Peace at the end of the work week

This one of my first tiles that I made when I began this journey into the addicting world of working with clay! I'd like to think my work has evolved since then. Whether it has or not . . . . it is the journey that I am enjoying.
I hope this finds you all well at the end of the work week. I find something gratifying about being tired at the end of the day. Glad, however, that I have the weekend to recharge, reflect and re-energize myself for teaching next week.
Namaste.

Peace Under Fire

Here are three of my pieces (two of them peaces!) waiting to go into the kiln for a bisque firing. I love the process that get to this point. The two peace signs are for sale in my ETSY store . . . . see the link to the left. The mug was made for someone special.
I hope you have had a peaceful Monday and are sharing it with your someone special.
Namaste.

Peaceful Retreat

I've made some birdhouses this past year out of clay. I love unusual, brightly colored birdhouses. They might not all be practical but they sure add color and fun to my garden!! Here is one that just came out of the kiln a few weeks ago. I hope whoever purchases this from my ETSY store finds a special place for it and that one lucky bird family makes it their home.
Namaste.

Terra Sigillata

This was a piece that was quick and easy to make. I stamped the texture into wet clay with an antique batik stamp and the tore the edges to give it a primitive, organic look. After the bisque firing it received a generous coat of terra sigillata which is a lustrous coating of wet clay that acts as a sealer. In this case it was to highlight the texture after I applied the beautiful golden glaze you see here. During the glaze firing, most of the terra sigillata burns away but sticks in the nooks to help the texture in the clay to stand out. I love this little piece and love the crackle in the glaze if you look closely.
Namaste

New PEACE II

Here is another "new peace" that I made. It is smaller than the one I posted yesterday. I have several more ready to go back into a glaze firing soon and will be selling them in my ETSY store.
I hope you have all enjoyed a peaceful end to your week!
Namaste.

Layers

I love every aspect about working with clay. The way it feels in your hands . . . the smell . . . watching it develop from a ball of mud into something you can use on a daily basis, a complement to your home decor or something lovely that speaks to you. One of my favorite things is to paint many different colors of underglazes (paint) on the clay and then gently sand to reveal the different layers. I tend to gravitate towards things with lots of character and layers that reveal a bit of their soul. It is my hope that my pottery speaks to the people who buy it or that receive it as a gift.
Namaste

peace stamps in my work

Here is how the peace stamp looks when pressed into wet clay. I'm pretty happy with it . . . . but I want to make more! I love using stamps of all kinds in my work. I find the texture in clay to be so interesting and love how the glazes break and react with the texture.

What brings you peace?

I made this little coil vessel. There is something peaceful about working with clay. The smell of the clay, the feel of it in my hands . . . I just love it! Other things that bring me peace are the first cup of coffee in the morning, hiking with my partner, talking with my kids, reading a great book, watching the birds in my yard, eating chocolate, sharing my time with those less fortunate than I, listening to or making music, just to name a few. :) Think about what brings you peace . . .