New Sgraffito Tray and Answers to Heather’s Meme Tag
This was a fun project to make. I have been concentrating so hard on perfecting my wheel throwing skills that I forgot how much I liked handbuilding. This tray was made by rolling out clay with a slab roller, letting it set up a bit, and then slumping it over a telephone book. After the clay had dried enough, I painted 2 contrasting colors of slip onto the try. I used some fairly trendy colors-brown and light blue. I like the design I had done on my cylinder last week and decided to replicate that on this tray. Again, using the shellac as a guide for my own use so that I could scratch away the unpainted part of the tray.
This tray is currently sitting on the bisque shelf at the Art Student’s League. I should be able to add a clear glaze and have it ready the week after next. Actually I have quite a few things that will be coming out of the glaze kiln this week that I’ll share, including 4 new cone 6 glazes that I made up and tested last week. I pulled a recipe from Mastering Cone 6 Glazes by John Hesselberth and Ron Roy. So hopefully they turned out (fingers crossed)!
Heather over at Bad! Kitty Art Studio tagged me in a meme last week, so now I must share 5 things about myself that you may not know.
- Yesterday was indeed my birthday- I was outed by my best friend Nikki out in San Fransisco. I’m a Saint Patty’s Day baby-no green beer for me last night, but I did enjoy some green margaritas out on our patio-basking in the 70 degree weather!
- I collect styrofoam meat trays. I know it’s sick, but I always think that someday, somewhere I might be able to use these gems again. I hate to throw them in the landfill, so they end up in my studio, stacked in nice neat rows. I have way more than I can use, so if anyone needs any, let me know.
- I can’t stand to wear night gowns to sleep in-they get all bunched up when I’m sleeping and is just very annoying to me. So, I really like to wear old fashion men’s pjs-if they have a really high cotton thread count-even better.
- I snored like a trucker when I was pregnant. My husband kept telling me it was true and I thought he was exaggerating. He has the recording to prove it and keeps it in a secret place so that I can’t find and destroy the evidence.
- Let’s see one more thing…I was a cheerleader in high school-eek! I’m trying to convince my daughter to be a jock and a nerd instead. Here’s the picture to prove it:
I think it’s only fitting, that I tag my friend Nikki! You’re it.
March 18th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I love this particualr leaf pattern you use and especially like this piece. Looking forward to the final result. As for the meat trays, I collect them, too (don’t knoiw what’ll become of me if I ever become vegetarian — and I’ve definitely considered the idea) but I use them as palettes! I love the fact that these live-for-a-zillion-yeras objects can actually have a second life if they plan to stick around for that long!
March 18th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Great Meme! I really love the tray too, and the leaf pattern has got to me my new favorite thing you are doing. I also collect meat trays…I use them for pallets and for print making…I just carve into them with a ballpoint pen and then lather them up with ink…oh I usr the backside for this…that way I can test out prints before I get all crazy and carve them out.
I can’t wait to see what your stuff looks like out of the kiln!
March 18th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Oh Yeah…Rha-Rah! Happy Birthday!
March 18th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CYNTHIA! w00t!
That was a great post…I hate nightgowns too!
As for your latest work, it is gorgeous! I am skipping and jumping over here waiting to see the other stuff you’ll be showing us. 
And that 1982 picture is classic, love it!
March 18th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
your snored! I am still snoring arg!!!!! but that is wicked keeping that recording hidden away LOL!
Hope you had a GREAT birthday.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Ohhhh it’s sooo beauitful!!!! The leaf pattern is outstanding! Wonderful!!!
*hugs* *hugs* and more *hugs*
March 19th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Great tray and such a fun cheerleading photo. Great blog!
March 19th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (albeit a little late!) LOVE the new work and I really LOVE the cheerleading picture! Your hair is kickin’!!
March 19th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I cant stand to sleep in nightgowns either — especially if I havent shaved my legs!
March 20th, 2007 at 3:05 am
Aw Cyn you’re so gorgeous and seeing your current pic, you haven’t changed over the years! Nice tray, is this one going to be fired again to melt the varnish like the piece before it? LOL I laughed when I read that you collect the styrofoam meat trays and I thought I was bad for saving, washing and reusing lots of take out containers from the restaurants and grocery store. They make good leftover containers. We put everything we can in the recycle bins here but it’s a shame they can’t recycle that darn styrofoam!
March 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Happy belated birthday to you…..
Loved seeing the cheerleading photo…
The tray is awesome. I’m a try lover… can’t seem to have to many, espcially the pretty ones, such as your’s.
March 20th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Thanks Andrea-I hope the tray turns out. (fingers crossed) I think I have plenty trays, should I ever become a vegetarian.
Heather- I also use the trays as stamps and palettes.
Hi Amber, 1982 yikes!
I only snore occasionally now, Jafabrit. I think my husband keeps the tape for future leverage.
Thank you Angela, Carla and Pinky!
That is a problem, isn’t it Janet!
I keep those too Lynette! I hate to throw this stuff away. Although, my local Wild Oats makes take out containers using corn so they compost but look like plastic.
Thanks Nancy, I love serving trays too, and realized that I hadn’t made any for myself.
March 21st, 2007 at 2:47 am
Too funny - you are truly the most devilish girl I know! I love the things you shared although I thought I would know a few more of them that I do! So it is truly things that people don’t know!
Love the picture of you as a cheer leader it fits and doesn’t fit in my world view of Cindy!
I will get right on my tag!
Nikki
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:54 am
what a lovely tray!
Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My son’s birthday was in last week as well!
It’s hard to imagine you snored….:)