ON or OFF

bisqued ornaments

Yesterday was spent in the studio throwing. I don't know if you ever have off days, but yesterday was definitely an OFF day for me. It took me most of the morning to get one simple piece made. I decided I needed a break, so I took the dogs outside to play a bit and had some lunch. After a much needed breather I went back to the studio and made nine new pieces. Now the studio shelves are filled with new work waiting for their turn in the kiln.

 

 

magnets

 

Hoping for an ON day tomorrow!

d e c e m b e r in the STUDIO

greenware
 

Already??? Feels like we just brought in a new year! Oh well, not much anyone can do about it, right? That's why I've just been keeping my head down and working in the studio...Besides, it's FUN!

 

drying bowl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

plates and ornaments

Heat + Studio = Happy Potter

Many thanks to my wonderful husband for installing heat into my pottery studio yesterday! We had an old furnace that we had taken out of the house when we first bought it. It has been out in the garage to serve as a heat source for my hubby when he's out there working during the winter months. But we have acquired a wood stove from my folks and are going to use that in place of the furnace. We've been talking about getting some heat into the studio, but just haven't got around to it. You know how it is. But now we have heat! I am so excited!!! Can you tell? You may be wondering where the furnace is from the pic below...well, David put it in the corner of the garage and cut out a vent in the wall. So the furnace is in the garage! I just get the heat.

studio

My studio is always a work in progress. It's a breezeway between the house and the garage. Just the perfect size for me! But there is always something that has made throwing a little difficult. For instance, the first three and half years or more I was using an old stool that my dad had used in his work van years ago. It wasn't quite tall enough for the wheel, so I had it sitting on four 2x6's. I had to becareful not to move or else I'd fall off my "stilts" and onto the concrete floor! For years, my husband had been telling me to just order a stool. Finally he just broke down and got me one. Boy, does it make a difference! I love it!

my wheel and comfy chair

Thanks to my sweetie, I will be warm and comfortable while working in the studio this winter!

My First Glaze Firing!

I'm home! YaY! I took a little leave of absence, but I'm back and working like crazy again. It feels good to get back into the swing of things. Only wish I could catch up on some z's. In due time though, right? Anyways, last night I glazed all my small pieces, loaded the kiln and started the very first glaze firing here at the new homestead. (Many many thank you's to my husband and our friend Mac who worked diligently to get the electricity up and running last weekend.)Thank you guys! I owe you BIG!


I decided to start with the smaller pieces and use them as guinea pigs. I'm using new glazes and a kiln that I've never used before. The kiln is my father-in-law's. It's a Paragon DTC 100. So far I am only using one shelf. Maybe if I learn how to make plates in the near future, I can stack more in there. But for now, one is good.

Tomorrow I'm going to Salida to visit my family and drop off some artwork to a new gallery. I was juried into an exhibit that opens next weekend until January 3nd. I'll be showing four pieces at Art Matters Gallery & Studio. If you're in the area, it's 142 West First Street in Salida.