Colored Clay
Last summer, I started some experiments using mason stains to color porcelain to use in my work. I was inspired by an article in Pottery Making Illustrated featuring the work of Chris Campbell, a few years ago.
I didn’t get far and became distracted by other techniques I wanted to try and life itself. I still have a few blocks of colored clay, but at this point, they probably need to be reconstituted. I was reminded of my experiment the other day, when the green pendant on the right sold. I was quite pleased that someone bought it, and had recently been considering removing one of these from my Etsy Shop for my own use.
I checked out some books from the Colorado Potters Guild the other night when I attended new member orientation, including Colour in Clay by Jane Waller. As I glanced through the book, the section on “agate” ware caught my eye and I remembered some of my own work, now long gone from my possession.I have a whole bucket of porcelain slip in my garagio right now that I plan on staining soon to use in my work here at home. In addition to Chris Campbell’s work, I love the work of Jane Peiser and Vince Pitelka.Meanwhile, I picked up 25 pounds of ^10 porcelain to make some work for a gas firing that the guild is going to do in a few weeks time. They’re having a workshop on how to fire the big gas car kiln and I’d love to sneak a few pieces in.
Have a good weekend,
~Cynthia
& Cool Flickr Toy">Wholesalecrafts.com & Cool Flickr Toy
I’ve spend entirely too much time online recently, and can’t seem to sign off when I mentally tell myself to. So, the other day, I uploaded some new photos to flickr and started messing around with some widgets and such while I was there. I came across Big Huge Labs, that nabs some of your photos to create this cool little mini banner.
Meanwhile, I spent the better part of 2 hours applying to wholesalecrafts.com this morning. A rep called me this am to follow up with an inquiry that I had sent them. I sort of forgot about it, but then, thought, “What the heck, let’s see what she has to say!” She gave me temporary access to the site for me to peruse, and answered all my questions. It’s $395.00 a year, if I am accepted. That’s a lot of dough, but, I asked a few people who are represented by wholesale crafts and they’re doing great – so it could be worth the investment. One artist I know even closed her Etsy shop because of the amount of business coming her way.
In other news, I terminated my relationship with online retailer, Asian iCandy, this am. They haven’t sold any of my work, so I don’t think it was a good fit. It was a drop-ship arrangement, so overall, it was a good experiment. I think it’s really hard to sell things online without the buyer being able to physically see and hold an item – and I don’t know what their marketing plan is or how they reach their customers. Wholesale would be a much better investment of my time and efforts. Money upfront, make the work and then send.
That doesn’t mean I will not do Etsy, art fairs or other venues – it’s just another avenue to make a living doing what I love.
I did a little more work on my clay bird monotype – it’s really more of a painting now.
That’s it for today,
~Cynthia
& Inspiration">New Jewelry & Inspiration
I have worn the prototype of this necklace for about the last 6 months now, and get a ton of compliments and requests for duplication. I have a problem though, I have a high amount of breakage during the making and firing of the piece since it’s so delicate. Anyway, 2 survived my last firing and I may have figured out the secret to making these successfully.
The original necklace was inspired by this sculpture that I made in college my last semester. I love the organic shape and have been meaning to do more work in this direction but wince when I recall the cracking and baby sitting of this piece during the drying process. I never did glaze it, because I couldn’t decide how to do so – but have some ideas now. I just need to do a little sanding and will most likely glaze it the next time I fire to ^6. I don’t know about any of you other ceramic people out there, but glazing doesn’t come easy for me. Sometimes I need to think about it a few weeks – sometimes years.
Meanwhile, I’m recovering from a nasty cold that struck the state of Colorado and am feeling much better today. I am also not scheduled to sub this week and will most likely turn down all offers. I really want to spend some QT in the garagio this week. Because of my teaching affiliation with Anderson Ranch Arts Center this coming summer, I received an invitation to submit work for possible inclusion in a fall show at their gallery. I need to get cracking – the deadline for application is fast approaching and I’d really like to submit something new.
Have a good week everyone,
~Cynthia
New Bowls
I’ve been working on some new bowls made from slabs – an alternative to wheel thrown work. I’m getting better at making them, and really like their organic shape and feel. They’re really light weight and each one is truly different. The only problem I’m experiencing – though one I’m working on remedying – is a high level of warpage. If I take the time to dry them slowly, and by slowly I’m talking about 3-4 weeks, I have good success. There’s something charming about my really warped bowls, but they’re not so practical for stacking purposes.
These are made from B-mix, a ^6 stoneware, and glazed with a celadon glaze. The celadon takes on a more yellowish cast when applied to the b-mix vs. a more blue/green color when applied to white porcelain. They look quite lovely stacked up – almost like a head of lettuce or a flower.
Thank you so much to everyone who left congratulation wishes on my acceptance to the guild. I’m very humbled and also really excited about becoming a member. I look forward to meeting my mentor and going through an orientation. Rest assured, I’ll be writing more about the guild in the near future.
I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend,
~Cynthia
