Making Changes

Rose Mug in Rustic Country Blue

 

After this last glaze firing, I spent 2 days taking photos and measuring pottery.   Then I spent the better part of 3 days listing new pottery on Etsy.   

I try so hard to get photos that are true to life colors and a good representation of my pottery.  I go a little overboard on the photos.  Some pieces I end up taking 30 pictures just trying to get the lighting right or reduce glare.  But.. Dammit Jim, I'm a potter, not a photographer!  I really don't enjoy taking photos and listing new pieces on Etsy.  I have come to absolutely dread the end of my making cycle.

My dread turned into procrastination and I knew I had to make some changes.  I talked it over with John and even though I've always sworn that I'm not a production potter, I have decided to give myself a break and do some production work on a small scale. 

For my Loyal Customers, no worries, I'll always be making new and interesting pieces, but the release of new designs won't be every single glaze firing.  My pieces will still be one of a kind, because with handmade pottery, that's a given. 

I have picked out several of my favorite pieces that are also some of my best sellers.  I'm making several of each and will do my darnedest to make them similar enough to recycle the existing photos and listings.  If this goes well, it will mean more time in the studio making pots and less time taking photos and sitting on my butt making new Etsy listings.   

I just finished day two of production and I'm exhausted.  I now have goals of how many pieces I want to make and I don't leave the studio until I get it done.   I'm pretty excited.  I'm turning a corner in the way I work and it feels right.

:)  Thanks for reading and happy clay days.

BTW, I've changed my blog so you have to jump through hoops to leave a comment.  I got tired of the spam.  

All designs and photos herein are owned by and ©Copyright Cindy Gilliland 2013

trimming lids and throwing knobs

 

I've tried so many different techniques for making lids and knobs, but I always go back to the very first way I learned.  BTW, I love making lids, it's one of my favorite parts of making pottery.

 

Off the hump, I throw little bowls to my specified measurement.   I always make them just a tad wider than I need, because I can always remove clay, but I can't put it back.

 

 

After I trim the lid, I attach some fresh clay and throw the knob.  I think that throwing allows me the best control in forming the final shape.

 

After the lid and knob are bone dry, I do my final fitting of the lid to the pot.   I rarely have a lid that doesn't fit well.  

 

Happy throwing :)

morning in the studio - random

The morning sun was coming through so pretty into my studio, I took a few random photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love it here.  My studio and pottery are such a blessing in my life. 

 

All designs and photos herein are owned by and ©Copyright Cindy Gilliland 2013. 

Black and White Pottery - Black Wash Underglaze Results

Salt Cellar in Black Wash Underglaze

I fired a few pieces of the black washed pots.  

Love Birds Ring Dish in Black Wash

I didn't fire the pitcher and some of other pieces that I glazed in black wash.  I decided to wait and see how these pieces turned out.

Dip Bowl in Black Wash

It was a fun technique to try. 

These pots available for purchase in my etsy shop!

All designs and photos herein are owned by and ©Copyright Cindy Gilliland 2013.

Pottery Moonshine Jug

Moonshine Jug

 

I fired my Moonshine Jug and a couple of the pitchers that I made last month.   The moonshine jug was the most difficult to pick glaze for.     I fire an L&L programable electric kiln.  No reduction, no salt.   Sometimes I can hit the mark with just the right glaze and a good firing schedule. 

 

Pottery Jug in Shino

 

It's difficult to see in the photos, but the shino actually has a Redwood burl effect, with breaks of iridescent purple... just wild.  The drizzle is cream with breaks of blue.

John really liked it, so that made me happy.

I couldn't ask for more.  

 

 
 Moonshine Jug available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.

underglaze wash - surface treatment

underglaze black wash over texture

 

I've noticed that several potters are using this underglaze wash technique.  Since most of my pieces have a stamped and/or textured surface, I thought this black wash would be a cool exercise in technique.

Seeing my pitcher covered in black underglaze was kind of freaky.   Goth like.

After the slip dries a bit, it's time to reveal what lies beneath.  You may want to wear a mask at this point.  I didn't because the underglaze wasn't completely dry and I was using a damp sponge.

 

Online I found a couple techniques for removing the excess glaze.  Lana Wilson uses steel wool.  Tammy (hobby potter) uses a damp sponge.   I decided the sponge would be easier, since I'm only using one color.  

 

It's important when rinsing the sponge to remove as much water as possible.  Too much water and scrub pressure will remove too much underglaze from the textured recesses and will lessen your ability to control the effect.

black wash tall pitcher

The results are striking, dramatic and daring.   I think it's cool.  I see dark red roses in this pitchers future.

Next, I applied a thin coat of clear glaze.  I used glossy, but I think a semi-matte finish would work well too.

My sample pieces are all ready for the kiln.  I'm excited to see the fired results :) 

 

All designs and photos herein are owned by and ©Copyright Cindy Gilliland 2013.  

corn starch and stamping clay tip

 

Don't ask me why i waited so long to try corn starch with stamping on clay.   The stamp results are so much nicer and little to no sticking! 

The tip I read for making a corn starch blotter, instructed me to put the corn starch inside an old sock, but I'm sorry, old socks will not be used as a tool in my studio.  I have to draw the line somewhere.   Instead I cut a square of organic cotton scrap material, put about a half cup of corn starch in the middle, pulled up the corners and twisted a rubber band around it.   It's cute and works awesome.

This metal stamp has my logo.  I use it when making the little magnets that I include with purchase.   (I don't plan to use corn starch with my bisque stamps, since I don't have a problem with them sticking.)

If you have issues with sticky stamps, try using corn starch, it's worth the extra step.