Let the Beauty of what you Love be what you Do...
~Rumi

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Clay Notes From Home...

Do you ever have those times when life feels like it is busier than it has ever been? I'm experiencing that currently... and feel like I can't quite get caught up!
I'm sure you've all experienced this as some point or another. In between work & class & looking for that place to call home, I feel like I've hardly had the chance to breathe, let alone blog. Anyhow, I wanted to eke out a little time to share my experience teaching my first micaceous clay class...  to my mom when I was back home in July- yes, July! I really am behind aren't I? 
Ah, well... so it goes. 
The great thing about hand building/coiling pots, is that you really can do it anywhere... though it can get quite messy, so having some outdoor or garage space is quite nice. Below is our work station in the garage back home... tools, notes, puki's etc.


And Mom, with lots of great instruction (ha ha!) building her first ever coiled micaceous pot! Nice job, mom! (She was an excellent student & we laughed when I learned where I got my passion for perfection from!)


"PIPs"~ pots in progress... Mom's in the foreground, mine in the background.


Mom cutting the rim on her pot, mine taking shape & setting up in the background.


My cone shaped pot from above turns into a closed form... there is something I love about the shape of a rounded form of clay, even though the lid fitting which comes later is a lot of work!


Many days later (the clay takes a long time to dry when the humidity is high as it was when I was back home) the pots are removed from their Puki's & the water scraping, and later sanding begins. It's quite a process!  The rounded form above became the bear pot below it it's rough/dry stage.


Showing Mom how to apply slip & burnish a pot. Note my pot... dangerously close to the edge of the table... what am I thinking?!


Mom's pot- after water scraping & before sanding/polishing.


Below~ same pot- after sanding & polishing. Pretty awesome job for her first pot, don't ya think?
:)


I didn't get a chance to finish my latest bear pot while I was back home- so I packed it up & brought it to NM~ just got around to sanding & polishing it last week~ 2 months to make one pot, LOL. I do like it though, & I think the lid fit was quite stellar. :) I won't even get into all the "repair work" that needed to be done on this pot, but suffice it to say, I think I worked longer on this pot than any other.


Below, another pot I made while back home.


And, you know me, I couldn't resist doing another bear... he's pretty abstract-y & I quite like him!


We had a ton of fun, Mom & I, on our pot- making adventure! They have all made it through the bisque fire & I am anxiously awaiting a Raku firing for the final finish next week. Only 2 months or so from start to finish, now how's that for patience?!?

9 comments:

clairz said...

This post is a real treasure, Becky, for so many reasons. I'm glad to see you posting again and look forward to more!

Gail said...

I have wanted to try my hand with clay.

Ms. Becky said...

oh, you've been missed, but it's most certainly understandable. this post was pure delight to read. your work is beautiful and there's nothing wrong with being a perfectionist! I think the bear pot is outstanding, never mind how long it took to complete - that's a sign of dedication to the craft. all of your work is beautiful. happy day to you Becky!

Barb said...

Always enjoy seeing your process on pot making! Your Mom looks like she's having fun, and I bet her pot will be a happy reminder of your visit! I really like the bear lid pot and also the free form bear (it looks like he's walking in that swinging way that bears have). I've been thinking of you, Becky.

Randy said...

I had to laugh. I thought you were describing me at the beginning of your post. Work and my class is getting the best of me and I was surprised today with a mid-term project and only two weeks to get it done on top of everything else. Not to mention we are having such a problem closing on our house. We may end up losing it after two months of trying to get this deal done. Looks like you had a wonderful time with your mom. I really love that bear pot of yours. I can't wait to see the finished pieces. With everything going on right now I am hoping to make it to the Balloon Fiesta this weekend. Well I should say if miracles happen.

DirtKicker Pottery said...

Your mom is so pretty :) Her first pot is amazing. Now we know where you got your clay talent. Love, Love, Love the bear pot!

John Brisson said...

Busy for you looks like a lot of fun!!

John

Annie said...

Wonderful post Becky! I love all the pots and your mom's is a stunning first pot, must have been her teacher :-). I hope things relax for you real soon! xoxo

Kate said...

So much fun to see you and your Mom working together. Great pots, too!