Adding to the Flock in more Ways Than One

Just a quick post today as it's been far too long. The past few months have been very busy. In the later stages of my pregnancy I was in the studio making as many birds as possible so that when our new baby was born I could time spend time with her and Emily.  Our gorgeous little 'Abbie' was born on 1 April. Yes, April fool's day. It really just makes her even more special. I went into hospital on the 31st and since I was induced that same day and being my forth child, we thought she would definitely be born on that day. Not the case and 'Abbie Elizabeth' was born on the afternoon of 1st April. Here's a picture with her big and very proud sister Emily (4).

 

 



A few new birds have been added to my range of  native Australian birds the last few months. I was asked by a customer on Etsy if I could make a Butcher Bird, a Wedge-tailed Eagle and a White Breasted Sea Eagle. So, as it usually happens, they are now a part of the flock. The butcherbird I will make on a regular basis that is for sure as it is already proving popular.

 



 

 

Some exciting news to share... A tourist outlet that is probably interested in carrying a range of my handmade ceramics in the Macarthur area. Hope it all comes together as I would like. Will know more in a few weeks.

 





Reliable Cone 6 Glaze - Chrome Tin Red

Flower Sculpture Glazed in Chrome Tin Red at Cone 6

This flower sculpture was made some months ago now and intended to be used on a steel rod in the garden. However, it looks just a nice sitting on a table. I have glazed this piece using a Cone 6 glaze called Chrome Tin Red. Its one of the most reliable cone 6 glazes I have ever used and you can experiment as I have done, by over spraying with other glazes to see what happens. Here I have used 'Fake Blue Ash' and a glaze called 'Nutmeg'. I used a white earthenware paperclay from 'Blackwattle Pottery' located in Ingleburn NSW. John manufactures his own clays onsite and I have found them to be excellent. The white earthenware clay I buy from John are recommended to be fired to 1150 deg c from memory, but I find it fires to 1200c with no issues to date. I have also used his 'White Grog Raku' clay for my raku pieces.

Here is the recipe for 'Chrome Tin Red' Cone 6 Glaze' - sometimes known as 'Raspberry Red' or 'Burgundy Red'

 

Whiting                       21.00 grams

Gerstley Borate            8.00

Edgar Plastic Kaolin     9.00

Talc                              4.00

Custer Feldspar         31.00

Ferro Frit 3134             9.00

Silica                          18.00

Tin oxide                      5.00

Chrome oxide              0.2

Total                        105.20 grams 

		Here is another Chrome Tin Red/Pink glaze that is also reliable. 'Chrome Tin Red/Pink' Cone 6 (Glossy) Gerstley Borate            21.00 grams Nepheline Syenite       16.00 Edgar Plastic Kaolin    11.00 Whiting                        20.00 Silica                           32.00 Tin oxide                     05.00 Chrome oxide                0.2 Total                         105.20 grams
		No fussy around with the firing of this glaze and I have found that it fires well no matter what the firing schedule, but I would recommend a hold for 1/2 hr at around 900c on the way back down. I have even used this glaze in single firing with good results. Good luck and drop me a line to let me know what you think of this glaze.

  

Garden Flower Sculpture

Had a short break from pottery over the Christmas holidays but back in full swing again and working on a few different things. I have made a few pieces which I intend to Raku Fire in a short while. I have always loved plants and gardening. I particularty love Australian native plants and the diverse flowers and seed pods mother nature provides for our visual pleasure.  I have at differant times, made pots and sculptural pieces that are in some way a reflection of things like seed pods from nature. Working on another Banksia Seed sculptural piece at the moment which I plan to pit fire to reflect the way a bush fire might affect a tree in the bush. Other seed pods in mind too, so keep posted for more updates and photos. Plan to make a series and call it "Seed Pods from Nature'. Also, my love old oil cans has inspired me to make a series of 'Oil Can Relics'. Love the many different forms, spouts, handles which help create each personality. Just love how they look. As well as these, I am continuely looking at extending my Cone 6 glazes so have been mixing up a few more glazes to test, mostly for sculptural pieces. Looking at making some more funtional pieces too incorporating the wonderful textures available in my box of treasures that include handmade stamps, found objects from nature, old cogs, wheels and other man made objects and relics.

Here is the glazed result of one of the flower sculptures shown in an earlier post (unglazed). This particular piece was single fired and I am pretty happy with the result.

If you would like the recipe for the glaze used here, drop me an email and I would be happy to send it to you. 

Flowers in our Garden...

We have alot of flowering plants in our garden at this time of year, which really cheer up the place and make the garden look so pretty. It led me to think... why not have some all year round. So, I have been experimenting the last few days with making some in clay.  In the pics below, you will see I have made one on a pedestral which can be a fruit bowl, candle holder etc for indoors or have outside as a water dish for the birds. The others I have made to sit on a steel rod/pole and they will also have a leaf made from clay which can be glued to the pole. I will glaze them colourfully and group together for a better impact. I will post the glazed results when they are completely finished.

Standing Sculptural Flower

Sculptural Flower for steel rod

My daughter 19 months old - Budding artist at work

Sculptural piece with impressed patterns using old cogs,
wheels, bolts etc. Rusty steel rods, barbed wire
and an old fence post used for a base.