The Art of Patience

Those who are close to me know that I am quite impatient...especially when it comes to creating. When inspiration hits me...i have to get it done. I like to see results...fast! Sometimes, i start even without planning...just dive right in and see how it goes.

With stoneware clay, I am learning the art of patience. In each of my workshop sessions I was able to complete a piece...but for the last day, our teacher asked us to come in with a plan of something we wanted to create combining different techniques we learned in class.

I actually already had an idea for what i wanted to do and the night before class, i sat down and scratched a few doodles on to a piece of paper. I worked on a couple of patterns to bring with me that I would use to cut out my clay pieces. So, I was ready.

In class, I tried to work quickly building my coiled piece but noticed that the clay was too wet to keep building. I had to slow down and give the clay time to dry out a bit. So I learned to relax and build more carefully and slowly since the piece that I was creating was a bit bigger than the usual pieces that i had made...

I had to go home this time, with an unfinished project but, of course, it is a challenge for me to complete this. Now that the workshop is done, I will be working on my final project here at home. There's still a lot of work to be done on it but, I am excited because I know, I've been wanting to make a piece like this for a while... You're wonder what it is? Well, you'll have to be patient too and come back to see how its going before you can find out...

Anyway's here is what I have on the work so far....

Not much to go by quite yet but...just wait and see!!!

In the meantime, i do have mini projects on the side that are quick with instant gratification...here are a few greenware pendants and a stamp I worked on...

I carved the designs out freehand on a piece of slab and then cut out several pieces in oval shapes. I really like the one on the upper right (2nd to the right), It has a concave shape which may allow me to just glaze the front side and leave the back unfinished. I noticed too that i need to make the holes a bit bigger for the pendants..maybe i could drill them a bit to enlarged them...

So, that's what i am working on for now. I also have to get back into the groove at my supplies shop. I have a few orders to process and hopefully I'll get the invoices out today. Busy busy bee!!! Have a great day and keep cool!!!

Oil Burner and a Vial

 Some home-work that I did yesterday... I used the pinch pot techniques for this oil burner...

I'm not happy with the little pot that goes on top so, i think ill make another one for it today. I do like how peep carving in the back looks. Makes me want to make some candle holders...hmmm....

I also made a couple of vials...great for essential oils to hang as a pendant. I would need to glaze the inside part so that it would be waterproof. This one is my favorite...

So, today is a Tuesday and that means its workshop day again! Only 3 sessions left...awww....I wish there was some kind of continuing education available here in the Philippines for this kind of stuff....

By the way, stop by the etsy shop...I have a discount package listed for the digital collage sheets... Your choice of 5 digital collage sheets for only $15!!!!

Ceramics - Playing Around Between Classes

Since there won't be another class until Tuesday, I decided to play around a bit with the left over clay i had...and  I made myself a little dragon...

Here is his head and neck...looks a little like a dinosaur...

 The body is made using a small pinch pot...

 Attached the head and his little arms...

 Now for the wavey mane/ head scales?

 Side view...

 Front view...

 Now to add the wings...

I also worked on a few texturing stamping tools...I really want to make a lot more of these...

I definitely think I've stoneware is here to stay!!!

Ceramics Day Three - Coiling Technique

Another fun ceramics class!!! Today we learned the coiling technique..and this one I really enjoyed. It took a lot of time and patience to come up with each coil but I find it very calming and relaxing rolling away those little logs of clay...

Here is what I made today....

I'm looking forward to making a few more items using this technique.

I actually also made 2 little cupcakes pendants and an owl pendant but I totally forgot to take pictures of them....awww and they came out really cute! 

Can't wait for the next class!!!

Ceramics Day Two - Slab Technique

Second day in ceramics class today... I brought in what I did at home...

I realize that I had let it dry out already so I couldn't paint it with the underglaze. So, I will have it add to the ones to be bisque fired and just glaze it later on. I'm excited to do more jewelry stuff...

So today's lesson was the slab technique...we rolled out our clay between two pieces of wood. we had to put it between canvas so the clay wouldn't stick.

After rolling it we stamped a design and then beveled the edges so that we could stick the two ends together and come up with a cup...here's mine...

I guess the clay should have been thinner. Also, I'm hoping the cracks are just minor ones...had quite a hard time with these because so many cracks kept showing up...well I'm gonna cross my fingers and see how these two hold up...

I still have some extra clay left over..and i'm gonna try to play around and make more jewelry pieces! Yey..can't wait for the next session!

Custom Bezels

So..here's the newest in my shop...custom bezels....

Most of them will be made to order and you can customize what colors you want. They're handmade from polymer clay with an inset of 18 x 25 inch. Great for graphic pendants or decorating with your own clay creations. Here are some closeups...

Crackle Bead Cabochons

I'm excited to post these new handmade beads in the shop!!! I got new materials yesterday and immediately started playing with them. Alchohol inks are the best..and mixed in with gold leaf...all i can say is WOW!

So here is the first batch..to be posted in my fb album...

Crackled Earthly Sunset Cabochons...

Here's a peek at the process...

And this is what is wrapped around pieces of scrap clay and turned into different cab shapes. 

They look great put in a setting like this...

Crazy for Cuffs

My latest creating craze are polymer clay cuffs...why did I just start making them now? I love making them...and I love wearing them. ooh I wish I could keep them....