Seconds Sale

Going on now in my Etsy shop! There’s a nice selection of pieces priced up to 50% off.

 

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Fresh From the Kiln

Bowls in Steel Grey

Cylinder Pebble Vase in Matte Warm Grey

Groove Vases in Orange

Groove Vases in Warm Grey

Groove Vase in Satin Red

Groove Mug in Sky Blue

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Fresh From the Kiln

Colorful cylinder vases

Groove Mugs

Vase in Steel Grey

Bottle in Matte Warm Grey

Crocus Vase

Naked Curvy Vase

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Glaze Day

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Conversation Pieces

I’ve shown these pieces on my website and shared some of them on Instagram and Facebook, but never talked about the inspiration behind them.

Each piece is based on the gestures, movements and mannerisms of people – a tilt of the head, a subtle hand gesture (not that kind of hand gesture), a facial expression or the way one leans into another person during a conversation. I wanted the pieces to have a dynamic stance and engage with the space around them. Each piece can stand alone while some work well in a group – just like people. I’m working on a few more and hope to share them soon.

So, what do you think? Can you see it?

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5 Vases and a Vessel

Thrown, dismantled, rethought and assembled. New Industrial Vases:

and an Egg Chair Vessel in Sapphire Blue:

 

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Freud, Oreos and Broken Slinkies

Last night I dreamt that I was riding in the passenger side of a yellow car and Freud was levitating vampire-style outside my window. Crazy, right? I seem to have a propensity for anxiety-induced nightmares, so I’ll chalk it up to that. I’ve never had the one where I go to class naked, though I do show up to take a final exam in a class I’ve never been to. Or, I revert back to the job I had in college when I stacked cookies for Nabisco. I build an entire end display of oreos only to have the whole thing topple to the ground. So many crumbs. No wonder I wake up tired.

On Monday morning, I mentioned on facebook and twitter that I had ceramist-style anxiety dream- one where I opened my kiln and found that all of the elements had popped out and were bouncing around like broken slinkies. Unfortunately this dream made total sense. In real life, I ran the kiln knowing that the elements should have been replaced at least 3 firings ago (elements are the coils that conduct heat in an electric kiln- a lot like the coils in a pop-up toaster, only bigger). I didn’t want to take the time to replace them (more like have the professor do it), so I just kept telling myself that they would be fine for just one. more. firing. I know, I also shock myself with my logic.

When the kiln finally clicked off, I noticed that the firing lasted 3 hours longer than it should have. Fantastic. And since it needed to cool before I could open it, I wouldn’t know if there were any casualties for at least 24 agonizingly long hours. There were a few pieces in there that I absolutely needed to complete an order as well as a few new pieces that I spent a boat load of time making. Cue nighttime freak-out.

The kiln was finally cool enough to open on Monday morning. I lifted the lid ever so slightly, convinced that the elements were just waiting to bust out and attack me, all the while cursing myself for not doing proper maintenance. I took a peek inside, then lifted the lid all the way. No broken slinkies and the cones looked sufficiently slumped. I couldn’t believe it. And the craziest part? Every single piece came out flawless- something that almost never happens. Score one for the procrastinator! No, no, no. I’m going with the idea that I’ve used up all my good fortune and ordering new elements this week. Lesson learned.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Large Circle Serving Bowl in Orange

Tall Pebble Vase in White

Large Round Pebble Vase in Red

Large Round Pebble Vase in Aqua

On a side note, I just joined Pinterest and now realize how easy it is to lose an entire afternoon. If that sounds like something you might be interested in (NSFW), feel free to check out my boards.

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A Mighty Wind

Not that Mighty Wind- this mighty wind. One of my biggest concerns before the storm hit was getting my kiln fired before it had a chance to knock out the electricity. Newscasters in New York LOVE to hype weather (though I guess that happens everywhere) and I was a bit skeptical, but figured that I better not risk it. The end of last week was nuts, but I got the kiln loaded and fired Friday night and finished the firing before the power went out on Saturday. Thankfully it was a pretty successful firing. Here’s a small sample of what came out.

The mugs are California bound, the black vases will be living in upstate New York and the new Aqua Groove Vases will be available in my shop.

Fortunately the storm passed with minimal damage to our yard and the flooding stayed just shy of our back door. The worst destruction was caused by my own stupidity when the candle that I placed on the table melted 2 small holes in our Nelson Lamp. So very tragic. Next time, flashlights only.

The power didn’t come back on until late last night, so I spent most of my Sunday reading Bel Canto, a book that I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy but has completely captivated my attention. Hope everyone had a safe weekend and that those who were hit by the storm made it through safely.

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