Late last year I bought a set of patterns for barware from Studio BDU.

I started with the Stein because that seemed like a good one to start with. I took this picture and look at the two amazing cups! Ok not amazing, but they worked. I learned a lot doing these two. The most important lesson I learned was to not attach the bottom to the cup before doing the stem.


The second most important lesson I learned was not to fiddle with the bottom (it had a wobble) when it was already past leather hard. Bummer.

I have no idea where I found the template for this (or I would give them credit). I printed it probably a year ago and only cut it out over the holidays. It's made with a single piece of clay that gets wrapped around itself to produce this bird. Took me a couple of tries to get the hang of it. And one bit the dust with some over zealous wiping, but I think it turned out pretty cute. I'm going to glaze it white and let the speckles shine through.

In the very near future I will start to stress about getting ready for spring shows, but right now I'm experimenting. Over the holiday I treated myself to a few Little Chip Extruder Dies.

I played with one of the basket weave dies and made a few baskets. I tried two as hump (over) and one as a slump (inside). Overally the hump was a little easier and it dried faster.

I decided not to put feet on this, but that means I won't be able to glaze the bottom. I think they're too large/heavy to stilt so I may regret this decision later, but I couldn't come up with a foot that didn't look weird. They have to make it to bisque, but so far I love how they've started.




This one was a hump. I have two more forms like this that are bigger that I think I will try next.




This one was a slump. I love the handles.




This one was a hump. I wish I had put handles on it. I thought about it as soon as I flipped it over, but I hadn't saved any clay.

Finally had some time to use my crochet texture plates. I was hoping for a little more definition, but this is definitely headed in the right direction. I'm learning a lot of it has to do with how well I roll in the texture while its on the plate. With this texture I can't really belly out the mugs much so I'm going to experiment with different shapes to see what works best.

I took my little crochet samples I made a few weeks ago, soaked them in starch and then let them dry for a few days. The drying definitely took longer than I thought it would.


I used bmix because I didn't want any of the grog from the 60 in the template. The lines look crisp in it and I'm hoping that translates when I press clay into it as a template.




The next step is to let these dry slowly between boards to prevent warping. Then they will get bisque fired and I can try them out for mugs.

At a work dinner a few weeks ago I was talking at dinner about mugs and we came up with the idea of Alien sucking up crabs. I finally had time over the Thanksgiving holiday to start making them.

Aiming to have these glazed and ready for the Howard County Craft Spectacular. Been a while since I worked with the Brown Bear clay. I always forget just what a mess it makes, but its soooooo nice to work with.

I only made a handful of these last year, but they were really popular! I should have these done by the Howard County Craft Spectacular first weekend in November.

Unfortunately this adorable little s'mores tray will not ready to be in Thurmont, MD at Colorfest with me this weekend. I will have a ton of other things though, including some seconds at marked down prices. I am in the American Legion lot just behind the building and I hope that you'll come out and see me and all the other amazing artists.

Made a few tiny snowmen.

I was playing around with my Mugg Pluggs and made a small lamp and some cups.

This first one is the 3T upside down. I had the idea after I made the same thing right side up.


This is the 3T right side up. This is the first time I've made it with all 6 inches and it feels huge (hence the lamp).




I also made a couple of cups with the 214T. I think these will go well with my pitcher.

I was inspired by Dault Pottery's mug a while back. I decided to try to make my own.

It's been so long since I've been able to spend time making. I spent the entire weekend making things. First up - MUGS! I made a batch of crab and blank mugs.


I was having counting problems and made more than I meant to so I turned the last 4 into mushroom mugs.

I made 30 mugs this weekend in 5 hours. I then also made like 40+ small plates and spoon rests. It was a very productive weekend when it was way too hot to be outside.

I intended to be firing this weekend, but it is soo hot. Like too hot to fire my kiln hot. These are my shelves pre and post loading of the kiln. However, I did not start the kiln before I left for work travel this week because it was 100+ degrees. I'm hoping the weather is correct and it cools off and Craig can hit the start button for me before I get home.

Trying out a new design for napkin holders. I had an issue with a previous design cracking in bisque, but one of the two I made of these cracked as well so it may not be any better. This one clearly had an issue because I pressed the leaves in too deep. I think this design might pose new issues in transporting it to shows, but I do really like the look though.

Once I made the chicken it got me thinking about crabs. I wasn't sure if it would work and I'm still worried I'm going to break something, but how cute is this crab! I'm also making some cut outs of fish and shells to hang below it.

Last year at retreat we made a chicken. It got me to thinking - what about a chicken scu? The feet will hang below it. I can't help but smile when I look at this guy.

This ghost roller is from De La Designs. As I was getting creative this weekend I felt like I wanted to try it in clay (I bought it after Halloween last year).


The thumb rest felt like it needed a face.

Frederick Festival of the Arts is this weekend June 7th and 8th. This is my first time doing this show, but I think it's going to be amazing. If you live out near Western Maryland I hope to see you there!!

It's easily been 2 months since I had the chance to play with clay. As it worked out we didn't end up doing any clay projects at retreat this year. This was my first weekend since March that I had time to spend making.

Even though I have a list and a plan, I went a bit off script and made some new things. Still have some cleanup to do on the rims.

The rose plates came out so amazing that I decided to try out making a rose mug.




I haven't used this mountain roller in forever, but I love it.




Last weekend we were at the cabin. On the way we saw an amazing double rainbow in PA.




We were also visited by a giant porcupine who climbs way faster than I would have imagined.

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