Alex and I have been working to replace a lot of our dishes. Everything we use was made by us, but it has been a while since we kept some new things. These delicious plates were thown by Alex using a dark brown stoneware. I then glazed then using the same bamboo glaze used on the Civil War Cups and a green glaze in the center to highlight the spiral.
For a while I've been working on a printing method in order to make affordable reproductions of my nursery art. I have researched giclee, tried professional printers, and even my own inkjet without finding what I want. Finally, I upgraded my own printer to one that uses archival, lightfast inks and started printing on 80 lb watercolor paper that I trim to glide through the printer. Success! I am able to now offer 8x10 reproductions of my nursery art for $13.00 at my etsy store, Into The Fire.
Still, I've been thinking for a while that what I'd really like to do is screen print simplified versions of my nursery art. I am working on the screens now and gathering what I need. I'm hoping that I'll be able to bring to light what I envision. I think that, having never screen printed before, my undertaking might be a little ambitious. Thankfully, my etsy friend The Milkman, who created the shirt to the right, has offered to share his expertise and encouragement with me. I know he does good work because I have bought two shirts from him already! Also encouraging me in this endeavor is Muttsywonder, who you will be hearing more about very soon.
I make jewelry, but I don't think I have a particular flare for it. I just experiment until something looks right. I wear my own stuff all the time, but this week I have gotten one compliment after another on my earrings. The problem is, I didn't make them!
This flower pot was painted by a class of school kids for their teacher. I draw out a design for the kids to follow, which is basically a series of ovals. The children put their thumbprints in each oval. When they are done, I outline, add details, and letter the piece before glazing and firing. I do tons of these each year, but this one seems especially cute!
Having a ceramics shop at this time of year means staying busy. Mother's Day shoppers are enough to keep the kiln going everyday, but when you add in the end of the school year and all of the teaher's gifts it becomes a real whirlwind!
Here is a bowl I painted on commission for a teacher's gift. All of the kids' names are painted on the inside of the bowl with the teacher's name in the middle. On the outside, I painted polka dots and circles. Since I was originally asked to paint polka dots, I really made it harder than it needed to be. I like how it turned out and apparently someone else did, too. I had another order placed for one just like it today.
