First ^6 Glaze Fire in New Kiln & Vow
In an ideal world, I am super organized and plan for all possible outcomes. My make up is always perfect and I am the the epitome of calm and cool. In reality, I seem to be flying by the seat of my pants these days and it ain’t pretty. I have been meaning to change my ways, I just don’t know how to do it since I’ve been operating like this for so long now. I look more and more like Bill everyday:
Meanwhile, I’ve been a pottery making, glazing, firing fool all whilst working against deadlines and being a mom and wife. My porcelain boxes came out of the bisque kiln on Saturday morning (among other things), and by yesterday afternoon, I had the ware glazed and the kiln locked and loaded. The kiln has cooled down to 750 degrees F, as I write this and I’m hoping by noon, I’ll be able to unload her. I’m trying to speed things along for those of you rolling your eyes at me right now in disbelief since work needs to be delivered to Evergreen today for the show that opens on Friday.
Included in the glaze fire is my first wholesale order. I did a little dance and prayer to the Kiln Goddess before firing. If ever I needed a good outcome, today is it!
Things will relax a bit in May – and when the adrenaline calms down to a normal state, I vow to change my ways. It’s not good for my sanity or health. I was just reading an article in the paper yesterday about super centenarians – those who live past 110 years of age – and the consensus seems to be that the common underlying factor of their longevity is low stress levels. Even though I love pottery – I don’t like having clay stress. That can’t be healthy.
I hope to share a few photos of the pieces fresh out of the kiln before the show opens. Everything will be for sale – so I might not even get some nice photographs for posterity.
Have a great week,
~Cynthia
Growing Plates
My kitchen and dining room table are being overrun by plates that my kid’s clay class made last Tuesday – they’ve sprouted everywhere! I needed an easy project to work on since I combined both classes for this week because their show happened during Monday’s scheduled class time. So, 19 leather hard plates are in various stages of drying in my house. I hope to bisque fire them tomorrow.
The plates are a project that I read about in the March/April 2008 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated, pg. 39. (scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the pdf link titled “Instructors Link: Full Plate”). Just need clay, basic tools and some paper Chinette plates. It’s quick and gives the kids a real sense of accomplishment at having made something recognizable and functional.
Meanwhile, I received an email from a local Denver fiber artist, Angelina Kastroll, who purchased ceramic buttons from me within the past year, with some photos of completed projects attached. Somehow, between going to law school and being a new mom, she finds time to knit and crochet. I think they turned out really great!
With that bit of eye candy, I bid you farewell for a few days,
~Cynthia
P.S. I really love the Akismet spam catcher that WordPress provides – it’s caught some really heinous ones in the past few days.
Saying No is Hard To Do & Career Day
Handbuilt porcelain boxes – I hope to bisque fire them tomorrow. The smallest is 1″ square, the largest is 5″ x 6″
I’ve had a couple of opportunities come my way recently that I would have jumped at the chance to do 1 year ago. My schedule is filling up, however, and after careful consideration I had to decline offers to teach and show my work. Now, my work isn’t in that high of demand, mind you – but it is a timing issue. It’s hard to tell someone no, however, and when I was originally propositioned, I wisely asked for time to think about it. I don’t like saying “no” to anyone, but after looking at my calendar and checking my sanity level, I declined. I’m one of those people that doesn’t like to disappoint, but I do need to look after my own health and sanity.
John F. Kennedy High School, Denver, CO
Meanwhile, I spent the majority of the morning at John F. Kennedy High School in South Denver speaking to 4 different ceramics classes for career day. I was approached by the school’s resource specialist about being the ceramics speaker a couple of months ago – and wondered if they wouldn’t like to have someone a little more experienced than myself. I was hesitant, but eventually agreed to do it since it is good practice speaking in front of people – especially to high school students. I hope I didn’t bore them too much – and tried my best to offer up different options within the field of ceramics that could offer a lifelong career.
Overall, the kids were very polite and seemed interested in what I had to say. After the first talk, I realized I needed to be more succinct and by the 4th time around, felt very comfortable with my spiel. It is after all my story. I saw a few kid’s eyes glaze over (pun intended), and felt I was intruding when I walked down the back stairway to my car and saw a couple making out. Was I like that in H.S.??
I procrastinated getting my images and outline prepared – so this morning I was up at 4am cramming for my presentation, which is only fitting, don’t you think?
Now I need a nap,
~Cynthia
You’re invited!
Both my Monday and Tuesday after school clay classes will be displaying their most recent work at the Space Gallery today from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. We’re sharing the gallery with the After School Art Club and their work – come on out to see some great children’s art! I spent a part of yesterday afternoon setting up and can hardly wait to see the kid’s expressions when they see their finished masterpieces in a gallery setting. All the work is for sale and we will be donating the proceeds to a charity – yet to be decided. We will be voting next week.
Remember the slip transfers I highlighted in the past couple of weeks? This is the technique the kids also used for their gallery show. I really think they’ve done their best work. Just in case you can’t attend the opening, here’s what you’re missing:
Here’s one of my favorites – “Lucky”, by Anna, (3rd grade) after doing the slip transfer, and then finished. I was a little worried that the dog was too small, but should have trusted her creative instincts.
Have a great week,
~Cynthia
