Sneak Peak! Teapots out of the kiln.

The teapots turned out really lovely with the flowers! I really like this glaze combination; it's the same I used for the last teapot set, the creamer/sugar set, and the leafy espresso cups.

I like these leafy tea cups with swoopy handles.

The cups I made to accompany the teapots are drying for a bisque, as well as flour, sugar, and coffee canisters. The canisters look pretty small behind the tea cups, but they're rather large.  Or rather, they're probably about the right size for what they are.  I don't actually know if there's a standard size for these items. Now I have to think about glazes for these; same green/tan combo, or something else? Maybe I'll wait until I make more pieces to make a decision.

The left two cups go with the left teapot above; the right two go with the right teapot

Meanwhile, I've been making more work for Coyote Creek Gallery in Fairplay.  Here's a sampling of some of the work I'll be bringing on Saturday when it's my day to watch the shop.

3 mugs out of a 4 mug set; small green vase

Med-large slightly squared bowls, blue and yellow.

Finally, I wanted to share a quick shot of my muse resting on the couch this morning, clutching a pillow I made, pretending to be asleep so that I don't feel badly walking out the door, away from him and the studio...

See the open eye and twisted ears? He's watching me...

I'm coming back this evening to work on water goblets, a pitcher, and more!

Flowers Everywhere

Last week I realized--in a moment of panic--that I have a show coming up in September! Thankfully I've already made some pieces I'd like to display. I'll continue with other household items (Piers is pressuring me to make a bread box, although I'm pretty skeptical at this point). Oh yes, and I want flowers EVERYWHERE!

The teapot on the left is 7" tall at the height of the handle; the pitcher is 11" tall.

 The pitcher might actually be a wedding gift. That's the intention I had when I made it, but it also fits in well with my flower theme for the show. I'll leave it to my best friend to decide, since it was his brilliant idea to give a custom water vessel in the first place.

I need to make flowery tea cups next.

In other news, Piers is building a wood shed! I'm really excited about it, and it's in a great location. It's below the height of the deck (that's where I'm standing, pointing the camera downward) which means no shadows to block the sunshine. The door frame has a lot of clearance at the bottom so it will be easy to keep the snow cleared away. The large windows are actually shower doors, which won't shatter if hit by a wayward log. Obviously it's not quite tall enough for him to stand inside, but it will be very comfortable for me!

Piers waving the hammer wildly, showing off for the dog (can you hear Vlad barking?)

I'm off to check on my glaze firing, which includes mugs, bowls, leafy tea cups 'n' saucers, and the large columbine planter (which might go in my September show). Then it's time to brainstorm more pieces.

Vlad stays inside the studio on a rainy day

Today I loaded and fired a bisque load and made new clay. I also threw 5 new bowls, 4 mug forms, and 2 cups/saucers à la leafy espresso cup set.

It may not look productive, but it's been a quality day.

Here's a look at the photos chronicling the day's events:

11 am. I pour myself some coffee as I realize Vlad and I are quite bleary-eyed and sleepy.

Vlad chooses the path less caffeinated.

Cannot..... fight.... gravity....

A much-needed bathroom break.

Where was I? Oh yes. Back to the studio.

One must throw oneself wholeheartedly into each task.

Another bathroom break at the end of the day.

There you have it! Tomorrow should be just as enjoyable, and will have a lot more pottery to show for it.

Alma Fest Preparations

It's Friday! Alma's Festival in the Clouds begins tomorrow at 10:00 am. I'm looking forward to listening to music all day.....

Every year, I donate work to the Alma Foundation for my name to be on the Alma Fest T shirt. Here is Vlad displaying this year's bowls:

It rained yesterday afternoon and my pottery collected the rainwater.

 

I hope we have sunny, dry weather this weekend!

In Celebration of Flowers and Greenery

I finished the vases and delivered them to a local florist, Petal and Bean. These are 12-14" tall, and they all have a triangular shape.

Can vases have "mug" shots? Everyone turn to your right, please.

"Normal" vases, about 8" tall.

Do you remember the mini-planter I made for my brother-in-law's oh-so-cute succulent? I made another planter, this time for the minuscule cactus given to us by Piers's wonderful mom. It's lived in a boring plastic pot for too long, and I hope a change of scenery is all this li'l guy needs to grow big and strong! He's only 1.25" tall currently.

A dainty ladder brings you to the front door.

A fox for Piers.

Stylized walls continue along the back side of the planter.

In contrast to the miniature adobe-style planter, which is 5" at its longest and a mere 3" tall, the columbine flower on my new piece is almost 7" wide! The box shape is 12" x 12" x 6" tall. It's finally dry enough to bisque, but I have to wait until after Festival in the Clouds to move ahead with firing and glazing.

On Sunday, after the large planter was finished, I found myself at a buy-one-get-one-free sale at our local Mountain Growers nursery. Irresistible!! My friend Erin oohed and ahhed around the nursery with me as I picked out Speedy Sonnet Bronze snap dragons and Wave Blue petunias. (Who makes up these names?!)

We planted them outside my studio that afternoon, and it wasn't until the next morning that I realized that the color combination I selected mimics almost perfectly the red-orange Indian Paintbrush and purple Lupin already in our yard.

This evening shot doesn't do the colors justice. Is this Lupin or false Lupin, I wonder?

A good luck bunny watches over the newly-planted flowers.

Snow Day

I'm so excited for this year's Festival in the Clouds! It takes place next to Alma's Town Hall, with plenty of room for vendors and visitors. The playground and the river entertain kids while bands play on stage. I'll be sharing a booth with my friend Priscilla again this year. She makes great handbags that add color and excitement to our space. I hope to have some of Jesse's matted photos, and I think Priscilla's husband Greg will add something as well. We'll set up on Friday afternoon, July 15, and enjoy sunshine and music as people wander around all day Saturday and Sunday. (Fingers crossed for minimal rain!)

To prepare for the festival, I've been making new work. Yesterday I woke up to this:

Mr Puppy singing on the deck, joyful in the snow.

No thank you, snow! It melted quickly, but it was a good incentive for me to stay in my studio all morning. Today I'm firing a special glaze load, including a serving dish for a fellow yogi as a wedding gift for her friends. Tomorrow I'll do a bisque firing.

In the front are squared bowls to replace the ones that sold at Coyote Creek Gallery. For the July festival: mugs, bowls, teapot & cups, and cream & sugar set. The tall vases might go to Petal & Bean in Breckenridge, depending how they turn out. They are fun slab projects, and I like the shapes so far. I'll have better pictures later.

I like this creamer/sugar set.

I'm having fun with this faux wrapped handle theme (top of the tray handle; where the teapot handle meets the spout). What to make next...? Any ideas for more sets? I'm going to start on an idea for square dinner plates this afternoon, or maybe more vases (more "normal" vases).