Black and White

 These mugs came out of the kiln a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't sure how I felt about them and left them out on the shelves under the kiln shed for more than a week.

I finally decided to bring them in and photograph them. After spending some time with them, I decided they were OK. 

I think I would be more in love with them if I had a more transparent glaze. My next plan is to apply velvet under glaze onto the white stoneware and carve through it, instead of the slip. The velvet under glaze has a nice finish without any glaze over it. I will first do some tumblers or small cups. If wanted to do mugs I would have to wax over all of the under glaze in order glaze the handle too. I am open to suggestions!

Finally nailing it.

 Jeff has a mug shape that is always a best seller. We often collaborate with this shape for ginkgo carved mug. He throws them, I slip, handle, and carve.

The vessel sink business has really taken off and that has been his focus in recent months. So if wanted mugs in his shape, I had some practice to do. At first I could always tell which were mine and which were his. At last I think I have finally nailed it! 

I could never work at a pottery throwing other potter's designs. It would take me so long to get it down that I would have been fired before I became successful. Jeff on the other hand did it for so many years that he can reproduce most anybodies pots.

Today is a glazing day. It's looking to be gorgeous weather here in Seagrove, and will do our glazing outside. We have been firing the gas kiln most every week. It doesn't take long to fill when there are sinks in each firing.

Replenishing

Our inventory of mugs is at an all time low. I spent the first part of this week remedying that situation. I really like making mugs. They employ all the fun parts of pottery; throwing, pulling handles, and for me, carving designs.

 Jeff took this photo of me working the other night. It gave me a good look at my new hair! I spent the last year growing out my hair color... what an awful thing to go through when your hair is long! I have slowly been having 3-4" cut off at a time to eliminate the two-tone look. Once the color was finally gone, I was left with mousy brown and gray hair. My niece Kayla is a hairstylist. While I was in NH she cut in some more layers and gave me just a few highlight to perk it up. They are subtle, and I won't have to be a slave to them.

Now back to pottery...

The mugs are done. I think I made 28. Now I am on to bowls and platters. The weather has been muggy (no pun intended!), hopefully I can dry them enough to do some trimming today.