A productive weekend.

I hate to see this weekend end...

 We spent a peaceful morning enjoying the sunshine, birds, and collecting rocks at Queen's bay beach.

(Note: The lake level is really low right now.)

                                     Then the weather changed quickly so we headed home.

 I dived into my studio to start my 3rd clay bird project. This one will be a bit smaller than the others, but only a bit.

         I also made some earrings (and a little pug "window jewel")  with the tiny animal beads I bought recently. 

 Taking pictures and listing them takes some time,

 but I managed to list a couple of them in my Etsy shop as well. 

Back to work tomorrow... time to change gears.

My horse needs a home.

Watching the snow (dropping from the trees, tumbling puffs, knocking off more on lower branches, and landing with a thump by the time they reach the ground.)

It was a good time to come back inside and finish my little horse.

I did his eyes and some touch ups, this morning, but need the paint to dry completely, for the next step. (Note the paintbrush in this photo... I made it myself, from horse hair.)

At last, I've finished my little Horse sculpture. He'll need another coat or two of clear gloss over the next couple of days, but I can consider him complete.

To see his "in progress" photos click here "Horse with no name" .

Now all he needs is a loving home. Contact me if you're interested, or you can wait and hope that I list him in my Etsy shop :)

Update: Sorry, he's sold.

Bye bye Big Blue Bird.

As I write this, Dave's on his way to town, to ship my Big Blue Bird, to Australia.

Here's some final photos.

I can't tell you how stressed I get about packing & shipping,

it's enough to drive both of us crazy.

Anyhow, he's safely packed and on his way

to a much warmer home in no time...

Bon Voyage mon ami.

To see how he was made: from the beginning.

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 5

To see previous in progress photos. Part 4

Well, it's New Year's eve, and I really wanted to finish this bird, so

after a lot of procrastinating, I set my mind to it.

I added highlights to his feet, wings and tail...then painted his eyes.

It's so hard to get the eyeballs "just right", but I think I got it.

I'll take better photos tomorrow (in natural light), and then give him a

couple of clear coats, to protect the paint job. Not sure if I should give

him a satin, or matt finish...

Here's the underside... I carved my signature on his foot.

What a perfect way to say goodbye to 2011, finishing the details on

one of my best clay pieces, ever. (It also reminded me that I have a horse

that's still waiting to be painted- he's next.)

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 4

See previous in progress photos (part 3)

Here's a peak inside the kiln as I prepare to fire it up.

After a tiring day at work, I was excited to be going home to open the kiln,

and see how my bird fared in the firing.

As you can see, he's fine :)

I ate a quick soup & sandwich to finish the last of the turkey (thank goodness),

then got down to painting.

I always do the eyes last, so he'll be blind for a little while yet, but he's close to

being complete & ready to fledge...

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 3

Click here to see Part 1 or Part 2

Now that Christmas is over, and there's lots of turkey leftovers to feed on,

I can focus on my big clay bird. He's dry enough to clean-

(sanding, smoothing, wiping the dust away with a wet sponge, touching up details, .)

I usually fire my kiln once I've got enough greenware to fill it,

but I've used all my clay so I'm going to fire what I've got now: The big bird,

a couple of round bowls, a couple of leaf shaped dishes, and a bunch of tiny sun faces.

I spent a good part of today- Boxing Day "cleaning greenware"

and am ready to fire the kiln tomorrow.

This is a major step in my birds' development, firing it into bisque…

a trial by fire- literally.

May the kiln gods be kind to us.

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 2

Click here to see part 1.

Day 2.

December 18, 2011

(working In the living room).

Still in leather state, after waiting

4 days in a plastic bag.

One wing attached.

I cut a hole in the body, where I'll attach the

other wing. This way the clay won't be too thick

in those parts.

Wings attached.

Here's a short video where I place his eyes on.

He's ready to dry -slowly in an open plastic bag,

so he doesn't crack.

Ready to dry, so I can give him a fine sanding

to smooth out the unwanted bumps. Then I can

fire him in my electric kiln.

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 1

I've been asked to make a ceramic bird,

to replace one that had a mortal accident.

So I'm taking pictures as I go...

Wed. Dec. 14, 2011

I didn't realize this is all the clay I have. I

hope it's enough! Time to get another block.

Making the head.

The beak, attached to the head.

Here's the head and body.

I've got the basic shapes made, the body, head,

feet and wings. Now to assemble them.

After working on him for about 4 hours, I've got the head, beak, body and tail

assembled. (I've used the feet to hold him up, but they're not actually attached yet.)

It's a good stopping point. The clay needs to rest, and so do I. However he'll have to

wait 3 or 4 days before I'll have time to continue with him.

I'll wrap him loosely in plastic, so he doesn't dry out in that time.

I need the clay to stay in a leather state, in order to add his wings, feet and eyes.

Click here to see Part 2.

A horse with no name

I've always loved horses, and have often thought

about making a sculpture of one.

It's time to stop thinking about it and just doing it...so

I started this clay horse sculpture- over a week ago.

(It's too bad I didn't take photos from the start, but I'm sure

you know what a round ball of clay looks like. That's how it

started.)

I made the legs and hooves first, by rolling out tubes of clay. I formed

the head, added ears and then covered them in plastic so they wouldn't dry

out. Later, I rolled out a slab of clay & formed the body from it.

A couple of days later, I made the neck and assembled all the pieces.

Added the mane, bangs and tail.

(I made him sitting down, as he's going to have a little friend, a bunny,

mouse, snail ?...I'm not sure yet, but I'll be making that soon.)

Here it is a couple more days, and I've been doing touch ups here and there,

and now I can let the piece dry... VERY slowly, with a few more touchups.

Once he's completely dry, I'll carefully clean any rough spots and sponge off

any excess dust, markings, etc.

Then I'll carve my initials in the bottom, and he'll be ready for his first firing.

(Cone 04 bisque firing) Which will take about 8 or so hours, and then

need to cool overnight.

I have a nice light brown (underglaze for bisque) that I plan to use for his coat.

I'll let some of the natural clay show on his belly, it has a nice creamy color.

Then I'll cover him with 2 coats of clear glaze and let it all dry & fire him again,

to Cone 06 this time.

As long as I don't do something stupid and break him while he's still greenware,

he should turn out pretty good!

I'll have to make some other pieces to fire with him, so it may be a while

before he gets fired.

***************************************

Feb 10/10 update:

In case you're wondering... he's finally completely dry, and I've spent quite a bit of time, softening his features. As I've gently cleaned (sanded) his rough edges, he's evolving into

a gentle and curious young horse. I love his round backside view,

but his soft nose and mane have turned out nice too. He's almost ready for his 1st firing, but not likely to happen in the next few weeks.

While he patiently waits, I've got major stress at work to deal with. Sometimes reality bites, this is one of those times... my clay will be an escape.

*********************

Jan 20/12

This poor little guy has been waiting so patiently... I fired him last year (2011). I was going to glaze and then fire him again, but it's going to be a while before I have enough pieces ready to do a glaze firing, so I've started painting him instead.

One of the girls at work suggested I make him a "Paint" horse. I'm not very savvy about horses, but I like the idea, so I looked up photos of paint horses and got to work... he is ... almost finished...

Sharing clay inspiration

If you love to work with clay (or are just interested in it), you don't have to get

messy to be inspired.

Here's a couple of links that I'd like to share with you, ( and I'd be thrilled if you'd add

your own favourite clay links in my comments! )

1) I've subscribed to Ceramics Daily- there's so much amazing info available here:

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/

2) This video is totally inspiring- making whimsical sculptures using a potters wheel:

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/ceramic-art-and-artists/ceramic-sculpture/ceramic-sculptor-gerit-grimm-discusses-her-wheel-thrown-and-handbuilt-figurative-sculpture/

I've been making ceramics from moulds for years, but have gradually been

doing more hand building and slab work, and rarely use commercial moulds anymore.

As I explore different subjects & techniques, I always run into problems.

Frustrating as they are, it's the successful overcoming of all these obstacles that

make a lovely piece all the more valuable (even if only to my eyes :)

The helpful tips and video demos available on-line are just amazing, and are

reducing the "problems" that I run into.

This past week, I started building a clay sculpture of a horse- something I've been

meaning to do, yet never got around to, until now. (Spurred into action by the video

mentioned above.) *yes, pun intended*.

Anyhow, I wish I'd taken some photos, right from the beginning, but just thought of it now.

I'll try & get some photos & post them here.

I've got 5 days off (from my day job), and plan to spend as much time as I can,

working with clay.

I hope you enjoy the video.

Have a great weekend.

Etsy stuff

I recently joined Etsy (on Nov 1/08. )




I've been making "stuff" for so many years,
and have done craft sales, consignments,
custom orders, but my real joy (like most artists)
is in making things, not in selling them.

A friend of mine suggested that I try selling my hand-made
creations on-line at etsy, so I'm trying it out!

I have a small space in the living room, (an over-flowing corner ,)
where I've been making jewellry. But I need a proper place to work
with clay and paint, etc. ...so...
We are building a studio for me in the garage. At last I will
have a place for all me & my supplies!!! and a workspace !!!! YEAH!!

So, after spending (many) hours looking at all the amazing creations, and reading numerous Profiles, I finally took the plunge and joined, then I listed my 1st items....all 3 of them.
I was thrilled when I made my 1st sale a couple of DAYS later!
It's still my only sale... so far.

It all sounds simple enough, right?
Actually it is, but it all takes time, and I've spent a lot of time,
refining, editing, and refining again.

I thought all I'd need is good items to sell, at a reasonable price,
and that's it......not.
It's just another starting point.

Here's what I've learned...so far:
Before listing an item:
- Start with 5 good photos... can't say enough about that! (any
cropping, editing, etc. resize ( 1000x1000 pixels) So they're
ready to download.
- Get a box the item will be shipped in, take measurements, weigh it
and calculate shipping to various places.

- Go to the etsy workshops! (I'd include a link, but not sure how)
- Get to know people, etsy, blog, facebook, etc.
- Ask for help when you need it. It can save an amazing amount of
time, compared to trial & error.
- Get organized. My current dilemma... I've got a ton of photos on
my computer, and need to figure out a good filing system for them.

I'll add things, as I learn...