Casseroles and such

I have been working, I promise! My resolution to be a better blogger hasn't quite panned out. Oh well, I'll post whenever I can. This is a new casserole that I am working on. I really like the way that it turned out. I have another one just like it done, and two larger ones that need lids thrown. I have decided that casserole lids are one of the more difficult things to throw, at least for me. I had never really seen one done, so I winged it and it turned out ok. We'll see how the next couple big ones turn out. Practice makes perfect and easier I suppose. I plan on uploading this one to the critique blog after it is done to get some critical feedback.

Things are really taking forever to dry now that it's a bit cooler. I thought the low humidity would help, but no. I may never get a bisque done at this rate. I actually made a pretty lengthy make list that I have been steadily checking work off of. It really is amazing how much it helps to have something to go by. When I would just head out and sit at the wheel I would make stuff, but I was never really productive. Now I know when I go to the wheel I'm making a dozen mugs, or three nesting bowl sets, etc. My greenware really seems to stack up a whole lot faster this way.

I've pretty much missed the whole shopping season again this year--I didn't do any shows, and my Etsy stuff isn't flying off the shelves. I did bring a batch of pots up to Southern Pottery, so maybe I'll pick up a few sales there. I really want to stock up over the winter for the spring show season. I'm also going to redo my booth setup to display my work more professionally. I am leaning toward covered tables with small shelving units and crates. Any input on where to score some inexpensive small tables? They need to be able to fit in the back of my wifes Rav4, so something under six feet.

I am still trying to create a more unified line within my work, and my next step is going to be place settings. I want to come up with two, maybe three different ones, and try to make them match the rest of my work. This is when I really wish I had a slab roller! I am not a huge fan of throwing plates and I think I may look for an alternative to thrown plates. What does everyone think about slump molds? I've never really done much with plaster molds, but I think I somewhat know how to make them. I would like to be able to have a few of them so that I could make plates pretty efficiently. Of course that would mean that I need to make a better table for rolling out slabs. It's funny how one project turns into another!

Well, my video is finally finished uploading! It's amazing how much I can ramble during a video upload! Sorry for the long winded rambling.

More of my dog--sorry, no pots

Ok, this has nothing to do with pottery, but I thought you might get a kick out of it anyway. My dog is so stubborn, but she still cracks me up!! I figure we got all of the spoiling out of the way with her so hopefully our kids won't talk back so much--she is completely rotten!

My Layla!

I caught my crazy little dog in the middle of a yawn and I just had to share her mug with everyone! Who couldn't love that face??

My First Exhibition

I've finally decided to take the plunge and enter my first exhibition. I have already decided to not worry whether I make it in or not, but I can't get past the fact that I have no idea what I'm doing. I want to enter a mug and I know I need to mail the application along with a CD of photos, but how many photos? Am I allowed to only submit one photo with a straight on perspective, or can I submit several at different angles? Should I call the gallery and ask them? I am allowed one entry for one fee and two for another, but I think I'm only going to submit one. I get the impression that this is something that I should already know, and I'm reluctant to call the gallery for fear of making a fool of myself. Some wise advise would be much appreciated :)

It Starts! Critique My Pot

Ok, so I got it started! If you want to become a poster, email me at starkspots@yahoo.com and I'll set you up to be able to post. I will make it look a little better when I get home tonight, right now it's pretty much just blank. I really think this could be helpful--especially if we upload videos. I know you still can't pick the pot up, but we can comment on form and whatnot.

http://critiquemypot.blogspot.com/

Critique blog?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the biggest thing I miss since leaving school is open class critiques. So today, I had this idea! Why not create a critique blog? If anyone that reads this blog thinks this is a good idea, leave a comment and I'll get it started! It would be open to any body, but I think it would be good to limit it to ceramics, at least at the beginning.

I'm not sure how to get a blog with multiple posters, but I know it's possible. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think it would be neat to be able to post images and videos and get honest critical feedback.

Let me know what you think!

New photo tent

I got my new photo tent the other day, and I've been a photo taking fiend! The other wonderful thing I got was a awesome new camera for my birthday! Thanks Lindsay!

Yay for good pictures! (well, good for me anyway ;)

Look Mom! No mess!

I got to try out my new trimming box last night, and may I just say, it worked fantastically! I had a great day working in the studio, even if it was only a half day. I got some glaze mixed up, cleaned up a little, made ten mugs to completion, and threw a couple of bakers. It was my first attempt at these, and I'm pretty sure I made them too thin. I was told that they needed to be a little chunky, and mine are really not. We'll see. Tomorrow I might get some pics up of the finished pieces.
That's all for now. Here is a picture of the mug handles all lined up.