Process from bisque to glaze fired (TWO)

Another question I had to decide, what to do with a pitcher that I was pleased with the shape, and I didn't want a glaze failure to take it into the "seconds" shelf.  I had enough there already.

I decided I would try once again for the pretty blue to purple blush of Floating Blue over Raspberry.  And I would even add a spiral with wax over the first coat of glaze, the Raspberry, which has worked well before.

So here's the first view, before applying glaze.

And here's what came out of the kiln last Sat.

Where is the purple?  Well in the spiral at least.

Nice handle comfortable to lift.  But what happened on this side?

A bit of blue on blue it seems.  That's what happens with pottery...and especially studio glazes.  Different people add more water sometimes, and this time apparently Raspberry was too thin compared to Floating Blue.  But I actually like the way this came out...giving the sense that a little imperfection is what life is all about. (how did that happen through many failed attempts to get what I planned?)

_{QUOTE FOR THE DAY:  May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being.}

_{Apache Blessing}

Process from bisque to glaze fired (ONE)

If you're a potter, you can skip this post, because you go through this step daily.

Take a dry pot, and bisque fire it, then glaze it.  Right?

Mugs with ginkgo leaf imprints waiting for waxing, then glazing.

So here are the results, several days later.

Ginkgo leaves are barely visible with Celadon glaze.

A really nice subtle design

But wait...look what happened when I waxed the leaves and used shiny green glaze!

Yep, those ginkgo leaves sure do pop out here.  They are bare clay, but it's still dishwasher and food and microwave safe.

_{Quote for the day:  Each minute of life should be a divine quest.}

_{Paramahansa Yogananda}

I've always wished I were a center-fold

...sounds like a 60's song, doesn't it?

The Blue to Black Studio Tour is this weekend. Blue (Ridge Parkway) to Black (Mountain) that is.

Brochures with maps of the studios are available in Black Mountain and Asheville stores and restaurants and galleries.

Saturday Nov. 16, 10-5 and Sunday Nov 17, 10-5.  I'll be here hoping you want to come look!

There I am, second from bottom in the center fold.  Sarah Sunshine, who also lives on Beech St, is listed just below me.

There's also a Kick-off reception on Fri. Nov 15 from 5-9 at the Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain!

I have door prizes also, and you don't have to be present to win... a planter with an aloe in it, and a sculptural form.   I haven't got any pictures of them yet, and so it will be a surprise!

We'll be looking forward to seeing you (good friends will be helping out during both days, thank heavens!)  And the downtown Black Mountain stores will have featured artists also on display.

Quote for the Day:   _{To meet everything and everyone through stillness instead of mental noise is the greatest gift you can offer to the universe.}

_{Eckhart Tolle, Stillness Speaks}

Celadon and blue combos

I have been told that flat bottom bowls are "beginner bowls."  But my cats don't like to eat out of round bottom bowls, so I do continue to make them.

_{Quote for the Day: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.}

_Aesop

blue and white vase

A nice medium size vase can set off a bouquet of holiday flowers...and it's not made overseas, but right here in Black Mountain, NC.  (Yes I can ship, and I do take credit cards with my "square" ap on my phone!)

Empty Bowls

Empty bowls, which is a wonderful title for supporting food pantries in many area towns.  I've just donated some to Fairview's "Lords Green Acre" program.  Today is the dinner to support their efforts to feed the hungry.

A mug with a lid

What's this little saucer thing next to that mug (which fits in many car-cup-holders)?

Oh, if you're hanging out at home, and are like me and pour that hot cuppa, then find you really need to take care of something in the other room, and after that there's something else that pulls you away from enjoying it yet...you can keep it warm with the saucer-lid.

And carry your own coaster with you, if you wish.

These are the prototypes.  The little dip in the lip is to cover where my handles are right up to the top of the mug.  It also works as a spoon rest, doesn't it?

I haven't decided whether to spend the effort to make more.  We shall see how my friends respond...what do you think?

The sprial ware

What do you think of white clay body, white creamy glaze, a cobalt spiral in the center of bowls and 2 sizes of small plates?

It's the latest design I've been enjoying making for you. Each item is made entirely by hand, and will not be an exact duplicate of the next one...that's how you know I am not a machine!

 

These go really beautifully with white dinner plates with medalions on them.

Or they look good with lots of other hand made pottery. All my wares are dishwasher and microwave safe, and all are food safe of course!

I'm sharing these with the MudColony link here.

Poster and mugs

 

Poster for the Studio Tour on Nov. 16-17.

Those four leaf mugs have sold, and there's a picture of them on the poster.  Better get busy!  I've got lots of time, er, maybe I won't be writing much here for a few weeks.  Ah, I've already scheduled a few posts in advance.  So dear occasional readers, I've taken care to not be totally absent!