While I was at the library I picked up a book about shells. Leafing through the book, I was amazed at the patterns on many of the shells. Some of the patterns looked like ripples in the ocean, some like ancient writings, some were intricate geometric shapes. Many of the dark patterns were on pale and shimmery surfaces. I wondered if I could reproduce even one of them on a ceramic plate or vase using glaze.
I unloaded a bisque firing this morning and had a glaze load ready to follow right behind it and loaded it afternoon. There's the big shell basket I made on the upper right hand side of the kiln, hope it does OK. The temperature is now at 1950 F. It will be finished this morning but I won’t be able to unload till tomorrow.
I was wondering what I’d do while keeping an eye on the kiln. I didn’t feel like starting to make something this late in the evening. Then I remembered I had five test tiles from the bisque load so I decided to try some glaze experiments. Having been inspired by the shells patterns in the library book, first I brushed a different light colored glaze on each of the tiles. The colors I used are yellow, blue, lavender, green, and tan.
Then using the brush I got from Brandon, I took seven different darker glazes and brushed a pattern with each dark glaze on each of the tiles. Using this natural bristle brush is wonderful. It loads up with glaze and it’s easy to make some nice patterns on the surface. With these five tiles I now have thirty five different tests. Hopefully one or two of them will be promising and I can use them on a future ceramic piece.
Scallop Shell Pinch Bowl by Linda Starr
I think the only way I'll discover a special glaze combination is to do lots of tests. I need to make more tiles. Then when the inspiration strikes me, I’ll have the test tiles ready to use. I also want to make some “L” shaped test tiles; some smooth and some with texture to see what the glazes will look like running down the surface and breaking over the texture. I just know that special glaze combination is right around the corner. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
That scallop shell bowl is gorgeous- shape, glaze, texture-- all.
ReplyDeleteYes, the scallop shell bowl is so nice. I can see why the shell patterns have fired your imagination :) They are beautiful and quite intricate. Have a good day, Linda. Don't need to tell you to have fun. You have that down!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, thanks so much, remember that is the one I used a real shell from when we went scallop diving.
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa, thanks, at first I thought the bowl rather plain but as I looked at it I saw the glaze has many subtle colors. I do love shells, they are amazing to look at close up, so much to see in tiny details. Have a great weekend.
I love that scallop bowl...Linda, you are so talented. Nature sure inspires us, doesn't she???
ReplyDeleteLinda, looooove your scallop bowl (yep, loooove it that much)...a thought, though, if you made the opening wider, it could hold salads for a feast on the terrace...
ReplyDeleteHi Turquoisemoon, thanks, yes nature is wonderful, even the smallest and most insignificant things are amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi Kittie, thanks, you know you are right, this one is decorative, but some salad bowls would be good too. I actually have a salad bowl I make where the whole bowl is scallop shaped. I'll have to make some of each. So many ideas and so little time.
I am reluctant to write just to join the chorus--but...I really LOVE the shell bowl/cup! Wonderful! Funny how often we can't see the beauty of something we create because it is not as we imagined it would be. But that bowl is just great!
ReplyDeleteYou'll get only admiration from me, Linda. I don't know enough to critique or make suggestions. I do know that I like what I see. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteHi Gay, thanks, you are so right, I hand painted a different glaze on the shell and I thought it would be more delineated, but now that I look at it, the subtleness is better and the shell shimmers too. It's a small pinch bowl about 3.5 tall by 4.5 inches wide. I used a speckled stoneware clay and it reacts nicely with glazes. I'll have to get more of it.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, thanks, it's starting out to be a great weekend. Hope your's is a good one too. I can't believe how many great recipes you post.
shell bowl my favorite of all of them, jt
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have the eye of an artist. Can't tell you how many shells I picked up off the beach and never noticed the intricacies.
ReplyDeleteI'm joining the scallop boul fan club.
Hi Joan, thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteHi Patti, thanks, you know I have done the same thing with shells, looked but didn't see, it was the photography in the shell book that caught my eye. I need to look closer at the shells I pick up from now on.
Linda, Your bowl is very full with an inviting presence. I like how you used the shell on the open under side. It looks like a statement piece. I think the same way you do in having fun with test tiles and textures. I have in my studio right now is low-fire clay and some store bought glazes. I need to see if my kiln can handle the high fire. You are inspirational, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda - I came by from Karen's lovely BBQ - thanks for the mushrooms! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous pictures - the shells are trying to tell us something with those patterns. What an interesting experiement as well - hope it works for you. And the scallop shell bowl is lovely.
Hi Renee, thanks ever so much, so glad you stopped by. These are store bought glazes I am using since I just relocated and have switched from reduction firing to mid firing I thought I would use commercial glazes till I have time to experiment. I am sure you can achieve wonderful results with earthenware. I think it is all in how you put them together and over lap and experiment with them. After all commercial glazes were developed by someone at one time too. Please check Judy Shreve's blog at Mountain House Studios to the right of my blog, Judy does wonderful things with her surfaces in earthenware.
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne, thanks, my husband said these patterns on the shells are messages from another universe, you and he may be right. Next firing I shall see how these turn out, meanwhile my kiln is at 366 and I am so anxious to open it up, patience is a virtue they say. I have to hold back for now.
Love that shell pinch bowl - great color and shape - I came by from Karen's BBQ! I used to live in FL!
ReplyDeleteHi Carolina Mountain Living, thanks so much, I'll be visiting your neck of the woods at the end of the month for a ceramics show, thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteLovely little pinch bowl, Linda.
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm staying a couple of nights in Eustis, FL, visiting my daughter who is working with Americorp. She's staying at a Baptist Conference center in Leesburg. How far are you from Leesburg?
Michael
Hi Michael, thanks, I am about 40 miles from there; lets get together. Want to come here or can I meet you somewhere over there? Please send me an email mtnstar (at) ocsnet (dot) net and I'll send you my phone number. I'm staying up late to open the kiln, the suspense is killing me - Ha!
ReplyDeleteReally interesting post, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI love the bowl with the lovely shell!
Hi Sapphire, thanks, remember the scallop diving, I used one of those shells. I still have the shells and haven't made the chimes yet, but one of these days I will.
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