Thursday, September 29, 2011

Mayco--





Class on Wednesday was quite phenomenal, and I had wonderful instruction from Jen H. She answered a lot of my questions, and gave me tips for areas I was absolutely struggling with like cylindering a piece up. It's amazing how one tip in the night makes the biggest difference.

Last week I was so mad, frustrated, and mopey, and about given up that I could learn the basics to wheel throwing.

Then, voila!

A good shape for a mug, which will get its handle next week. But my God, I have actually made something of use. Well, I made a bowl the week before that, but it's disappeared... I didn't ask about it, because it's not going to break my heart if it blew up, or anything during the bisque firing.

I know I'm crazy for doing this, but I'm signing up for another four week session, so I can learn some more glazing. I'm dying to ask questions, but I'm need to get around this shyness/dorkiness thing. I don't want to be perceived as a total nerd, because I check Ceramic Arts Daily, and am often found sifting through potter's blogs.

ANYWAYS-- I have more updates!!!

I am working on a commission piece for my Aunt's friend, which is cool. It will probably hit the kiln on Friday evening.

THEN-- I'm going to be set up selling my ceramics, and a couple of my paintings at The Indianola/Clintonville Art Crawl!!! EEEEEP!!!

That was a good eep by the way. I am so excited, but at the same time my brain is going, "NOOOO! You are sooo stupid!!", because I need to build up some more inventory due to some sales, and so my table doesn't look sad and lonely.

So.... I will be sending the husband to pick up some slip, and it'll be a weekend of slipcasting, glazing and firing! Oh Joy!!

Oh crap! I almost forgot! Here' s a picture of me at the Houston house Art Exhibit. I had paintings sprawled all over the house, but here' s a good pic of me with a few ceramic pieces, and an oil painting.



Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Empty handed

On my second week of class, I was able to watch the master Jen Harnetty throw a vase on the wheel in a mere ten minutes. Meanwhile, I sat there and tried throwing pieces, which turned into clay slop, and ended up getting tossed into a reclaim bucket.

Wheel throwing really does get the better of me. So many times I want to start bawling, and stomping around like a spoiled child.

My goal for the three classes in the series I'm taking is to learn the basics to wheel throwing, and then I'll take another session to get all of my glazing techniques, and questions answered.

I took some time this weekend to head over to the Houston House, and sit down and practice on the wheel. I made two successful pieces, which are awaiting to have their bottoms trimmed down. It's amazing, because I imagine that one day it will click, and I think I learned my lesson on trying to center my pieces. I am simply not leaning over enough, and propping my elbows on my legs well. My last piece I was able to center with ease.

Now, that I have that problem figured out, my next one is trying to cylinder pieces without them widening out into bowls.

Damn, damn, bowls.

In other news-- My Aunt has ordered a piece from me to give to her friend for a birthday present. It's a sculpture, and it's still drying out at the Houston House. I have never been so nervous about a piece, because I'm coming close to a time crunch since it's due in November. To have it explode would be devastating to me.

And in other-other news-- The Houston house will be having a winter art fair, so I'll be able to sell some more pieces in a public sale.

Sorry, no pics this time. Perhaps later this week!!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

A tale of inspiration



I started my first Mayco ceramics class, and I am ecstatic, because I learned so much within the 2-ish hours I was there. I felt so awful, because I felt like the annoying kid in class, "Teacher, teacher, help me! Help me!!!" Meanwhile so many other people there were just so lost, and clueless as to what to do with it being their first time ever touching clay.

Every single piece of information I have learned about wheel throwing has came from hours of scanning through videos, Youtube, and online articles, but you REALLY need the hands on, so you have someone telling you what you're doing wrong. This helped me IMMENSELY, and by the end of the night I had a gorgeous, thin walled, small bowl, which was better than the thick, ugly past pieces I've attempted. I am so excited to go back next week, but I fear the three week time span might hinder all that I want to learn. The hubby might not go for another $100 payment per session, but we'll see.

Bless his little heart, because this weekend, he let his little ol' wife buy an amazing $80 dress for a mere fee of home cooking for the week.... and this brings me to my next point...

Schedule wise, this is a crazy week for me, and I have a lot of events on top of my 9-5 job this week. Apart from starting my ceramics class, I still have a crazy schedule of Assistant Directing for a community theater production, AND on Wednesday, I have a rooftop masquerade in downtown Columbus.

This is where the 'inspiration' part of this entry comes in. I have to attempt a mask tonight with some fabrics, and crafty things I have stuffed in a closet somewhere. I had an idea at first, but my dress color is not so accommodating now to my original idea. So, this is where ETSY comes in to play.

Etsy, I love you! If there ever was a place for creativity lacking individuals like myself, it would be you. It HAD to be you! Wonderful-wonderful YOU!


I found some of these masks, while milling about, and I am in awe. I just wanted to share them.