Clay Update

I got my myco-ceramic-mini-drawing-pendants out of the kiln today.  Most of them look pretty good, a few, not so much.  The under-glaze pencil got lighter in the kiln, and they smeared a tad.  I’ll have to take that into account next time.  Overall I think they are really cool.  I’m planning to put them on a simple black cord with a clasp and post them in my Etsy shop.  It will be a while though.  The muse is keeping me busy!

Myco Drawing

Clay Pendants in Progress

I’ve been working with ceramics lately, learning what I can on my own.  I want to create something new for my Etsy site that is inspiring, and unique.  So I formed a handful of clay shapes and bisque fired them.  Over the past few days I’ve been drawing on these forms with a ceramic under-glaze pencil.  Much of my inspiration comes from nature.  These drawings are of microscopic slime molds, lichen, and fungi.  I love the forms, beautiful, abstract, and 100% non-fiction!  I’m very happy with how they look.  My next step is to coat them with a clear glaze and fire them again.  If they look good I might make more, next time focusing on ocean fauna and flora.  Stayed tuned!

Lichen

Slime Mold

Slime Mold

 

Printmaking

Printed Clay Heart

Happy Valentine’s Day!  This year I made printed Valentine cards with my students and it was quite fun!  It’s easy to do, you don’t need be a kid to do this project. 

Above; buy a package of Crayola Model Magic clay (air dry).  Form it into the shape of a heart, stamp it with household objects (screws, nuts, marker caps, etc.).  When it dries, coat with ink and press your folded card on top.  It's an easy way to make lots of cards for all your friends. 

Below; either cut a small piece of Styrofoam (the meat try style) or buy printing foam from the art supply store.  Draw your design with a pencil and push hard.  Ink the foam, turn it upside down on your folded card, press firmly and remove.  I’ve made holiday cards using this method too. 

Foam Printing

When the ink is dry you can draw, paint, glue stuff, or leave your image plain.  Sign your name and send it off! 

I don’t normally share my children's art lessons here, but this is one that can be used by any artist. 

...Okay, I’ve got a box of Fanny May Meltaways to start working on…

Valentine Collection

You might remember last December I blogged about my Christmas jewelry.  Here is my Valentine’s Day gear!  Seriously, I don’t wear all these things, but I keep them around for sentimental reasons.  Every piece has a story.

The felt heart above was made by and given to me by my grandmother.  She tatted the flowers and lace, and sewed a little pocket where I could hide a penny in the back.  It attaches with a safely pin.  I love its attention to detail and sweetness.  The little plastic heart next to it has been in my jewelry box since I was at least 6 years old.  I don’t know where it came from!

I made this little heart pin a few years go.  The dough is made from Wonder Bread; a mixture of Wonder Bread and white glue.  It’s still strong to this day!

I bought these porcelain hearts in Mendocino a few years go.  I love the swirly bits of gold and how smooth and light they are.

Lastly, I have some junky jewelry.  The big heart blinks when you push on it.  They are just plain fun to wear, especially when I teach.

What do you have?  Share some photos with me!

A New Batch

I’ve been playing around with clay all week, making 60-70 pendants of various shapes and sizes.  They look simple, but take time to form, dry, and sand.  I'm going to try sketching on some with a ceramic pencil after bisque firing.  I would like to find something new, unique, and interesting to add to my work on Etsy.  Along the way I’m learning a lot about clay and glazes and having a lot of fun.  So stay tuned! 

Taking Time for Loss

Cemetery Rose

Death gives us pause. 

Two weeks ago I suddenly lost a very dear family member, my Uncle Bob.  Since then I’ve been taking everything a little more slowly, being gentle with myself, and grieving.  The hardest part is knowing I’ll never see him again. 

This has been a time of reflecting on our relationship, the reality of death, and my own life.  I have found comfort in family and friends, chai tea at Open Secret Bookstore in San Rafael, feeling the life force in nature, classical music, and knowing that part of him lives on in me. 

My uncle was a charming, grounded, generous, hard-working, creative, loving soul.  He accepted me for who I am, honored and respected me for my endeavors and abilities, and always made me feel like the guest of honor in his presence.  He had a big smile, sparkling blue eyes, and gave big hugs.  I adored him.

In remembering Uncle Bob I am inspired to continue doing what I love, pushing it as far as I can take it, and living in the present, fully savoring every moment.  How lucky I am to have known such a person.  He didn’t know I opened my Etsy shop a few weeks ago, but I know he would be proud and excited for me.

With a sniffle and a tear, I boldly push forward and surrender to the spirit that moves through and unites all things. 

Aho.

You Win Some, You Loose Some

The Keepers

A while back I was playing around with making clay pendants.  I bisque fired everything and they came out great!  Then I ordered some special glazes and fired them again a few days ago.  (I didn’t glaze everything).  Some of my creations came out beautifully others were a disaster.  Without going into detail, some of the pieces ended up touching each other in the kiln.  Ooops!  I had them on a bead tree (kiln furniture) on a thin wire, the wire bent and they touched things they weren’t supposed to touch. Also, I may have overloaded my bead tree because I couldn’t wait for another firing.  At least I know what my glazes look like.

What you see in my photos will not end up on my Etsy shop; I’m just playing around, trying to get to know the medium.  Tomorrow I plan to break out the clay again for round 2!  I can’t wait!

The Losers