Shipping

SHIPPING DAY here at Bridges Pottery. Bye Bye Yarn Bowls!!!!

Fresh Kiln Full - See 'the bomb"

With each kiln load there are disappointments and surprises. This kiln load was almost all great results and one piece that is "the bomb". So great to start the year off well.

This butter dish / butter keeper is glazed in a matt finish weathered patina. The inside has a shiny coat of clear that makes the glaze crystallize a bit. This clear coat allows the butter to clean off nicely.

Bridges Pottery- Butter Dish / Butter Keeper

Bridges Pottery- Butter Dish / Butter Keeper

Bridges Pottery- Butter Dish / Butter Keeper

Tea Pots

This week I started my more advanced students (you know who you are) on teapots. Teapots are one of the hardest vessels to make because they have so many components and each one requires individual attention as well as coordination with each other. 

• Body
• Spout
• Lid
• Handle

Just like any form, it requires some practice. I don't make a lot of teapots these days, in my Bridges Pottery line, but I have made a lot of them over the years.  There is a mass of great information, videos, diagrams, photos, descriptions and lesson plans about teapots. I couldn't begin to put it all together but here is a start - for those of you that are interested in giving it a shot.

Lets start with the fun stuff...

http://teapotsteapotsteapots.blogspot.com/

basic lesson from Ceramics Arts Daily Archive

http://ceramicartsdaily.org/education/lesson-plans-6-8/family-flair-teapots/

Lucy Fagella video clips of each part of putting together a teapot

http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_6093_make-teapot-clay.html

Great Book for inspiration
500 Teapots

(dear husband - would love this one for my birthday...hint hint)

Bridges Pottery Teapot

Bridges Pottery Teapot

Bridges Pottery Teapot

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just returning from a week away I already have my work cut out for me to start the new year. Expanding my reach to another online shop......Stay tuned.

Winding Down for Christmas

I feel an Ahhhhhhhh. Today was the last day to ship items so that they arrived for Christmas. I have successfully completed a busy holiday season and have earned my box-agami black belt. 

I shipped out two big boxes of Yarn Bowls for Vogue Knitting. They are having another knitting fest called Vogue Knitting Live in New York City. 

My shelves are very bare, which is a great thing. I like a fresh start, and that will be after Christmas. There are still some great pieces- who just have not found the right person yet.

Bridges Pottery - Creamy White with a Hint of Green 9" Square Platter

Tools - The VERY Basics

I promised some of my students that I would list the basic tools they should have in their kit.  One woman I know had trimming tools that were so dull- she may as well have been using a butter knife. Sometimes students use only communal studio tools and never realize or know just how much easier it is to use good , sharp, appropriate toos.

First - my disclaimer. This is not a complete list , not a comprehensive list. It is meant to be a start for the serious beginner or intermediate student. Pin tool, wire, towel, gum - all that goes without saying.

Tools are very personal and as you develop as a potter you find the ones you love and hate. I Like tools that feel good in the hand and do a good job. I am a Bison fan and a Bamboo fan.

TRIMMING

• Loop
• Double tipped - small round and triangle
• Triangle

All Ceramic Supplies sell these

 

This is totally helpful for getting the bottom of a pot really flat. Love this - Bambootools.com

 SPONGES

• Get a big Grout Sponge and cut it into 2" and 1" squares and triangles. 
• I also like a few round ones 
• I always keep the very small, tight pore makeup triangles that you can buy in the drug store.

RIBS- Ribs come in a variety if firmness. There are really rigid ones and there are floppy ones. Have some of each. I like the ones with the holes for your fingers- easy to grip for newbies.

• Rubber
• Wood
• Bamboo

Kemper and Lots of other companies make rubber ribs.

Great shape for bowls and rounded things and makes a nice chubby rim. My favorite

These are great all around for cleaning up and never get water logged.

 Another favorite. Bambootools.com

OTHER

LOVE THESE

Metal rib that is serated all around. Fantastic for scoring stuff.

ALL TIME FAVORITE for hand building. The YUMI from bamboo tools. This one I keep several of because I use it so often. Afraid I will misplace it and freak out:)

LASTLY

It's called a "colour shaper" - bought it at Blick. I think it is meant for pastels - blending the colors.   Like a paintbrush with a rubber tip. Great for finishing off seams on things. This was the most expensive tool in the lot.

The last mile

It feels like December is moving really fast. I am finishing up holiday orders and trying the build up an inventory of Yarn Bowls for these demanding Knitters. I have a glaze kiln to run tomorrow, then a bisque in 4-5 days and then a final glaze. That's the end for 2011. Full Stop.

I keep promising to post a brief on tools and the basics for serious newbies or oldies that need to replace the main ingredients.  Maybe tomorrow. Stay Tuned.