First time working with porcelain clay

and creating a back splash for the guest cottage pedestal sink.

I noticed a bit of water damage along the back edge of the pedestal sink 

in the guest cottage and decided to create a back splash to protect it.

I used a scrap of paper to draw a simple arched pattern for the shape.

 I rolled out a piece of clay and cut the basic shape

 and pulled out my seashell molds and started layering the whole piece with seashells

 then created a little lip along the bottom edge where it will set on the back of the sink.

It has been drying for days. When it is completely dry it will be fired

and then I plan on glazing it all in whites.

Here it is back from firing.

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Silk screening on ceramics

I LoVe experimenting and learning new techniques...

I began practicing silk screening on a few ceramic bisque ware 

pieces found about the studio and using various color glazes,

on each to see what worked best,

and then continued with a water color effect filling in the details

 then completed the piece with a clear glaze in the last firing. 

Fun new dish designs!

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Beach time...

A mini vacation, just across the street from the cottage, 

and down a few steps...

Some days it is just the lifeguard, seashells, 

large stretches of blue sky, warm sand and the sparkling sea.

I usually bring my tattered sketchbook along with me.

And my favorite pencil, a fat stump for shading and an eraser.

On this day the straw bag and flipflops were more interesting than my pink painted toes.

Surprisingly, Sunday afternoon I seemed to have my favorite little cove all to myself.

Other days I have unsuspecting subject matter all about.

 I had just begun sketching 

when this guy jumped up and ran after his toddler.

So I spy someone else and begin again.

I am hidden under a large straw hat with dark glasses 

with the sketch book in my lap.

Most people have no idea what I am up to.

This gal made it so much easier, she was dozing and not moving about.

Mostly it is just for fun and practice 

but every once in a while I like a piece well enough to frame.

This one ended up in the guest house at Summerland Cottage.

This guy was so engrossed in his Clive Cussler novel 

that he made a perfect model.

(Reminder to self, do this more often!)

Just out of firing...

my latest creation

inspired by where I live 

   and by the William Morris quote,

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”

It measures 10" X 3" and is replacing my old colander 

that is seriously dented and rather unattractive.

Creative fun, using barbecue skewers, chopsticks and drinking straws 
to create the holes in the clay form before firing!


And another one created to donate to this worthy cause
World Hunger Bowl

Little works in progress...

working in my little sketch book

on new designs

 

doodleliciousness

and then playing with the designs on a bisque vase

just a little weekend fun!

To be continued...

HERE

Seashore Winter Wonderland

I finally have a day off!

I sleep in, and later while savoring my favorite breakfast, dark chocolate, I take time to listen to the ideas that have been percolating in my imagination for some time now.

I choose to ignore the stacks of paperwork and invoicing that is overtaking the breakfast room table and take myself off to my studio to gather all the bits and pieces that are calling my attention to be part of the seashore themed holiday table decoration.

The little tree below was found @ TJ Maxx $3.50

and perfect to begin with.

Then miscellaneous silver toned foliage is gathered

and fun finds from a local shop in town.

The sea fan and shells are sprayed with silver metallic paint

and lovely glass treasures collected in Venice, Italy are pulled to include

with more seashells

and a some of my own ceramic creations

and a few more bits and bobs that may want to be included

are all gathered and artfully piled on a simple white dish 

and the picture that has been in my imagination

slowly comes to fruition before my eyes,

and then is captured under a glass cloche.

I LoVe when that happens!

The photo above is of the back side.

And a couple close ups for your viewing pleasure.

Happy Thanksgiving dear friends,

I am grateful to share the fun and creativity!

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Sending Happy Valentines

with my latest ceramic heart designs

♥. HAPPY HEART'S DAY . ♥

Seashell assemblage

Inspired by the always amusing and creative O.C. Cottage

and her post "Just use it"

I pull out a bowl full of seashells and spread them out across the studio work table

and create this seashell assemblage with them using e6000 adhesive.

...just wanted to share the fun.

Artfully arranged treasures

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a short post asked about displaying and creating

beautiful focal points with our treasured collections

if you have been collecting treasures that speak to your heart

consider grouping like items together to create a focal point

having been collecting

and gifted with seashells for many years

( the treasure trove shown above was a gift last week

from my neighbor Jessica, inspiring this creativity )

I selected a few favorites

choosing all neutral tones for my color scheme

and gathered them together

and placed them on a pedestal of the same genre

to show them off at their very best !

Gratitude

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{with a snap of some my original ceramic bisque creations}

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Happiest Holiday!

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