Happy Tuesday!
I enjoyed a good weekend filled with lots of ceramic work and a BBQ everynight, including last night. We went over to some friend’s who had decided to go with a Greek theme, which was very tasty. Although when the Ouzo came out around 8 PM, I thought to myself, “Wait, it’s a school night, I can’t drink this!” But, I did and now I’m feeling a little bit groggy. I hope everyone else had a nice weekend too.
My daughter still has 1.5 days of school left. When we lived on the East Coast, she attended school until mid to late June. Here in Colorado the kids get out around Memorial day. I swear last year, her final day of school was right before the long weekend. What in the world can they accomplish in the next 1.5 days?? We agreed last night that it was a good experience and parallels what it would be like to be a lame duck president, or maybe someone who has given notice at work and is just filling out their contractual obligation. Otherwise, why bother??
Anyway, the small platter above is a new piece that recently came out of the kiln. I’ve mentioned this several times before, but I learn something about working with clay every single day. Working on this piece was no different. I had formed the piece after rolling out porcelain clay using a slab roller. I slumped it in one of my new plywood forms and after it had set up, I painted colored slip onto it. Don’t do the latter unless your piece is still in your slump mold!!
I did and was promptly rewarded with my piece reverting to a flat piece of clay. Somehow I rescued it, but now it has a fairly small lip in contrast to the original generous one. The good news is that since I considered this piece kaput, I felt free to try a new color combo and technique on my platter. Why does that happen? An item becomes less precious, and I can be a little less rigid design wise. Why don’t I treat all my pieces like this? Some really cool stuff happens when I do. This is also one of those pieces that I didn’t expect would survive the glaze fire; yet it did when they cake platter didn’t.
I need to work on my photography. I couldn’t photograph this head on without getting the glare of the sunlight on my piece. Add another thing to my to-do list! I read somewhere, that artists should never photograph their own work, to leave that to the professionals. Well, it’s quite a dilemma if one has to choose between paying a pro to photograph work vs. buying new material to make more work!
I sold quite a few things this weekend from my Etsy Shop, which pleased me to no end. I’m starting to think that this can really work for me. If you recall, I had a special going over Memorial day weekend, Free shipping for all jewelry. Surprisingly, I sold 1 set of jewelry (earrings and necklace) but the rest was functional pottery. That’s exciting to me.
I hope to get around to everyone’s blogs today or tomorrow. I’m still feeling the need to throw a few more things for the summer art market. This is pretty much the last day for me to make anything. The rest of my efforts will be concentrated on finishing.
Have a good day everyone,
jafabrit
May 29, 2007 at 2:06 pm //
The plate is beautiful and very strong design wise. Glad you had a good weekend
Yes photographing your own work is a real challenge and I have been learning a few tricks (such as cutting a hole in a large flat black board for your camera lens, cuts out the glare when you take a pic). Have you tried that, it might help.
Cynthia
May 29, 2007 at 4:20 pm //
Thanks Jafabrit! I’ll have to try your technique, because I haven’t yet. Always on the lookout for new ways of doing things. How large of a board are you talking about??
Lisa
May 29, 2007 at 4:35 pm //
This piece is wonderful – colors, design. I think you are on to something – the more precious we think our work is the uptight it often feels. Letting go and just going with the flow is hard but it’s definitely worth it.
andrea
May 29, 2007 at 5:33 pm //
When I was a kid I had American friends and was always envious of the slightly longer summer you guys got. My kids go to the end of June and start the Tuesday after Labour Day.
Well done with Etsy. I’ve noticed that it’s the frequently-listing jewellery makers who do the best so you’re on the right track. Besides that, your work is good and your prices reasonable so I predict a very successful future for you!
Janvangogh
May 29, 2007 at 11:02 pm //
So it was a happy accident. At first I thought it might be part of a soap dish with the white dots being the drain holes.
Count down for the show. I hope it goes well for you.
Tomorrow is my big day. I will blog about it after it is over.
Shawn McCann
May 30, 2007 at 2:30 am //
Congrats Cynthia on much success with your Etsy shop. It goes to show when you have a great product people will buy. The plate is beautiful as well. I really like the strong lines and energy that it has.
jafabrit
May 30, 2007 at 2:56 am //
24″ x 36″ poster board. It helps if someone holds the board while you hold the camera. I think though it doesn’t have to be that big if you are taking photos of ceramic pieces.
The Lone Beader
May 30, 2007 at 3:16 am //
Man, I missed the free shipping deal?? *sigh* Well, I’m glad 2 hear that you sold some stuff
Jean Levert Hood
May 30, 2007 at 1:11 pm //
Cynthia, your work is getting better and better! This plate is just great. And your photography is so good. I know how hard it is to get a good shot of a piece for the computer, and yours are super. Congrats on the weekend sales!
Cynthia
May 30, 2007 at 2:39 pm //
I couldn’t agree more, Lisa!
The long summer goes by way too fast in my opinion Andrea. My daughter goes back to school August 15th. Which feels like a crime to me.
Happy accidents, make me, well Happy! Good luck with your event, Janet!
Thanks Shawn, I’m hopefully optimistic!
Thanks for the info, Jafabrit, I’m going to give it a try. The background that I shoot on is 30 x 40″, so that’s really not too big. I’ll have to enlist my daughter to be my photo assistant this summer. I might have to give her a cut though!
Not to worry, Diana, I’m going to be running another free shipping weekend during the summer art market, since I can’t sell jewelry there.
Thank you Jean, glad to see you jump on the blog bandwagon!!
HMBT
May 31, 2007 at 10:30 am //
Wonderful work! Congrat’s on the sales…that’s really great.
I am going to try Jafabrits black board too…maybe that’ll help with my stuff too!
Mary Timme
May 31, 2007 at 2:06 pm //
I have MIB the last few days also Cynthia, and I think it is a good thing for me, as that way I kept my sanity. I think the platter looks great. Small lip or no. It’s nice to have some pieces that you feel free to just run with, isn’t it? I think we learn more that way than not.