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!

This & that

A few weekends back on Sept 15/16 I attended "Altered Ceramics" a clay conference here in San Diego. It was great! With roughly 145 women and maybe 5 men in attendance I got to watch Martha Grover, Marty Fielding, Izzy Davis, and Dennis Meiners demo!  Little things were my biggest take aways. Marty holding up a piece of paper to his pitcher to help him with proportions for a spout, or Dennis' little sprigs subtly showing up in his cups and Martha's vinegar/paper slip.... Yeah! And I really was impressed with Izzy's work but don't have the ambition to add a whole new process (screen printing) to my own work.

Meanwhile, the recycled clay is working pretty well. No unpleasant firings so far! (Knock on wood). I did a recent purge of old bisque - things I just wasn't inspired to glaze. Now there are stacks of fresh bisque piling up and it's time to glaze!

I've got a few glaze tests in the works: 'White' eggshell and Frogskin. Both look nice on my test samples so fingers crossed with mixing a bigger batch for a few larger pieces. I'm also going to give the 'Ketchup Red' another shot on some very dark clay. I know it's mostly about slow cooling to get those iron reds. I worry that slow cooling will mess with the rest of my glazes that are working fine - and I'm lazy - so if the color doesn't come through with a normal firing I'll probably give up on 'Ketchup'.

Getting into gear

A few things have happened since I last posted:

• The kiln plug melted during a firing! Kind of scary. Both the plug and the electrical outlet were totally fried/melted! Honey B. was able to replace both and the kiln was fine, but the whole experience was a little too close for comfort. (Apparently when the plug heats up the screws will expand and then contract during cooling. Over time they can loosen and then the electricity starts arcing! Not good. So just know that it's a good idea to check your plug - like maybe once a year. I've had my kiln for over 12 years and never knew to do that.)
  
  
  
• The Waldorf School May Faire sale on May 5th was a success. The mermaid mugs were a hit! I made six of those and by the day of the sale only had 2 available. Of course they sold first thing!  Definitely something I will be making more of....
  
  
  
• Nothing like a nice basket of warm medals. Yum!  I made 210 medals for my son's 5th grade Decathlon. Kids and adults alike were thrilled with them. Very gratifying.
  
  
  
• Steve Dilley, who teaches at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, put together a Veteran's Art Program at Grossmont College for the spring semester. It was a regular Friday event where veterans could get school counseling and do clay if they were interested. It was fun volunteering for that on a regular basis.
  
  Steve Dilley (instructor), Josh, Eric, Matthew
  
  
• I was accepted into an art group that has a permit to exhibit in Balboa Park. Yeah! Going forward I'm planning to set up my booth in Balboa Park on a regular basis.  I'm shooting for the 4th Sat/Sun of the month.
  
• I applied to the SD Potter's Guild. Finger's crossed! 

Meanwhile it's time to get back in the studio. I've got a few new forms I'm working on and a bunch of ideas to explore. There is glazing that needs to be done. Not to mention new glaze combos and new glazes to test! I've got kingfisher colors on my mind.... Dark blue, aqua, and orange.