Where the Magic Happens...

In the kiln of course! This is a pic from loading the gas kiln last week~ note all our little test tiles from Glaze Calc Class.

:)

The test tiles above are all from the same base glaze (far left,) with various percentages of Alumina (stabilizer) added. It's interesting to see how little variations can totally change the effect of the glaze.

Everyone in class is testing different variations & percentages of colors, fluxes & stabilizers added to one of 3 favorite glaze bases that we formulated earlier in the semester. It's a lot of info to take in & talk about. We spent hours talking about the results.

Still working away in wheel throwing... filling up shelves. Thinking how taking 2 classes & working is a bit much...

generally feeling a bit behind & trying to get in the studio during my free time, though open studio hours conflict w/ my work schedule! The good news is, I'm gradually getting some things done & getting a little finished work back. Most of it was just testing glazes on the recycled clay that I'm using this semester. Some turned out just horrible! You don't get to see those~ but here are some results that I can live with.

:)

I splurged & got a sheet of background paper for photographing finished work. Surprisingly, I couldn't find it anywhere in town, but I did find it online- it was over 40 bucks w/ shipping! Also, finally got my good camera back, thank goodness! That was over 200 bucks- another unexpected expense! Such is life... you all know how that goes.

Well, gotta run... studying The Complete Guide to High Fire Glazes to pick a glaze to test on Wednesday & gotta get in the studio to do a bit of glazing for my wheel class before the next firing!

:)

Welcome 2012 (yes, it's all about the clay!)

I actually got these piece back in 2011- two days before Christmas, but am just getting around to posting! As usual, I got some pieces back that I really loved (some of which became last minute gifts to co-workers) and some total junkers. To be expected I suppose, with all the glaze testing & mixing/overlapping of glazes that I was doing... and I love to experiment! Here they are, the good, the bad & the ugly!

:)

I took good (albeit messy) glaze notes, so I should be able to replicate the ones that I liked should I take another clay class @ SF Clay in the future.

Here are some of my favorites from the final batch~

... and some close ups below.

It was fun playing w/ different styles, clays, & glazes. On some I went for smoothness & perfection, like the ones above... while in others I went for a rougher, more raw & funky look~ like the ones below.

I do like the funkiness of the handle on this one. I gave it to one of my O.T. friends, who commented on the ergonomic feel of the handle.

:)

Experimenting w/ stamping & oxide stains above.

This bowl was a total experiment using several different glazes... I love how it turned out!

:)

It makes me think of a waterfall leading into a high alpine lake.

:)

Glazing in earth & sky.

:)

Even this one has an earthy feel to me. Reminds me of dark, wet granite covered in lichen.

On the inside I sponged on a different glaze~ I totally dig they way the two glazes blended & dripped down.

These two I'm keeping! I borrowed this glaze combo from one of the potters in the studio & I absolutely love it.

:)

Oh, and of course the bears~

Meh~ I think the glaze turned out o.k, but not one of my favorites pieces.

And the rough bear from many posts ago. The general shape & style of this one I like, but the glaze I think turned out so- so.

So that brings us up to date! My class ended several weeks ago... and I have been working like crazy ever since! (though I did squeeze in one Micaceous pot that I made in my "kitchen studio" but it is still in the very rough stage- so I'll save that for another post.)

Wishing you all the best in 2012!!

As for myself, I don't often make "resolutions" per se, but I would like to sit down & write out some goals for 2012.... and you can be sure they are going to include figuring out how to work less & do clay more! If you have any brilliant ideas on the subject, please share! Now, I'm off the computer to pack up- I'm headed west this morning! I'm off to see my family & dear friends, as I was unable to get out there during the Holidays...

Here's hoping your New Year is off to a wonderful start!

:)