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!