Raku Day

I went to a Raku Day with my potter's group on Sunday. 

It was tricky, but fun. 

Here is a shot of everyone's pots before the firing. 

Here are my beads.   

The kiln is in the center and burn barrels form a circle around it.

Here is the finished work and test tiles.

Some more of my favorites.  Barb Davis made a beautiful vase with maple leaves as well as a lidded jar with a bird handle.  Elaine made the fun face pot in the front.  It has not been cleaned all the way as for this photograph.  

I didn't take any pictures of my beads, because I did not wash the soot off of them yet.... that would be a PITA part.  I prefer to wash them with a specific cleanser.  I will need to pick some up.

Christmas Workshop --finished pieces

I took a quick shot of Beth's worry jar for her Nana before she came and picked it up last week.

And I glazed my pot brown and acorny.  Having shared our in progress photos, I really wanted to show the finished pots here.

My darling Sonya's work from this firing.  The top left piece was made with a stamp that I picked up from Kelly aka Silver Parrot.

A local potter friend contacted me for 2 necklaces in this style a few days before Christmas.  The one on the left remains.  I am glad... because I have only made the one in that style and I would like to make another.

And I whipped this necklace up at the very last minute for a customer and mailed it out ASAP.

A Christmas Workshop

Last week my friend Beth clued me in on her great Christmas gift idea for her Nana.  She wanted to make a "worry jar" for her...and maybe I could help.   I think that is the perfect gift for Nana.

Here's Beth!  She hasn't made anything in clay since 7th grade when Ivan Belac, a blind potter, came into art class and helped everyone make a pot!  Truth!  Ivan Belac coming into art class in 7th grade is legendary--- he came to so many years of art classes.  Beth's older sister, Debra, myself and Beth span @10 years of art classes at my guess.    That brought back memories.  I think my clay future was carved in Mrs. Barnacks art class.  I used to convince other kids to let me wedge their clay for them.

Here is Beth's work!  Nana's worry jar!  with buttons! 

Here is mine.  We used Sandi Pierantozzi's method--- seen in this video-- http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/handbuilding-techniques/handbuilding-video-how-to-make-a-textured-tripod-pot-with-soft-slabs/#comment-5763
Sandi has done workshops with my potter's group, but I never made it to the workshops. This video crossed my path right after Beth's request and I thought it a perfect fit for her worry jar idea. 

I also tried to make a planter for my brother.... I don't know if it is going to work.  He said he saw a narrow linear planter for planting grass... for on your desk.  He said this way back in June or July.   So here it is.  I gave it a try.  We'll see how I feel about it when it is finished and how I feel about looking at it every day while at the office.  The growing grass is supposed to be calming.  I'm thinking Chia pet  ;-)   Beth says it should be made into a Dachshund shaped planter....  I don't know how to attach a head, and I suspect that would loose the Zen effect.... 

Fresh out of the kiln

I opened the kiln this morning.

I made a lot of Dot Cabochons.

And these larger Cabochons with the painted rim.

I really like that yummy bleed of color along the edge.  :-)

And check these out!   They are a collaboration between myself and Marla James.....  They are made from the bisque from her Bisque bead supply website.  You have seen her bisque work used by quite a few ceramic artists, but maybe you didn't know it.  :-)

I really like these bright clean colors.  I do love making this style of bead.

And I made some pottery!  I should have spread them out to take photos.  There are tumblers, and serving bowls and one "perfect" soup bowl.  I am going to be taking these pieces to the Accessories Boutique in Bethlehem (next to the Hotel Bethlehem-Moravian Book Store area )  But I felt bad sending them off so soon, so I decided to have a sidewalk sale and let my Facebook friends know about it.  :-)

Sidewalk sales are my kids' FAVORITE thing to do!  As soon as I said it, the kids grabbed their handy work and set up shop with me.  I sat on the porch and the kids sat out by the sidewalk.  Lydia sold 2 butterfly necklaces and Sonya sold 2 of her beads.  :-) 
Then they spent it all at the grocery store.... Belgian Waffles and ice cream for dessert tonight! 

I filled the kiln up again as soon as I emptied it.  I am kicking myself for it.  It's 8pm and I am going to be awake tending it for a while....... But tomorrow morning, when I get to see all my new pottery..... It will be great!