One problem after another.

Another full working weekend. We are going to get my studio extension built.  Construction will start at the end of the month. My current studio will disintegrate on the 28th, and I will need to make and underglaze in my office after that. Glazing will be in the place where the studio has been. The kiln is also moving in, next to the kitchen. Mike is busy emptying the garage ready for construction; the back wall will be soon gone. Our house looks rather like storage rooms right now.

Empress, Mirror mirror and Red riding hood

So I'm working like crazy. From morning to night. All days of a week since the 4th January! I was trying to do three firing before the kiln moves in. but on the 17th, when I was going to start a bisque firing, Mike found the controller was not working. We have just changed elements over Christmas. It was posted to the manufacturer for repair next day, and it will be back on Tuesday. I might still just make three firings.

I check each iris with a torch if inside is fully covered. It is easily missed, 

Since then, I'm glazing 10 masks. Seven are done so far. Glazing masks is painfully slow process. There are so many details. More busy days ahead!

Some of smaller masks to be glazed. 

 

The story of Mother Nature Bear

It all started from this bear, about 20 cm tall. I was going to make him as maquette, but as he looked great, I hollowed him out and changed the shape in due course. 

Then I started building a large one. The bear grew and grew.

And it has become this big.

First it had a face like this.

Then another one.

Then it has changed again. 

After I became happy with the face, I knew something is missing. 

Next morning, I keep looking at her. I put a cloud over her head.

Then, Ivy. She needs a crown?

She needs Nature as a crown. She is The Mother Nature bear!

Then I decorated her.

Off she went to a college studio to be fired. The tallest part of the largest kiln interior is 97cm high. She was initially 94cm, but I trimmed a bit to make loading easier.  She was carried on a make shift stretcher. 

She was fired successfully, and she is back home now. I wanted to do glazing of her, but I needed to make more for bisque-firing first. So she is safely still lying on a stretcher in my studio. But we did pedicure for her. Her toe nails are sharp and sweet now. 

I hope she will make it to the end!

Lots of works have gone to loving homes!

My studio life has become hectic. The day for the start of construction for my studio is decided; it's the 29th February. So I have a month before disruption will start. No rest for me until then!

Lots of sales have happened since the last post. Thank you so much! Here are some of them.

A girl with red shoes has gone to a lovely lady in the US. This work is based on a Japanese children's song, 'Akai kutsu' (Red shoes) written about 100 years ago. It is a poignant song. At that time, ordinary people wore traditional Japanese footwear, not shoes, let alone red shoes. It is about the girl, who was taken away to abroad by a foreigner.

Girl with red shoes

The Medieval Lady mask has gone to a lovely lady in the South East. I'm hoping to make more Medieval themed works in summer.  

The Medieval lady

As for animals, whippets are running off! :D The largest, the third from left, and far right are in my shop. All others have gone to loving homes! They make fantastic gifts for sighthound lovers!  

Three whippets are still available. 

At this time of the year, rabbits are also popular. First, this little chap has gone to a lovely stone carver, Jennifer Tetlow. She makes beautiful stone animals. Link at the bottom. 

He is living with a stone carver now. 

And this one has gone to a textile lady.

She went to a lovely textile designer,  Scotland, 

And this one has gone to a sweet lady in Japan. 

You haven't missed out yet! I have made more recently. Please check my shop!

Lots of rabbits

The first tapir porcelain spoon (top) has gone to a wonderful couple in Scotland. They are not only beautiful and sweet, but also usable; they has food safe glaze. Other two are in my shop.

Porcelain tapir spoons

The last and not the least is Wind swept owl who flew to Scotland on a stormy day! I will make more owls soon!

Wind swept owl

 Jennifer Tetlow: http://twitter.com/JenniferTetlow