Wednesday 30 January 2019

Wednesday

Good morning!
Werll, we did get some snow yesterday evening.  By about 21:00 it was quite heavy but it wasn't really cold enough to settle properly and there's just a little lying this morning.  Encough to inspire dreams of fights and snowmen in young brains but nowhere near enough for a snowday in which to have the time!
Not a great photo, taken lateish yesterday evening . . .

Yesterday was lovely.
At pottery I did two things - I made my first attempts at glazing and I carried on with the leaf.

The hedgehog was fired over the week so was ready for the next stage.  Unfortunately, that particular skill involves being artistic - this one did anyway - so I felt it was a bit of a failure - more than a bit, in fact.  It's easy to see what I should have done, not so easy to actually do it.  So now it looks more like a mousehog.

Glaze is funny - it looks nothing like how it will come out of the kiln.  This is supposed to be an oatmeal face and a body called 'muddy waters'.    I wasn't going to post a photo here but I will - for better or worse as the phrase goes.  The face should have been much rounder but never mind - first efforts and all that.  Let's but it this way - the tutor was polite and I laughed!

No need to be reassuring - I think it will be cute, if unrecognisable, but a hedgehog it ain't!

What took most of the time was smoothing off the leaf.  It took ages because I wanted to do as good a job as I am capable of and I was assured that glazing will sort the rest out.  I've found a lovely glaze called 'oriental blue' which is actually a bluey green and is just what I had in mind.  It will all be the one colour so no need to try to be artistic and I think that generally I will do monotone stuff and rely on the variations within the glazes for patterning.  For now, anyway.
It's now in the kiln and I think it is going to be very satisfying when it's finished.  Reassuringly, the tutor was extremely enthusiastic and complimentary about it so I really hope it doesn't break during firing.


















Next week I glaze first and then she is going to teach us how to make coil pottery so I need to do some looking around to see what I would like to have a go at.  I found some photos but they look hard.  Maybe I should get some air drying clay to practise at home.

Then I want to make a plate/bowl with relief pottery round the edge - or maybe a set.  I rather fancy the theme of 'seasons' with, for example, holly and ivy around the 'winter' plate, apple blossom around 'spring', and autumn leaves and fruit around one, all in relief  Not sure about Summer but I will think - maybe daisies, roses, butterflies and a ladybird?  That should develop a few skills!  Thank goodness for youtube.

Goodness - how I have rabbited on.  Sorry!

Tuition was cancelled because my student was unwell so the rest of the day was very easy.  I made a scrummy lunch . . .


. . . and then binged on back to back Poirots.

Today I have an empty page in my diary until tuition so will maybe wander into town on the bus if the weather permits although right now this doesn't feel such a good idea so maybe not!.  Or maybe I will do some sorting out at home - I have a small spare bedroom that I have to clear in the next month or so and that sounds a much more likely occupation.  I have to look over the planning too, of course.

Whatever I do, I'm sure I will enjoy it.  I hope you enjoy your day too.  Stay warm and stay safe.  xx

13 comments:

  1. The little hedgehog is so cute but I do love your leaf and it's beautifully curved outlines.
    It was snowing on and off here all day yesterday but it didn't really settle. Very disappointing for the children at school and, truth be told, it was all I could do to not stare out of the window in anticipation.
    There is a white covering out there this morning and we will have to be mindful of icy roads and pavements.
    Enjoy your day and stay warm. X

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    1. At least our snow came in the evening so no hyper children at school! Take care when you're out as I agree, it is likely to be treacherous underfoot.
      I rather love that leaf myself, thanks for the lovely comment - I'll be a bit gutted if it cracks during firing so fingers crossed. :-)
      xx

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  2. Love the leaf and the mousehog is ..........interesting! :-)
    Pottery and Archery are two things I've always fancied having a go at.

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    1. I think 'interesting' is just the right word for it! lol
      Archery sounds interesting - shades of Robin Hood!
      xx

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  3. You just need time to understand clay and plenty of practice so I wouldn't worry if it doesn't turn out as you expect first time the main thing is having a go. I think your first efforts are very good even the little hedgehog - the leaf will look stunning when finished. Hand thrown pottery is all back in fashion again now. We have woken up to snow. So cold. xx

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    1. Wise words, thanks. Having a go is most enjoyable and, as far as the mousehog is concerned, yup - it can only get better. If I identify 'elemts' rather than 'likeness' it will be more me and less - er - interesting, I think.
      The sun is shining here but it is bitterly cold and what's left of the snow is not going - yet anyway.
      xx

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  4. Well the mousehog is a recognisable mammal so well done! The leaf bowl will look great when it's glazed.

    I think the first coil pot I did was a small vase in the shape of a tulip bud just about to open. I still use it as it's solid with a very firm base, i.e. beginners' thickness!! ;-) I'll send you picture on FB.

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    1. Love the colours of your snowy garden picture, looks quite Christmassy!

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    2. I'd love to see your photos, thanks very much.
      I'm truly not worried, I'm enjoying it too much - and 'recognisable mammal' made me laugh so much!!!
      xx

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  5. Your mousehog looks cute, but quite serious! Does he have a name?

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  6. Near me in Saratoga Springs, NY there is a pottery shop where you paint/glaze items that are premade and fired. For example, you purchase a plate or cup or even a Christmas Tree, then you pay a studio fee to glaze the piece. They fire it for you and you pick it up the next week. Kids love it, and they do wine nights for groups of ladies. It's fun, and I made a bowl decorated with pine boughs that I love. But it is VERY expensive. Your leaf dish will be beautiful! It will be fun to see it all glazed.

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    1. A very good idea for a one off, a gift or a special occasion, isn't it? The course isn't cheap either, although I get it reduced because of being retired.
      xx

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