I really am still here!

I've been neglecting my blog for waaayy too long.  Somehow life just seems to get in the way!  I've been pretty busy in my shop making things.  I never remember to take pictures but did this time. 

This is hand built project of a 3 tube utensil holder/organizer.  I had one in my Etsy shop and it sold so naturally that means I have make another one!  This will have to dry about 2 weeks before it goes in the kiln the first time.  But it's warm here now so drying shouldn't be a problem.  Actually, I will leave it covered for a few days to keep it from drying too fast which can lead to cracking.

3 slabs were rolled out with the slab roller and wrapped around the cardboard tubes that my rolls of bubble wrap come on.  They are the perfect size.  And I hate to throw them away.  

This is the next day with the tubes removed.

This shows the stamped designs and the bottom added.  All one piece for the bottom and that ties the tubes together.

Big sunflower sculpture and 2 flower horn sconces

This is a crescent moon face with sleeping sun face

Various jars, ring holders, bowls

Soap pumps and bowls

This was today's work.  These will be honey jars, garlic keepers and a soap pump on the left

Garlic keeper and lid and a spinning bowl(right side).  This will all be trimmed tomorrow morning.

 I hope to be back posting more this year.  Sometimes it feels like there are just too many options for on line presence.  Do I post to facebook, flicker, twitter?  I don't want to be obnoxious.  But I'll try to post when something is interesting.  And, hopefully, I'll get the finished pieces posted here so you can see how they turned out.

Moving slow today

dog water bowl

It's Monday morning(well, afternoon) and I'm moving kinda slow.  I had a busy weekend in the shop.  I'm working on some dog water bowls as a commission.  Like this one only about 8-9" dia and 3" deep. They have heavy bottoms so they won't be easily tipped over.  I have to throw about 4.5 lbs of clay to get that size when it's finished.  The clay shrinks about 10% so I have throw a little larger than the final size.  I usually throw 2-3 lbs  for things I make so the heavier amounts really work on my back.  I got some done along with some extras so I'll be sure to have 2 good ones when I'm done which will be in about 2-3 weeks. (Drying time and then glazing)

Cream and sugar set

I sold this cream and sugar set this weekend out of my Etsy shop.  Chocolate brown clay with a matte, blue green glaze that lets the clay show through.  I carved some grasses around the whole outside inspired by the maiden grass that grows in my garden.    The lid has my usual pulled handle that is inspired by the stems on pumpkins.  Nature always finds her way into my work.  I find inspiration from her everywhere.


So I had 4 packages to take to the post office this morning before the rain and severe weather gets here.  Thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon.  We can use the rain but I don't want the bad weather.
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So it's later in the afternoon and still waiting for the rain.  I decided to make butternut squash soup.  It's supposed be a cooler later this week so soup will be good.  Roasted peeled butternut squash with carrots, potato, onion and then put it in a soup pot with sauted onion, chicken broth and some mild Italian sausage.  Whizzed the whole thing with the immersion blender and finished off with some cream.  I used some poultry seasoning, herbs de provance, salt and pepper.  OMG, it's really good!  I'll serve it with a dollop of sour cream.  Of course, I'm probably the only one who will eat it in my house! 

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