"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!)