bowls

 Doing a little bowl cramming here. I just found out last week that the date for Empty Bowls is March 24.  I figure I received an earlier heads up, probably before Christmas, which obviously flew out of my head. 

Those light colored bowls were made with Laguna's #55.  I've found it difficult to throw with. I purchased it partly to use for cookie stamps- thought its smoother texture might be better for those, and also to see how the lighter color would work with my glazes.  Maybe I'm just not used to it yet, but it doesn't seem like it has the plasticity of my usual- Laguna's #45.

These striped bowls are the lighter clay.  In addition to the black engobe, I used white and gray slips.  It was a bit of a struggle to see if I was getting good coverage with the white and gray on this light clay body.  We'll find out when they're fired.

always a learning experience

A few more pots from the last firing-

I wanted a little more of the wood ash glaze feathering in this shallow bowl.  I remember now that last time I used this combination I brushed a little clear glaze over the wood ash glaze to make it run a little more. 

One of those learning experiences. While I was working on these utensil holders I started to think that I'd rather be doing this slip and stencil with tiles.  I might like the one that's second from the left, but overall just don't think tree stencils worked well with this form. I think some of these will find customers with just the right kitchen for them, though.

I've come to appreciate succulents.  Give them a good watering once a month and leave them alone.  I made this planter so it would fit on one of my windowsills. It's a little under 4" square. I didn't bother with a drain plate because after thoroughly watering a plant I let it sit in a sink until its done dripping. 

A little birdy.  Haven't made any of these for a couple of years.  This is wheel thrown with enough clay left at the bottom to pull a tail (ha).  This is the black engobe by itself with no glaze.  I like the pebbly surface of the unglazed engobe for nonfunctional things.  The hole at the bottom is large enough for a dowel rod in case someone wants their bird hovering in the garden.  One of these has been known to hang out in our garden.  I would like to hand build some birds one of these days.  I did this once before to make realistic looking birds.