Here I am in December and unprepared as usual for the holiday season. You'd think being semi-retired I'd have all sorts of time on my hands, but I just keep filling my day with activities. It's not quite as enjoyable going out to the studio to throw when it gets cold and my pieces take days to dry unless I put them in front of my space heater. I'm also teaching a few ceramics classes (mobile paint-on-pottery) for Seniors, plus tutoring elementary kids once a week in the afternoon at The Rock at 32nd Street Community Center AND taking online classes through ASU to finally finish my degree after all these years. I have to have projects and things to do, it's just part of my nature.
A couple weeks ago I finally took an afternoon to photograph some of my more recent pottery pieces and have posted a few. I am running out of room to store my pieces and really need to get serious about selling them. I find that part of this business to be the hardest. Promoting your own work is hard and goes against my nature. There is always the fear of being rejected and the work is so personal. I just need to put myself out there and do it. Why is it so hard. I have never been good at sales of any kind. Well I need to get over that, so today I finally had business cards made. It's a first step.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Been prolific lately in the studio and trying some new decorating techniques. I can't seem to settle on one path that I like when it comes to ceramics. I'm always trying something new. There is just such a huge learning curve when it comes to clay and so many ways to go. I haven't found the path I love the most. I enjoy the wheel and hand building and alternate both as I feel inspiration.
I recently made a large fish platter and left it on the mould too long so it cracked. I've spent countless hours fixing it with paper clay and finally had it bisque fired knowing it would crack again, which it did. I've been sealing the cracks with paper clay and plan to glaze and fire it. I am determined after all the work I've put into this piece that it will survive, even if it is only in my kitchen.
I recently made a large fish platter and left it on the mould too long so it cracked. I've spent countless hours fixing it with paper clay and finally had it bisque fired knowing it would crack again, which it did. I've been sealing the cracks with paper clay and plan to glaze and fire it. I am determined after all the work I've put into this piece that it will survive, even if it is only in my kitchen.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
What's happening in the studio in 2013.
My last posting was a year ago and I wasn't consistent even before that. Now that I am not gainfully employed and am able to devote more time to my passion for ceramics, I am hopeful that I will be better at journaling. We'll see!
So what's been going on for the last year in my studio? I glazed my sculpture and am pleased with the way it came out. I posted a photo to compare with the before and after glazing. I also sold (actually donated) a dozen pieces pieces in a fund raising event at my church. It was exciting to see others enjoy my work and to know these favorites of mine are now being enjoyed and used by others.
Also since last May, I switched from a high cone 10 clay body to a cone 5/6 clay body. I did this because I needed access to quality, consistent glazes with better firing results. Because I don't have my own kiln and rely on another studio for glazes and firings, I had to use what was available. I wasn't getting the desired results. Switching to cone 5 gave me more commercially prepared glazing options and I now use only glazes I've purchased or slips I've made myself. I haven't branched out into making my own glazes yet because until I increase my work volume, I'm not ready to invest in purchasing all the different chemicals and ingredients needed to make a glaze.
I'm also still developing my own personal style. My pieces are all over the place and I keep trying different techniques not wanting to settle for one. I like throwing and hand building equally well and when I see a particular shape, whether in nature or elsewhere, I want to see if I can duplicate it.
Anyway, now that I am not working full-time I have more than tripled my time in my home studio. I hope for the first time this fall, I will actually be able to participate in at least one local craft show and sell some pieces.
I heard someone say recently that it takes a long time just to learn how to work with the clay; before you can ever get really good at making something. There is so much to learn first, so much trial and error. If you want to work with clay, you have to love the process. If you want instant gratification, clay is not the medium for you. I love working in clay and the anticipation of waiting to see if my next project will work. I've learned more from my failures than from my successes.
My goal this summer is to spend more time in the studio, branch out in my decorating and glazing techniques, perhaps make a couple glaze recipes from scratch and keep my blog more current. Oh yes... get my own kiln.
So what's been going on for the last year in my studio? I glazed my sculpture and am pleased with the way it came out. I posted a photo to compare with the before and after glazing. I also sold (actually donated) a dozen pieces pieces in a fund raising event at my church. It was exciting to see others enjoy my work and to know these favorites of mine are now being enjoyed and used by others.
Also since last May, I switched from a high cone 10 clay body to a cone 5/6 clay body. I did this because I needed access to quality, consistent glazes with better firing results. Because I don't have my own kiln and rely on another studio for glazes and firings, I had to use what was available. I wasn't getting the desired results. Switching to cone 5 gave me more commercially prepared glazing options and I now use only glazes I've purchased or slips I've made myself. I haven't branched out into making my own glazes yet because until I increase my work volume, I'm not ready to invest in purchasing all the different chemicals and ingredients needed to make a glaze.
I'm also still developing my own personal style. My pieces are all over the place and I keep trying different techniques not wanting to settle for one. I like throwing and hand building equally well and when I see a particular shape, whether in nature or elsewhere, I want to see if I can duplicate it.
Anyway, now that I am not working full-time I have more than tripled my time in my home studio. I hope for the first time this fall, I will actually be able to participate in at least one local craft show and sell some pieces.
I heard someone say recently that it takes a long time just to learn how to work with the clay; before you can ever get really good at making something. There is so much to learn first, so much trial and error. If you want to work with clay, you have to love the process. If you want instant gratification, clay is not the medium for you. I love working in clay and the anticipation of waiting to see if my next project will work. I've learned more from my failures than from my successes.
My goal this summer is to spend more time in the studio, branch out in my decorating and glazing techniques, perhaps make a couple glaze recipes from scratch and keep my blog more current. Oh yes... get my own kiln.
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