I am back! - Fish Plate #1

Well, actually, I never left. I just neglected to post on this blog since last June. So, let's catch everyone up.

The kiln I posted about in June was returned. It just wouldn't get to cone 6 as was advertised. So, I returned it.

In the fall, I started to make Minion mugs from Despicable Me and was busy making a ton of those for Christmas. Let's just say that I did not charge enough at the start. However, I was able to pay some bills and make over $300 on those mugs. I also made a number of Totoro mugs.

Thankfully, the number of Minion mugs has decreased. Also, thankfully, I received a number of commissions that kept me busy til about now. I still have a few left to fulfill, but they are not as numerous as before.

So, what have I been up to? There was a bout of naked raku pots with water color. I'll do a post about that later this week - and those were done last year. I do plan to make more and might have a new one by the end of this week. I've also been throwing platters... some have been really big. Unfortunately, my first big platter cracked in half. More about that later too.

Here's the one I'm proud of right now:

This platter was made from some left over clay. It was a bit wobbly, but around 12 inches wide at the time of throwing... I had been looking at some really pretty photos of colorful betta fish shot with black backgrounds. The photos were absolutely stunning and I decided to do a sculpt.

After I finished sculpting it, I really had no idea how to finish it. On the one hand, it is pretty much a decorative plate. I poked holes behind the tail of the fish to insert a wire for hanging the plate on the wall. I also wanted to make sure that the colors were really bright and contrasting with the black background. In the end, I decided to try underglazing the fish and see what would happen.

Here's the result. I hand painted the clear glaze on the fish and the glossy black glaze on the plate (over the black underglaze). I do need to practice the application of glazes to make it a bit more even. However, I do like how it turned out. The current price for this plate is $225. I do plan on raising the price if I put it on ETSY or take it to a show. But, for anyone reading this blog, if you want this plate, drop me a line. I'm happy to ship it anywhere (for the price of the plate and shipping/handling, of course).

Lots more to share in the upcoming weeks. To see work in progress, it's best to follow my facebook page : Spinning the Clay Fantastic.

See you soon!

Finally done with bowls!

The last 4 bowls are trimmed and drying! Thank goodness. I was getting a little tired of making them. The one on the bottom right has me a bit worried. It was horribly off center when I was trimming it and one part is a bit 'bendy'. Hopefully it will survive.

Finally getting to the sugar, creamer and 2 mugs for a tea set. The cup in the very back (center) will be my Mom's new cup. A while ago, I made a set of cups for my family to use during family dinner (Mom, Dad, Becky, Mar... I inscribed all our names on the cups). Mom's cup developed a V-shaped crack and just broke. Not sure how that happened. Anyhow, she needed a new cup. Now she gets one.

Finally, I threw a platter. Working on getting Christmas presents made. I don't think this platter is quite big enough for my Aunt. So I shall have to use more clay when I make hers...

I'm thinking of making some 1 1/2 lb bowls soon. It's always good to have a variety. And, well, I can always use more bowls for myself, right???