tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16507315320259783062024-03-19T17:41:41.845-04:00LaPella ArtAlex and Lisa LaPella are potters who love what they do. Alex specializes in the creation of ceramic hand drums. Lisa loves throwing functional wares, believing that beauty and art should be integrated into the everyday. We have a home studio in Unicoi, TN and an online store at <a href="http://LaPellaPottery.etsy.com/">LaPella Pottery on Etsy</a>.LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-61386754101503928932013-02-10T08:00:00.001-05:002013-02-10T08:04:41.093-05:00Packing Work<div style="text-align: center;">
Here in the studio, we are making large numbers of items that will eventually all be shipped out. One way that we stay organized is packing units ahead of time. This keeps the studio uncluttered and makes shipping time a breeze.</div>
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We start by gathering our materials for packing. We use a half inch masking tape, packing tape, bubble wrap, cardboard separators, and labels in this process.</div>
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Each piece gets wrapped in bubble wrap that is secured with masking tape. We used to use packing tape for this, but we found it frustrating to open. The masking tape is so much easier on our customers!</div>
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The shot glasses are sold in sets of four, so they are bundled together with a cardboard separator keeping them in place. The bundle is held together by either packing tape of plastic wrap. Since I (Lisa) cannot seem to make that stretch wrap work at all, I use packing tape. On the outside of each bundle, we put a label.</div>
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Our labels clearly state who we are, what items are inside, and we include a QR code that leads to our website. I make sure to buy permanent labels - the removable ones fall off if exposed to variable temperatures. The square ones are great! I got them from Avery and they are backed with silver so they are opaque. I just run them through my printer when I need them.</div>
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We use totes and bins to store the pieces until they are shipped. Each of these bins holds 25 sets of shot glasses. When we pack these to ship out, there is at least 2 inches of peanuts between the items and the side of the box. When there are multiple units in a box, we use sheets of cardboard to separate them from each other. </div>
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We use new, 200 pound test boxes and we stock about 30 different sizes. When we order boxes, we make sure we have a box on hand that will work for any item we ship.</div>
LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-70898581353483794482013-02-01T07:10:00.000-05:002013-02-01T07:12:10.753-05:00Coming Soon!<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently, as we worked on one skully cup after another, an image popped into my head. </div>
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The image was not a piece of pottery, but a tool.<br />
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I grabbed Alex, gave him an idea of what I needed, and he went to work. The man is a great woodworker, too! Within an hour, he had a prototype tool made. The first one needed some tweaking, but after a couple of tries, we ended up with a tool - a wooden press mold of sorts - that helped us create the first trays for our skully cups. </div>
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I love the pillowy nature of the trays! </div>
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We scaled the tool up to make trays for lowballs and highballs, too. </div>
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These will all be sold for the first time beginning February 10, at 7pm, on <a href="http://fab.com/">Fab.com</a>. </div>
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These all came to be as a result of that meditative way of working that we've been talking about. While my hands went through the repetitive task of throwing cups, my mind was free to both wander and wonder, stumbling over the answer to the question of trays.</div>
LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-90282164909463251402013-01-24T08:11:00.000-05:002013-01-24T08:13:34.649-05:00Production as Meditation<div style="text-align: center;">
We have made a big shift since our last <a href="http://fab.com/">Fab.com</a> sale. We have fully embraced production pottery as our primary way of working. This has made us streamline and analyze efficiency of movement, but it has also freed us to be more creative. Wait. What?! How's that so?</div>
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When we sit down to work on wholesale orders, we focus on one thing for hours. This time is largely spent relying on muscle memory. While our hands complete the work, our minds are free to wander. This process is so meditative and relaxing that we find our sketchbooks filling with new ideas. These ideas are given time to flesh out while we trust that our hands remember what they are supposed to be doing.<br />
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When we sit down to throw 50 - 100 cups at a time, we waste no time. Every moment of that throwing time is spent moving toward our goal. As we work, we tend to get faster and more efficient, so as our output increase, so does the time saved by working in large quantities.<br />
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Now, what do we do with that time earned by becoming production machines? We work on things that are just for us. No, not just for us to keep, but we work on things that we do not have to sell to be flush this month. Working in production frees us to create without regard for how something will be received. We can make because we love to make and not because we need to sell.</div>
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Then, there is the benefit of all that time spent in a meditative state. We are happy and content. We are doing what we love and making a living doing it. We are focusing on the things that fill us with joy and leaving behind the worries that drag us into angst. Life is good. We are at peace.</div>
LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-16316079821221784812012-10-06T07:48:00.001-04:002012-10-06T07:48:53.078-04:00Efficiency and Passion<div style="text-align: center;">
We mentioned a couple of weeks back that we have a large wholesale order of 760 pieces that we had to complete in less than a month. Well, we have completed the making of the pieces and are just glazing and firing now. </div>
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We are not production potters and have not ever worked on large quantites of the same item for extended periods. Prior to this, we might throw 24 skully shot glasses at a time and then move on to something else. We have been driven by distraction and whimsy.</div>
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The first thing we discovered was a need to efficiency of space. As we worked and paths constantly crossed to get this or that, I began to look at our studio space with a critical eye. I realized that we were wasting time by constantly moving from one side of the studio to the other.<br />
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One thing we had done was ask areas to multitask in inefficient ways. For instance, above my glaze making area, I had some shipping supplies and things we tuck into packages like business cards and bookmarks. Well, we don't pack over there, so this was a time and space waster. We flip flopped the shipping supplies with glaze colorants, which made much more sense. </div>
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I think this will be an ongoing process, but I've learned to pay more attention to how we move in the studio and analyze our space more often. just because we have always done something one way, doesn't mean it is the best way to do it.</div>
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A big lesson came in making. This was also a surprise. We realized that in making very large series of items, we could quickly pinpoint where mistakes were being made in both efficiency of movement and craftsmanship. By moving so quickly through making, firing, glazing, and making again, we could be more easily why processes succeeded or failed. This meant that we drastically reduced the number of seconds over the course of the project. It also means that seconds are now reduced from here on out, which means more profit and less waste.</div>
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The final lesson came in learning to breathe. Before we got this job, we already had tickets to an Oktoberfest celebration and the <a href="http://www.storytellingcenter.net/events/national-storytelling-festival/">National Storytelling Festival</a>. We said from Day One that we would not let this project consume every waking moment for its duration. We committed to down time and days off even if it meant a few late nights or extremely early mornings. </div>
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When I was in school, one of my college professors said to me several times, with a rich middle eastern accent, "Lisa! You feel-a bad, you make-a bad clay. Go home!" That become my mantra over the years and let me know when it was time to refuel. If we don't recharge, we make-a bad clay. What we do take energy and passion and in order to mete out energy and passion all day, we have to receive it, too. For us, that meant spending a day tasting countless beers with our friends and a weekend in Jonesborough, TN listening to storytellers at the <a href="http://www.storytellingcenter.net/events/national-storytelling-festival/">National Storytelling Festival</a>.</div>
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LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-71154985141440193302012-09-25T09:06:00.001-04:002012-09-25T09:06:44.204-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We've been making little jars that we like to use for Herbed Salt or dry rubs.</div>
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The little jars come with handmade olive wood spoons and a recipe for Herbed Salt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOPL7Pqc2KjAxV6UXbVlY5f3KKhrEMZiq8Qfa7TU85TfqPwYT8gjYMcaa0T0IvQ4QqcaUUpix9nwrfa84V0dOXQoYNuvsbUK_U9hJ2OCOaKxdqIKCP7z2EjgQNj8DUyYvr1EPJd6RMNuV/s1600/IMG_1949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOPL7Pqc2KjAxV6UXbVlY5f3KKhrEMZiq8Qfa7TU85TfqPwYT8gjYMcaa0T0IvQ4QqcaUUpix9nwrfa84V0dOXQoYNuvsbUK_U9hJ2OCOaKxdqIKCP7z2EjgQNj8DUyYvr1EPJd6RMNuV/s320/IMG_1949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You could use the jars for sugar or stevia, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdpTuKXSAZ0PeX-tBRRfHeyEbtscAY5FuwIOBNhhwxEtxFOrbffWVjEftylHKNjyyJOcc1jheCnSKGfOgLJLAs-Bj98hwTp9lDEW9-VrkU2-eLQLgOMFnJXGouXBkYSIckh7Ot-orwl1u/s1600/IMG_1959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdpTuKXSAZ0PeX-tBRRfHeyEbtscAY5FuwIOBNhhwxEtxFOrbffWVjEftylHKNjyyJOcc1jheCnSKGfOgLJLAs-Bj98hwTp9lDEW9-VrkU2-eLQLgOMFnJXGouXBkYSIckh7Ot-orwl1u/s320/IMG_1959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The jars usually hold a cup to a cup and a half.</div>
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We glaze them in all sorts of colors and patterns.</div>
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This photo was taken at The Yellow Daisy Festival and shows the little recipe cards on baker's twine.</div>
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<br />LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-64448425744731928072012-09-20T15:05:00.001-04:002012-09-20T15:05:58.285-04:00Production Mode<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been a long time wince we wrote on this blog, but Alex and I have been hard at work. Right now we are in full production mode. We just wrapped up the Yellow Daisy Festival near Atlanta and arrived home to a 750+ piece wholesale order! This all came on the heels of a summer filled with wedding registries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgZx9k8SgBlgu6WmCUcUOqn467_PfsQ7w6_Ovac67RYbpFGKf6fXod8sszqZhaAJNBje8uc37fH8c3cNMjj45uykQ-ppcvMSAcP6ZyAM_StlVTDeJzytCwcjzH46EL_M-ty9FtPppgv8V/s1600/bowls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgZx9k8SgBlgu6WmCUcUOqn467_PfsQ7w6_Ovac67RYbpFGKf6fXod8sszqZhaAJNBje8uc37fH8c3cNMjj45uykQ-ppcvMSAcP6ZyAM_StlVTDeJzytCwcjzH46EL_M-ty9FtPppgv8V/s320/bowls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've never really wanted to do production work, but we're finding it very satisfying. There is something about seeing rows and rows of identical pots that fills us with pride. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_TyVyZ_qt71v_Bbx3TvF-U5l_aI1pExWrArZ5Hv4Ys3NP1Sxzn_XudUVjBXBXQ5qyxEqYl27wsIAU84bqvPyk7qn38ikyfoTpr-55q5aZAuvEk5Ln7eUndAdbtqZOgwBxSrkyh8tYF1M/s1600/production.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_TyVyZ_qt71v_Bbx3TvF-U5l_aI1pExWrArZ5Hv4Ys3NP1Sxzn_XudUVjBXBXQ5qyxEqYl27wsIAU84bqvPyk7qn38ikyfoTpr-55q5aZAuvEk5Ln7eUndAdbtqZOgwBxSrkyh8tYF1M/s320/production.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As for this big order, we'll let you know later where to find these pots. We are making tons of Skully Shot Glasses, prep bowls, olive dishes, platters, Sari Print dishes, and Beetles and Butterflies Dishes. We'll also have new wall pillows and suribachis! So, stay tuned. Hopefully, we'll be able to blog about the process of churning out over 750 pots in less than a month. </div>
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Peace!</div>
LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-52635083865286468732011-08-10T09:53:00.000-04:002011-08-10T09:53:17.695-04:00Carved Mugs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj388WdmsIdsMJpzgR6C1iGhtZPlf81OtBnbXs-oKRsFiQOXE_FHtog-_oNWfEqcDyNNhEC9hi3yOXygzz4IjLNoexfYyhXLJpDxo8EQdQNPXem_0tgvzn9VkPeuZEXPZ6jI0Fs-2pKLM6I/s1600/IMG_6294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj388WdmsIdsMJpzgR6C1iGhtZPlf81OtBnbXs-oKRsFiQOXE_FHtog-_oNWfEqcDyNNhEC9hi3yOXygzz4IjLNoexfYyhXLJpDxo8EQdQNPXem_0tgvzn9VkPeuZEXPZ6jI0Fs-2pKLM6I/s320/IMG_6294.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79386443/large-carved-jade-green-coffee-mug">Jade Green Mug</a>, 14 ounces</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vRu6gq8QWJObIFlv7SndSbau0TDnXSCs1Zyyv_bx-IG6TfOu6MTwhYPrlj31bhLIVlWZqIRdEHuZ_-fCtBWVUZLVwjtJBZKHivhZJcFOSjQbEthdHot7NJjRudvrROSXNClGOnnlNPdX/s1600/IMG_6315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vRu6gq8QWJObIFlv7SndSbau0TDnXSCs1Zyyv_bx-IG6TfOu6MTwhYPrlj31bhLIVlWZqIRdEHuZ_-fCtBWVUZLVwjtJBZKHivhZJcFOSjQbEthdHot7NJjRudvrROSXNClGOnnlNPdX/s320/IMG_6315.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79417398/swirling-carved-teacup">Teal Blue and Bone Mug</a>, 8 ounces</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvc-P1FvgD5unLXRv9mRPUQSRevvHGrBCrjsKkJ2SZZCEYX8wwMe2Bth21sZI_Q3jZevdF0YQ_8__Wo2JUodF4LGwYJEITt8ju6UWI6lQsC1kO8mckl3MoUZOOPYP5_ytBe2Z_YqCCACM/s1600/IMG_6317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvc-P1FvgD5unLXRv9mRPUQSRevvHGrBCrjsKkJ2SZZCEYX8wwMe2Bth21sZI_Q3jZevdF0YQ_8__Wo2JUodF4LGwYJEITt8ju6UWI6lQsC1kO8mckl3MoUZOOPYP5_ytBe2Z_YqCCACM/s320/IMG_6317.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79418196/carved-xl-latte-mug-gold-and-cobalt-blue">Butternut Gold and Cobalt Blue Mug</a>, 18 ounces</td></tr>
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LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-60306780348459369562011-03-08T13:13:00.000-05:002011-03-08T13:13:21.317-05:00On the Wheel TodayWe put handles on yesterday's mugs first thing and then decided to keep exploring faceting. Today we threw large bowls and then faceted them before bellying them out. There are a variety of shapes with a few standouts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdFv15p10eokSHys4om_hw0bBcl9E5ZoyZv9LZCsLhfogUiXN7ubq5Kgk0YugCj3SdLA8aLdeA_4nUGhQVdWfXvD2mu-NuiC9ERK0bTIurdzXhvvxM-UYuWcBanVcabYrHUPhB-qflETH/s1600/IMG_4672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdFv15p10eokSHys4om_hw0bBcl9E5ZoyZv9LZCsLhfogUiXN7ubq5Kgk0YugCj3SdLA8aLdeA_4nUGhQVdWfXvD2mu-NuiC9ERK0bTIurdzXhvvxM-UYuWcBanVcabYrHUPhB-qflETH/s320/IMG_4672.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is nice and practical.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeoS3W8agdIQVFpBPmI-YqqLDpd3dZCdR8r-1KCb16PE73qAbZR3g1YK7zZcpKaRIWk399g572Cw-LmyzckhQ4vxT1N3-rihH_kemFcFn34BHb6fhitP5k1Ha1ZnEj5BJ94f-ZC82BfEi/s1600/IMG_4674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeoS3W8agdIQVFpBPmI-YqqLDpd3dZCdR8r-1KCb16PE73qAbZR3g1YK7zZcpKaRIWk399g572Cw-LmyzckhQ4vxT1N3-rihH_kemFcFn34BHb6fhitP5k1Ha1ZnEj5BJ94f-ZC82BfEi/s320/IMG_4674.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one will really look nice when glazed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljPpVBBwcHb6E_cIQqBdQ1D_C-jo0mglEg2Gbr6Ddh4uq3mHm2TORiBKcBdr0TQz4Huq4Z7pSzYd3nszFOPVMoIUUbijQGe3wYiWLDpQxA-16QEcliOj712vFdHYNMXQByO9546IHBqJZ/s1600/IMG_4675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljPpVBBwcHb6E_cIQqBdQ1D_C-jo0mglEg2Gbr6Ddh4uq3mHm2TORiBKcBdr0TQz4Huq4Z7pSzYd3nszFOPVMoIUUbijQGe3wYiWLDpQxA-16QEcliOj712vFdHYNMXQByO9546IHBqJZ/s320/IMG_4675.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one aspired to be a pasta bowl.... a noble venture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hOWns5V8WkMnl0nyNu1gxZev-FEblN0094wsCe0Pkrww4e6lWPhVse8cQvpx4v6BGCFHZK-37HKwSeMDg4gigTVsnkMgPjAP1uwfmkh6hEV538oqTlFK_-Ch4kbYMboIFONElV6e87FA/s1600/IMG_4678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hOWns5V8WkMnl0nyNu1gxZev-FEblN0094wsCe0Pkrww4e6lWPhVse8cQvpx4v6BGCFHZK-37HKwSeMDg4gigTVsnkMgPjAP1uwfmkh6hEV538oqTlFK_-Ch4kbYMboIFONElV6e87FA/s320/IMG_4678.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was the first of the day and is nice, but too conservative.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-77652311642308572462011-03-07T17:26:00.000-05:002011-03-07T17:26:18.271-05:00On the Wheel TodayToday is the day for faceted cups. We worked through a number of styles and found some keepers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40yRBwyvrrOJuMjoK5rVj4UP4U_CDw-aXRJHPfaZSYL-FRy2cycsg0tlb0I6FbrgnHoSBx4QytFUy-Do6ndB_lgUC-AF0fO95gUbDid8o1D4aLrATRX5vK47is8XoXsfCYn8svzV5aeJN/s1600/IMG_4662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40yRBwyvrrOJuMjoK5rVj4UP4U_CDw-aXRJHPfaZSYL-FRy2cycsg0tlb0I6FbrgnHoSBx4QytFUy-Do6ndB_lgUC-AF0fO95gUbDid8o1D4aLrATRX5vK47is8XoXsfCYn8svzV5aeJN/s320/IMG_4662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrMvFiG1-JZd-KCCHNwnHh9FrffQwdghFx1JWXVVxR81vIf9mhzNQK_R-ag4Cy7wuwO4zQMV0QyP5gsVebUuB3GD_y5SDutEDkSUdBSMLvdiCOhJkTR278eYcEep8weu1g3_NONCuEt9k/s1600/IMG_4663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrMvFiG1-JZd-KCCHNwnHh9FrffQwdghFx1JWXVVxR81vIf9mhzNQK_R-ag4Cy7wuwO4zQMV0QyP5gsVebUuB3GD_y5SDutEDkSUdBSMLvdiCOhJkTR278eYcEep8weu1g3_NONCuEt9k/s320/IMG_4663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCaNuejmOgIUlgK3vuDrKV7COXlRloWEdtnvyziMhon2w3qtyOvKHXAfkd30nuJXsfx8caaHF7zoBQU9olRVCiWX-teuGTBdjNN3CIVrRCN0ml17QdniZV85ccQ_4xmDzW8TbyQrHYMkK/s1600/IMG_4664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCaNuejmOgIUlgK3vuDrKV7COXlRloWEdtnvyziMhon2w3qtyOvKHXAfkd30nuJXsfx8caaHF7zoBQU9olRVCiWX-teuGTBdjNN3CIVrRCN0ml17QdniZV85ccQ_4xmDzW8TbyQrHYMkK/s320/IMG_4664.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB9A9X_CwhyVk3gDAwSVp7chwnR8arTJooCf1_HKna0vp24iHS-Jyhe8rnTLmbtkpSlySrckdQwwF320tsEFNVCu1Nq4XjSgNIK6t21ktC-wViRzEHBGaLQluuo21GANamLT982K_vgRx/s1600/IMG_4666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB9A9X_CwhyVk3gDAwSVp7chwnR8arTJooCf1_HKna0vp24iHS-Jyhe8rnTLmbtkpSlySrckdQwwF320tsEFNVCu1Nq4XjSgNIK6t21ktC-wViRzEHBGaLQluuo21GANamLT982K_vgRx/s320/IMG_4666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3_1xvVEOoiF13tyu_ZCSLt4nL63lyXi_RwQLsONwLbI5mIRft-LVP-eR-FIy5wowWrFiEoEpOR2EI_I7ZwZjEYMKu9_N8wZy0xGYo3kbRc-ya2U7OCGOCvcT_8jyMxVYX-kE2bG39cY6/s1600/IMG_4669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3_1xvVEOoiF13tyu_ZCSLt4nL63lyXi_RwQLsONwLbI5mIRft-LVP-eR-FIy5wowWrFiEoEpOR2EI_I7ZwZjEYMKu9_N8wZy0xGYo3kbRc-ya2U7OCGOCvcT_8jyMxVYX-kE2bG39cY6/s320/IMG_4669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o6R4A5uRR-GHUi9MqOSlS9NTYz3W-6iEGblB5GHEGXh9UH_eWljpimW2Nvy-e1IHG1-gCYcYvb0GMfwAP5aQloyL31XDZINCd28Pq9UMFWLT1xTpqGminU6mLeSxyv8UROaoRDnhApLk/s1600/IMG_4671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o6R4A5uRR-GHUi9MqOSlS9NTYz3W-6iEGblB5GHEGXh9UH_eWljpimW2Nvy-e1IHG1-gCYcYvb0GMfwAP5aQloyL31XDZINCd28Pq9UMFWLT1xTpqGminU6mLeSxyv8UROaoRDnhApLk/s320/IMG_4671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-12153668891159336462011-02-22T17:59:00.001-05:002011-02-22T18:01:03.612-05:00Stopperless Salt and Pepper Shakers RevealedA little while back we showed some stopperless salt and peppershaker forms in a leatherhard state. Well, they are glazed and out of the kiln!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1022370686" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_En6vAFmk29JZLKEZwfFHroqFKqkW4XoGXOt-otsHRYbYCNOxdTTej-xZkZ5oLwnFui4KNWCM8Oz4CWanh9ebXpZkeY_vhWlKyrAB83hJTDGagBdBzf547xL3Q9ILZKPz06Y_iS6eFLo/s320/IMG_4272.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1022370686">Big City Salt Shaker</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68660414/big-city-salt-shaker"><br />
</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1022370691" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZqeA_Qtp-FlhWZGo3BN-K_F2EBM-Ui7PT9fJ-gkqGd3qlwROJgMpoNoS49TG_5zR45-WWmHjBxp-3SOAxP8BM9k8A1HXuelzUWO3jAlMy8Cy9JlfO5W80SlXhf8e5pGuujrxDa_iJOry/s320/IMG_4276.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaPellaPottery?section_id=5394043">Lotus Flower Salt Shaker</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1022370696" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVJhdMwu367tlzjcMiHqxMlrln4_tndAIyb3IVw0YqHwwpKYV_YBVfFn_jKSHPCfKiUDfAMoVYqHJ0N8eJS9xlsbMv7k71UHTECVygeOrQdq59Gm-8udwC5Ejn9HVv8Q67mOiPuly1ShR/s320/IMG_4282.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaPellaPottery?section_id=5394043">Dandelion Salt Shaker</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-63804871010805642982011-02-13T10:10:00.000-05:002011-02-13T10:10:47.419-05:00Flasks and More FlasksFor the past couple of weeks, we've been working on stoneware flasks. Alex made a few for Christmas and we fell in love with the form and flasks began to fill our shelves. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-3hrp-Cs2oyulrsjiuES9k8cYGDF6tFP21Svo30EpQsne4NxqKQqsm-0DCXkjuvdY5wD56WADVxilNXP_k4WpyWe8WbqZUFtXetzD79DRQBd-ygmxdaaHBp3_IRzgYpSvmiYRE9HOpcl/s1600/IMG_3816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-3hrp-Cs2oyulrsjiuES9k8cYGDF6tFP21Svo30EpQsne4NxqKQqsm-0DCXkjuvdY5wD56WADVxilNXP_k4WpyWe8WbqZUFtXetzD79DRQBd-ygmxdaaHBp3_IRzgYpSvmiYRE9HOpcl/s400/IMG_3816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67582196/stoneware-flask">Bone and Iron Red Flask</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The flasks are hand built with thrown tops. They are larger sized flasks - more for coat pockets than pants pockets, but Alex can fit one in the back pocket of his baggy jeans. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTTewstfnFmXj_GxF4ifstSDdScTeei3LXZ32HIfXQCxqs5pNGitBZpZ89NPvxd_f3Pn9FNmQAhfgJvM8REUOSAWnCO0vSuJOufpI5MO0ZjqTBFEPOWH5YObfE0o5Vr-lghLYG90PK2PR/s400/IMG_3802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67933058/stoneware-flask">Butternut Flask</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I like leaving the seams showing. It gives the flask a more touchable presence. Plus, I love rustic pottery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVu3Vn-NHByRdgh3fSHqNJFpcHh1PO1ZloXO7WdXuzzHVEKGgVs567SiCWV4lb_BSM656BRpCk0mVJDRUQ55uLjF_vOLNadHfvL4BHsTp0Yh1ra4smkBXrPbImE60WXAkwQk0F2femvdj/s1600/IMG_3789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVu3Vn-NHByRdgh3fSHqNJFpcHh1PO1ZloXO7WdXuzzHVEKGgVs567SiCWV4lb_BSM656BRpCk0mVJDRUQ55uLjF_vOLNadHfvL4BHsTp0Yh1ra4smkBXrPbImE60WXAkwQk0F2femvdj/s400/IMG_3789.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67580844/stoneware-flask">Teal Flask</a></td></tr>
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Most of the flasks are made from slabs cut with a wiggle wire, but this one was made with paddled slabs. We make our own clay paddles, which you can see <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64036322/wooden-pottery-paddle">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQN98QclK1y7s50ZyLZxQd_-UvlqMl4Scujc6juKCeXWeiVDobbZ2QkdMXrDlWbGL11asC0sEdMrqgukx7_MtJS0X2SOy2j2y8f049WRYTENMQqxZ7t8TSsriJf_nIhwjsE-gZ1URViTY/s1600/IMG_3815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQN98QclK1y7s50ZyLZxQd_-UvlqMl4Scujc6juKCeXWeiVDobbZ2QkdMXrDlWbGL11asC0sEdMrqgukx7_MtJS0X2SOy2j2y8f049WRYTENMQqxZ7t8TSsriJf_nIhwjsE-gZ1URViTY/s400/IMG_3815.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cobalt Blue Flask</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We fire the flasks on wads even though we are working in ∆6 oxidation. I like the look of the glazed bottoms and we can be sure they won't scratch your table top.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQaAOOsjeWkKcu6xYbpg0OHyC-qeHqB8ExblY185KfIMmV5Wv9lq7d_TytpOhdNExv0LyNKFbEgQVx-NHQ942K4jCDn0P-qFrjPwsZ3ikKYAYv4cnyvI7yXE4QO2f07cwoJF2am4UypEm/s1600/IMG_3829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQaAOOsjeWkKcu6xYbpg0OHyC-qeHqB8ExblY185KfIMmV5Wv9lq7d_TytpOhdNExv0LyNKFbEgQVx-NHQ942K4jCDn0P-qFrjPwsZ3ikKYAYv4cnyvI7yXE4QO2f07cwoJF2am4UypEm/s400/IMG_3829.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67721213/wave-stoneware-flask">Wave Flask in Deep Lagoon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-17180855109236654882011-01-28T19:12:00.000-05:002011-01-28T19:12:28.537-05:00Stopperless Salt and Pepper ShakersOur friend, Keith Phillips, wrote a wonderful article about making stopperless salt shakers in the May/June 2010 issue of <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-illustrated/pmi-back-issues/pottery-making-illustrated-mayjune-2010/">Pottery Making Illustrated</a>. The article gave detailed instructions on making these and referred back to an Etsy Mud Team challenge from a couple of years ago. In that challenge, we entered a stopperless salt shaker that we carved with a detailed wave design.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmpfYuHrZlrJQPBsPxKcFpXnRY9iaToKU7AZbcwo1FdO7ot0ktKZUxuj9vW-r-EvC0zhZ3Fi0hl2muGiCTLjBHLH1LPB28hGLu-XeA8XKkqUVvwFEZ9eNRjEQYmAClThEtwrDRkBYlHQD/s1600/2207269730_84cc8a05a8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="343" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmpfYuHrZlrJQPBsPxKcFpXnRY9iaToKU7AZbcwo1FdO7ot0ktKZUxuj9vW-r-EvC0zhZ3Fi0hl2muGiCTLjBHLH1LPB28hGLu-XeA8XKkqUVvwFEZ9eNRjEQYmAClThEtwrDRkBYlHQD/s400/2207269730_84cc8a05a8_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Finally, we have come back to the form and have created a few more of these carved salt shakers. Here are three that will go into our next bisque firing. One has a dandelion design, one has a lotus design, and the third is carved with a funky cityscape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAllTNkGMtOl7bWRQ8ZQGvdiw0cacJZmFk03_ple-fWaP7Cytlkxi9144ErZZvpmZu3DTpBXidaJ17e8FgHB6p0Ca0vHykyRVlvXmdPRsVkVBTs7m-sdoMQFZ1Ex3C0Ng7J1gYAK9UhTBu/s1600/IMG_3724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAllTNkGMtOl7bWRQ8ZQGvdiw0cacJZmFk03_ple-fWaP7Cytlkxi9144ErZZvpmZu3DTpBXidaJ17e8FgHB6p0Ca0vHykyRVlvXmdPRsVkVBTs7m-sdoMQFZ1Ex3C0Ng7J1gYAK9UhTBu/s400/IMG_3724.jpg" /></a></div>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-25275890026657687852011-01-27T18:11:00.005-05:002011-01-27T18:19:53.321-05:00Dropped Platter VideoA few weeks ago we posted a <a href="http://lapellaart.blogspot.com/2010/10/dropped-platters.html">Dropped Platter tutorial</a>. We got some great responses and several requests for a video. So, for y'all who requested to see it in action, here's the video!<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iTeBhbSdDhE" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-3002080649442576872011-01-16T18:04:00.004-05:002011-01-27T18:21:03.138-05:00Tapas Plate Demonstration<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9tsphNludJ8" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">This is a demonstration of our making tapas plates using slabs of clay and a foam cushion. We use this method to make a number of items we sell including olive trays, candle holders, prep bowls, and more.</div>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-66898732323868844202011-01-11T14:58:00.000-05:002011-01-11T14:58:05.600-05:00Bamboo Brush Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwss3OEb_aDKiPVSbmfdJ8njLuozzwP4J2EAo9u4hN2BRXtf4Po4ms3WcqhkN5rRnYmCHoilNrA76nADnSz0Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-15113638812776099492010-11-17T10:04:00.000-05:002010-11-17T10:04:47.510-05:00DIY Shrinkage RuleOne of the tricky things about making pots is that clay shrinks as it dries and fires. It is not all that bothersome until you have a custom order for mugs that need to be a specific height and diameter or you drop a casserole lid while unloading a too hot kiln.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eQlq5D6FSv2pXV8A3ACSDRLwWo8EKEBwpMbL1Xfs5iQ9ccvUNUNp3cQAP1QHtK0MItoYym3F1gQAUivK_W38eUje6FloQwkKTIa8t-esoD8BHO72xq6kN2rKfFeQ_iP4pbJkJJill1j3/s1600/IMG_2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eQlq5D6FSv2pXV8A3ACSDRLwWo8EKEBwpMbL1Xfs5iQ9ccvUNUNp3cQAP1QHtK0MItoYym3F1gQAUivK_W38eUje6FloQwkKTIa8t-esoD8BHO72xq6kN2rKfFeQ_iP4pbJkJJill1j3/s400/IMG_2994.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10% Shrinkage Rule next to a standard ruler</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Whenever I have needed a pot of a specific size, I have sat done and done the math and then proceeded to make the pot to the size I computed. This works fine, but is time consuming when done over and over. Finally, as I walked out the door to go to Highwater Clays, Alex said, "Honey? Why don't you just buy a shrinkage ruler?" He's brilliant, I tell you!<br />
<br />
But I got to Highwater and they were all out of shrinkage rulers. When I got home, I decided that since I could do the math, I should just sit down and make a shrinkage ruler specific to my clay.<br />
<br />
We use Highwater's Speckled Brownstone, which has a shrinkage rate of 10%.<br />
<br />
The first step is to subtract 10% from 100% giving us 90%. This means the size of a fired piece is 90% of the size of the thrown piece.<br />
Convert 90% into decimal form, or .9.<br />
Next we need to figure out what one fired inch equals in freshly thrown clay, so we'll divide 1 by .9, which equals 1.11. So, 1 fired inch equals 1.11 inches in wet clay.<br />
<br />
Now we have enough information to create our ruler. I used a paint stick for my ruler. A) it is free. B) I have them laying around all over the studio. C) Did I mention free?<br />
<br />
Now, I find it hard to figure out on a standard ruler exactly where 1.11 inches would fall, so I converted to centimeters. 1.11 inches equals 2.8cm. I marked my ruler down to quarter inch increments (every 7mm) using an ultra fine tip Sharpie marker.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvatvLWB-ma6UXF8lEmi5Sin0E14RhVjxmSLKuMv3FPcFZ0jQ-4uxa-k18N3iF515oEQuolb6U-zp3SPmZrT5LmSHnXactbAirFTUqSNPsk6c1Nz29YhwtqbsGHpABUyXRJopF7bxAWmyx/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvatvLWB-ma6UXF8lEmi5Sin0E14RhVjxmSLKuMv3FPcFZ0jQ-4uxa-k18N3iF515oEQuolb6U-zp3SPmZrT5LmSHnXactbAirFTUqSNPsk6c1Nz29YhwtqbsGHpABUyXRJopF7bxAWmyx/s400/IMG_2996.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I converted to metric to more easily mark my ruler. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Considering that most shrinkage rulers cost about $13 and this only took about 5 minutes to make, I think this was certainly worth my time.LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-92220580109915805122010-10-22T10:44:00.000-04:002010-10-22T10:44:55.232-04:00Wabi-sabi Dishes<div style="text-align: center;">We've been creating some dishes with the wabi-sabi philosophy in mind. While not letting go of our ideals of good craftsmanship, we have tried to let the beauty of imperfection remain in this line of work. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wabi-sabi is often defined as "flawed beauty" or "wisdom in natural simplicity". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR9yVAsRhfZsnlzBYRWkFrb0wDYLK1usfivoEIzpXFB-lgMiybn71g6SWrFYMJDSzpxXhciXQTQ4dKOQw78SGbniB0usSH3_inzd7NPXQTiiko_5PwuBVEsgXXzNOg4aBGfWb_G6-S8kl/s400/34723_1518931786436_1628760685_1295976_1732723_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lined up on ware boards.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR9yVAsRhfZsnlzBYRWkFrb0wDYLK1usfivoEIzpXFB-lgMiybn71g6SWrFYMJDSzpxXhciXQTQ4dKOQw78SGbniB0usSH3_inzd7NPXQTiiko_5PwuBVEsgXXzNOg4aBGfWb_G6-S8kl/s1600/34723_1518931786436_1628760685_1295976_1732723_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJY3d3f0uXLo3KHpCIUucwfil5rEug6xRntj29T9BxKUD9D9Vq3Vtahz4Vg6uVHWf25TOxTysfI7b8mXeGVMahzD_xixwt99GuBjjKEWhanro6Wk5Q3_8-Z9zxb2yMoPCUoYJjQKqvXos/s400/IMG_3388.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glazed in Deep Lagoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfrV_jfqrDkLuC1Z1eciX5o6_ndIYxtp0ZQYK4JlG96aSqBIBrf1KD-27Pfl2SNcutLhqMIk7l7v-X0neJNyWOvWBeQI7Qae_Pw-2PLoMqnHh9k0HAI9PnU4b2qoyUKYn6dj7-MmW8LV9/s400/IMG_3373.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glazed in moss green.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJY3d3f0uXLo3KHpCIUucwfil5rEug6xRntj29T9BxKUD9D9Vq3Vtahz4Vg6uVHWf25TOxTysfI7b8mXeGVMahzD_xixwt99GuBjjKEWhanro6Wk5Q3_8-Z9zxb2yMoPCUoYJjQKqvXos/s1600/IMG_3388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59652334/wabi-sabi-prep-bowls"></a></div><br />
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</div>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-22337662061183980692010-10-16T15:37:00.000-04:002010-10-16T15:37:27.365-04:00Dropped Platters<div style="text-align: center;">Last month, we saw <a href="http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/handbuilding-techniques/tips-for-using-soft-slabs-to-make-pottery/">this article</a> in Ceramic Arts Daily about making pottery using dropped slabs. We had done this sort of thing on a smaller scale (with shorter drops), but we wanted to try it as an alternative to pressing slabs into slump molds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, we created a variety of wooden frames. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSCcUkH2EIKDO8BW7augUoiGDX1FnkD4ABF9LiDECfkm9BR6Svw0YSehb7WaiBt4FwadwQYGPdGb4BxUsaWE8yGFtRbCMOG7354NXr2MmJ2D_YADwWvAEMGfnPOjhbZzag0B5fTWeN8DA/s1600/IMG_3336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSCcUkH2EIKDO8BW7augUoiGDX1FnkD4ABF9LiDECfkm9BR6Svw0YSehb7WaiBt4FwadwQYGPdGb4BxUsaWE8yGFtRbCMOG7354NXr2MmJ2D_YADwWvAEMGfnPOjhbZzag0B5fTWeN8DA/s320/IMG_3336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This set creates a large platter, a dinner plate, and a salad plate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxj5bmxYBXlyA7yS36ScgknArNP5X4Ui_y8ysplAe5ZKzAt7QD55Mpt2aaWnmezFf_YlGVmnGxj8iu6FKLxELsphCVj2MN1InQPr60WRXRKtsiSMzSihlMRSs77DFUuB1NOHmYq9D6qxG/s1600/IMG_3338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxj5bmxYBXlyA7yS36ScgknArNP5X4Ui_y8ysplAe5ZKzAt7QD55Mpt2aaWnmezFf_YlGVmnGxj8iu6FKLxELsphCVj2MN1InQPr60WRXRKtsiSMzSihlMRSs77DFUuB1NOHmYq9D6qxG/s320/IMG_3338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We placed a frame on a ware board. Ours are smooth plywood covered in a fine canvas that would normally be used for stretching your own painting canvases.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PkidIAhCUF1iCwhTC57DkzIqp5HffTY0Z08qKphlBKE9zmwBpih2urKdNXUj4z7DfYiz7zRhthWJNmKYTF5iDA0iXdZUYXjtZyCbIlCD1Yl38eTY_9wHzWf34CJ0k9xuLrRxoO3b7MNV/s1600/IMG_3339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PkidIAhCUF1iCwhTC57DkzIqp5HffTY0Z08qKphlBKE9zmwBpih2urKdNXUj4z7DfYiz7zRhthWJNmKYTF5iDA0iXdZUYXjtZyCbIlCD1Yl38eTY_9wHzWf34CJ0k9xuLrRxoO3b7MNV/s320/IMG_3339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We lay the slab into the frame, gently lifting the edges so it begins to slump into the frame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjgQIllF8ADkNTSnnee_bapfMnECSmvLZQVX84vKqstqFyV4FCPcgSSFGlsvJqIe-YnStpW7vcH0v-h3XccNWlLDrMFwg52M70kIKO7HKNhffVrd97oLD9OBgq1fJuFIMMnqbqQG7194W/s1600/IMG_3342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjgQIllF8ADkNTSnnee_bapfMnECSmvLZQVX84vKqstqFyV4FCPcgSSFGlsvJqIe-YnStpW7vcH0v-h3XccNWlLDrMFwg52M70kIKO7HKNhffVrd97oLD9OBgq1fJuFIMMnqbqQG7194W/s320/IMG_3342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We hold the board with frame and slab about chest height, take a big breath.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKJeqV5Gsp9HEI6koZ9OVx5FtLgaPGXTnHXE1eh8rlgswhsa3PXWgOkAlp7Cbdpyt7OAAbvO7pP0tSVIaGFttxxL0CvMXp1r7X8gmU5d1-3K3Hqehcdul5HXM81z3iPK0-_Eg3PpxG5nq/s1600/IMG_3343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKJeqV5Gsp9HEI6koZ9OVx5FtLgaPGXTnHXE1eh8rlgswhsa3PXWgOkAlp7Cbdpyt7OAAbvO7pP0tSVIaGFttxxL0CvMXp1r7X8gmU5d1-3K3Hqehcdul5HXM81z3iPK0-_Eg3PpxG5nq/s320/IMG_3343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and let go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9qYDszYXMBG-QrRNGrGEoXg03Bw5w2jMemXxGPkMULlrxeGemFTsPr3g9bQwqr4TZJS8T1RvdHRh_xGetsZZzT_GcBR522LS8Q2I62yy_olMmwHG4Se2OpZ-X0wC6bJ98JdSWHKj4EPb/s1600/IMG_3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9qYDszYXMBG-QrRNGrGEoXg03Bw5w2jMemXxGPkMULlrxeGemFTsPr3g9bQwqr4TZJS8T1RvdHRh_xGetsZZzT_GcBR522LS8Q2I62yy_olMmwHG4Se2OpZ-X0wC6bJ98JdSWHKj4EPb/s320/IMG_3346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When it lands, the clay slumps into the frame. If a section doesn't quite slump, we'll lightly sponge it to press it into the frame or we will drop the slab again. Dropping again can warp the sides a bit because the slump farther. It is really cool that the edges usually trim themselves in the process!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3Z4uAvxQzjMIW2STO3bc7tQtqMIDgTEqfU1XuaN1095dN2W_-2bLcHWtb5qLj1zeQuIu1dURSN1p9wv3B_jPIVH-7_fZ3MNJWMOSORFIaFzzcr32fk8hRYz-xAUs-smffp6TSKkICLdY/s1600/IMG_3353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3Z4uAvxQzjMIW2STO3bc7tQtqMIDgTEqfU1XuaN1095dN2W_-2bLcHWtb5qLj1zeQuIu1dURSN1p9wv3B_jPIVH-7_fZ3MNJWMOSORFIaFzzcr32fk8hRYz-xAUs-smffp6TSKkICLdY/s320/IMG_3353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This one was wiped with a sponge to get it completely in contact with the frame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIRKXwwi_W4NTsSBLEyDBdM4BNzJOZnNMoJf0C0fFV9SBVUrATbnA1lWqqQMQOHfp90fFMq_g80JzfdROsGUsbPAsyEg6Hbaduz0hMbAlc7TrluzoxgWfGaX1zNoAjARqAXwspAtuwDc2/s1600/IMG_3354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIRKXwwi_W4NTsSBLEyDBdM4BNzJOZnNMoJf0C0fFV9SBVUrATbnA1lWqqQMQOHfp90fFMq_g80JzfdROsGUsbPAsyEg6Hbaduz0hMbAlc7TrluzoxgWfGaX1zNoAjARqAXwspAtuwDc2/s320/IMG_3354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a finished plate!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-tTFGtJw5IUlPXkptHo57OPXyLL0bGkV-1Gc2KaNmLGoZ9CNWEwvxJ_RMqbxdQIO47pReK26FkFw6061fDeSzzD8Xvx_Xo7POVo1c691EE3UBt5xzDCW7p3nLNVS32Yq4dwNRm8PL7GS/s1600/IMG_3357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-tTFGtJw5IUlPXkptHo57OPXyLL0bGkV-1Gc2KaNmLGoZ9CNWEwvxJ_RMqbxdQIO47pReK26FkFw6061fDeSzzD8Xvx_Xo7POVo1c691EE3UBt5xzDCW7p3nLNVS32Yq4dwNRm8PL7GS/s320/IMG_3357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This method is loads of fun and we laugh a lot while we make these! </div><div style="text-align: center;">The plates are firing very flat and stacking very nicely. We are enjoying coming up with fun designs for the glazing.</div>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-15593289001585868052010-10-07T17:30:00.007-04:002010-10-07T17:35:36.904-04:00Tree of Life<div style="text-align: center;">We've been enjoying working on relief tiles and plaques. Here is one before and after firing.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF07kArcTrS-lJ0HxKLbRVr2dDS1DftXKRRktdJbjCE48_hyutdisBTVHZf4FcaUq5V1N1meWTsgMGAkU3Dzf-yjBp2r87DOynvmaAvMld2l7oNPkLMbjs1xhZLDRlboKpnLJpky9f2Qf-/s1600/100_5839.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF07kArcTrS-lJ0HxKLbRVr2dDS1DftXKRRktdJbjCE48_hyutdisBTVHZf4FcaUq5V1N1meWTsgMGAkU3Dzf-yjBp2r87DOynvmaAvMld2l7oNPkLMbjs1xhZLDRlboKpnLJpky9f2Qf-/s400/100_5839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525420566441559106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfBC2mdbbF3DowoaHopJA5l2QoX5_ahf_d1ts61YrEoxZL9Obio51ytkbaYfnC9FU6pcsxl3YBEUB3OHyRvRuK_EWfdNvFnTOwpGMt6Qk49r2GYbPYCQgTXMXyoXOSBseC7bDnTOy0BNQ/s1600/IMG_3293.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfBC2mdbbF3DowoaHopJA5l2QoX5_ahf_d1ts61YrEoxZL9Obio51ytkbaYfnC9FU6pcsxl3YBEUB3OHyRvRuK_EWfdNvFnTOwpGMt6Qk49r2GYbPYCQgTXMXyoXOSBseC7bDnTOy0BNQ/s400/IMG_3293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525419967787135042" border="0" /></a>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-16129375690380326152010-09-23T12:25:00.004-04:002010-09-23T12:38:16.538-04:00Joy Ride<div style="text-align: center;">Our work has suddenly veered off road! We are enjoying the ride with white knuckles and trying not to anticipate the road ahead beyond avoiding the next obstacle we see.<br /><br />Work in progress:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjio1XeBpY8wDVdlKYPvbjl2DQYdd_qXQKhResim-bqB1oJ2pLPzLRthIbDOATd_aRB-fU5bxImFblaYZ4QOKa9RYQ2bLHh-PEIiczcW5y8jc61sqX4kaOTuNmGwmJUZS6-L976L4nK1CBH/s1600/100_5842.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjio1XeBpY8wDVdlKYPvbjl2DQYdd_qXQKhResim-bqB1oJ2pLPzLRthIbDOATd_aRB-fU5bxImFblaYZ4QOKa9RYQ2bLHh-PEIiczcW5y8jc61sqX4kaOTuNmGwmJUZS6-L976L4nK1CBH/s400/100_5842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520146613218292082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFxWZbG-FfZ-nTxzQFBO9gdDSRaWjyYkwRUrHdIJxvHIfUzD9nXLZMZHBB7565IqbPPNpVC8tDdRviWVBSfaCB2q7BwX0k88xA7pO3JfAx-ee8KpLWVT5_AygQrc9uQ-3-F4ukGvu0u_P/s1600/100_6068.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFxWZbG-FfZ-nTxzQFBO9gdDSRaWjyYkwRUrHdIJxvHIfUzD9nXLZMZHBB7565IqbPPNpVC8tDdRviWVBSfaCB2q7BwX0k88xA7pO3JfAx-ee8KpLWVT5_AygQrc9uQ-3-F4ukGvu0u_P/s400/100_6068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520146911089101986" border="0" /></a>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-55858370372489084592010-02-18T13:49:00.009-05:002010-02-18T14:03:33.709-05:00Homemade Bat SystemWe have been looking at several bat systems that use a main bat and inserts, but didn't want to spend the money with so few reviews to go on. So, we decided to create our own bat system using upcycled materials.<br /><br />First we started with a plastic bat like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNTPxW5Kq01x07RvFmkg8DqRrMXo0yr3tWy-q8ec0Ob5mPNM3k9zzwelmkSob57ByOgouZSjRNXnrlkPlwSeVkQltvt47rwOmdMnsSgGQ7Z5WAwXPzcGcMCS3uHRveBQ25flsMfDMNqiL/s1600-h/100_3129.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNTPxW5Kq01x07RvFmkg8DqRrMXo0yr3tWy-q8ec0Ob5mPNM3k9zzwelmkSob57ByOgouZSjRNXnrlkPlwSeVkQltvt47rwOmdMnsSgGQ7Z5WAwXPzcGcMCS3uHRveBQ25flsMfDMNqiL/s400/100_3129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439657866222084610" border="0" /></a><br />Then, we marked a square, drilled a hole in one corner, and used a router to cut out a square. The router leaves rounded corners. Rather than going in with a scroll or hand saw and squaring the corners, we decided to take care of it on the inserts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghRgpuKQ37zJuSJ3QepN5bcn9D3r7f4nx5YSwsxcj7IF8wAi5WP1mIMIedaryO0J3EJoqs60AbtreSVMYczNVbiRdcJK4nJ7E3uTMNwF_41PDxImNgcbqSUF3AbYP5MOIe7z7Gqp919zB/s1600-h/100_3130.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghRgpuKQ37zJuSJ3QepN5bcn9D3r7f4nx5YSwsxcj7IF8wAi5WP1mIMIedaryO0J3EJoqs60AbtreSVMYczNVbiRdcJK4nJ7E3uTMNwF_41PDxImNgcbqSUF3AbYP5MOIe7z7Gqp919zB/s400/100_3130.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439658643587530594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Pwxq4vMERVwccH2g9yHD_f7Av6dmZ0FeffgB4QjjbYIQGuPQx7g-vBEFkZbTRzadINBeXi77Cj7zBNQIHzOSU8CsPi8iK_6Wk8HMx8spYxJ1Wh3sy_VNEMvbPRQRNtop58GP7RPxKwUJ/s1600-h/100_3132.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Pwxq4vMERVwccH2g9yHD_f7Av6dmZ0FeffgB4QjjbYIQGuPQx7g-vBEFkZbTRzadINBeXi77Cj7zBNQIHzOSU8CsPi8iK_6Wk8HMx8spYxJ1Wh3sy_VNEMvbPRQRNtop58GP7RPxKwUJ/s400/100_3132.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439658822659380994" border="0" /></a><br />Next, we cut the inserts. We used Corian™ counter top material that was left over from sink cutouts at our local counter top fabricators. It is smooth, non-absorbent, and durable. These were cut to the same measurement as our cut-out bat. We clipped the corners which was initially done to avoid messing with the square in the main bat, but ended up being better when throwing as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBO4cdGBygN5AutKVJhka4nfVlHfr6L-HNfy-A4_tTn-N863FogPxci-e8zo4yjjdLiM-b-KpA37x1EYSo0U68Z_WYYFmrSX5ND12t4j81qQaz3eIVWeacl8nQcaF9nmXIjqMmXQICJ2X/s1600-h/100_3133.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBO4cdGBygN5AutKVJhka4nfVlHfr6L-HNfy-A4_tTn-N863FogPxci-e8zo4yjjdLiM-b-KpA37x1EYSo0U68Z_WYYFmrSX5ND12t4j81qQaz3eIVWeacl8nQcaF9nmXIjqMmXQICJ2X/s400/100_3133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439659188155747042" border="0" /></a><br />We originally thought we would use the wrong side of the Corian™ because it has a little tooth, but we found we preferred throwing on the right side. The wrong side is not planed perfectly smooth and the wobble transferred to the clay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38DY82QccPKskWfdIwXFrUsGNPVnfV9IWIyDBt3rtCllEi81IS67JVw7p2wbGxFzTNdtT2G50ZKT5A3OVGaRObevCRxPrjiuNcZNejdhWz0i8JvOs9qH6VQtYPuIvywYaY6vDwg1tEFFA/s1600-h/100_3135.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38DY82QccPKskWfdIwXFrUsGNPVnfV9IWIyDBt3rtCllEi81IS67JVw7p2wbGxFzTNdtT2G50ZKT5A3OVGaRObevCRxPrjiuNcZNejdhWz0i8JvOs9qH6VQtYPuIvywYaY6vDwg1tEFFA/s400/100_3135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439659443163018690" border="0" /></a><br />Alex quickly whipped out stacks of inserts and we made them in 6 inch and 8 inch sizes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq81XyIaEZtNgszMuEXxdSTTPWLvvPWW3ZM_N62Efn6CAbt7Ws9zGvvzp7ks686gkPcsan3mY53ppUKE_VlxLEBoLzHlnuPeWFgkW3OqgjUnIVkMr2qgO3QC4JkAbTYB2sIO3X2MHpFAw/s1600-h/100_3136.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq81XyIaEZtNgszMuEXxdSTTPWLvvPWW3ZM_N62Efn6CAbt7Ws9zGvvzp7ks686gkPcsan3mY53ppUKE_VlxLEBoLzHlnuPeWFgkW3OqgjUnIVkMr2qgO3QC4JkAbTYB2sIO3X2MHpFAw/s400/100_3136.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439659682159436274" border="0" /></a><br />The inserts are easy to remove from the main bat using any number of tools. When we designed the system, we thought the hole drilled in the corner would aid in popping the insert out, but we found that with the corners clipped, we can pop a tool under any corner and lift the insert out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZZyJb7ar90ixCj03OODYFhAtHLE_eq4wO6jGhrLs0CMawDmgYS47_uCQ_4LhaSFhyphenhyphenWpxoXikaXVqbqlmsYcXrIfcp8np1R5Ur7LA6Z_HN5G2Ms6h0TOOfh4kgHaXM1tnARN1v_mdooO/s1600-h/100_3141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZZyJb7ar90ixCj03OODYFhAtHLE_eq4wO6jGhrLs0CMawDmgYS47_uCQ_4LhaSFhyphenhyphenWpxoXikaXVqbqlmsYcXrIfcp8np1R5Ur7LA6Z_HN5G2Ms6h0TOOfh4kgHaXM1tnARN1v_mdooO/s400/100_3141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439659905268599714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FAQs</span><br /><br />Corian™?<br />Yup. We chose it because it is durable and waterproof and there is a lot of it headed to dumpsters. Upcycling is the new black.<br /><br />I notice the insert sits higher than the bat. Is this a problem?<br />It hasn't been for us. Before using this system, we frequently used small, square bats. As long as we are using the right size insert for our piece, there is plenty of room for our hands.<br /><br />Is it really easier to clip the corners of each insert rather than square out the corners of the bat?<br />Um... I don't know. It happened by serendipity and turned out to be a good thing. Now there are no hard corners to catch tools or hands!<br /><br />How do you get the cutout centered?<br />Well, with the plastic bats, you can see the pin holes through the top. So, We marked a straight line across the bat through the pin holes. We found the center of that. Then we marked a line perpendicular to the first through the center. From there, it is fairly straightforward to mark a square that is centered on the bat.<br /><br />Are you going to make these to sell?<br />We are considering it. Because we make sure each insert fits the bat perfectly, we are concerned it would be hard to supply more inserts at a later date. However, about 20 inserts fit in a flat rate Priority Mail box with a plastic bat... at least in the 6 inch size.LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-54699115114603091232010-02-11T11:31:00.002-05:002010-02-11T11:35:06.667-05:00While the snow falls outside, it can become very difficult to motivate ourselves to throw at the wheel with cold, wet clay. On the coldest days, we crank up the kerosene heater and handbuild. This week, we spent some time with our extruder and created a shelf full of posey pillows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VjU00LL0Zs1ivPAZkSuY7RZwRCMIEaFyB9FmC5rjvmjXE1fBNqDyR0AX0dXsoIbNyhZBSqdlyZ1ua1epeeVq7003f-fq0UsBAMgpgqQ8cJXBG9DqcILq5pKOBNlMZAGujycz6ZIYNjAe/s1600-h/101_0048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VjU00LL0Zs1ivPAZkSuY7RZwRCMIEaFyB9FmC5rjvmjXE1fBNqDyR0AX0dXsoIbNyhZBSqdlyZ1ua1epeeVq7003f-fq0UsBAMgpgqQ8cJXBG9DqcILq5pKOBNlMZAGujycz6ZIYNjAe/s400/101_0048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437025164877239106" border="0" /></a><br />Pen cushions or posey pillows are a bit of an indulgence in the studio. They are fun to make and invite us to explore new ideas. While they are labor intensive, they never seem to become a chore, probably because they end result is just fun!<br /><br />Soon, the crocuses will begin peaking through the snow and we can fill our posey pillows up with the promise of spring! Here is a peek at some of the posey pillows to come:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPnZldF8qDARBa72aWuWLcMSlPxa1NSuZafEcEZFZ0Dg7lWxzCjE7s2N8ELuaxuAWbYRp61a_Rqf3GVjIuTgMdsadeqDKzp6xcP5AzJoYilfCLzXb5yT7VAfZyx4w1Oy2ueF9p6-noV4L/s1600-h/100_2387.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPnZldF8qDARBa72aWuWLcMSlPxa1NSuZafEcEZFZ0Dg7lWxzCjE7s2N8ELuaxuAWbYRp61a_Rqf3GVjIuTgMdsadeqDKzp6xcP5AzJoYilfCLzXb5yT7VAfZyx4w1Oy2ueF9p6-noV4L/s400/100_2387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437024805319319682" border="0" /></a>If there is a better name for these, let us know. We have toyed with posey pillows, pen cushions, and pen-kebana. Many people use these on their desks to hold pens and pencils.LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-52708994511621299412010-02-05T11:21:00.007-05:002010-02-05T11:45:38.096-05:00Finding InspirationAt times, inspiration can be found everywhere we look; yet there are those dark days when the muses become quite elusive. There are a number of ways to make the muses linger such as keeping a journal or sketchbook, researching historic design, and our favorite... tuning in to the children around us.<br /><br />We have had a harsh winter here in Appalachia. Our kids have been home from school more than they have gone and our studio time has been frequently interrupted. However, having the boys home has meant a continuous stream of creative ideas expressed without reservation.<br /><br />Last week, the boys announced that our fish needed houses in their fish tank. "Great idea!", I said, so down to the studio we headed. We grabbed the essentials: clay, fettling knives, needle tools, and 'stinky glue' (paper clay slip).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Jo_H89YUyWikBSZT9GquFMwMbfzdIS6GWlbQur8SpaUTtLdThqcU9m2laeJ_sbr-MZJRafVizpRtYqTHEHbVNpxxwJt0D71emFokHRpw8ZYO3f8jYqee40mha_Pwrl4sv_4Bqt2NXVue/s1600-h/100_2386.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Jo_H89YUyWikBSZT9GquFMwMbfzdIS6GWlbQur8SpaUTtLdThqcU9m2laeJ_sbr-MZJRafVizpRtYqTHEHbVNpxxwJt0D71emFokHRpw8ZYO3f8jYqee40mha_Pwrl4sv_4Bqt2NXVue/s400/100_2386.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434795498273793618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We used the extruder to create the bodies of our houses. The boys attached them to 'yards', cut doorways and windows, and added roofs and chimneys. Boo even boarded over his windows after cutting them out, "in case there is a storm".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYaf7z98KH5IhyfnB05A4-XiwmyIzSBMPJCG9v7hao4L0Vl8NBQwby7z52Bs-0ppMhJ-c4thTVpf443dGr7uYMnT_es-9Hiy8Ahz4sxjE_8BNW81Bvl4F7k0iAMlyVQoU52t3iT-aJPSy/s1600-h/100_2383.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYaf7z98KH5IhyfnB05A4-XiwmyIzSBMPJCG9v7hao4L0Vl8NBQwby7z52Bs-0ppMhJ-c4thTVpf443dGr7uYMnT_es-9Hiy8Ahz4sxjE_8BNW81Bvl4F7k0iAMlyVQoU52t3iT-aJPSy/s400/100_2383.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434795823829803954" /></a><br /><br />After the bisque and glaze firings, the boys' fish houses settled nicely into our aquarium. We have since decided that we need more houses and our doorways need to be just a bit larger. They also said we needed working chimneys so we can put a bubble stone in the house and bubbles will come out of the chimney.<br /><br />As for my part in this, I was inspired to make these:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dDMG3_q4524pSBWH3fZSsky9Zyqb9AK_aOWXi8X7lAB4KtIIm71SHr3ZdBI3mUuVTiIQtdWsRViVgl-tgulA4HFcaRQnGKiQWdhmlnddbHNkCgJ660QukJoY_vUeEZMJZZmwOvTECG3K/s1600-h/100_2426.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dDMG3_q4524pSBWH3fZSsky9Zyqb9AK_aOWXi8X7lAB4KtIIm71SHr3ZdBI3mUuVTiIQtdWsRViVgl-tgulA4HFcaRQnGKiQWdhmlnddbHNkCgJ660QukJoY_vUeEZMJZZmwOvTECG3K/s400/100_2426.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434796234503810290" /></a><br /><br />Mine won't be landing in the fish tank, but instead will land in our etsy shop.<br /><br />Since school was called off again today, I am hoping they'll come up with another cool idea so we can all work together in the studio while the storm blows through.LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-42282642042578081602009-11-25T09:51:00.005-05:002009-11-25T09:56:05.407-05:00A Few New Things<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_baTcJREy_yUIj5zkAxms614FsTVuzHPmqKdJQROWKOy0Uus309y01E205pJLHtFTO8Br4qoBh-q2uRiZVE56s00iw3cCT107waVRxesy4h4WPbGt-beXQgtcksNsj03cmB9qx-I0GxL/s1600/100_1230.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_baTcJREy_yUIj5zkAxms614FsTVuzHPmqKdJQROWKOy0Uus309y01E205pJLHtFTO8Br4qoBh-q2uRiZVE56s00iw3cCT107waVRxesy4h4WPbGt-beXQgtcksNsj03cmB9qx-I0GxL/s400/100_1230.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408054668609888834" border="0" /></a>A stamped pedestal bowl, hand built and altered on the wheel.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3E9uoYdOKsBpyNBF_7XlzItD-xX8nogoXwldrO2Lp-7aGI8wLUuzg8yFwEaf19V3-qoWf2ZlZV0J6a0BY5cMhmJFw3Kq_0WmB_0OYIkmBGmPiP9dRVf4jyt3c1TkQP71JN-wQ10j6zka/s1600/100_0977.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3E9uoYdOKsBpyNBF_7XlzItD-xX8nogoXwldrO2Lp-7aGI8wLUuzg8yFwEaf19V3-qoWf2ZlZV0J6a0BY5cMhmJFw3Kq_0WmB_0OYIkmBGmPiP9dRVf4jyt3c1TkQP71JN-wQ10j6zka/s400/100_0977.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408054487928272482" border="0" /></a>Steamboat Rocking Bottle with Wave Pattern, hand built<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Qe3w66ov8zY7a8foWkCUEKRyBLfrQ6jAGa-L94rtiWXU2Ud2aWWR9QKiXPO42tr6W1rICD7Ab7EJBqpIVYgmxCIXUG9oj6-mwTb73g3aLbJrysNCDjw-mycQo25w5PEoarohrlxeX9LA/s1600/100_1612.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Qe3w66ov8zY7a8foWkCUEKRyBLfrQ6jAGa-L94rtiWXU2Ud2aWWR9QKiXPO42tr6W1rICD7Ab7EJBqpIVYgmxCIXUG9oj6-mwTb73g3aLbJrysNCDjw-mycQo25w5PEoarohrlxeX9LA/s400/100_1612.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408054157042115618" border="0" /></a>Skully Mugs, wheel thrown with applique<br /></div>LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1650731532025978306.post-88443369756635692842009-06-09T18:52:00.003-04:002009-06-09T18:59:14.600-04:00Chicken Coop Construction!<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fintothefire%2Fsets%2F72157617103189716%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fintothefire%2Fsets%2F72157617103189716%2F&set_id=72157617103189716&jump_to="> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fintothefire%2Fsets%2F72157617103189716%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fintothefire%2Fsets%2F72157617103189716%2F&set_id=72157617103189716&jump_to=" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />This slide show chronicles our chicken coop construction. The coop was built using recycled, upcycled, and salvaged materials and still looks great!<br /><br />Because of the nature of upcycling, we had to spot engineer through most of the project. If anyone is interested, we will upload our initial plans and materials list. Essentially, we purchased fasteners, 4x4 posts, 2 sheets of plywood, and a handful of 2x4s. The rest of the wood was salvaged from pallets, a demoed pergola, and our old kitchen cabinets. The windows were pulled from the dump. The tin roof was taken from our old, giant doghouse, the body of which was recycled to become our compost bin.LaPellaPotteryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02084375694199214256noreply@blogger.com1