Category: Pottery

Here’s a speed up playback from part of yesterday’s Facebook live session. Throwing teacups.

I haven’t watched myself throw on the wheel recently. I just realized how much I’ve improved over the last 18 months! If anything good came from the pandemic, i developed as a potter. And conquered my fear of porcelain. (…well, maybe not conquered, but it doesn’t make me cry as much as it used to)

Reminder: today is the last day to visit me in my studio at the Pendleton art center. I’ll be there to visit from 11-7pm.  

Have a great day!

I haven’t shared this story because it highlights one of my many shortcomings.

A few months ago, one of my hand made shelves collapsed, causing an overwhelming mess in part of my studio. I cleaned the worst of it, but the whole experience was so discouraging, i left the space in dysfunctional disorder, and decided to just close the door and take a break from making that kind of art (especially since spring had started, and it was time to go outside and paint nature’s beauty!!!)

…well, today, it’s just too hot to go outside and paint, so I’m going to give this part of my studio some TLC, and who knows? maybe I’ll even make something, if i can get this chaos organized in time?

Do any of you remember what I use this space for?!?
Give me some thumbs up and/or cheerful encouragement, if you are happy to see me going back to this kind of art making.
Stay tuned!!!

if you think i am hard to keep up with, JOIN THE CLUB! EVEN I DON’T KNOW what I’m going to do next. 2 days ago, i never would have guessed that I’d have 11 porcelain cups that need trimming and handles…well, if i’m not predictable, at least I hope it’s interesting.

POTTERY UPDATE: they still need some finessing, but all my cups are trimmed and have a handle.

They are all handmade and unique. Which is your favorite form?

I was commissioned to make a porcelain plate to celebrate the 50th anniversary of my dear, dear friends, Ginny B and Dickie Butler. The church carved in the plate is where they were married! Happy Anniversary!!!! This was so much fun and an honor to be asked to make. Thank you Emily Butler and Richie Butler for thinking of me!!! Photo by Emily Butler

The pandemic put a damper on 2020 in person wedding celebrations, but thanks to vaccine rollout, friends and family are starting to get together again. Congratulations Jeff Wendling and Dale!!! Thanks Ginny B Butler for including one of my custom porcelain plate as part of the celebration!

Good morning! Today I was looking at my ‘work in progress’ pottery shelf, and felt really proud of myself. The top shelf are cups ready to start decorating. The bottom shelf, upside down cups, ready to be trimmed. The thin walls, and fairly well defined form of the bottom shelf is an example of how much more control I have achieved when throwing on the wheel. A year ago, I couldn’t do that. Definitely not in porcelain.

When the pandemic started almost a year ago, I decided learning to throw porcelain would be my COVID project. Porcelain takes some extra care to throw on the wheel, and I have always been intimidated by it. I’ve also had to learn a little bit about glaze chemistry and the scientific method, to make sure my glaze played nice with the clay. I can’t emphasize enough how much the ARTS helped me get through this time.
Being so close to my one year quarantine – a -versary. I’ve been going through a lot of feelings. Some of it anger and sadness for everything we have had to give up. The progress I have made as a potter is a small victory, but one of the good things that came from this challenging year. Thank you everyone for your encouragement, support and cheering me on over these months. The social interaction – even if virtual – has been a saving grace for me.
Ok, time to trim the bottom shelf!!!

Green Cup Update:I have 2 layers of green on my cups (2 more layers to go) then I will carve the decorations. My friend, Lauri Aultman gave me an idea of raising money for the flood victims in Eastern Kentucky, so I am going to donate %50 of the sales of these cups to help. I normally sell them for $40 each. when i sell all 5, it will total $200 = a $100 donation to the flood relief. Since these pots will take at least a week or two before they are finished, I’m going to go ahead and give the $100 NOW, because people need help NOW. I need to do some research on where to send it, because i know some charities use donations better than others, but I will send today or tomorrow and let you know how it goes.

UPDATE: I have buyers who have committed to the 5 cups. If you feel inspired to give, you don’t have to buy a cup from me, do some research and give directly to your favorite charity. there is no shortage of people in need right now, and every little bit helps!FINAL UPDATE: UPDATE: I decided to give the donation to Cindy Faye who is doing boots on the ground flood relief work in Oneida, KY. You can visit her profile to get some idea of the work she is doing. If you feel inspired to help, reach out to her. Remember Mr. Roger’s advice “look for the helpers. You will always find people helping”

Green porcelain cup update:I have come up with 2 designs for the green cups. A frog and leaves. Both represent the arrival of spring, and look good in green on white porcelain. To the four folks who offered to buy a cup to help with ky flood relief, which design do you want for your cup(s)? Narda Arnett MillerJane E BresserStephanie McCoy GastauerLaurie Watt ? The colors will be a lot brighter once it is fired in the kiln. See the test tile on the left.

Spring is almost here! I spent the morning walking around the lake, then carving mugs with green leaves. I love how the light in this photo highlights the carve marks in porcelain. The green will be brighter after going through the kiln