Gifts In Stoneware

Napkin holder and creamer

Ok, so like I mentioned earlier last week, my best friend of many, many years is FINALLY getting married. They are having a small bridal shower for her. I got the idea to make her some pottery to go along with the table cloth and cloth napkins she had down on her want list. The cloth items are all white with some sheeny squares. The perfect backdrop for juicy pottery.

So, this is what I came up with to compliment what I purchased from her list: four napkin holders, a creamer, and a sugar bowl. (I can safely show you cause her computer bit the dust a few years ago and she has been without one since then. So I know I'm not spoiling the surprise.) I haven't really pulled pottery in months. Since January I think. I'm just beyond disgusted with my small kiln. I can fire up one pot and 2 small things at one shot. Really a waste of electricity for cone 6 if you ask me.

I need a big kiln...STAT!

I never even intended to pull pottery. I mean, these things were just beyond my reach. At least, that is what it felt like in school when I was trudgin to and fro on campus from illustration class to pottery class. I saw the school's huge gas kilns and their rows of wheels and the pottery majors full of mud working away in their private, dirty little studios and thought, "Seems too secluded and complicated for me." Then, years down the road, I find myself making little medallions in my toaster oven. That is when the thought of buying a small kiln hits me. A whole new world opens and then I began to wonder about wheels and if a small one would shut up the little voice inside that is crying to make pottery again like I did years ago in college. I could make all the crappy vessels I wanted without anyone looking over my shoulder or judging how I'm doing. No one to be tapping their fingers waiting to use the wheel I just snagged after waiting an hour for another student to be finished. Everything would be on MY time. MY clay, MY glaze colors, MY....everything. Just me and my thoughts alone in a secluded studio...away from commissions and forums and the routines of daily living.

I find a small wheel and buy it and then find out the ceramics store in NJ delivers to Brooklyn on Tuesdays and all of a sudden I'm neck deep in lbs of clay, greenware and glazes. Now I can even give serious gifts to loved ones and feel truly proud. I've even sold a table full of finished pieces! Never in a million years did I ever see myself doing this. Never.

I have to say that I pulled the best stuff I have ever pulled these last two weeks. Of course, it could be the new kiln guardian that Barb sent me. Sorta wierd....he comes along and walla...no more disasters? It could be that I'm just really inspired to be celebrating with my best friend and doing so the very best way I know how. Making something for her. I'm so happy these days are finally happening for her. I almost can't wait to have fun with her again and yuk it up.

It's Official...

Mini Ravenhill getting a coat

So, it's official. I'll need a little help now to see those itty bitty eyes on stablemate sized resins. For a few weeks I have been struggling with painting small things. I found it difficult to focus and keep my eyes from getting very watery when I tried to work hard on details. The change happened suddenly. One day I was putting mad dapples on a Bram and workin' his face up and the next was me struggling to see the Working Girl's eyes. I found a nifty magnifying glass and used that to get the details I needed on Working Girl, but I promptly made the appointment to get my eyes checked. It's safe to say, they are my most valuable tool.

The "waiting" shelf in the upper studio

Choosing a pair of glasses was difficult. So many designers and styles but I did find a smart pair. Well, I have another hour before my pupils are back to normal. Those drops they put in the eye during the test are strange!

Perfect!

It's like...my anthem! LOL

On The Go...

On sale at my Etsy shop!

On the go again this weekend. I should have started getting ready, but alas, updates to everything on my web pages and my Etsy store is just taking longer that anticipated.

I really, really need an assistant!

I may actually look into this next year when Francesco is in school all day. There may be some Pratt student looking to learn mold making/ceramics/resin production.....slash...mmm....It would probably be a sucky gig. LOL I remember doing some interning in someone's house. They produced graphic design through that house office and boy, was it SUCKY trudging to Queens and back into Brooklyn. I did it twice and quit. ICK.

On sale at my Etsy shop!
Anyhoo...here are two new pieces out of the studio. I found a site with a ton of natural botanicals and went wacky ordering Jackie Berries and White Cap flowers. I think the elements just add that extra "touch" to the pieces. Almost sad to be selling them.

Pride

China painted Chaney drafter

I have always taken pride in the fact that my eyes were sharp and that I could read print on boxes from across the room. I could paint and sculpt on a grain of sand it seemed and I took pride in telling all that I sculpted my little Opus resin with the tip of a pin. As of late though, it seems as if I am struggling to paint stablemate sized eyes. I keep blinking and there is a wee bit of blur, I must admit.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I LOVE eye glasses. If you have a sharp pair of specs on I'm asking to see them and modeling them. Even copper shades look good on me. I just have the face for glasses and since I am the only one in my entire family that doesn't have eye ware I have always felt like the odd ball and I have always looked forward to the day when I could add one more accessory to my person. Every trip past the eye glass stand at the pharmacy finds me trying on a few pairs and this last time things actually got sharper when I put a pair on.

Opus resins


So, with this new found information I am heading out to the optometrist this coming Tuesday to have my eyes properly checked. Perhaps it's fatigue? Perhaps it's something so slight and I shouldn't worry. All I can say is that if I do need glasses I am ready for it and ready to finish off this Chaney properly. This shot above is the only one that came out well. Apparently I was seeing the front of him well, but lost sight of his eyes and his hooves, of all things! So, no sale on this guy yet.

Yesterday

Sweet little Nala

Yesterday I took the Metro North Rail line along the river and did some rescuin'. Some "ratty rescuing" you could say. I read about this little cutie's dilemma a few weeks ago and decided that with the passing of all four of my little ones this past year that I could safely accommodate a rescue. Yesterday, I finally got to meet and take home little sweet Nala who was chucked in a backyard out in Westchester, NY and apparently had quite a time somewhere. Her little nose is all scarred and as I was watching her strike the most interesting poses for me while I took photos I noticed her right paw was missing a digit. Poor thing.

Now, she is safe and sound in a forever home and is the sweetest most gentle and inquisitive little pet. A house full of love in all forms is a beautiful abode.

Ushering In June

New medallion in earthenware

Ushering in June with a spastic spattering of art, gardening and gargoyles.

First, my garden.

It's been the real reason I've been fairly silent recently. The first few weeks preparing the garden beds is time consuming, but well worth all the effort as the ground yields my most favorite delights...vegetables. I love them. My favorite include tomatoes (of course), cucumbers and many, many rows of arugula. I cannot seem to get enough arugula. Just something so delicious about it with salt and a very good olive oil. Lucky me, I'm the only one in the family that likes it. A true salad die hard!

Rows of yummy greens
beginning to grow

Secondly, there is "The Winner" medallion which is giving me all sorts of grief in the molding stage. It pour fine, oh yes, but getting it OUT of the plaster mold has been a real challenge. So terrible, in fact, that I am two seconds away from chuckin' it off the parapit balcony. The smash would render a most delightful moment after so many frustrating ones trying to pry this sucker out of its mold. I've tried to adjust the mold, I've shaved the mold, I have even tried other slip to no avail. It's just being super stubborn.

Guarding the kiln

Last, but not least, there is Mr. Gargoyle. A gift from a good friend who sent him here so he can help with my recent kiln woes and ward off any evil spirits lookin' to mess with my ceramic works. Now, I'm not one for superstition, but oddly enough, firings last week were really good with him hangin' out in the studio. Nothing out of the ordinary happened (which was a pleasant relief) and the colors actually looked GOOD on the wares I fired. After the third successful firing he has earned a permanent place atop the high shelf overlooking my kiln and I'm seriously thinking he may need to snuggle up to the "Winner" mold for a spell.