Kids Workshops

Hi everyone,

Wanted to show off the candle holders that have been made in the current block of workshops. These have been on a Saturday though I do run them during the week for homeschooled kids.

The kids made these around a pipe and used a bowl for the mold for the lid and a sponge to get the shape for the base. They were made one week then glazed the following week I love the way no two are alike everyone has their own ideas on how to decorate.

By for now

Wendy

Introducing Albert

As promised here is Albert (named not for any particular reason) completed, no kiln disasters thankfully. I just put a manganese wash on him and fired him to 1100o I have a big tree stump at home where he is going to live. When we have a group exhibition in September we are going to show our finished pieces from Janna's workshop. Next week we are meeting with Janna again to make animals for her Farm Animals for Ebenezer charity. They will be donated and sold to raise funds to build a chook yard for the orphanage in Zambia. It will be great fun and hopefully will raise enough for them to complete the project. We have about 15 people attending so it should mean 15 pieces at least to donate.

Until next time

Wendy

Forget the Water

Hi everyone,

These are the perfect decoration for the non gardeners amongst us, never need watering last forever. They are handmade in white clay, coloured with underglaze then a clear glaze and fired to 1100o then attached to perspex rods. They can be done in a range of colours to suit any decor. They were made specifically for an exhibition the "Dining Table", artists made something that would be found on a range of tables from picnic to fine dining.

Until next time

Wendy

Sculpture Workshop

What a wonderful weekend spent attending a Janna Pameijer workshop. Spent time with friends learning heaps about our common thread. I had been looking forward to the workshop for months though only made up my mind what I was going to attempt on Sat morning. Sat afternoon I was regretting my ambitious decision big time and overnight decided I was never going to sculpt again. By Sunday afternoon with lots of help and encouragement I think I will have another attempt, though by myself the result may be alot different. Can't wait until it is finished to show you, imagine him with manganese oxide wash. I will post another photo when he is complete providing there are no kiln disasters.

Until next time

Wendy

Kids Workshops

Last year I held some workshops for kids, they seemed to have a great time I know I had alot of fun. I have 3 different 6 week programs and hope to be running more workshops this year. So far my students have been kids being homeschooled as this is an activity that would not be practical at home for most parents. The kids get to take home one of their creations most weeks after glazing and firing. Here are the pig money boxes that we made.

till next time

Wendy

Just for fun a Picnic Basket

Things have finally quietened down, though I am suspecting it is only because xmas is fast approaching. There is also the fact that a shoulder op will have me out of action for about 4 weeks. I will be doing lot of planning in my head and some sketching, as much as I hate it, and making myself stay out of the studio. Starting to organize my head for some new work for next year. Along with more experimentation with 1190o Crystalline glazes, being able to combine that with some Mid Fire Quartz pieces to kill to birds with one stone. Maximizing kiln use to save some electricity and time also.

Busy October

I have been part of two group exhibitions this month and so September and October have been pretty busy to say the least. Both exhibitions went well with lots of great feedback and I think quality was up on last year at our Noosa Arts and Crafts Pottery group exh "Clay Fiesta". We also had our first exh at the Pomona Railway Gallery again successful and great as it was up for a whole month. So I am relieved that Oct is just about done, hopefully a little quiet time running up to Xmas, though probably not. I would like to get a few projects that have been on the back burner underway. I have been trialing some 1190o crystalline glazes with enough success to continue with this temprature. Maybe it is the way to go use a bit less electricity better for the environment and the pocket. Guess the run up to Xmas has just been planned.

Till next time

Wendy