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....