Sunday, November 21, 2010

Boogie Oogie Ooogie!!

The firing was a great success!!! Yea!! I'm very happy. Not one bad piece in the bunch. Well, actually I did have one mug that I kinda discarded but not because of an actual fault. I had mixed up a test glaze and it came out fine, technically, but was absolutely one of the ugliest colors I have ever seen. Blecccc!
But the rest came out very nice and so I am encouraged and looking forward to creating more work.

Beatrice (one of my readers) had mentioned having great difficulty finding handmade mugs with good handles and I find I must brag on my handles just a little. I am constantly amazed at some of the god-awful, uncomfortable, awkward mugs and handles some potter produce and some even seem to think the more elaborate the handle, the better it is. I find that to be just the opposite. A mug must feel right, be comfortable in the hand and not harbor any more weight than is necessary in order to be a really good mug. I think most potters just don't want to take the time to learn how to pull a good handle basically, and so create these monstrosities that end up being way too big to fit right. The handle must fit close to the body in order for the mug to be balanced correctly. And I really hate these stupid handles sculpted to look like tree limbs or some asinine crap like that. If you can't pull a decent handle just leave the damn thing off and don't try to cover up that fact with some artsy-fartsy tentacle sticking out there.

Okay, so I'm off my soap box for now. So, ya'll tell me what ya'll think of this glaze. It is a new one I have mixed up but I think it is a little too much on it's own. I used a tan, ash glaze on the exterior and I think the two colors go well together; I guess. I think a slightly darker brown on the outside would look better. Oh, I realize the picture here does not really show the outside well but you can see a little of the color on the rim.

Now I just need to throw like hell and try to produce a good bit of stuff for Christmas. I believe I may try to have a Studio Open House for Christmas and invite some of my former customers and all.

16 comments:

Robbyn said...

Oh my gosh they are GORGEOUS!!! If you have a page, EVER, with ones for sale, let us know. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Edifice, they are truly beautiful and I love the blue with the brown. I collect blue and brown dishes and if I were in the U.S. right now, I would definitely be ordering some from you. I think the open house sounds like a marvelous idea--do it quick so lots of people can have some of those for Christmas presents.
Sarah

Island Rider said...

Oooh, pretty. I like the blue and agree 100% about mug handles. Prices, please?

MamaHen said...

Hey Robbyn! well, these are all for sale but I will put a page up soon with a formal price list etc.
thanks!

Hey Sarah! thank you! I'm aiming for the open house as quick as I can but need to make quite a bit more stuff!

Hey IR! yes, I will get a price list up tonight. thanks!

HermitJim said...

Now that is some beautiful pottery, my friend! I like the colors a lot, and totally agree about the handles!

You sure do some nice work!

Looking forward to the pottery page...

R.Powers said...

WOW Annie! Those are beautiful.

MamaHen said...

Hey Jim! thanks a bunch! I will try to get that page up tonight.

Hey FC! thanks dude!

Woody said...

Nice work!

Jenn said...

Oooo. I may need four of those blue bowls too... I will confer with my money manager.

MamaHen said...

Hey Woody! thanks!

Hey Jenn! lol! okay; let me know!

commoncents said...

Interesting... Thanks for posting!

Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

ps. Link Exchange??

Mouser Jack said...

I got to see them in person; and, watched them from being a lump of raw clay to the finished product. The picture does not do justice. I agree with the comments concerning the bowl with the blue-like interior. It will be interesting to see that glazeing with the darker outside and the same blue inside.
And, folks, if you've never done this kind of work, it's just that, a lot of work. I got very exhausted just watching all this happen.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Annie, thanks for the mention in this post. Yes, those handles look great and Grenville and I might like a couple of those mugs. Looking forweard to seeing your pottery page when it's posted.

ErinFromIowa said...

Gosh! Talk about eye candy! I thoroughly enjoyed looking at them.

Fedulab said...

they're amazing handworks!
i love them all
preciuous things

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

Your pottery is great. I love the Fall colors.