Grand Opening !!

Today marks a milestone for my pottery activities... I have just posted my first item for sale on Etsy.

Lately I have been working on various "expanded bowl forms" where heat is used to partially dry the exterior of the bowl when still in cylinder form... and then pushing the clay outwardly until it forms cracks and crevices.  An earlier variation of this technique is "chattering" where a tool is allowed to bounce over the exterior and form a pattern.  This chattering technique was employed in my first item for sale.

Although "good advice" suggests keeping the background uniform and simple, I have decided to employ various locations in my yard during the various seasons to place these creations in a natural setting.

Should you have an interest in this piece, I invite you to visit my Etsy shop "CleverCrowPottery".

http://www.etsy.com/people/CleverCrowPottery

Glazing Crackpots

Today being MLK's birthday, there was no work so I hoped to get some "fun done".  Yesterday, I sprayed some pieces I had made using the "crackpot" technique (either by forcing the inside outward, or by scoring the exterior first, or by employing my new "Steve Tool").  I'm selecting glazes based on recent test tiles and some results from previous experiences.

The glazes I will be using are "Wild Rose Kaki", "Oxblood", "Peaches and Cream", "Water Fall Brown", "Metallic Oil Spot", and "Green Bunny". 

I am hopeful that these pots turn out to be my best... for there is a element of satisfaction that I feel which hasn't been within me before.  Can it be that finally I can put some of the "basics" behind me and "feel the art" as it flows from within me?

These will be "kiln bound" on Wednesday... and should be back in my possession Saturday.  What an amazing creative activity!

Rebooting the Blog

It's been quite a while since I have updated the site.  At some point, I was overwhelmed by the fun of working with clay and time limitations to keep a blog up-to-date.  So my New Year's resolution is to keep adding new material to the blog but not turn it into a chore.

Since my last post in 2009, I have become much more involved in pottery and have a home studio, wheel for throwing, test kiln for testing new glazes and an inventory of chemical to make and tweak glazes.  Today, I'll upload a few photos of my studio which in a previous lifetime was a greenhouse and my shop.  Given recent temperatures in the 20's, I will point out that having NO HEAT is a bummer and keeps me away from what is becoming my obsession.

Above is my studio from the right... The blue mat and associated bench top is my main "work area" for glaze making as well as drying pottery.

Here's the middle view (standing in front of my wheel which can't been seen in this photo).  The table surface still holds my band saw, drill press and belt sander.  Now it stores batts, pottery tools and boxes.  Underneath is my compressor for spraying glazes (outdoors) and my shopvac (very necessary when you have clay dust all over the place).

Here's the left side.  Usually the gasoline isn't stored here but in another shed but the freezing temperatures required getting ready to run our generator.  Beside shelf space (all occupied) there is a neat antique file box that I found in the trash and use for holding test tiles.  Table saw used as another shelf!

Now looking at the rear where the door is.  My old Craftsman bench is where I wedge clay and on the right you can see where my bulk chemicals are stored as well as glazes (when not freezing cold).  Tools for pottery are becoming my favorite "hanging feature".

Finally a few of the pieces I was working on today.  These are "crackpots" made by expanding thrown pots from the inside until they "split at the seams".  The technique of applying a "wash" is new to me.  This is my first trial and I employed a wash made from Crocus Martis, Gerstley Borate and Frit 3134.  Sprayed on and sponged off!