Mud Slinging - Making Pottery Vases
Tolerant friends and regular readers know that I have been trying to teach myself how to throw ceramic vessels on a potter's wheel. It's a seasonal hobby since the equipment is in our unheated garage. That's my excuse for not making more progress in developing my ceramic making skills and I am sticking to it!
The warm weather and abundance of flowers in our garden have inspired me to give vase making a try. At the speed I am going it will be winter before I have finished any vases but I'll be ready for next summer.
I've been trying to make different shapes and sizes. This little one is for those very small bouquets of dainty blossoms or just one big fat rose and a few filler flowers.
This pear shape should be good for taller more top-heavy flowers.
This vase has the greatest capacity and should be able to hold a large bouquet of flowers. And then there is THIS one....
I don't know what happened here but I know it's going straight into the clay recycling bin! That's the great thing about throwing pottery, you can always start over.
These vases still have to be fired and glazed so it's going to be a while before they are ready for flowers. I'll let you know how they turn out.
The warm weather and abundance of flowers in our garden have inspired me to give vase making a try. At the speed I am going it will be winter before I have finished any vases but I'll be ready for next summer.
I've been trying to make different shapes and sizes. This little one is for those very small bouquets of dainty blossoms or just one big fat rose and a few filler flowers.
This pear shape should be good for taller more top-heavy flowers.
This vase has the greatest capacity and should be able to hold a large bouquet of flowers. And then there is THIS one....
I don't know what happened here but I know it's going straight into the clay recycling bin! That's the great thing about throwing pottery, you can always start over.
These vases still have to be fired and glazed so it's going to be a while before they are ready for flowers. I'll let you know how they turn out.
I'm very impressed - they're lovely! I'm sure I've often bought similar vases whilst on holiday on various Mediterranean islands so these are certainly professional enough to be sold!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words and encouragement. : ) This is just the first step, two firings in the kiln to go.
DeleteWow! They look very impressive. Look forward to seeing them when they are finished. I've never tried pottery, but I know it is very difficult to master.
ReplyDeleteYou should give pottery a go if you ever have the opportunity. It's great fun....messy, but fun!
DeleteWell, I think these are brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol. : ) I really appreciate the encouragement!
DeleteWow, they are great! Even the one you say is rubbish looks brilliant to me! Well done x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kerry! : ) The rubbish one is REALLY rubbish in real life. But three out of four is a pretty good result for me. Now to the scary kiln.
DeleteThey are all lovely but my favourite is the little one, such a gorgeous shape. You are very clever!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Su. : ) I like the little one, too. I hope they all survive the firing and glazing process. I have had one or two explosions in the kiln. It's so exciting!
DeleteHow fantastic Deb, what a clever lady you are. It must be most pleasing to have a flowers in the house from your own garden and in your very own handmade vase - wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAngela
Thank you, Angela. : ) I hope to have them flower ready very soon!
DeleteSo wonderful! They look so great and perfect! I think they are really something special!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Calendula
You are very kind! : ) Now what colour glaze should they have? Sometimes choosing the colour is the hardest part.
DeleteOh, yes, THAT is difficult. I guess the colours are really not easy to choose, because the final colour is first seen AFTER the "firing", isn't it?
DeleteThat's right. It can also be influenced by the colour of the clay and the temperature of the firing. There is so much for me to learn!
DeleteNow those are some impressive vases! Wow, you don't mess around! :) Wish there was a way to ship one here without it breaking. I love family treasures and these certainly qualify as a treasure! Keep up the good work. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI still have plenty of opportunities to ruin them. They have to have two firings in the kiln and be glazed. I'll keep you posted. : )
Delete