It's Almost That Time...

Only two more weeks left of the semester-SWEET!!  However, I must say that though the majority of this semester was brutal-I will really miss my beloved ceramics class L  I would have liked to take the summer course Special Topics in Ceramics, but I was not aware of it until too late L  I just can’t afford $700 out of my pocket right now.  HOWEVER, I plan on visiting my fellow mudslingers during their course this summer (hopefully).

As for this week in review, it has been quiet hectic.  I have been loading/unloading kilns, bisque fixing and glazing all week.  My last green ware is becoming bisque as we speak.  I loaded my first batch of cone 6 pieces today.  I will have my last load of the semester ready to load on Monday.

I had to do some major bisque fixing on one of my combined vessels this week (pictures below). It had seven areas that had to be mended!  I will tell you what-if it doesn’t make it through the glazing and last firing process-IT WILL BE SUPER EPOXIED!!!!

I have also been doing quite a few experiments in my glazing processes.  I really do hope they turn out well!  I should be able to see the first load results on Sunday-so excited!

Until next week…”be the change you wish to see in the world”-Ghandi

 ART is the best way to change the world!!!!

Honorable Week

This week in review includes wetware cutoff, honors society induction and further home studio planning and shopping.  Busy, busy week as usual J

Let’s start with wetware cutoff.  Let me say this, I will be SO GLAD when I am able to not have to worry about wetware cutoff anymore!    As usual, wetware cutoff gets pretty hectic and usually involves many sleepless nights.  LOL.  Never mind the insanity that is accompanied with wetware cutoff, I DO really enjoy being able to focus all my time on my clay! J  However, I am sometimes led to believe that my other professors are not as happy about me focusing my attention solely to clay as I am! Ha! Tough.   In fact, I think the only thing that I do not like about wetware cutoff is feeling like I am rushing the clay and it will not turn out as awesome as it normally would.

Now, onto the honors society induction.  I was inducted into the Pinnacle Honors Society on Tuesday evening.  SWEET!  I also learned that this particular society is usually reserved for senior status students (class standing-not age!) and that only a very few “exceptional” juniors are accepted.  Umm…wow!  Now I wonder if they may have got me confused with some other crazy clay lady?!   On a side note, I am very proud to say that I was not the only “Dirtbag” in attendance-Ms. Rosie was there too!  CONGRATS, ROSIE!!!  I sure will miss her when she leaves after the semester L

Last, but not least, further planning has been accomplished on my home studio.  We should be getting the electric necessities this weekend and AWESOME BRIAN is letting me borrow some broken shelves to conduct the test fire.  I have also purchased some peephole plugs, kiln post, mason stain, epoxy and glaze chalks!  I am like a little kid in a candy store just waiting to get my studio fully underway!

Until next week, this extreme mudslinging pyromaniac is out of here!  ENJOY!!

What break?!?

Here we are, back at it again!  I have done quite a bit in last two weeks or so.  I have been working on about seven projects at once! 

 First up?  The three different hand build projects and so far they are coming along nicely.  I need to order some supplies to finish one of them-so unfortunately it is holding me up. L  I may have to take a different view of one part of another hand build I am working on. Who knows, I may be able to pull it off with awesome glazing skills!  Whopper into play ball…can it be done?  WE SHALL SEE!!!  Last, but not least of the current hand builds, the drugs!  They are coming along very nicely.  A special thanks goes to Erika for showing me a tool that will help the process much better than what I was using!  LOVE IT!!! (picked mine up today from Prestons)

Second to go?  The two throwing endeavors I am on.  Due to the pneumonia I had a few weeks ago, and the result it had on my throwing abilities, I am working on throwing some better lidded vessels.  Wish me luck on those J  I am also working on my final throwing project for the semester (wait for it…) a COMBINATION VESSEL!!!  WOO HOO!!  So far I am having a lot of fun with this piece.  Take note that I am not really sure what the end result will be (or look like) but I am having a great time just letting the clay and wheel speak through me!

Lastly?  I have finally finished my in home gallery/library!!  I am so excited that it is finally finished (only took me “forever”)!!!  I am even more stoked that I can now begin filling it up with more of my work!!  I also love the fact that it is a “non-working” area in the house that I can go in and relax and not be tempted to work.  (My husband’s idea and I am sure he will be grateful!)  Thanks to getting the gallery/library done-I was also able to get my studio organized for more productivity until the next phase of my studio project comes (wall construction and insulation).

On a final note, my spring break was not a break at all-haha!  In fact, I had to come back to classes to get a “break.”  We worked day in and day out on the gallery and other projects,  and with a wedding and multiple family/friend visits tossed in there for good measure-I felt like a chicken with its head cut off!  No worries, the semester is almost over and I will collapse for the first week after (here’s hoping!)