So much has happened since my last posting: tornadoes, multiple computer crashes, a festival, markets and a life changing decision. More to come when I have time and my ducks in a row.

The Beginning of a Bowl





Starting with one pound of clay.

Squeezing water onto spinning clay to moisten.

Beginning to center

Coning down

Centered

Starting the hole for the opening.

Enlarging

Almost there, ready to begin pulling.

After a few pulls.

Sorry there are no pulling photos. I have to have two hands to do it.

The finished shape.

Inverted on wheel at leather hard stage waiting to be recentered.

After recentering, the bowl is attached to the wheel with wet clay.

Beginning to form the foot ring.

After trimming.

Greenware waiting to dry before going into the kiln.

Finally a picture of the finished plate. It went through a harrowing ordeal to get to its final destination. On the two hour trip the road vibrations caused a near undetectable crack to become a horrendous break. It broke completely in two. I was able to put it back together with glue. Not the finest day for me. However when it is in its intended place about eight feet off the floor, the break is only noticeable to those looking for it, like my father in law.

These are some finished pieces that are in use in my home.

I came across an advertisement for a garlic roaster that could be used in the oven or microwave. The first is my take on it and the second is one using the dimensions given in the ad. It seems just too big for the average garlic bulb. Maybe if you had access to elephant garlic it would work wonderfully. Right now I think it would be nice for roasting a Cornish hen.

After much debate on this piece, I think it would be best described as an urn. Once it is glazed, the lid will sit more securely on the shoulder.

This is my first attempt at a low cake plate/stand. It is unglazed wheat stone. I really like the rustic feeling. I just can't bring myself to put a glaze on it.

I'm still alive....

In my hiatus, I took stock in my work and what direction I wanted to take in the new year. Lots of things happened along the way. The two most interesting are that I was accepted into Panoply for 2011 and some guy in Minnesota has taken my moniker as his website this year. I am overjoyed with the first and highly annoyed with the second.

More to come after the new year has arrived.

Merry Christmas and God's blessings upon you all!

Wheatstone

Just a quick update. The white stoneware that I have been using has been supposed to ship for over a week with no definite date in site. So after much debate, I settled for a "wheatstone". From my understanding it is a "wheat" version of the white I have been using. I was unable to pull up a sample on the manufacturer's site and decided to take the gamble on it. It looks a bit too red to be called "wheat". A little too late to be picky now.

I threw about fifty pounds today and boy are my arms feeling it. It was a joy to throw. Every piece, except for the last turned out just as I had hoped. By the time the last piece rolled around, I was feeling a bit like jelly. Looking around and surveying the aftermath of the day, I am a bit concerned that it might not all fit in the kiln. I will have to be very particular in my stacking. But that is a problem for next week. On to trimming tomorrow.