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....
