Adventures in Hand-building

Hand-built turtles and snails for Chime #1

I've still been throwing pots on the wheel, but I've also been doing a little hand-building with friends in the studio. We put together some wind chimes. The first step was hand-building turtles and snails.  I seemed to be a step behind my friends, but it gave me time to think about how to construct this.

Off to the wheel I went! I made two closed forms, one for the upper bell to hold everything and another for an actual bell. I tried a little mishima to adorn the upper bell with a dragonfly.

When constructing the chime, I decided I wanted to add a touch of macrame (which I've never done before), so I went to the internet and found an easy stitch--the half-knot. I am pleased with the result and would like to make another! (Pardon the poor quality of the photo.)

Completed chime

We then started on another chime, making hand-built sections of a fish body. Originally I wanted to use jute to string the sections together, but knowing it's a natural fiber and would rot out in the elements, I chose to use the cord with a percentage of nylon and the macrame half-knot. The jute would have fit perfectly in the holes; however, I was not using the jute. But as they say, necessity is the mother of invention. I begged some wooden beads from my daughter--problem solved!

The neat thing about these projects--and this is really a no-brainer--is that we all three had a slightly different take on the look of the components and how we constructed the chimes.

I still prefer the wheel, but I'm finding a few hand-building projects that I really like and would like to repeat. They also provide a diversion from making wheel-thrown pieces and all the measuring that goes into fitting lids and butter crock pieces. In fact, I'm looking forward to making another tall, hand-built vase!

Fish chime

To Hand-Build or Not To Hand-Build; That is My Question

Fern Platter–My initiation to hand-building

When I took my first pottery lesson, I was encouraged to try hand-building THEN throwing, but I wanted on the wheel. Until this year, I said I would get around to hand-building, but I didn't want to sacrifice time at the wheel for fear I would forget how to throw! But, it was time, so I made hand-building one of my pottery goals for the year, and I've been very slow to start.

My first project was a platter brought about by necessity. My darling husband broke our one large platter that we use each Thanksgiving for the turkey; he neglected to mention this until I noticed it was missing. So, when some friends were about to build platters earlier in the year, I decided it was a good time to work on my goal. Debbie still talks about how I complained through the project! It was the glazing that was so time-consuming. I swore I'd never do another (and I haven't done another platter).

Hand-built Button Vase

I often use a little hand-building to form decorative accents to my wheel-thrown pottery, but I just couldn't seem to commit to the art for its own sake. Other potters I know who are primarily hand-builders do beautiful work, but I didn't have the patience to join them.

Recently, I was unable to use the wheel one night, so I decided to hand-build a vase. This is definitely one hand-building project I'll repeat! Originally, I wanted to use a fig motif, but this particular vase wanted to be something else. As I was adding ruffled edges, I thought about a woman's blouse and used the stamp I had just made to add "buttons". Overall, I'm pleased with the result (Debbie says I'm never 100 percent pleased with anything; I just see where improvements could be made).

Button detail

I am thinking about making more vases using botanical themes following the seasons. I still want to do a vase with the fig motif, and my figs are not yet ripe, so now would be a good time to make one. These vases are a nice little diversion when fitting lids to honey pots and butter crocks becomes too tiresome.

I'm also working on a wind chime with hand-built turtles and snails. The turtles are adorable! I'm trying to think of more reasons to make more turtles! The snails are in the kiln; I hope they come out as cute. Sometime this week, I'll have to construct it. I'll post a picture when I figure it out!

Honey Pots--How Sweet!

First round of honey pots

I've said before that I love when customers makes suggestions on what they would like to see on my market table, and these little gems are a result of their suggestions. There was a fourth, but it didn't dry in time to be fired with the other pots, so I'll likely only have these three to take to market Saturday--if it doesn't rain. There's a 60 percent chance of rain, but I'm hoping the weather man will be wrong!

Other customer-suggested pots are in the bisque kiln and should come out today; I'm excited! Two of the three French butter crocks, one with scraffito and one plain, should be ready to glaze today. They may also make an appearance at the market--it all depends on the final firing. While working on decorating one at the market last week, I had plenty of opportunity to talk about them to people visiting my table, and two people said they definitely want one. My husband's been talking to everyone about them, and he has said a couple of folks sound interested in purchasing one, so I need to get busy! A good problem to have, I'd say.

Happy Hump Day!

Simply Fun

As I struggle to juggle work I must do and work I love (pottery), I often forget to have fun. Now, don't get me wrong; I only make what I enjoy making such as garlic pots and candle holders and teapots (why, I don't know), etc., but I don't often spend my time to just have fun doing something in clay. Today, I had fun three times (makes me think I was unproductive today!).

This face pot was the most fun I had today--I'm planning to plant tarragon in him IF he makes it through the process. I explained my superstition in an earlier post, which has proven partially true in that one of the candle holders broke beyond repair, and the fate of the other is yet to be known. Perhaps Friday it will come from the kiln.

After throwing the form for pot man, I threw some clay that was a bit more than this guy. I made the tallest piece yet, though I'm not divulging measurements since it's still nothing to brag about. I also practiced slip trailing for the first time today on a covered pot. As Anthony (my husband) would say, the result was fairly adequate. Not a bad first attempt but not spectacular.

I plan to make more face pots for the season, and I would like to try to recreate, in some fashion, small pots my grandmother had of women with dangling earrings and stylish dresses--at least they looked stylish from the bust view, anyway. It seems comedy may be easier to attain than elegance; we shall see.

All in all, it was a good day in the studio.

Humble Beginnings

The short, squatty vase in the picture is one of the first pots I made, and I still love it for all its humble imperfection. I keep it on the counter even when it bears no flowers because I love the imprint of leaves, the subtle color, and the earthiness of it. Maybe it's also a reminder of where I began, and when I get discouraged, I can glance at this small vessel and note that I've made progress.

This year my pottery business has humble beginnings as well. Before the year began, I made a list of goals, which included doing at least one spring and one fall arts festival and adding one vendor to my local venues. Done! The first arts festival is coming up April 20 in Waverly, Ala., with the annual Old 280  Boogie. For weeks I've been contemplating business cards; I even went so far is to make a mock up, but the line "website" kept me from ordering. Blog vs. website, which is best? Aren't websites the professional way to go? I've blogged before, so that seemed less intimidating. I follow several blogging potters who have links to true websites, so I decided to take that route as a start. Besides, doesn't everyone like a good story? I know that I prefer the blogs to the websites because they seem more inviting, more of a connection to the potter.

Hopefully the business cards will be ready. I've only myself to blame if they're not. But will the pots be ready? I'm afraid that what comes out of the kiln tomorrow will be it. Certainly the salt cellars and garlic pots won't be ready--they haven't been bisque fired and won't be until Monday at the earliest. If all goes well and firing goes as it should, I could have some garlic pots, berry bowls, tea bowls, and salt cellars to add to what's already packed and waiting for transport. Potting has taught me never to count my pots before they're glaze fired, but I'm crossing my fingers.