Thursday, May 24, 2012

There Must Be A Way


Here's teriyaki salmon being served on my fern plate. I've already posted the recipe before so just click the link to read about that. This time I left out the pineapple juice and the sauce was much thicker. The black topping (sauce) you see is the fresh ginger caramelized with the soy and brown sugar. It looks burnt, but it isn't, it tastes really good. I thought this was much nicer to look at than my next failed woven basket form below.



I am still trying to succeed with these basket forms. There must be a way, so I'll keep trying. Besides I don't like the floral forms I attached anyway, I need to make them lighter and more flower shaped. I have more ideas about that so check back.


Here's Louis Armstrong singing, There Must Be A Way. Boy could he play that trumpet and his gravelly voice is just so perfect for the jazz he sings and plays. Gary used to play big band music in clubs in San Francisco years ago and still has his trumpet. Maybe I can talk him into playing it again.

Coming up soon I'll be making Bahama Conch Chowder, so stay tuned for that. Yes, I got some real conch direct from the Bahamas at my local fish market. The queen conch is protected here in the United States and all taking is prohibited. This post is part of Mud Colony weekly what's happening in the studio. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

14 comments:

  1. Just a thought, make the basket the other way up, it would be easier and wouldn't so easily collapse.

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  2. Hi Carole, thanks, good point, the previous tall one I made that way and same thing happened and then this one had the added weight of the stylized floral forms. I am releasing the basket from the template form too early due to my impatience. Ha. I may need a better form too, I'm working on that.

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  3. Hi Linda
    Try doing a Google search on the Belleek Pottery in Ireland. They are famous for their baskets. They form them over a plaster hump mould.
    the official site doesn't really show the process but their are photos on other websites that visitors have taken.
    This is the official site:
    http://www.belleek.ie/Brands/Belleek-Classic/Giftware/Baskets?rn=1586

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  4. Hi Anna, thanks, I checked them out. I could use a slump mold, but I am now wanting to make a totally enclosed form Perhaps I'll make a cover that fits over a base and that way it can be enclosed. I have been thinning my strips way down and perhaps they are too thin to support the piece. I did get the first basket to hold, but since that time it has turned even more humid and the clay I am working with has a long working time. I'll try again and see what I come up with on the form I am using, thanks so much for the link, quite a price on those baskets too.

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  5. I love it when you talk technical. It's like figuring out "tromp as writ" in reprints of old weaving drafts. Pretty soon you'll have the perfect basket.

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  6. I was thinking about suggesting using a mold also but I fear plaster might absorb too much water from the clay while you're working. I'm assuming this is not a speedy process. You might have some good luck with styrofoam molds. I'm really interested in knowing what works for you.
    Best of luck Linda.

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  7. I'm glad you're working on this technique...exploring as any craftswoman goes into the unknown, but persistent. I've never done baskets. One of my studio friends has tried one lately, using foam support under it. I don't know the results however. Let us know which way works for you!

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  8. Thanks for the Louis Armstrong serenade this morning. I really enjoyed it. Good luck with the basketry!

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  9. I was going to recommend a bisque slump mold. I have used those in the past for basket forms. Good luck!

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  10. The food both look and sounds great and I hope you get your basket form ok. Have a nice time.

    Hugs
    Elna

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  11. I was going to suggest a hump mold, too, but everyone else already beat me to it. I've also used styrofoam forms, like the kind you use for flower arranging. The clay seems to dry out less than it does using the plaster molds and they are significantly less expensive. :)

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  12. I am not much of a fish eater but you really make your meals look so yummy.
    Keep trying with the basket. Sounds like you have gotten good advice.

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  13. Hi Anna, thanks, I did a search on them and found a youtube video of them making a basket, now that is patience.

    Hi Joanne, thanks, now you talking about something I know nothing about, weaving.

    Hi Lori, thanks, I think you are right plaster would absorb too much while the rest was woven, it's the straight up and down sides that are difficult to achieve with a form.

    Hi Barbara, thanks, I am using some foam and trying some wood and seeing which works better.

    Hi Jerry, thanks, I may have to make up some type of a mold, we shall see.

    HI Elna, thanks, I'll keep trying till I get it. Ha.

    Hi Julia, thanks I am using a hump mold, but it's tricky when to pull it off the mold, leave it too long is shrinks and breaks apart and too little and it falls apart, plus just pulling it off it tends to break apart. I was using foam, but I may try styrafoam.

    Hi Patti, thanks, I'll keep trying, this is getting frustrating.

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  14. Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, isn't Louie the greatest, hope I get one to work soon.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment