Finally...a tutorial on goblets

Goblets are my nemesis. Every few years, I get requests for goblets or this time it was chalices for the church. I find them a real pain to make,,, and people dont want to pay what I want to charge. For the non potters let me explain. Each goblet has the cup portion and the stem and these are made separately but need to be put together and trimmed to look like one piece. Kind of like a marriage, maybe but I wont expand on that topic too long. The top and the widest piece of the stem should ideally be the same diameter to give the goblet balance, not only in appearance but for making it more stable.

The best tip I have received so far isn how to avoid them separating in the bisque firing. When you go to trim, the pieces should be workable, not quite leather hard. Score both sides really well, add a little slurry and adhere them one to the other while they are upside down on a coned piece of clay with wet newspaper on it.  

Then roll out a coil the length needed to go around the join between the cup and the stem, and smooth that in to the piece until you cant see it.  Now trim them together.  I have fired goblets where I took the time to do this, and where I didnt. Completely different results. Worth the extra effort.

I am still not really happy with these, but they are getting better, still would like better balance between top and bottom, and for them not to look as though they have been drinking wine. (Tippy)

Fa la lalalala lalalalala

I am not sure I got the right number of Fa la , repetitions there, but the idea is I am producing Christmas oriented items at a rapid pace.  Multiple reasons for this, one is an upcoming sale where I am part of Santas village and on a more practical note, we need filler for kilns.

It is all well and artisitic to produce large bowls and vases, but to make a firing better and more economically feasible we need little pieces too.

so...working on balance again I need to have lots of small pieces, such as the wine tumblers, ornaments and then bigger bowls and plates with lots of things to put around them.




Christmas trees, leaf plates

angels coming out tomorrow in blue, red and white

October and November ramblings

If October and November are like the last few months this may be my only post for a while.  CRA CRA, or crazy busy with making and selling work.  Garden is pretty much finished up, needs to be cleaned, but I may leave that to Jack Frost.  Now I am focussing on work, pottery and motherhood, not necessarily in that order.  Lots of shows starting next week, and stores wanting mugs, etc....

I see this blog has now had over 20,000 views, but I would love to have more pottery people as followers so we will see how that goes. I love blogs, because I often resonate with so much of what is said. Not enough time, hard to find balance, etc....So...I am offering a giveaway to the 50th liker, a 25.00 gift certificate, will let you know when the time comes.

Here are some of the pots from this weeks two firings.  I am loving the blues and all I can do with them. 

purely decorative

spoons, still need some work, but they have potential

bird on a yarn bowl, to keep the knitter company

heart yarn bowl, to give to someone you love

sunday morning

It is bright and sunny and I am almost ready to go off to church.  Small business however means that the rest of the day will be devoted to labours, but labours that I love.  Squashes, tomatoes, zucchinis and pottery are packed in the truck ready to go up to the Red River General Store on Henderson Highway. It is a peaceful winding road and I love what Monique is doing with her venue.  Growing her own produce and pickling and canning much of it, and promoting and selling the work of local people.  She has a great positive energy that is just infectious.

I am continuing to tweak and refine how and where I sell my work. While I was sad not to do Many Fest because I love being with folks outdoors, it would have left my back in no shape to work at pottery or the real job this week.  So, fewer shows, more stores and more balance.