Studio News

 

For the last 12 hours of studio time I’ve been working at forming new clay pieces to become future pendants.  It’s more time consuming than I thought.  I’m making many more than I did in my first batch.  I roll out the clay, let it sit and dry for hours, cut out shapes, smooth and form them with my fingers, then set them to dry again.  When they are completely dry I’ll lightly sand them so I have a smooth side to draw on, and so they feel good against the skin.  Then they will be ready for the kiln.  It’s not the most exciting work; I like doing the drawing better.  But, I’m excited to have at least 130 tiny canvases.  

 

Easter Sunday

What better way to start a holiday than to go for a morning beach walk?  After stopping at The Devil’s Teeth Bakery on Noriega for some coffee and fresh baked scones, we continued on to Ocean Beach.  There was a minus tide.  I was hoping to find some sea glass, but the conditions are just not right this year.  At least the weather was perfect.  No wind and lots of sun.  Now I’m ready to get to work in the studio and make some stuff.  Happy Easter and Passover everyone!  

Morning Walk

Worm and Bird Tracks

Sand Waves

New Necklaces

During my recent block of studio time I got to work on those clay pieces I blogged about a month or so ago. 

I glued bails (the looped hangers) to the backs of the ceramic drawings with epoxy that is strong enough to suspend an elephant from a chandelier.  I threaded the bail with a silken cord and created my own sterling silver wire wrapped clasp.  I was so worried that the wire wouldn’t hold the cord firmly, but it does!  I can tug on the cord with all my strength and it doesn’t budge.  I completed 14 necklaces and then ran out of wire.  Doh!  This week I’ll order more.  

I’m really happy with how these are turning out and plan to start molding more clay shapes this week for future pendants.  At some point, they will be available in my Etsy shop.  I'll let you know!

 

Better Tools, Better Photos

New photo "stage"

On Friday my new portable photography stage arrived in the mail.  It is wonderful!  The company is Modahaus, in the UK.  I love this product because it collapses down to nothing and can be easily stored.  My original set-up was made out of cardboard, it was taking up valuable space in my studio, collecting dust, with the paper was getting wrinkled and funky.  The “Steady Stand” allows me to take photos pointing straight down, without a tripod.   The plastic allows light to flow through evenly.  It makes photographing my work much more simple.   Also, I can use a number of colored backdrops that look professional and clean.  I’m so excited!  Anything to make the photography easier is a good thing.  

"Steady Stand" The hole at the top is for the lens to point down at the subject.

With a blue background

Clay Continued

New work

I’m still messing around with clay.  Yesterday I made some free-form shapes and little houses.  I’m almost ready to take a break and clean up the tools and clay dust in my studio.  Still, I feel compelled to make one more thing, mushrooms!  I want some cute little mushies to become pendants, earrings and rings.  Oh boy!

This little guy is 1" tall.