Teapots are FINALLY done!

Today, I finally finished my teapots. There are 7 total; two more got squished up after I messed up altering them. I really like these teapots alot! I did some texture on the lids and the dimples. I won't be making any more for a while....they take so long to complete! Moki has taken to sitting in my lap while I work. He's such a snugglebug!

New Studio Dog

What an exciting week! I'm using my wheel daily and am loving it! On Tuesday, Joey and I drove to Saco, ME to pick up a new friend. He is a 2 year old, 16 lb mini australian shepherd. We got him from a rescue organizaion called Canine Guardians for Life. Apparently, his previous owner dumped him in a parking lot because she did not want him anymore. He was in a high kill shelter in West Virgina when Canine Guardians got him. He had been in a foster home for a month when we came across him online. He is a wonderful companion. He never barks, loves to cuddle, does not chew things up. He follows us everywhere; its as if he is afraid of being abandoned again and can't let us out of his sight! He would sleep in my arms at night if he could (we draw the line there- no dog in the bed). We had a time trying to pick a name. He came with one that did not seem to suit him. After trying on several dozen names I thought of his forever name. There is a famous black Japanese glaze called Tenmoku. So, that is it: his name is Tenmoku- Moki for short! He likes it and responds to it. It feels good to call him something other than buddy or puppy. When I am working, he either lies under the table or at my feet. Yesterday I made 9 teapots. I have to finish them today- add handles and lids. They take a long time but it is to be expected. They are such complex forms- they have it all: lids, spouts, handles. Hopefully I will finish those up today and can move onto something else.

Today I worked on pitchers. I made 8 but only 7 made it to the end. I used my new wheel for the first itme and it worked very well. I went through one 25 lb bag of clay today. At that rate, I am going to need to get more very soon. 400 lbs won't last too long!

I Have A Wheel!!!!

Today I went to visit an old friend from college. He gave me a little pep talk and helped me focus on some good places to go and goals to have. He made some great suggestions and I am truly greatful for his council! Thanks friend, you know who you are! The best part came when he gave me an old wheel. It is pretty basic with only two speeds on it. But, it will work! I can't hardly wait to give it a try. Trouble is, I don't have any clay left! Anyway, just had to share the good news!

So, I now own a kiln. It is pretty old and I need shelves and posts for it but it will go all the way to cone 10. I've decided to wait until we are in a better apartment to wire it in. So, it won't be useable until we move in October. But, at least for now, I have it and it will be ready when I need it. I am hoping to get a wheel tomorrow. In the meantime, I have been continuing to make small slab boxes and bottles. Today I finished up three small bud vases and about 8 or 9 boxes. I did crazy textures on them. It took about 1/2 hour to texturize each box. I used a sewing needle pushed into a cork to do the patterning. Also, I used the pointy end of a knitting needle for some of the textures. These boxes are larger with no handles on the lid. I am a little stumped on how to glaze these highly textured boxes. I don't want to lose all the detail in them. I might dip them then wipe the glaze off so it stays in the recesses. Hopefully they'll be all done in a few weeks.

Bud Vases

Today I made nine small bud vases. They sprung out of all the little boxes I've been doing. I made the texture with a needle. It takes quite a while to make the texture. I think when they are finished, these vases will look lovely with a small blossom in them. What do you think?