday, 09-17, i did the following:

set this mug out on the bisque rack as the handle i'd done yesterday was well set.  it's porcelain.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

this pouring vessel was handled yesterday too.  the handle was a bit of a chore but it's done and i'm marginally pleased with it as it cants to one side and isn't noticeable except from one angle.  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5.

this is a nice little cup i made.  image 1, image 2.

my glazing was quite an endeavor.  the results could potentially be very unappealing or turn out acceptably well. 

the mugg:  image 1, image 2.

the coffee pot and the muggs set:  image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5.  i tried to maintain a similar coloring/glazing pattern in both but the coffee pot has a few more colors than the mugs.  thus, the harlequinne's motley coffee pot has been born.

i'm hoping the rutile use in the pot and cups above and this spouted vessel doesn't mess up my efforts.  it was hard to control the drips.  image 1, image 2, image 3.

this is the bowl.  the first of the globe shaped bowls i've done.  image 1, image 2.

regards

September 16

seemingly not a productive day, but i worked on several things and the new mgr gave a centering demo at someone's request. i will be trying some new techniques as a result next time i throw. i may go in on saturday in order to do that. i figure i'll practice a few times and slice the resulting vessel open to ensure i'm getting the walls of my piece even. he did that to his and i was impressed.

the new manager is going to reduce the amount of space we can take up. well, actually he's going to enforce the rules unilaterally across the board. i think i can deal with it though.

i didn't do much trimming on this piece (funky vase 2) as it didn't need it really. there wasn't the right size collar available so i didn't have a way to do so anyway. the top of the vase is too fragile to carry the weight and pressure needed in trimming. i don't like flat bottoms, i always put some sort of foot. i think that's the most fun w/trimming. image 1, image 2.

these are the pawns. they need cleaning up and such but i think i'm on the right track. it shd be easier to get the remaining pieces done. image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.

regards

so, what abt dem bags?

i'll be listing handbags and such here: morrigaesbagsnthangs.etsy.com. do stop in and visit sometime. site is under construction.

regards

so, where have i been?

september 10:

• started on the chess set. these are the templates for the pieces. did the pawns first (all 16) as they are the most numerous needing done.
• the serving bowl for the dish set is good to go. it's still drying so missed this bisque firing. image 1, image 2, image 3.
• here's another funky vase i did. only way to save a thrown mug. image 1, image 2.
• i put a handle on this mug. image 1, image 2, image 3. because of the right angle of the primary connection i added a line of clay around both areas for reinforcement.
• i put a handle on this one and the little label on the front. image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4 (coming soon). the handle style on this one and the previous one is the same as the handle style i used on the first coffee pot. i've been playing w/different ways to do it.
• i trimmed this bowl and am really pleased w/the way it came out. if you notice in previous pics of this bowl in work its crooked on the foot. image 1, image 2.

september 15:

• i threw this vase today. it's more of a bowl type vase. image 1, image 2.
• finally threw a bottle. it's rather small, but i'm gonna fashion a sake/tea set out of it. not sure if i'm gonna put it on a stand or just flatten the side where i decide it will sit. it's gonna be hard to get this trimmed though. i did most of it on the wheel b4 taking it off the bat. image 1, image 2.
  
• i threw this bowl and was very happy w/it then did something stupid and crashed it. i tried to take it off the bat too soon. image 1, image 2.
  
• another bowl i threw today and am really happy w/it also. it's really rounded and will be a pretty bowl if i don't mess it up somewhere else down the line. image 1, image 2, image 3.
• so, one guess why this one is hanging upside down. okay, i'll fess up. i was bound and determined to get a bowl. true to nature i worked on it more than i shd and it started to capsize again. so i hung it upside down to straighten it out and pull the sides down. it's hanging still as i'm typing this on a couple pieces of pvc pipe as i had to move it so other folks cd use the table after i left. i'll be in first thing in the am, hopefully. image 1, image 2. more pics tmw if i the save was successful.

well, i'll be updating my written journal today as well. well, this blog is caught up and oh, do come by and visit me at morrigaesbagsnthangs.etsy.com. arachne's workshop/morrigae will continue w/only pottery, so look for upcoming changes.

regards

okay, so that was thursday 09-10-09

all i did on thursday was work on my first chess set. i did the pawns first. here's a pic of the templates. i'll get pics up of the unassembled pieces today. but, this endeavor took several hours. since thursday is now my catch-up day, i don't plan to accomplish much when i go in.

regards

Do cookies really crumble?

well, porcelain does when it's overworked or just plain old being ornery. i got quite a bit done yesterday. no glazing though. i think tuesdays will be my primary glaze day. well, what follows are my efforts for yesterday.

the final piece in the dish set mentioned in an earlier post. i got the serving bowl done and am letting it sit on the form until next week. image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.

my work space. the bottom shelf is mine as well as the white card and board leaning against the left side. what you don't see but may have seen parts of in other pics are the work stations towards the center of the room.

here's the plate i trimmed and set out to fire the day before. image 1, image 2.

here's the glazed funky vase waiting for glaze fire. image 1, image 2, image 3.

i've discovered, much to my chagrin, that porcelain takes forever to dry, but, here again, i've thrown another mug form and pitcher in porcelain.

here's that squatty bowl/vase waiting for glaze fire as well. image 1, image 2.

i'm heading out for the studio in a few minutes then will not go again until next tuesday. i'll be doing tuesdays and wednesdays all day; and, thursdays for a short day. i've got to get on the stick and get a job. they're scarce you know.

regards

And so it goes . . . .

Thanks everyone who's followed my blog so far. I didn't get to the studio sunday as the rear passenger tire was flat when i went out to go. But today I took advantage of the new hours and was at the studio from abt 13:00 to 19:10.

I lost the flatish spouted bowl. It crashed when I'd accidently stepped on the pedal for the wheel b4 having the pot anchored. Oh, well.

The serving plate dried enough today for me to get it moved from the form it was on. Here are some pics: image 1, image 2.

I did get the plate trimmed today and on the shelf for bisque firing. But, alas, I forgot to take a pic. I'm pleased with this one.

This is the teapot. It came out of bisque firing today and is ready to glaze. Here are some pics of it: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5.

The coffee pot is ready to glaze. I ran out of time though. Here's the pot and the cups: image 1, image 2, image 3.

Another mug ready to go into bisque firing: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.

Added a body of water and a sunny face to the vase I've been working on. Images: number 1, number 2, number 3.

I glazed the funky little vase I posted in bisque form previously. I also glazed the squatty looking jar as well. We've some new colors specifically for the reduction kiln. So, I can't wait until they get these fired.

I'll do the serving bowl tmw hopefully. I decided to use one of my mixing bowls for the form. It's deep and wider than the form I was gonna use.

Well, I think that's all. It's enough, though, right?

Regards