Chilly

Made a "bead popper" from an empty Chap Stick tube.  Automatically centers the hole in the bead.  

I've been trying to figure out this design for at least two years, and think I have finally done it. A ceramic tea steeper with a stainless steel handle.  It works with any cup, or at least all of the cups I make. I plan to start making teapots that will also accommodate the steeper. 

Well yes, yes I do!!      I stand behind the idea that you could stick incense in the holes, tho! 

Size?  Small, around 50mm across.
They're - umm, not sure how the plural goes, but singularly they are a Diz.  Used to convert carded/combed fleece (wool) into roving!  I hope you all feel much happier for knowing that!?
You thread a small amount of fleece (straight from a carder or comb, through the hole, and then pull it through, then you can spin the roving into yarn.  The different size holes produce different size roving.

I developed a new platter mold, and a new approach to illustrating koi fish. I'm pretty excited about these.

Size?  Small, around 50mm across.
They're - umm, not sure how the plural goes, but singularly they are a Diz.  Used to convert carded/combed fleece (wool) into roving!  I hope you all feel much happier for knowing that!?
You thread a small amount of fleece (straight from a carder or comb, through the hole, and then pull it through, then you can spin the roving into yarn.  The different size holes produce different size roving.

Size?  Small, around 50mm across.
They're - umm, not sure how the plural goes, but singularly they are a Diz.  Used to convert carded/combed fleece (wool) into roving!  I hope you all feel much happier for knowing that!?
You thread a small amount of fleece (straight from a carder or comb, through the hole, and then pull it through, then you can spin the roving into yarn.  The different size holes produce different size roving.

Size?  Small, around 50mm across.
They're - umm, not sure how the plural goes, but singularly they are a Diz.  Used to convert carded/combed fleece (wool) into roving!  I hope you all feel much happier for knowing that!?
You thread a small amount of fleece (straight from a carder or comb, through the hole, and then pull it through, then you can spin the roving into yarn.  The different size holes produce different size roving.

Firing a bisque today,  I wanted to get this done before I get my hand surgery done Wednesday.  Having my carpal tunnel fixed in my right wrist and my flip finger,  the surgeon said I should be as healed up with no restrictions in 6 weeks.       Denice

Some wax resist stuff I’ve been messing around with. 

I constantly stress to my students that they need to know what they're going to make before they get the clay out of the bag. That way they'll know how much clay to prep, and have a clear path to successfully making a certain pot. There are specific steps that must be taken to make any form, and if you're not following those steps and just letting the clay do what it wants, you'll always end up with a crappy bowl.

I require my students to have a sketch, that shows their general idea, for the form, and an approximate width and height.  Just hopping on the wheel, and stating "I'm make a bowl, mug, etc" tells me little.  How big of a bowl or mug?  What do you plan to use if for?  How are you going to finish the bottom?
It annoys them, that I ask these questions, but I tell them, I can't help them, unless I see their vision.

I can get a serious case of blank page syndrome when faced with a large block of clay and no other directives. I need to have some choices made ahead of time, and I like most things to be planned out before I head to the studio.  I need to narrow the possibilities down, which is why I work within a functional framework.
 
I come at it from a “This is my job” angle. In the early part of the year, I schedule play and design time, to work out new ideas and keep things fresh. There’s not a lot of sales in January and February, and I’m flush off of Christmas, so I have the space to noodle a bit. I think about the feedback I received over the year, and if I’ve noticed I’ve received a lot of requests for an item, I’ll make the effort to design one I like. If I had requests for larger items, I’ll play around with them at that point, because I have the space to do things like throw a large bisque mold, or glaze test, or try a new material or technique. 
The middle of the year is about testing those new designs in the market, and seeing who likes what and how well it sells and at what price point. There are adjustments made, but at that point it’s more about perfecting existing designs, or starting to make more of it, making work for ongoing markets and stockpiling the proven items for Christmas.
 
Christmas planning starts in June, and and my cutoff for trying to work out anything new is the start of September. At that point my focus shifts from “what am I making?” to “how much do I have to make?” That last part is all based on numbers from last year at the same shows, plus who needs what for retail outlets and any online sales. 
Creativity gets put on hold for a couple of months, other than idea gathering and sketching. In a lot of ways I find the production time freeing, because I have a list and can just crank. Seeing a huge pile of stuff you’ve made at the end of the day is very satisfying.  But at the end I’m glad for the rest, and the time to noodle.
 

It's kind of strange I like to see the balance and attention to design in the piece but I like to feel the imperfections in a hand made pot.  When you pick up a factory made utility bowl it doesn't evoke any feelings  it is so dead feeling you could easily toss it aside and let it shatter on the floor.   When you pick up a handmade bowl  you can feel the energy.  you pour over it examining every nook and cranny and setting it down ever so gently.    Denice

Colour, balance, weight, size. 
But each of those criteria can/will be different for any given object.  Mugs need to feel strong, cups delicate.  That kind of thing.

Beginning "No. 7 " in my Hidden Mask series. This is a raku piece to be fired at Hampton Pottery, NH, in the spring.
 

I don't even know really, I like things that LOOK like handmade pottery though.  Things that look perfectly machine made are not very appealing although I understand the amount of skill it takes to make something that well.  

Colour, balance, weight, size. 
But each of those criteria can/will be different for any given object.  Mugs need to feel strong, cups delicate.  That kind of thing.

Try Potterycrafts UK. It looks like they bought up Podmore a long time ago.

So I spent the weekend making more of these, and I really like to make them.  I keep improving on the design which means I'm learning.  Learning makes me happy!  So anyway, was able to finally glaze fire some and I like the result.  Here's one from the batch

I may have to spray raku glaze inside. Will build a plastic tent on my drying rack. Low tonight will be MINUS 3 F. Too early for this to happen! 16" of snow on Sunday and 7-9 inches expected tonight. Got a bisque firing done yesterday.

OK, it's not exactly on the workbench, but it is close by  Greetings of the season. 

If I did put my keys on it I might stop losing my cutoff wires (and my keys)

hulk, may i suggest a simple replacement for the cutting wire??    i have always hated the ones with wooden toggle handles because they are too long and i have never gotten one out of its package without crimping it.   years ago i got some leader wires from walmart's fishing gear section.   i think at that time there were 6 of various sizes for about $1.   they have ends that fit on a key ring.   one without keys, of course.   the round rings are sold lots of places, walmart wants too much for the ones in the automotive section.   hardware stores are better value.
i can use the longer ones but find i really like the 9 inch size and the 12 inch one is perfect for slicing slabs from a new bag of clay.  AND THEY DO NOT TANGLE UP!

Throwing some more glass molds today,  I nearly have a kiln filled with them.    I have my firing scheduled figured out finally for the glass.   Turns out making a inch thick disc shape out of recycled glass is very difficult to do.   I have a 11 hour firing schedule for it,   most of the time is spent holding at certain temperatures for a hour or more.   The thicker the glass the longer the annealing takes,  I don't have a computerized kiln so I spend the the whole day with the kiln and my pyrometer.    I could have bought fritted glass that is easier to fire and at a much lower temperature but I wanted to do something with recycled glass.   Denice