I'm on etsy

Success!  I made a shop banner for my etsy site (thanks to a great, easy online video tutorial) and listed 7 items for sale.  My shop name is Mudpots.  Cute, huh?  Funny thing is that I picked that etsy username about 6 years ago after a trip to Yellowstone wherewe were all fascinated by the bubbling, boiling mudpots we saw there.  Now, here I am trying to make pottery....Now that's foreshadowing.  I only listed one piece of pottery.  I will only try to sell ones that I would want to own myself and since I have put most of my pieces on a shelf in the storeroom, that doesn't leave me much.  So, I am still working on my pottery development.

On the sewing homefront I put 6 items up for sale...4 quilts, the diaper changing pad and the Halloween table runner. 

Even without a sale, I feel like a success!  I can't describe how scary it was to set up a shop.  It was a a bit of work too...writing the descriptions, taking (and retaking) pictures, making the banner, researching prices and so on.  Only thing I am still unsure about is packaging.  I will have to play around with a few ideas.

So, check out Mudpots on Etsy!

Broke a bowl...sob

I broke a bowl that I particularly liked while loading the kiln.  I made the little flower stamp that I used to texture the bowl.  Think it's kinda cute and will use it again. 

This little dish came out well.  It's the first time I've like one of my glazes (opal)on the white clay.  On white, opal is looking greener than on the red clay.  It broke well over the edges also.  So, hallelujah!  This oval bowl would be good as a soap dish or to hold little pieces of jewelry. 



Here's the opal on red clay.  Much bluer than above. 

I think I could try to sell both of these on etsy.  If I could ever figure out how to make the shop banner.  lol

Taking a stab at sgraffito

I have two pieces of pottery that I made using the sgraffito techniques.   This is definately a technique that speaks to me.  Both have issues when firing.  Warping of the one with the tiny sgraffito lines.  Arggh.  I can't express how frustrated I get with warping of this white clay.   I purposely took these pictures so you hopefully can't tell it warped. It's supposed to dip to the center from left to right....it's warping front to back that I didn't like. 

The other piece in green and black has a tiny defect in it.  A hair had gotten caught in the slip when I applied it.  I know, that sounds kinda gross, doesn't it.  Hey, people shed.  I pulled it out and brushed over it.  I thought you couldn't see it, but you hold it just right in the light you can see it...darn, darn.  I thought I may be able to sell this plate.  Oh well.....

Halloween Table Runner

Made a table runner for Halloween.  Hubby thinks it may be too "country". I kinda agree, but, on the other hand, you could say it just looks thematic.  I wanted to try some applique.  A couple of months ago I tried to make 2 monogrammed bibs for Trey and Sandy's twins.....terrible results.  I had no idea how to monogram.  So I did a bit of reading and I think the table runner isn't a bad first attempt.  

I think I'm getting close to having enough stuff to start an etsy shop.  I can't say that any of my pottery will be good enough to try to sell.  But I think I may have a shot with the quilting.....really need to figure out how to make a banner for the shop.  I've forgotten everything I learned when I made Natalie's quilt.  lol

The Happiness Quilt

My newest quilt was made with several Hullabaloo by Urban Chiks for Moda fabrics.  I didn't use the prints that were geared more for babies...like the animal prints.  I love the florals, zigzags and dots...used several of those.  In my fabric stash I found several prints that also work well with the Hullabaloo fabrics.  Different kona solids were used as sashing.  I am so, so happy with the final product....especially the back, which is all solids.

I added the bojo label on it....thank you Boone and Jordan.  I call this my Happiness Quilt.

Summer Wave Quilt

I used the same fabrics that are in Nana's table runner to make a quilt.  I call it my Summer Wave Quilt.  It is bright, bold and fun to look at. 

I used the small navy print for the back and includced a pieced scrappy column.  It almost has a denim look to it.  I like it. 





Nana's table runner

Nana's birthday is today.  Happy Birthday!  X B and I both made her something for her birthday using our new-found crafting skills.  LOL!!!   I made her a table runner using blues, lime greens and yellows.  She uses navy blues and yellows in her kitchen so I thought she might like this. 

XB tried out his new pen and pencil skills.  Love the result and hope she will too!