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.   I was actually hoping for a rustic feel, but I think the black gives more of a goth feel.  

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.   

   

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.

I gave this piece to my Son-in-law because he really liked it.  

 

©cindygilliland

underglaze wash - surface treatment

underglaze black wash over texture

Since most of my pieces have a stamped and/or textured surface, I thought underglaze wash would be a cool exercise in technique.

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

After the slip dried a bit, it was time to reveal what lies beneath.  I didn't feel the need to use a mask because the underglaze wasn't completely dry and I was using a damp sponge. 

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 translucent glaze.

Wheel Thrown Pitcher

by DirtKicker Pottery

All designs, photos and content herein are owned by an ©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 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.

©cindygilliland