Pilsner Fun

Looking for a stylish beer vessel? Try making some pilsner glasses or check out my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoraLAnderson These were fun to make and I'm glad to have experimented with a new form in my work! I've used cone 6 stoneware bodies (Standard 266 and 211) and Amaco Potter's Choice glazes to complete the ones shown below.

Adding interest with texture can be fun and easy. As shown in the first picture (left) and last picture (bottom right), I made a thick clay slip from leftover clay scraps from the same clay body I used to throw with. By submerging the scraps in water for a day or two, (just enough water to cover them, not super saturate them), will moisten your clay for the next step. Take your wet clay and a mesh screen (I used a 60 mesh), and process it through. If you need to add water you can and I recommend meshing a second time. You want a nice paint-like consistency, not too watery and not too thick. Now here's the really fun part, after you've finished forming your work on the wheel, reduce your wheel speed to a slow/medium, take a nice generous handful of slip and slather your slip onto your work gently. By using your fingers and clay tools/ ribs and adjusting your wheel speed during application, you can make a variety of interesting designs to liven your work. Just let your fingers dance across the clay and have fun! 
After bisque, try to choose a glaze that will break over your textured areas for added interest.

Looking for more clay techniques, friends in clay or other pottery creations that may interest you? Check out Clay Buddies on Facebook and Mud Colony! 

Don't forget the Spring Equinox is here tomorrow, March 20th! Welcome Spring and may inspiration and happiness find you in all of your art endeavors!

Finally, my little kiln is firing and I can't wait to see what treasures will be pulled from the fire! In this batch, I'm testing samples of a new cone 4-6 clay from Standard, 211 Hazelnut Brown, that Julie from Standard Clay was so nice to send me. It throws wonderfully, has a fine grog, a super smooth glazing surface, and the description says it reacts well with glaze, so here's hoping I've found my main clay body! I've tried so many and this will be a whole new blog to write up in the future.

My table was a glazing station yesterday and today I start a whole new round of creations, working from my goal list for the next 2-3 weeks.

 I find that making lists save me from those indecisive moments that I tend to have when deciding what I  should make next. Too many creative ideas are fluttering about my head this time of year; weather is warming, spring is here, birds are chirping, frogs are peeping--a newness or rebirth is taking place, and if you're a parent with little ones to school and keep busy- well, I just find there aren't many hours in the day to fit everything in! Lists are a MUST to keep me grounded and on track.

Working in small batches of each item (10-15 pieces at a time), I will make a few mugs, bud vases, large jars, and bowls these next few weeks, sharing the techniques and finished work with you as I go along. Inspiration isn't hard for me to find this time of year, that's for sure! I'll leave you with a couple of spring photos from 2012, beautiful Ash Cave in Ohio. One of my favorite places to visit when I need refueled.

I hope inspiration finds you and happy spring to you!

Three years have passed since my first college ceramics course and I have passed the test of time, I'm still obsessed with creating with clay and color and so Thinking in Clay was born! I haven't blogged for quite some time and I've realized that it would be nice to start sharing where I'm at in my clay adventures.

I stay-at-home with my two children and when I get a few moments I research clay bodies, glazes, design techniques, sketch, daydream, and then I get my hands muddy in the clay!

My forms are becoming more polished, I'm paying attention to not making the bottoms of my forms too thick, centering has become second nature, I still dislike wedging clay (but I know it's a necessity at times), and I've tried designing with sgraffito, colored slips and underglazes, sprigs, made stamps, lithography transfer and the list of techniques tried goes on and on. So I'll be sharing my successes and disappointments; what works and what doesn't; my favorite tools, clay and glazes; and all the happy little surprises that happen from time to time. This is an art that I feel will take many years to master, but bit by bit, things start to fall into place with practice. Many friends have been made on this journey who have been kind enough to share their skills and expertise.  Enjoy life, get muddy and have fun!