"Manly" mug

Today's kiln opening had some nice results and a few bloopers. First the good stuff:  "Manly" mug, which is another screen print. The underglaze is aqua, covered with Laguna's Clear Bright (which minimizes the speckling in this clay), and the rest of the mug is glazed in Sky Blue.

"Manly" mug - 3.5" wide x 4" tall

"Manly" mug close up 

The bloopers were glaze tests that uses a significant proportion of Cornwall Stone (which my local supplier has decided not to carry any more due to shipping costs). They've created their own substitute. So far it doesn't quite measure up. The test batch ran much more than normal and didn't have the color saturation of the original. I'll do another test run to confirm it wasn't an error in mixing it up on my part, but I'm pretty certain it wasn't.... Meanwhile I ordered a bag of Cornwall Stone from another supplier. 

The holidays are coming

The Sanderling Harvest Fair was a nice event. At first set up I realized I'd have to get creative since my designated spot didn't really accommodate my usual 10x10 footprint, but luckily for me I had only just begun to get creative and there was a last minute cancellation. That significantly improved my location and allowed me to use my usual lay out. So it all worked out!

Owl mugs went well, I'll definitely need to restock those! But the Skully mugs didn't go as I had expected. Then again the Waldorf crowd is generally more into fairies than skeletons. ;)

I think the "sugar skull" versions are so fun! Each with its own personality.

Large Skully mugs with florals

Skully mug with red eyes, red and orange florals

Skully mug with brown floral, twinkly eyes

Skully mug with gold floral

Skully mug with gold floral, back

Skully mug,"straight up"  - SB w/ slip and red eyes over iron oxide.

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On a slightly different note, I just found out I start a new part-time job in 2 weeks. Yay! Kind of exciting, but it also means I'm going to have to start planning my time a little better. Which means it's time to get back in the studio and glaze! In addition to several large bowls I have a few crudites servers, a batch of bird pitchers, and a bunch of sponge holders to fire this week. Also, it's time to start making Christmas ornaments.

Mermaid, owl and skull mugs

Here are the results from last week's silkscreen and underglaze experiment. The colors really change from "raw" to fired....

Here's the mermaid in navy blue waves with the rim glazed in sky blue.  

The terracotta background almost completely burned out on the owl nug.

And here's my favorite of the "Skully" mugs I made for Halloween. 

The iron oxide burned out more than I would have liked. Next time I'll have to wax over the oxide to preserve its dark color. I'll see how these guys do at Balboa Park tomorrow! I might have to go back and add some detail with underglaze and a refire...

(Yeah, I decided I can't put the others out there without a refire.

So I  just put 4 in the little kiln and hopefully they'll be ready for tomorrow.) 

Playing with silkscreen and underglaze

Inspired by a Meredith Host demo on Ceramics Art Daily I ordered a custom silkscreen from PG Fiber2 Art 3 days ago. My screens arrived today - super great service! (Thank you Susan!) Of course I immediately tried them out.  This is still very much in the raw but it looks very promising!

Mermaid, mermaid reading in the ocean, cause they are so awesome....

And this is a little messier, but it's done on an uneven surface....

Can't wait to see the final results! :) Dry, bisque, glaze, glaze fire.... Soon, soon!

For the birds

Owl mugs and bird pitchers! Yeah, that's some of what I've been up to.... getting my ducks in a row. Also had a nice new glaze pattern come out and I'm calling it "Peacock".

And this isn't the greatest shot, but I had to take a quick picture before letting this little one go. It pours perfectly, without even a hint of a drip!

The earlier chill in the week heralding fall was completely absent. It was a beautiful day in Balboa Park. Sunshine and warm.

Elizabeth Kapa came out to visit my booth. She is a water color artist and has invited me to be part of a Winter Gift Fair she will be hosting in her El Cajon home on Saturday November 23, 2013 from 9am - 3pm. Check out her work here.

Back from a break from my irregular programming

A little trip to the east coast for a family event was a lovely August distraction. Of course I took a mere 10  pictures during our 10 day vacation! I'll blame it on the fact that I was living in the moment rather than preserving the moment. Mmhmm, yeah that's my excuse.

Meanwhile some nice things came out of the last glaze. One of my favorites is a canister in White Egg glaze with large floral pattern. I'm pleased! Now to take a picture. ;) Also, I tried the glaze combo that I liked from the last firing and I am still quite thrilled with it. I may have to keep this one (at least for a little while longer).

SB mug with chrome/wax decoration, TG glaze and Blk Mtn handle (SA glaze).

Owl mugs and birdie pitchers will get bisqued as soon as they're dry.

Potters' connections

Sales on Saturday in Balboa Park were better than they've been in a while. My first sale was to a fellow potter from Texas who bought a mug saying he'd get a lot of good use from it! It's always a nice acknowledgement when someone else pushing clay says "good work".  A nice start to the day!
Additionally I sold an experimental piece I was quite happy with - a small vase with a floral pattern in wax resist.... of which I only have blurry photos but I most definitely will be trying that glaze combo again.
And my day ended with a fun conversation (and a purchase) from a potter's mom. Nice lady. :) Her son's a potter who's blog I read and admire, no less. I should have had my picture taken with her, but didn't think of it until way too late - like just now! (Sometimes I'm very slow!)

New glaze results on air plant frames

Some new glazes on my ceramic frames for air plants - pretty happy with the results!
1) 2)

1) Speckled green glaze on SB clay (breaks brown).

2) Aqua glaze on GM clay. 

White glaze on CB clay (breaks chocolate brown) was my favorite, but it really needs a better picture to post!

Open House at Megan's

This coming Friday 6/28 from 10am-4pm, the talented Megan Wilcox is showcasing her adorable felt crafting kits with an Open House at her home. She asked if I'd like to display some of my pots as well. So generous of her to offer. Of course I want to be part! What fun!

Last Saturday in Balboa Park I added a bright pop of color to my booth with a colorful yellow and green chevron pattern floor mat, but no sooner had I put it down when Park Maintenance asked asked me to remove it. They were concerned it might kill the grass underneath. Of course I didn't want to risk killing the grass so I removed it. Wah! It looked so nice. Guess I'll have to save it for street fair events instead.

While waiting for the bisque to cool today I mixed up a larger batch of a new glaze. The first time I mixed this test glaze it came out great, the second time it was ugly, but I figured I must have messed up on the second try, and so I mixed it a third time! Luckily it was nice again the 3rd time. However, before I go hog-wild with it I'll glaze some small pieces. :) So, now it's time to get glazing - right after I unload the bisque. There's some new dark brown clay coming out of this bisque.... Glaze tests here I come!

New booth banner

I finally ordered a banner for my booth set up in Balboa Park. We are not allowed to advertise our business by name so I had to keep it to a generic description but I am happy with the results!

Also, I added another bookcase and turned the crates on their short sides to gain a little more height on the table display. It's slowly coming together....

By the way, I sold my first Ceramic tillandsia frame! The couple that bought it already own air plants and they selected my personal favorite - a small white ruffled frame with a gray medusa airplant. It was really quite a pretty combo. 

Some nice glazing results

I've had a chance to get some glazing done and some of the results have been quite nice. Here are a few I really like.

This is a commemorative mug designed per my sister's request

 for her 4-legged buddy Louie who passed away in April. "Good boy Louie" was a sweet dog!

(I just put this in the mail today. What are the chances she'll see it here first?  None to low - I hope!)

Grossmont clay.... not bad! Beer stein size.

Can you believe this is the same colorant used on the "Louie" mug above?!?

More Grossmont clay, wax and chrome red glaze! 

So, there's more work to be done. I'm putting decals on some pieces. Fingers crossed for the next decal firing. Some glazes came out a little bubbly in the last one. It may have fired a little too hot....

Memorial Day Weekend

Balboa Park was quite busy yesterday with the food festival! There was lots of traffic and I sold a few pots. Here's a quick shot of my booth. Breakdown was 1 1/2 hours (lots of pots to pack). Set up is a little faster, but there's still a lot of fiddling with the layout.

Also, some glaze results on the black clay. I'm liking this. Now to try it on something a little bigger....

Prism glaze pattern

The blue "Prism" glaze pattern is definitely coming out nice on the white clay!

 

Now to put it into production!

Ethnic Food Fair in Balboa Park this Sunday

The Houses of Hospitality in Balboa Park are hosting their  Ethnic Food Fair this Sunday 5/26 from 10-5. Check it out!

I'll be set up as well. In addition to some nice serving bowls and berry bowls from the electric kiln, I'll have a few pieces from the reduction firing for sale! So come have some yummy food and pick up a nice piece of pottery to enjoy at home! :)

Glazing, glazing, glazing

Yay! A friend called and told me that he has room in his up coming reduction firing. I'v got pile of larger pots that will get the reduction treatment. Lucky 13! I glazed yesterday and it took me 4 hours to glaze 13 pots. That's almost 20 minutes per pot! On the home front it is slow going glazing for the electric as well. Too many choices to make. Each pot is a new decision. Gotta streamline the process!

I'm throwing a few new glaze-layering tests into the kiln.  Chun & Sky Blue over black stain painted on bisque. I'll post results.

Show Season Summer 2012

For the rest of the year on Saturday of the 2nd full weekend, I'll be in Balboa Park by the Houses of Hospitality. That's at the corner of Presidents Way and  Pan American Road. Daylight savings hours from 10-5. Maybe I'll see you this Saturday 5/11?!? Mother's Day weekend! Hope yours is wonderful! 

Here's a recent favorite mug with a vintage image.

I've been busy in the studio. I've had some nice glaze results with some new glaze patterns. One I'm calling "Prism" and so far I've made it in blue and in yellow. I sold a gorgeous blue serving bowl in the blue Prism pattern and didn't even take a picture! What was I thinking?!? Obviously not thinking at all! Anyway, on to making more. And taking pictures this time!