Lots of Pots Drying

Lots of pots are drying under plastic. We've had to use our air conditioning since it's been getting up to 90 F on several occasions. At least it cools down at night.

I'm making my leaf plates again which can be used for spoon holders, soap dishes or what have you.

I made a few of these touristy tiles since we get a lot of out of town visitors to the farmer's market. I am trying to think of items to sell that are at different price points. I'll use RIO (red iron oxide) in the letters and put a transparent glaze over these. I've inserted a little wire hanger.

Here's my first attempt at a simple design for a sponge holder. May need to make some type of a jig to keep these from splaying out. Oh I know I could have draped them over a 2 x 4 and taped them down, next time.

I used my Queen Anne's lace to impress a few large platters, bowls and baskets. I plan to use transparent glazes over these and hopefully the glaze will pool in the impressions. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Serving Bowls and Platters

Now that I have much of my studio unpacked I located some of  my slump molds. I made these two bowls yesterday. I'd like to do a whole series of animals found in the Georgia mountains. So far I've seen a bear, possum, river otter, coyote, beaver, squirrel, and deer.

Both bowls are about twelve inches in diameter; the bear bowl isn't as deep as the blue daisy bowl.

The other day I decided to make a few platters. Here's my take on a speckled trout; he looks like he's smiling. This platter or serving dish is about 9 x 16 inches.

This platter with texture is about 12 inches square. I made a similar one years ago and liked the symbolic river detail so I decided to make another one. Now I'm remembering some other bowls and platters I made with symbolic rivers a few years ago; I'd like to explore those ideas again.

Here's a cherry tree platter, also about 12 inches square. I'm still working on the trunk. I think I'll order some porcelain sand to place under the platters when they're fired so they can move easily (shrink) on the kiln shelf. Up next a sneak peak at the granite we chose and I'll ask for your advice on what tile to choose for a back splash. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Cabin and Critter Platters

Armadillo Platter

Here are a few of the platters from yesterday's firing. I took the photos at night under fluorescent lights so they could be better.

 Cabin by the Lake Platter

 Running Hare Platter

 Log Cabin Platter

 Egret Platter

Night Owl Platter

I had my first basket weaving class last night and there's a basket workshop the next two days so more about this firing later. I have questions about rims, molds, and under glazes. This post is part of Mud Colony what's happening in the studio. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.