getting down to it

okay, so it's not really winter anymore...spring around the corner, daffodils in full bloom, blossoms snowing down in the wind, the peas and broad beans peeking up...
so its time wake up from my mentlal hibernation and get down to it, making of a more productive sort, or a more regular routine. this week was mugs, egg cups, juice cups, tumblers, and platters!
here's shots from the afternoon...

BEFORE (platters off the hump molds, with rims finished):

DURING (stencils chosen and placed around, not yet attached):

AFTER (slip poured over stencils, then slip trailing, sgraffito, text, etc...and stencils pulled off)

hoping to load the platters and everything else in the kiln tomorrow!

process process process

have been spending A LOT of time in the studio lately, at all hours of the day...trying to keep on top of the seasonal inventory and ready for upcoming show...
here's a few process shots:

small dippers, from stencil, to slip, to leatherhard with the stencil off...

beginning a moose mug, stencil on clay

white slip over top and green slip trailing

more slip trailing

leatherhard and stencil off... will try to remember to photo the finished glazed mug....

new stencil

working on a new set of stencils: bears!
here's a couple of process shots, testing, and adjusting. subtle adjustments, but they make a difference…

i try to keep the stencils for my regular wares pretty simple… so think i will leave them with just these highlight lines added for the time being. partly as they are slow to cut (even though this winter i have been blessed with a studio assistant who cuts lovely stencils for me!), and though they are reusable they do eventually wear/tear…