Tuesday, February 26, 2008

StudioElan World Domination!

by Eleanor Hendriks

A package of pottery goodies from StudioÉlan reached its destination in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada today -so if you are near there and would like to see -in person- fruit that shakes salt or any of these other clay treasures ......



....you should go to NOMI, the brick and mortar store of fellow Etsian, Kristi Cross

Find hours of operation and location info for NOMI here.

You will also see lovely jewelry, like these earrings , made by Kristi...

If Newmarket isn't in your immediate travel itinerary, be sure to stop by her online shop full of lovely jewelry and FREE shipping until the end of February!!

I'm busy planning an March Break Art Camp for Kids and yes, I am taking any and all suggestions for how to keep eight 8-12 year olds in an arty state of mind for five mornings in a row!!

Meanwhile, back in the studio, my students have been creating up a storm -I'll give you a peek next time -here's a hint -hedgehogs and outhouses!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Wrecked!

by Eleanor Hendriks

So, in my last post I was showing off pots as they were going into the kiln and wondering if I had wrecked things or not. Well, the kiln load turned out fairly well -a nice batch of berry bowls, a collection of perfect fruity salt shakers, nice mugs and square hors d'ouevres plates BUT I did manage to wreck something.....

....the sculptural jars I had been working so hard on! -difficult shapes, lots of fiddly details, a persnickety glaze job.... and I mis-matched the lids!!!

They can't be switched because then the lids don't fit!! So it's back to the drawing board with the sculptural jars!! Boohoo :(

This little vase turned out well though. I particularily like how the glaze emphasized the carving rather than obscuring it as I was worried it might -since I had never tested it on a textured piece before! This little vase has been named Sweetheart and is already listed in my Etsy shop.

With another making cycle done, I'm back to the wheel and soft clay to come up with the next round of clay creations. Stay tuned....







Friday, February 15, 2008

Blogging while the kiln cools...

by Eleanor Hendriks



It was another slow week in the studio -two (nearly three) snowdays changed a lot of plans! So I recruited some help in the studio to get the glazing done! (Actually, my daughter is decorating ornaments she made herself).


I bit the bullet and glazed the sculpture jars -its always so hard to first decide on glazes and then execute the plan.


Did I wreck them with bad choices or poor execution??

I may have to break my pattern of posting (almost) weekly once the kiln is cool enough to unload -if it's exciting enough I can show you how all these turned out!!

Friday, February 08, 2008

Good Chemistry at StudioÉLAN

by Eleanor Hendriks

This was a slow week in the studio -my kids were home from school because of weather cancellations for a couple of days, but I still managed to spend some time playing mad scientist and mixing up some glazes...

I try so hard to be neat but I fail miserably ....


A little sneak peak at a new Dream Box . I miss seeing that crazy little sprout lid out of the corner of my eye so I decided to make another one....

See you next week with more studio news!




Sunday, February 03, 2008

Etsy Mud Team Salt and Pepper Shaker Challenge

by Eleanor Hendriks


The Etsy Mud Team Salt and Pepper Shaker Challenge takes place February 3 - February 9.


You should go right away to the Etsy Mud Team website and check out all the entries. Vote for your favourite and you will be entered into a draw to win something pottery made by one of the team! This is the website:




And here is my entry:




Salt shakers only, I'm afraid, too many snowdays with kids home from school delayed the pepper's trip through the kilns -I'll have to show them to you later!

Friday, February 01, 2008

Snowflakes are Falling INSIDE!!!

by Eleanor Hendriks

Today's blog is mostly pictures -of the process I use to make snowflake designs on my pottery.




Blank slab formed plates


Cutting paper stencils


Wait for it...


...the fun part!


Stockpile

Matches made

See you later!

Wait...

Careful!


Ta Da!!

Looking at the ruined stencils in the garbage always make me a little sad...


...but these neat leftover cut bits give me ideas!!
You can see a finished platter using this method here in my Etsy shop along with a few other pieces.
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