One of my new glazes...

Here are a couple of pics of one of the new glazes I introduced at this show... I tried it out on both the Stoneware and the Ebonyware Porcelain... it was a hit!
It is difficult to tell from these pics, but it is a mottled blue with greens and browns... I think it looks fabulous on BOTH clays, but that's me. I also sold some of it as well at Celebrate Clayton, which is a good sign.
PS - Can you see the leftover rain drops on the canopy side behind the stoneware mugs? I was one of the lucky ones who did not have any damages or losses due to the storms...

Please be patient with me...

For those of you who are getting some of the stoneware mugs, I should have them ready by the end of next week, or beginning of the following week. I had some problems with the clear glaze on the inside and am expecting the new glaze to arrive soon. I checked with the 'experts' and they are recommending this new-to-me glaze for this clay. I didn't think anyone wanted to have mugs that leak... or maybe you do... (PS - Phyllis, the problem occurred because I didn't want to have to fire twice like I did yours...)
But, as a result of this set-back, I need to make a BUNCH of new mugs to glaze with the new glaze. The decorative glazes on the rim are no problem, so those of you who have specific orders, I can still do those. I know Rick needs his 2 for guessing the Carolina Wolf Spider with her babies, and Matt wants 6 or so for a gift, Janie wants one for her mug collection, and I need to get some more over to the Arts Center in Clemson for their Holiday Show & Sale.
It was so hard for me to literally throw away a dozen mugs and a sugar/creamer set the other day. But I can't sell them or use them, so I just took a real deep breath and dumped the whole tray into the garbage can...
I am working on finishing up some custom bracelets for a customer to give for Christmas, but I am working on the mugs in-between.
Oh, by the way... where in the world did 2009 go?
(I repaired the link to the Arts Center... typo will mess it up any day...)

A Successful Show!

Oh well, my photo didn't turn out too well... but this is my booth at Celebrate Clayton 2009. My friend Mike and I had booths next to each other and were on an end-cap. SO, we decided to make the most of the space and kind-of have a joint booth 10 x 20. This way I could use his state-of-the-art credit card machine and we could use one cooler for our water.

The new Grape Vine Decanter/Vase sold the first day! Yes, there is another one or two in the works currently.

The weather was warm and a bit of a breeze, but not as bad as last year. Unfortunately, I did not win the Judge's Choice best Pottery this year =(. I had a great time and enjoyed seeing my regular Clayton customers. This is the third year for me to do this show. Oh, and as a side-bar, the Stoneware Collection sold well! I am glad I added it to my line.

The Vase!

It is finally finished! I babied this so much, afraid it would crack or something in firing. About 2 1/2 hours of decorating and it fired today...

Now I feel safe enough to proceed with the other ones I have in progress.

PS: Jo - I know the photo's lousy, but it is all I could manage this evening... the vase was still hot from taking it out of the kiln...

Another addition to my line...

These are 2 photos of a vase/decanter that is a reproduction of a Victorian Era vase. With the new kiln, I am now also able to make these again. The photos show the first one successfully cast in stoneware. It is still drying to be bisque fired tomorrow evening. After that, I will be adding glazes to the grapes & vines and firing again. I am excited!
Friday I leave for Clayton, GA and Celebrate Clayton 2009. Here's hoping for good weather and lots of sales!

New Stoneware...

This is what was on the top shelf of the kiln this morning... I think it looks fantastic!

Those are the first stoneware coffee pots. I've got lids glazed in the Chocolate and the Kiwi to start... other colors to come...

Opening the kiln is like Christmas morning every time!

Keeping busy

No photo this morning, just checking in so you know I didn't fall off the end of the earth... ; )

I have been busy casting and trimming the new Stoneware collection. Since I only have one set of molds, I will cast until I have depleted my supply of stoneware slip before switching back to the ebony porcelain.

Thanks to a friend's help, I will be trying some new decorating ideas. A short time ago, I was someplace and I saw a package of disposable plastic eye droppers. At the time, I looked at them and thought 'neat, but I don't need those'. Well, now I have an idea (which came to me in the middle of a sleepless night) and it requires the use of the droppers. Do you think I can remember where I saw those droppers? NO! I have looked everywhere I can think of. Maybe they were at Highwater Clay but just not in their catalog... They were not at CVS, not at Publix... I can only find them on line at REI, Scouting Supplies, Ward Scientific and other sites like that... Luckily, a friend that is a nurse happens to know that they don't use them at work but they keep them from kits and such. I get some of those today so as soon as I can, I will PLAY!

This Saturday is Valentine's Day. Even if you don't have a sweetheart, let someone you are close to know that you appreciate them.

** Just to let you know, I got the droppers my friend picked up from work... they should be perfect for what I want to do. I am not at that stage of production yet, but I am anxious to try my idea! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (Although it still bugs the heck out of me that I cannot remember where it was I saw those...!)