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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Vintage doilies and clay creations

I've been collecting vintage doilies for some time now and love using them for embellishing clothing, tablecloths and yes, even ceramic creations.

When they are covered in liquid clay and attached to a clay form the cotton burns away in firing and you are left with the beautiful  lace pattern. 

before firing

Here is an example of how I am using the doily as the pattern to cut varying size holes in the clay forming a flower frog.

This is a great way to repurpose damaged doilies.

These pieces had stains and the two small ones were ripped in the center.

When it came out of firing,

 I liked the white matte finish so well that I chose to leave it and only glazed the insides and bottom to make the pieces water tight.

This is a creative way for repurposing someones handcrafted pieces beautifully 

and preserving the past.

Black and White

I've been creating with a limited color pallet,

but using various glazes, on my ceramic designs

including india ink, crackle glaze & chalkboard paint.

Here are a few of them.

This was a gift of gratitude I made last year,

using chalkboard paint on the center of the bisque vase shape.

I cut holes in the design for knitting needles before firing,

so she could use it to keep her yarn in place.

I glazed the inside and base so it could also be used to hold fresh flowers.

And I used a crackle glaze on the exterior and then added black india ink to the cracks.

The center I painted with chalkboard paint so she could add in

a favorite quote or saying as she wished.

The card was a charcoal rendering of a favorite shoe design

I created just for her...

( The gal loved the color scheme of black, white and red,

she enjoyed needle crafting, writing, and had a passion for shoes )