glaze

My First Kintsugi Attempt

January 02, 2024

At one of my December shows I was a klutz and knocked over my ornament trees. Surprisingly I only had 4 ornaments break. One was beyond repair, but the other three were just broken in one place. I've been wanting to try kintsugi for a long time and even had a few other pieces set aside for when I finally got around to it. I decided to take the plunge and try it. I already have e6000 that I use for making magnets and decided for this first foray that would be good enough as an adhesive. So all I needed was the leaf adhesive and the metal leaf paper.

I had done a good bit of research and decided that I could use imitation leaf vs spending on the real thing for my first try. I did have 3 colors to choose from (gold, silver, brass), but for these I went with all gold.

My First Kintsugi Attempt




Step 1 was to do a little sanding. Two of the larger plates weren't actually broken they just had a deep crack. I sanded the edges so they weren't as rough. Step 2 was to glue the pieces together. As I said before I used e-6000 as the glue. For the pieces with the cracks I just wanted to fill them in. It took me a couple of tries to figure out how to get glue into the cracks without having it spill over. It was some careful wiping down. I let the glue dry overnight so it had time to solidify.



My First Kintsugi Attempt




Step 3 is to add the leaf adhesive. The directions said to let it dry for 30 minutes or until it isn't cloudy any more. I made my fingers sticky touching it. Step 4 is to add the gold leaf. It's hard because if you get the adhesive on your fingers then the paper sticks to your hands and not the pottery. Took me only one try to learn that lesson. It helped at some points to break the leaf into smaller pieces before I tried to apply it. I found that for different pieces I liked different widths of the leaf. For the first piece I did the front first and then switched to doing the back first so that I could learn more. The first side you do needs to be completely done so that you don't have other things sticking to the adhesive.

My First Kintsugi Attempt






The last step is to spray with a sealer. I only had a matte sealer and I thought it wouldn't make a difference. It absolutely did. I still like these pieces, but I will definitely be buying a gloss sealer for the future.

My First Kintsugi Attempt






This was really fun to try, but I definitely won't be doing it frequently. I did put the ornaments on my tree immediately and love them. However, the plates aren't functional. They will make nice wall art, but these aren't things that I think most people would want. I don't have a lot of pieces break in the firing process, but those that do will likely continue to end up in the trash. I will reserve this for speical pieces that break that I don't want to lose.

My First Kintsugi Attempt






business

End of Year Wrap Up

December 31, 2023

One of the advantages of keeping track of things is metrics!!

2023 Top 5 Sellers by Count:

  1. Mugs
  2. Small Plates
  3. Trinket Diskes
  4. Spoon Rests
  5. Ornaments


2023 Top 5 Sellers by Percent of Sales:

  1. Mugs - 27%
  2. Small Plates - 12%
  3. Long Platters - 6%
  4. Spoon Rests - 6%
  5. Platters - 6%


Something which shouldn't surprise anyone the top seller in categories - Crabs!! 25% of Mugs, 38% of Trinket Diskes, 35% of Small Plates, 35 % of the Long Platters...pretty much every category its Crabs.

End of Year Wrap Up






I also did 18 shows which was a lot. This year I'm going to be pickier in my shows. I've also been tracking the fee ratio of my shows - 12% being the average. There were a couple of shows that were much higher than this. They were all multi-day shows that I thought were going to be better than they were. I likely won't be doing any of those again.

I do want to figure out how to drive more sales online. While I don't really like having to ship things, I think that this is an untapped resource.

Having all this data also helps me determine what things I've been making that aren't things I should continue selling. For example, I made a whole tea set this year plus an extra teapot. While I did really enjoy the experience - I still have all of it. I think eventually I will find the right buyer, but I haven't yet.

There are things that sold really well in 2022, but did not sell well in 2023 like my large decortative pumpkins. My theory is that people bought smaller this year due to the economy. Next year I have all of those in inventory so we will see, but I won't make any more.

I feel like at some point the market for crabs will be saturated, but I don't think it is just yet :).

There aren't really any shows in the first 3 months of the year so I will be spending the next couple of months building up inventory. I also have some new ideas for things that I'm going to be working on during this downtime. Stay tuned

crochet

Cozy Marino 2 Tone Cover Up

December 28, 2023

I love this yarn. I used it for my Open Wave Block Shirt last year. I bought more yarn from Greenwood Hill Farm at the Maryland Sheep and Wool and was just waiting for the yarn to tell me what it wanted to be. I'm really happy with the results. I used 2 skeins of silver and 3 of slate

I know from the shirt I made that this yarn is exceptionally warm so once again I chose an open pattern so I could wear it indoors without sweating. I picked this stitch from the Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary. This is the spider filet stitch. I don't think it looks like a spider, especially considering spiders have 8 legs not 6.

Cozy Marino 2 Tone Cover Up






Stitches:
ch: chain
sk st: skip stitch
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
dc3tog: yarn over twice, insert hook and pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (you should have 2 loops on your hook). Yarn over twice, insert hook and pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (you should have 3 loops on your hook). Yarn over twice, insert hook and pull through a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (you should have 4 loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops to complete the stitch. picot: sc, ch 3, sl st in the sc stitch you started with, sc in the next stitch to close
Back Panel:
This pattern works in multiples of 16 + 8. For the width I wanted I cast on 72 (16*4 + 8)
Row 1: dc in the 6th chain from the hook, * ch 1, sk st, dc. Rep from * across.
Row 2: ch 4, sk st, dc, ch 1, dc, *ch 4, sk 2 st, dc3tog, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Row 3: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, *ch 4, sc in the next ch 4 space, sc in the dc3tog, sc in the next ch 4 space, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Row 4: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, *ch 4, dc3tog in the middle sc, ch 4, dc in the dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Row 5: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Row 6: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Repeat rows 2-6 5 times or until you reach your desired length.

Front panel - Make 2
Cast on 28. This isn't a full version of the pattern,but I wanted the front panels to end slightly short
Row 1: dc in the 6th chain from the hook, * ch 1, sk st, dc. Rep from * across.
Row 2: ch 4, sk st, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc3tog, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc3tog, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc
Row 3: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, ch 4, sc in the next ch 4 space, sc in the dc3tog, sc in the next ch 4 space, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 4, sc in the next ch 4 space, sc in the dc3tog, sc in the next ch 4 space, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc
Row 4: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, ch 4, dc3tog in the middle sc, ch 4, dc in the dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 4, dc3tog in the middle sc, ch 4, dc in the dc
Row 5: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Row 6: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Repeat rows 2-6 5 times or until you reach your desired length.

Sew together the front panels to the back panel leaving 7 inches for the sleeves.

Cozy Marino 2 Tone Cover Up






For the sleeves witch to the silver yarn.
Row 1: ch 4, * ch 1, sk st, dc. Rep from * across ending with ch 1, slip stitch to join. Pick up 36 stitches
Row 2: ch 4, sk st, dc, ch 1, dc, *ch 4, sk 2 st, dc3tog, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 3: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, *ch 4, sc in the next ch 4 space, sc in the dc3tog, sc in the next ch 4 space, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 4: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, *ch 4, dc3tog in the middle sc, ch 4, dc in the dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 5: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 6: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 7: ch 4, * ch 1, sk st, dc. Rep from * across ending with ch 1, slip stitch to join. Note on this round there is intentionally a reduction of the 3 dc in the sleeves to 2 between the spiders
Row 8: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 4, sk 2 st, dc3tog, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 9: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 4, sc in the next ch 4 space, sc in the dc3tog, sc in the next ch 4 space, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 10: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, *ch 4, dc3tog in the middle sc, ch 4, dc in the dc, ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 11: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 12: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across. For the last stich slip stitch to join instead of the dc
Row 13: ch 5, *sk 2 st, dc, ch 2. Repeat from * across sl st to join.
Row 14: ch 5, *sk 2 st, dc, ch 2. Repeat from * across sl st to join.
Row 15: ch 3, dc in the chain space, *2 dc in the next ch space. Repeat from * sl st to join.
Row 16: ch 3, dc in each stitch, sl st to join.
Row 17: ch 1, sc, picot in each stitch around, sl st to join.


Cozy Marino 2 Tone Cover Up






Turn the sweater right side out
Pockets - make 2
Cast on 16 in the slate
Row 1: dc in the 6th chain from the hook, * ch 1, sk st, dc. Rep from * across.
Row 2: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Row 3: ch 4, sk st, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc3tog, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc
Row 3: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, ch 4, sc in the next ch 4 space, sc in the dc3tog, sc in the next ch 4 space, ch 4, sk 2 st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc
Row 4: ch 4, sk st, dc, sk st, ch 1, dc, ch 4, dc3tog in the middle sc, ch 4, dc in the dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1, sk st, dc
Row 5: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across
Row 6: ch 4, sk st, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc. Repeat from * across


Switch to silver
Row 7: ch 3, hdc in the chain space, *2 hdc in the next chain space. Repeat from * ending with the last hdc in the last stitch
Row 8: ch 1, picot in each stitch to the end.

Sew on to make the spider stitches line up on the front panel. I decided to map it to the second one up.

Cozy Marino 2 Tone Cover Up






Collar

Start at the bottom right corner with the silver yarn
Row 1: ch 3, 2 hdc in the space, * 3 hdc in the next space. Repeat from star all the way around to the bottom left corner.
Row 2: ch 4, * sk st, dc, ch. Repeat from * across end with a dc in the last stitch.
Row 3: repeat row 3
Row 4: ch 3, dc in the ch space, * 2 dc in the next chain space. Repeat from * across, end with a dc in the last stitch
Row 5: ch 1, picot across.

Weave in all ends

glaze

Christmas Kiln

December 26, 2023

Well I should have scraped off the bear glaze. Aside from that everything else looks great, but that bear is saggy. I do love how all the dill items came out.

Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60
Left: Spectrum Autumn purple x1 on the top, x2 on the bottom. Mayco Light flux on the bottom. Spectrum Kimchi x1 on the top
Right: Spectrum Sangria x1 on the top, x2 on the bottom. Mayco Light flux on the bottom. Spectrum Kimchi x1 on the top
Birds are Mayco BlueBird x2 Sunkissed on the nose
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Amaco Snow x3
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Mayco black ug wiped back
Mayco Norse blue x3, Mayco Light flux sweeps
Mayco Hot Tamale x2
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Coyote Oatmeal x2 (ok maybe more on the one on the right :)
Christmas Kiln
Colors for Earth Bright Green, Lemon Peel
Amaco Moss x3 on the rim
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Colors for Earth Bright Green, Lemon Peel
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Colors for Earth Bright Green, Lemon Peel
Amaco Moss x3 on the rim
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Colors for Earth Bright Green, Lemon Peel
Top 3 rows: Amaco Marigold x3 on rim and back
Bottom 3 rows: Amaco Moss x3 on the rim and back
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Mayco black ug wiped back
Mayco Cotton Tail x2, Hot Tamale
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Mayco black ug wiped back
Mayco Cotton Tail x2, Hot Tamale
Kentucky Mudworks Cherry Blossom x2 on the rim and back
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Mayco black ug wiped back
Mayco Norse blue x3, Mayco Light flux sweeps
Mayco Hot Tamale x2
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Mayco black ug wiped back
Mayco Norse blue x3, Mayco Light flux sweeps
Mayco Hot Tamale x2
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Mayco black ug wiped back
Mayco Norse blue x3, Mayco Light flux sweeps
Mayco Hot Tamale x2
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Laguna 60 Mayco black ug wiped back
Mayco Norse blue x3, Mayco Light flux sweeps
Mayco Hot Tamale x2
2167 clear
Christmas Kiln
Body: Coyote Really Red x3
Hat: Opulence Emerald x3
Various Mayco stroke and coats

glaze

Christmas Kiln Sneak Peak

December 25, 2023

This is the last kiln of the year. It's not as full as my usual kilns, but I'm excited for the dill plates in here. I cut the dill before the deep freeze and then froze it so I could use it when I have time.

I'm a little worried about one of my bear mugs. I dipped it and the glaze seemed thick. In retrospect I should have scraped and redone it, but now its too late. Christmas Kiln Sneak Peak




crochet

Wisteria Winter Short Sleeve Sweater

December 23, 2023

I made most of this top at one of my recent holiday shows, but needed to finish it. At most shows I don't have enough space to sew the pieces together so it has to wait until I'm home. This yarn from Morehouse Farm is really soft and very warm. I find sometimes that I want a warm sweater for inside where I'm not going to be too warm. That's why I made this sweater with an open stitch. I actually was going to make the sleeves longer, but I didn't have enough yarn. You could easily extend them if you wanted to (and had enough yarn).

I used 3 skeins of the Blueberry and 2 of the Wisteria from their 3 strand worsted. This is a nice size worsted weight yarn and their skeins have approximtely 145 yards of yarn. You could make this with any worsted weight yarn.

Wisteria Winter Short Sleeve Sweater




This pattern uses a 6 mm hook.

Stitches:
ch - chain
sk - skip stitches
dc - double crochet

Front and Back panels - make 2

Cast on 28 with the Blueberry
Row 1: dc in the 6th stitch from the hook, dc in the same stitch, ch 2, 2 more dc in the same stitch, sk 4 stitches, *2 dc ch 2 2 dc in the next stitch, sk 4 stitches. Repeat from * until the end of the row, dc in the last stitch
Row 2: ch 3, *2 dc ch 2 2 dc in the chain space. Repeat from * until the end of the row, dc in the last stitch
Rows 3-16: repeat row 2

Switch yarns to the Wisteria
Rows 17-24: repeat row 2



Wisteria Winter Short Sleeve Sweater




Sew the 2 panels together. Leave a 9 inch opening at the top for the neck and 7-8 inches for the sleeves. I also like to leave 1-2 inches at the bottom, but this is just stylistic.

Make the sleeves:
Row 1: ch 3, *2 dc ch 2 2 dc in the chain space. Repeat from * until the end of the row, dc in the last stitch. Pick up 9 stitches.
Rows 2-5: repeat row 1

Weave in all ends and flip the shirt right side out.

Wisteria Winter Short Sleeve Sweater




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