Saturday, June 12, 2010

Square Bowls





Lasts weekends trip to the lake was great! Such relaxation, fun and peace and quiet. The fish were biting, and we did pretty good. My dad and I went in one boat and hubby and youngest son were in another. Race to see who catches the most???? You bet. When the day was done, they claimed to have beat us by one (that they threw back, yeah really!!) Actually it was a tie, thanks to little buddie and I fishing off the bank after the boats came in. I spent most of Thursday at the pottery studio. Not a good day!! I broke two pieces that I thought were going to be my favorite. Oh well, I just started on some more just like them. The pieces above are a great wedding present. They fit perfectly inside each other, or you can use them as two pieces. I love the contour of the edges (I really have this thing about the edges of my pottery) and it gives each piece a little character. Ya'll have a great weekend. God bless ya'll!!!

Monday, June 7, 2010

New Cross





Well, we are back from a wonderful weekend at the lake. Lots of great family time and fun, great fishing, and peaceful rest. It is much different in the country than in town--temperature, noise, everything. The crosses above are a new design I have started. I used an iron cross and pressed it in the clay, then cut around the image. I used Waterfall Brown on one, and on the other I used Antique Iron-Caramel to dip it in, then I sponged Waterfall Brown, and ended with pouring strips of Blood Red across the middle. Hope you enjoy!! God bless ya'll!!



"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord"---Proverbs 21:30

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Oblong Bowl





I used a mold for this piece, well sort of. I used the bowl part for the mold and then I played with the edges by curving them to what I like, there comes that rough edges part of me! I love the shape and it is the perfect size for a serving piece. The main glaze is Antique Iron-Caramel, sponged on the edges with Waterfall Brown, and then Emerald Green is poured through the middle to make a stripe. I keep going back to this pattern of glazes and I believe it will be one of my primary ones. I did do several new things this week and they will follow in future posts. My little one (11 y/o son) and I are going to the lake today for a fishing trip with my dad. Hubby was planning to go also, but he hurt his back this week (a recurrent injury that nags) so his plans are iffy right now. We are leaving in about an hour and will be back late tomorrow. I plan on resting and enoying the sounds of nature for the next 36 hours. I will post some pics next week. It is so tranquil. My dad has a trailor that sits on the edge of a lake, it is gorgeous out there. He and my mom set this up about 25 years ago for a weekend get away. Thank you, Mom (blessings sent to Heaven) and Dad!!! Ya'll have a blessed weekend. Enjoy your family and friends. Please pray that this oil spill will end soon. Take care and God bless ya'll!!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Older Piece






This is an older piece I did, but one of my favorites. I simply molded the tray inside a flat tray I had. I curved the edges and then formed the cross from another piece of clay and pressed it in the middle. After bisque firing, I used Emerald Green on the cross and copper carbonate glaze with Heino poured over it on the tray. Very tranquil and simple. It sits on a side table in my dining room. It always makes my heart feel good when I look at it. Thanks for stopping by and visiting. God bless ya'll!!


"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His names's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before my in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."------Psalms 23:1-6

Friday, May 28, 2010

Wild Piece





This one is a little gothic to me. I put to much red!! I would have been much happier with a touch of red on the edges. I made this about 6 weeks ago when I was still testing style and color. It has grown on me a little. My oldest son likes it because he say it is more for a guy. I agree with him, but I still think it is too bold. The piece is done on Speckled Brownstone clay and dipped in Waterfall Brown with Blood Red sponged over it. Thanks for looking and ya'll have a blessed day!!!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Do I like or not???






This is the piece I talked about a couple of posts back that warped on me and would not sit flat. I used several glazes I had not used before as a trial since it was warped. After the glaze firing it adjusted itself, ????, and now sits flat. The colors are Suzie-Q, Golden Rod, and Emerald Green. When I first saw it I hated it, but after looking at it is has grown on me. My daughter's first look was "I love this. Can I have it for a candle holder?" Needless to say, it is now hers, and it shows that you may not like it but someone else might . Never throw a piece out. Ya'll have a great day with many blessings. See ya tomorrow! God bless you!!



"A good name is more desirable than riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common; The Lord is the Maker of them all."----------Proverbs 22:1-2

Wednesday, May 26, 2010





Summertime has arrived a little early for me. The workshop had to be 100 plus degrees Monday when I unloaded the kiln. The 2nd one was going up, so that added to the heat. I did have some good pieces come out though, so the heat was worth it. Have a lot of new pieces drying and hope to be put in the bisque fire by the weekend. I have this wonderful angel fish I am babying, and since I am paying such attention to it, usually those pieces fail. I hope not because I have this picture in my head and I do not believe I will be satisfied until it is right. Cross your fingers!!! The piece above is a chip and dip. The colors are Waterfall Brown, Antique Iron-Caramel, and Blood Red. I was always somewhat reserved as a child, my parents would probably question that statement, and I believe my wild side comes out in my art. Abstract is the signature, no routine to it. You either like it or hate it, no in between. Enjoy life today. Please pray for our Gulf states and hope the plugging of the oil well that BP is attempting to do today works. It is sad folks, really sad. I am a beach fanatic, and I cannot express the multitude of damage this thing is causing. Take care and God bless ya'll!!!


"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your
own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight."----Prov. 3:5-6

Friday, May 21, 2010





Hope ya'll made it through the storms yesterday. It was not as bad here as expected, thank God, but some areas got it bad. Spent a few hours in the workshop and accomplished a good bit. Glazed 6 pieces--3 crosses, a tray, and a chip and dip set; sanded several crosses and two bowls and loaded them to be bisque fired; then made several pieces including a fish. A friend gave me a drawing of an angel fish to use as a template. I cannot wait until it finishes to see what he looks like. I have a Betta, named Destin, that is blue and red that I would love to make a tray like him, but I believe this fish may match the sea shell in the last post. Who knows what mood I will be in when the glazing starts!! The tray above is a new color combo that I love. I believe this is going to be my new pattern for my personal serving pieces. The tray has Waterfall Brown poured over it, then Antique Iron/Caramel is sponged on the edges with Blood Red sponged occasionally throughout the pattern on the edges. Then after all dried, I poured Emerald Green down the piece to make a stripe. The green turned blue after firing. I love it! Ya'll take care and be safe. Have a great weekend and God bless ya'll!!!



"When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge"---Proverbs 21:11

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Thinking Beach!!





This sea shell is glazed with Heino and Weathered Bronze, one of my favorite combos. The tray is 13 X 11 1/2 inches. It looks great as a show piece on an easel or used for serving. I used to do a lot of this combination, but lately I have been trying so many new glazes I forgot how much I love this. I did make some crosses last week with this. Today is going to be a pottery day. I have sanding to do, glazing to do, and I have some new items in my head I am going to make. Looks like rain most of the day, so that makes it even better for inside. Ya'll have a great day, and thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my creations. God bless ya'll!!!



"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding"---Proverbs 15:32

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

CHip and Dip





Here is a chip and dip I recently did. The tray is approximately 11 x 13 inches. These are excellent gifts because they can be used as a tray, a bowl, or a chip and dip. All my products are food safe unless otherwise stated. They design is very abstract--(I believe this is my wild side that I always kept curved, coming out)--but can be done conservatively if wanted. The colors are Persimmon and Antique Iron/Caramel. Just a little something different for today. Hope you enjoy. God bless ya'll!!!


"Taste and see the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."---Psalm 34:8

Monday, May 17, 2010

More Crosses





I had a wonderful weekend, but accomplished very little creatively. This set of crosses I did about 3 weeks ago. The colors are Waterfall Brown with Blood Red sponged on the edges of the larger one, and the pointed one is Waterfall Brown, Antique Iron/Caramel, and Blood Red. The pic of the pointed one is blurry and the flash made it glare. Sorry about that. I need to study up and make my photo skills better. I did get back several pieces and I will take pics and post later this week. I had one I loved--a tray--several I liked, and one I did not care for. Par for the course!! Ya'll have a great evening. Just me and little buddie home tonight. We did Chinese take out, little buddie's favorite, and sat at the dinner together and talked about his school year. Tomorrow is his last day of school and they are having a graduation program since they are leaving the elementary building and moving up to the big building. I am afraid I will cry. The song they sing I heard last year when a friends child graduated, and it is a heart wrencher!! I am so proud of him, but since he is the caboose, I want to hold on a little longer to that sweet innocense. God bless ya'll!!



..."How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Another Pottery Day!




Well, I picked up a few pieces yesterday. Loved some and not real pleased with others--normal day. My daughter came by after work and immediately claimed the one I was the most unhappy with, imagine that! She always adds a twist on my pottery. She wants it for a candle holder. I never thought of it in that way. This piece was to be a bowl with a wide rim, but after it dried it was warped and would not sit flat without tilting to one side. I fired it and glazed it in some colors I wanted to try together and planned to hang it outside, but after the glaze fire it sat flat. I still not happy with the color combo--looks good on small pieces, but not big pieces--but she loves it so it is now hers. The cross above is one I love--Antique Iron/Caramel, Golden Rod, Emerald Green, and Blood Red. I love everything about it, the shape, color and size. Heading down to the studio this morning to glaze some and make some. The shop I put my crosses in called and need a new order, so I am droppng off that on my way downtown. Well, I will be seeing ya'll later. Have a great day and God bless ya'll!!!

"When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy~Psalms 94:19"

Monday, May 10, 2010

New Color Schemes





I have been working hard to get my cross collection back together. I made a few new patterns and tried some different color combinations. This cross is approximately 5 inches tall by 3 1/2 inches wide. The colors used were Suzie-Q (this is a new one for me, cream breaking rust), Golden Rod, and Emerald Green. The green turns blue over this. I thought it turned out really neat. The pic does not really do justice to the actual piece. The rust broke through arond the edges and occasionally throughout the piece. I love the cross shape. It really has become one of my favorites. I have finally gotten caught up so that I can post more regularly. We finished soccer and are sports free at this time. Hope all had a great Mother's Day. I sure did. Take care and God bless ya'll!!!




"I saw that wisdom is better that folly, just as light is better than darkness"----
Ecclesiastes 2:13

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

New Pieces-P/AI-C






These are some pieces I got back Monday. The clay is Speckled Brownstone and the glazes are Persimmon and Antique Iron-Caramel. I had a little trouble with this batch. All the glazes seperated at some point on all the pieces. I do not know if it was the kiln or the glaze that caused it. Anyway, these things happen at times. I still can use these for myself. I am giving the bowl to my oldest son. He is an avid hunter and if you look real close you can see a duck stamped in the center of the bowl. I also had a deer bowl in this load, but it did not show up as well as I would have liked. I have almost finished glazing all the old pieces that I have had in storage for the past 2 years while I took my hiatus. I should be getting a few pieces today that are the start of the new clay. They were bisque fired Sunday. I gotta get to work so I will see ya'll later. Take care and God bless ya'll!!!



"I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you"----Isaiah 41:13

Saturday, April 17, 2010

New Cross





This is a new cross pattern I have begun to use. It is approximately 9 inches by 7 inches. I love the contour of the edges. This particular one is glazed in Persimmon, Antique Iron/Caramel, and Blood Red. I am going to try a cream ribbon with this and if it does not do then I will go with brown. Took 3 chip and dip sets to be bisque fired and a few other pieces yesterday. One is a shell tray. First time to do this one and I cannot wait to see how it turns out. Also have several pieces in the glaze load with some new trials, but mostly the same colors as I have been doing. Got a big soccer day ahead of us, so it will be pretty quiet here on the blog-a-sphere until next week. Ya'll have a great weekend and God bless ya'll!!




"Give thanks to the Lord, call on is name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."------Psalms 105:1-4

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Square Tray-FR/S/BR




Today I am showing a square tray made from Speckled Brownstone earthen clay that has been glazed with Floating Red, Seafoam, and Blood Red. It measures approximately 9inches by 9 inches. The corners are raised to give it somewhat of a bowl effect. I still have not made my mind up about this red. I put it on some crosses this week and tried to tone it down by sponging instead of dripping. They should be ready at the end of the week and hopefully I can decide to continue this or try and find another red. Hope ya'll are having a good week and enjoying this beautiful weather. Take care and I will see you tomorrow. God bless ya'll!!


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose-----Romans 8:28 NIV

Monday, April 12, 2010

Oblong tray-P/BR/S




This next little piece is an oblong tray with the curved edges that seem to be a trademark of mine. Hand molded. The tray is approximately 13 1/3 inches by 7 inches. The glazes on this are Persimmon, Floating Red and Seafoam. Made a couple of chip and dip sets today after I got off work. Hopefully they will be dry by this time next week and I can get them bisque fired. It was beautiful here today and HOT!! I think we are going from Winter to Summer with no inbetween (Spell Check???). Ya'll have a great day. Take care and God bless ya'll!!!


God fills us with His love, and He wants us to share that great love with others. So; Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ( 1 John 4:7-8 )

Sunday, April 11, 2010

First attempt with red glaze




I love red, but our old glazes were not what I was looking for. This is a new one called Blood Red. The base glaze is Persimmon with Antique Iron II-Caramel and Blood Red sponged on it. Have had nothing but positive remarks so far. I still have not made up my mind. We had a great weekend, and hope ya'll did, too. I glazed 2 bowls and 2 crosses this afternoon, took 9 pieces to be bisque fired ( little worried about these-made from old clay)and made 6 pieces at my workshop. I am getting back into the swing of things. I always try to keep something in all 3 stages going at the same time. I should get the pieces I glazed back sometime this week. Hope ya'll have a great week!! Take care and God bless ya'll!!!




"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord"
-------Proverbs 21:30

Friday, April 9, 2010

New glazes





Since the last time I did pottery they have gotten some new glazes, so I am taking all these old pieces and trying new ones out. This was Persimmon, Antique Iron-Caramel, and Seafoam Green. I really like the way it turned out. I love the square plate with the curved edges. You could use it as a tray to serve on, a candle holder, or either place soap or rolled hand towels on it. Lots of uses and if you don't like any of those, you could always just display it of an easel. I am looking forward to the weekend. I bought new clay this afternoon and I plan on spending some time this weekend creating. Ya'll have a great weekend!! God bless ya'll!!!


"The end of a matter is better than it's beginning, and patience
is better than pride"------Ecclesiastes 7:8

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Cotton Cross





As you will soon see, I love crosses and angels. I make them in many shapes and sizes, and sometimes put things on them to personalize them. I am from the south and in October when you ride down the highways surrounding my little town the fields are white with cotton. That was the inspiration for this cross. I also put this cotton boll on platters, bowls and angels. It is made with black clay, then hand painted with 3 different glazes and finally dipped in another glaze to coat the entire thing. I hang them with green organdy ribbon or tulle. Thanks for looking. Have a great day and God bless ya'll!!


"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"---Romans 12:21

Monday, April 5, 2010

Here we go!!






Welcome to my blog, just a little place to show my creations. I have been a potter for almost 5 years, but I have just recently started back at making it. I had some issues with my job and did not have enough time to create and accomplish what I was looking for in pottery, so I took a 2 1/2 year hyatus. Since then I have changed jobs and regained all my time back. Two weeks ago, I was planning to give a baby shower for a friend and had to go buy a tray to put the cookies on. At that point I became a potter again. I enjoy crafts and dabble in many different ones. I have another blog, http://dixielandblessings.blogspot.com/, where I talk about family and show other craft projects as I finish them. This blog will be solely for pottery. I hope you enjoy looking and if you want to leave a comment I would feel honored. The pieces that I have shown today are a chip and dip set. I really enjoy making these, because you get 2 pieces--a tray for sandwiches, chips or what ever and a bowl for any use that you have, then if you need to use it for a chip and dip it's ready to go. The glazes that were used here are Persimmon and Seafoam green. Both have a shiny texture. I guess I better be going. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you come back soon. Take care and God bless ya'll!!



"He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity,and honor"
-------Proverbs 21:21