Spending More Quality Time In The Clay Studio

I like the bean pot I made, but I wanted to make a smaller pot - something more practical for cooking for two. These are the results. Can't wait to get this fired, glazed and fired again so I can cook in it. Because this is mica clay, I'll put a clear glaze on the inside and leave the outside as is. That way, there are lots of sparkles on the outside. 

I'm still not going to buy something I can make. I want a covered bread pan. Ceramic bread pans make the best bread. I saw a covered bread pan in a catalog for $60. I'm going to build the sized up on this pan, make a lid. I had built some very small, one roll size, covered bread pans a few years ago to see how they would work. The bread rose higher and cooked nicer. 

Working In The Clay Studio 9-24-11

Ceramic buttons. I used the cap from a pop bottle to cut out buttons. Because I sometimes use buttons for garments rather than for decoration, I put terra sig on the back of the buttons so the button would be smooth and not catch on fabric. 

Shabbat candlesticks. I put terra sig on the bottoms so the bottoms would be smooth and not mar a wooden table. I have some crochet motifs (see below) that might look nice under the finished candlesticks. 

Checking to make sure the drip cups still fit the hole I made in the tops of the candlesticks. I'm leaning towards not gluing the drip cups to the candlesticks. If the drip cups lift out, they will be easier to clean. 

Using the red art terra sig to put my initials on the backs of the buttons. 

The Latest Anxiety Art

My surgery was cancelled because the cyst had shrunk too small for the surgeon to see. Maybe the cyst will grow back. If it does, it will get removed.

Meanwhile, I have a bald spot the size of a hockey rink. Okay, so it's the size of a silver dollar when silver dollars were made from silver. I'll be wearing hats for as long as it takes for hair to grow back, assuming my hair will grow back. It may not until the cyst eventually gets removed. 

And so it goes. Along with finding one of my old crochet books and finding a motif that is a perfect size for my hats, I've done some thinking. From now on, I take care of me first. I'm in this predicament because I scheduled surgery around a court schedule and considered the needs of my office before considering my own health. I can't continue to do that and I won't continue to do that. 

I'll keep making hats, some sedate (for days when I have jury selections) and some with BLING for days when I need all the help I can get. 

The one good thing out of this - aside from learning taking care of me comes first - is that I am psychologically incapable of blending into a crowd.

Spending Time In The Clay Studio

I love the way mica clay cooks, so I made myself a covered casserole dish. Can't wait to have this baby finished so I can cook something in it. 

I decided to try a different form for Shabbat candlesticks. The middle photo shows the drip cups and how they will look when the candlesticks are finished. I made sure I made the holes larger than the bottom of the drip cup. I haven't decided if I will glue the drip cups in or if I will let them just sit in the holes. I'm thinking about how they would be easiest to clean. 

Then, because I'm having surgery tomorrow (removal of a cyst - nothing major) and can't really concentrate on anything complicated, I made lots and lots of buttons. The buttons will go on hats and anything else that seems like it needs a ceramic button or two. 

Chasing Anxiety With Art

I was running low on soap, so I got out the molds and the liquid turquoise color and played around a bit. 

Yes, I know. It's a lousy photo. Earrings inspired by hat bling. 

One of Diane's hand made buttons, bead bling and a crochet motif made from hand-dyed crochet cotton. 

Adding Bling

The buttons, hand made ceramic, are a gift from Diane Karmrol (I hope I spelled that right).  Nothing like a warm hug from a friend. Thanks, Diane. 

I'm a little worried about the surgery on Wednesday, so I'm covering up the anxiety with bling. I've got to buy more of the swarovski crystal cubes. I love the way they sparkle and reflect light. 

Latest Hats