I haven't carved a pumpkin in years! Boy how times have changed! I couldn't help but use my carving skills to make a non-traditional jack-o-lantern.

Here's for Jolene far far away.

Another wood firing out at Mizue's, this time the sky mimicking the inside of the kiln. They say 'red at night, sailors' delight', but we'll see how delightful the firing went next Saturday when we unload....

"Chanti" K

Nancy and I decided we should make some greeting cards out of our artwork. She chose several farm photos, water color paintings and sketches to print, and I took the next step with my colored pencil drawings: using those crazy puzzle piece squares (scanned, resized, printed, cut, and bordered). I made cards from "Beth" and "Chanti" (I didn't think to scan Molly's and Karen's at the time). Check 'em out!

colored pencil (20X30")

I started this a month ago for Chanti's birthday (oopsies: just a bit late!). Busy busy I have been, but finally: I am done!

While I'm sure she doesn't need any encouragement for her firey spirit, I hope this brightens her day and keeps her burning all year long out west. :)

12- 5X10" rectangles

Considering the obstacle of mailing such a large piece of paper, it has been pre-decided to cut this 20X30" piece of paper into smaller squares. Before going all the way though, I stopped at 12- 5X10" rectangles instead of 24- 5X5" squares--to be scanned for additional greeting card options. (I'm working on making greeting cards out of these images: we'll see what happens).

the back stack in Mizue's kiln

Of course neither since it's only September, but that's always the question when opening up a kiln...

The firing was a success--we made it to temperature and it didn't take as long as last time to do it. Mizue filled a lot of the gaps in the walls that we suspected held us back last time--losing heat.

I'm still working off my shelf space by splitting wood, but I don't mind too much.

The top right piece is mine...

Searching for the balance between inspiration and intimidation, Nancy and I checking out the glaze tiles at Baltimore Clayworks; photo by Genna Strauss

It has finally worked out for us to get glaze ingredients for the studio! Guided by Joy Bridy and joined by my vacationing friend, the ladies of La Capretta took a field trip to Baltimore. We filled

...our minds at Baltimore Clayworks--getting some inspiration from the studio and gallery

...our bellies at a Greek restaurant with tasty hummus

...my jeep with clay and glaze ingredients at Baltimore Clayworks and Supply, and

...our hearts with good company: strolling around the harbor, enjoying gelato, trying on hats, and slurping raw oysters.

Mizue bricking up the door.

I brought all my pots, thinking less than half would make it in; there are 6 other potters firing with Mizue this time around. Magically though, all but 6 cups made it in! Mizue is said to have eyes on her fingertips: a kiln loading goddess.

unloaded bisqueware taking up the whole table.

A first time for everything: a kiln filled with only my stuff.  stamps, tea bag plates, coil cups, key holes, bowls, slab cups. Dang. Gotta get ready for a wood firing and some glaze testing!

Still playing around with thickness, height and width, but I'm liking the form and of course the doily impressions....

I picked this book up at the library. Just like the other books in this series of "500 ---", this one is awesome!

I think my favorite is Sandy Culp's "Pear Pair" (2001). 8X12X 1 1/2 inches. page 353:

I'm still drawn to exposed coils and making them functional... we'll see how this form shapes up. I started off with a pinch pot bottom and then coiled up instead of upside down like the last set...

These are meant to be used teabag holders, but could be anything really. With my new stamps and some foam, I pressed these litte plates out of slabs. All of the stamps seem to work pretty well--couldn't have asked for more!

a few test stamps...

It's taken us a little while to make enough work to fill the kiln for another bisque since we've been so busy with the garden and what not, but FINALLY! We did it! AND: no cracks! Two sculptural vessels, some cups, and some stamps.