Spring Shapes

Yay spring! (I just wish the weather would follow...) Regardless I made some new shapes today- working on some soap dish requests and some new eggs.





The eggs will be raku fired in lots of fun colors and would be a great addition to any Easter centerpiece. Maybe I will need to make some bowls to go with the eggs....





Pic's will follow soon (I promise)! I also just listed a new bowl on Etsy: http://www.crystallinehorse.etsy.com/ A pink crystalline bowl. The crystals are very cool on the bowl and even for someone who is not particularly fond of the color pink might enjoy this bowl. The crystals seem to jump off the background.

That's all for now- need to sleep so I can make a few dozen more eggs tomorrow.

work, work, work

It seems like there is always something to do! Just listed another horse on Etsy:

Raku horse sculpture #356. Dimensions 9" L x 5" W x 9" H. You can go to www.crystallinehorse.etsy.com to see more pics of the pony.

I also traveled to Portland Pottery today to buy more clay and raw materials to make more horses and some raku vases. Got some stoneware and raku clay and some fire clay to make my own raku clay. The clay needs some time to age before I use the stuff I make, so I needed to buy some nicely moldy clay. (Good clay is like blue cheese) I will post some pics of pieces in the process as I go.

Enjoy spring!

2 Weeks Already?!

Man am I behind- so much has happened!

The ponies went in the fire.
They came out of the fire.
Then went back in.
They had to cool off for a bit after getting a little hot-headed.

Then they had to be cleaned.
(They really like rolling in the mud)
And they needed some new stalls.
Some even got loaded on the trailer and were sent out west to strut their stuff!

So much to do for these little ponies!
As usual, I will have pictures soon of the latest horses. I played around with some new bases and colors. I really like my clay leg, but have to make some more. One of the new horses (#361) is online in my Etsy store: www.crystallinehorse.etsy.com

I have also made a bunch of vases and ornaments for the next raku. But I need to buy some more clay and a few more glaze ingredients before the nest firing so I can test some new colors. So that will have to wait.

I think that's all for now.

HAPPY SPRING!

Left in the Dark

Last night, I was throwing a batch of vases for the next raku firing and making some good progress. The next thing I know the lights are out and nothing in my studio is working. I call out to see if anyone in the house is around (to make sure they didn't turn off the lights) and no one comes. It is pitch black in the basement with no moonlight able to shine in and I am sitting there- my hands covered in clay wondering what to do next.

Then a light comes shining down the stairs- the power has gone out! Not really a big deal, except I can't finish my work and...THE KILN IS FIRING!!!! But not much I can do about it with no power. I did the math and figured the kiln probably got somewhere around 1700 degrees, so that would be fine to bisque the ponies. Good thing it wasn't a glaze- let alone crystals!

Opening up the kiln today, the ponies were all fine and I think they will be good for a raku. The remaining horses are in there now, finishing up their spa treatment. Hopefully we will keep the power for a little longer...

I ended up getting more vases finished today and some ornaments thrown, but they won't be fired in this raku. I will probably have to do one next week (assuming the weather is nice). But I have to get these horses done tomorrow so they can make it out to the world. Stay tuned for tomorrow- I will have raku pics and maybe even a video. Til then, have a great night!

The Ponies are Ready!

I put the final touches on the current herd of horses ready for the bisque kiln. Twenty-five of them have made their journey from a lump of clay to their current form, but they still have a long way to go. Just a little more drying to do tonight and they will be fired tomorrow. Then I have to devise some sort of plan for getting my raku kiln out and firing in all this snow...

I am thinking of trying out some new glazes too- loking for more colors and brightness from the raku fire. Got my hands on some sliver nitrate and that produces some cool effects so we will see what happens in the fire. Back to more making!

Lindsey Has a Blog!

I think the world has ended! (Maybe the snow is getting to me...) But now I can share my pottery-making journey with the world (or just those who find this journal). Oh boy!