Bowl using Randy's Red, Opal, Nickel Matt

Made this bowl with my new Randy's Red.  whew, so glad that this batch came out better.  I didn't change anything, except I made a bigger batch.  My test batch was only 500 grams.  This batch was 5000 g.  After talking to my chemical suppliers I started to think that perhaps the test batch wasn't big enough for the red iron oxide to do its stuff.
I think I was right.  This isn't muddy at all. 



Don't know what I'll do with this bowl.  Maybe it'll be a Christmas present for someone.

Dogwood Bowl

This is a bowl using underglazes on white clay.  I'm not used to doiong this type of work, but it was fun to do.  Love the bright yellow background.

It's a perfect size for cereal or, even better, ice cream!

I hate warping!

Ok. I guess everyone has something about working with clay that frustrates them.  For me, it is warping.  My understanding is that it is worse with handbuilt pieces which is what I work on.  I just took some pieces out of the kiln in which warpage raised its ugly head. 

In the Brooklyn red clay I made a few pieces.  I hadn't done any coil weaving since I've been back at Pam's so I decided to copy one of her pieces.  She's a pro at the weaving!  Actually the weaving was the easiest part for me.  I still have problems with making my edges smooth and attaching feet so my pieces are level.  This piece did end up level, but the edges still need improvement. And, my strips aren't exactly straight.  Hey, it's handmade....give me a break.  This is fired at cone 6 and glazed in my favorite opal:

I also made a textured platter/bowl which is glazed in overlapping Opal and Randy's Red.  I didn't put a foot on this piece and it's a tiny bit wobbly, but not bad.  Warping was a little problem.

Also in red clay, I made a piece similar to the one I gave my friend's daughter when she announced her engagement.  It's a simple oval platter which is glazed in overlapping Randy's Red and Nickel Matt.  I added a small amount of Opal drops on top. I like this piece.

I wanted to try sgraffito carving on the white clay.  I made some slip colored with chrome and brushed it on the soft clay.  Then I carved.  I think I should have let it get a bit harder before carving, maybe leather hard. This piece warped pretty badly on the ends.  Arggh. The warping happened during both bisque and glaze firing.  That surprised me a bit.  Here's a picture after bisque firing.  The slip color is pretty accurate. 

 Now here's a picture after applying a clear glaze and firing to cone 6

The deep green color really surprised me.  I loved doing this sgraffito, especially on the white clay.  I plan to keep working on fixing the warping problem. 

Bragging on hubby again

Well he did it again!  Hubby has been playing around with his lathe, planes and whatever tools he has down in his workshop and he's made a couple more cool things.  Here is a small little bowl he made.  Isn't it lovely?  I've forgot to ask what kind of wood he used.

 

Then he made these two utensils.  One is little spreader and the other is a spoon.  Love the shape on the spoon.  It's a great weight and I love how it feels in my hand.

 Lastly, he made a vase.  One of the things I love about it is that he hollowed it so that you could use a small water holder so that you can put fresh cut flowers in it.  For obvious reasons, most wooden vases are only for dried flowers.  You would still need to be very careful using water in this vase, but I love that you have the choice or real, dried or silk.

  I am just so proud of him.  He has such an analytical mind and has never really done creative work before.  So, it's so wonderful to see him reach into his soul and create like this.  Love you sweetie!