Handmade Pottery + Ceramic Jewelry

Set of 2 rice bowls with chop stick rests

In my mind, there’s no better food than anything Asian – I could probably eat a derivative of the Asian food every day of the week as long as it contained rice.  Maybe I just like eating food with chop sticks.    I’ve been throwing a little bit more than usual as I reclaim clay and decided to turn some bowls into rice bowls – I’m not sure if they should be larger or not.  What do you think?  These probably hold about 2 – 3 cups of food and measure about 6″ wide at the rim and 3.5″ high.

Rice bowl

Do you know what I hate?  When my chopsticks slide off the side of my bowl and hit the floor – so with that in mind, I added 2 little chopstick rests to each bowl.  I contemplated adding a divot to the opposite side for the chopsticks, but after testing it out, the bowls don’t really need it.  The chopsticks can rest either as shown, or inside the bowl in more of a vertical fashion.   I might make a few sets of these to sell at the Colorado Potters Spring Show – I wonder if I could find some chopstick wholesale to include with the bowls if I look hard enough.

Next up, “Show and Tell” (though isn’t my blog all show and tell?):

Before – oval serving dish

Remember this little oval serving dish that I made about about a month or so ago?  I decided it looked a little plain so I decided to add a decal to the piece which dresses it up nicely.

After – Oval serving dish with water lily decal

Much better!  I’m also pleased to be getting a lot of mileage from my water lily sketch that I made using my Bamboo Fun Wacom Tablet.  After assessing my studio glazes, I think I need to expand my glaze palette.  I’ve found that a good contrast between glaze and the sepia tone of the decals works really well.  I’d like to add a good matte white, maybe closer to bone/off white.  Actually, what I’d really like is a nice reduction look off white with little crystals…probably more difficult to achieve in oxidation.  But, I can still wish.

Porcelain pendants with laser toner decals

People reading this who know me in real life are probably laughing at me right now – I’m adding decals to everything in my studio, much like I “marbleized” everything in my home several years ago when I was really into faux painting.     I can’t help it, everything that I make without a decal looks naked right now.  Since taking this photo, I’ve added bails to the pendants and they’re now available in my Etsy Shop – or they will be after I write this post.

We’re headed up to Steamboat Springs tomorrow for a little spring skiing.  I’m bringing my laptop because supposedly, the condo where we’re staying has wi-fi.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to share some photos of one of my favorite areas & a really gorgeous part of Colorado with you.

Have a great week,

~Cynthia