Tag: pottery

Knitting

Pics and Pots

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THROWING THINGS

They had a big firing at the pottery studio last week and two of my pots made it into the kiln. Both turned out really well, but one is amazing.  Funny thing, working with clay.  Sometimes mistakes turn out to be the best pieces.

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I’m not sure what happened to this pot, I think I bumped it when I was taking it off the wheel and having a really thin spot didn’t help, so it sort of collapsed.  I really liked the shape, though, and decided to keep it.  The shape reminds me of a calla lily.

For the glaze, I did a total dip of Rhodes Turquoise with a rim dip of Tin Purple.

I can’t remember what glaze I used for this pot and I left my notes at the studio.  I have to run something back to the art center, so I’ll duck in and grab my notebook while I’m there.  This pot isn’t as “catchy” as the other one, but I love its simple lines and that it has just enough texture to make the glaze interesting.

FUN WITH MIXED MEDIA

These are a couple of backgrounds I’m working on, incorporating modeling paste and spray inks.

As usual, I’ve been a busy bee and have a new knitting project on the needles to share tomorrow, stay tuned!

I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect – they are much more interesting.  Marc Jacobs

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Knitting

Back in the Studio

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POT THROWING

Hurray!  It’s back into the pottery studio after a two week break.  I have some new ideas and several things I want to try, like this

Yarn Bowl

and this

or this

and maybe this

So ready to get in there and sling some mud!

Work while you have the light.  You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you.  Henri-Frederic Amiel

Knitting

WIP Wednesday 6/11/14, Booklike, Pots

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ON THE NEEDLES

I’m coming right along with the Cable and Pleat Tunic, being really close to finishing the front and side shaping.  For once, the color in the photo is nearly, if not completely, true.  Another awesome thing about the patio – it’s a fantastic place  for taking pictures.

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POTS

Here’s my latest set of pots, which once again exceeded my glazing expectations.

I have one or two left to glaze and plan to go into the studio this weekend to finish them up.  Class has a two week break before the next session and it’s always nice to go into the studio with a clean slate as far as projects go.

BOOKLIKE

This week’s book is a biography of Johnny Cash by Robert Hilburn.  I like it, I don’t love it.  It had parts that are hard to read, it feels like you are in the front row for his self destruction at times.  It also goes into minute detail seemingly sbout everything, which bogs me down sometimes.  This probably won’t be a repeater, it’s a library book, so I don’t feel guilty about just skimming it in parts.  I’m anxiously waiting for my Audible credits to show up so that I can get Stephen King’s newest, Mr. Mercedes.  They should be coming any time now.

AN ASIDE

Mr. iknead figured out how to turn the autocorrect off, but now, I get aggravated at all the typos and have to proofread much more carefully.  I know, gripe, gripe, gripe.  Sheesh!

I’m linking with the Wednesday regulars, Tami, Frontier Dreams and Ginny.

You must train your intuition — you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.  Ingrid Bergman

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Knitting

Pottery, Sad and a Table

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MY POTTERY

My least favorite thing about throwing pots is the glazing, mostly, I think, because glazing is something that cannot be rushed if you want a good result.  With me, it’s sort of a chicken and egg thing: am I not good at it because I don’t enjoy it or do I not enjoy it because I’m not good at it?  Anyway, a few weeks ago I got busy at the glaze table and these pots are the result.  For the first time, I’m actually happy with how they turned out.  I took my time on this bunch and it paid off,  I know I was more thoughtful and patient, thinking out the process with regard to colors and how I wanted each piece to look when finished.

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WHA….?

Sadly, the Cable and Pleat Tunic is not going well.  I frogged it for about the third time last night when I just couldn’t get the stitch count to jibe.  After frogging, I put it away until this morning, when I was much fresher and in a much better mood.  Come to find out, I had miscounted way back in the casting on, with 38 extra stitches.  No wonder it didn’t work!  I’m getting ready to cast on again; wish me luck!

CREATIVE MINDS AND ALL THAT

I thought I’d give you a look where all some of my crafty stuff hangs out.  I console myself with the quote, “Creative minds are rarely tidy.”  Mr. Iknead avoids this room like the plague, but I like being able to see my stuff.  I have a feeling that our housekeeper is going to hyperventilate when she gets a look.  A warning sign on the door might be in order.

All serious daring starts from within.  Harriet Beecher Stowe

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Knitting

Monday Love, Pots, This Is Why

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IHEARTMONDAY

At the risk of being tarred and feathered by the present workforce, I have to say that I love Mondays.  Let me tell you why:  Monday mornings are a happy reminder that Mr. Iknead and I are retired.  We are learning how to “not work”;  for us, this means deciding to go out to lunch on a whim, or watching that movie/episode that we’ve just never gotten around to, looking outside to check the weather and not thinking “OMG, it’s raining/snowing/sleeting/storming and I need to get a move on this morning, just in case.” and instead, thinking “OMG, it’s raining/snowing/sleeting/storming and I think I WILL have that extra cup of coffee now.”  My apologies if I’m gloating, I don’t mean to; it’s just that all this is so new to us, like opening a present each and every morning and knowing that it’s going to “fit” perfectly.

 

MUDSLINGING

Remembering one of my pottery goals this year, I snapped a few pictures last time I was in the pottery studio.

This one should be ready to trim today.

(Don’t know whose backside that is.)

This may be our new fruit bowl.

I see a possible yarn bowl.

This one’s a wild card.  What do you see?

BACK INTO THE POND

This is the reason I frogged a nearly complete sleeve that seemed to take FOREVER on the Mariella Cardi –

Ladders, ladders everywhere

The pattern called for DPNs and for once, I actually followed directions, resulting in ladders between every needle.  So, I gritted my teeth, bought a size 5 circular needle, frogged and restarted.  It’s going much better, thank you.  How come I try to delude myself every time I see a glitch that a) it will block out, b) I’ve made a mistake I’m calling a design feature and/or c) really, no one is going to notice?  This delusion carries me until I’m within spitting distance of completion, then the glitch rises up, gives me a smack upside the head and says, “What were you thinking??”  Thus, the frogging and restarting, with all the required fuming and sighs.  Whew … I feel much better now.

I think somehow we learn who we really are and then live with that decision.  Eleanor Roosevelt

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Knitting

Guess What Day It Is!!!!!!!!

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WHAT DAY??

It’s the first day of the new session at the Art Center – now known to my family as “my new second home”.  I can’t wait to see what this new pottery session will bring.  I’ve decided that I’d like to make a couple of big (think holding with both hands) coffee cups, all different, but with matching glazes to tie them together.  Actually, this project is two fold, I want the cups and I need to practice uniformity in certain projects and more than anything, get better at making handles.  For some reason, I’m apparently handle challenged, just can’t seem to “get” them.  They always turn out wonky, won’t stay on, droop, are crooked, are too big or too small.  So, I guess you could say that my goal for this semester is handles.

Cups of My Dreams
Another of my pottery goals is to remember to take pictures of projects, before, during and after, if for no other reason than to be able to identify my pieces when I forget to mark them as mine.  My bee stamp looks to have turned out well.  I’ll give it its first use today; results to follow.
Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.  We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.  Aristotle
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Knitting

Winter Trifecta, FO Friday 12/6/13

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BRRRRRR

The long promised winter weather is here.  We have the trifecta – sleet, freezing rain and snow.  It’s a perfect day to hunker down, drink your hot drink of choice and knit or spin or read or (insert your favorite activity here).  The Iknead clan is warm, fed and happy.  We have a lot to be thankful for.

From the Iknead front door.

POTS

I spent part of yesterday in the studio and pulled my stuff out of the damp box, getting ready to trim.  I was surprised at how many pots I’d thrown.

A couple of these ended up in the clay recycle barrel, but overall, I’m pleased.  I’m getting a little tired of bowls, though, and will probably start trying some new shapes when I can get back into the studio.  The next ones have been bisqued and are kind of uniform:

  I like the way the look stacked.  As soon as the weather lets up a little, I’ll get them glazed and fire them one last time.

OFF THE NEEDLES

Scapula scarf from Quince&Co, done in Lark, which is 100% American wool, the color is Bird’s Egg.  Very, very pleased with both the yarn and the pattern.  If you haven’t yet, head over to their website and check them out.  Really awesome stuff.

This is a really, really long scarf!

I’m linking with Frontier Dreams and Tami today.  When you’re checking out Quince&Co, trip on over to these guys.  Even more awesome stuff.

The cure for boredom is curiosity.  There is no cure for curiosity.  Ellen Parr

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Knitting

Spiral

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WHAT’S UP

I have some knitting projects that I’m anxious to share and a book recommendation, but that has to wait until tomorrow, the official WIP/Knit A Long day.  A couple of these projects are Christmas knits, so I have to keep them on the down low.  The Iknead bunch will stoop to anything to figure out what’s under the tree for them.  But – A bowl I made in my pottery class was out of the kiln (FINALLY) after a few false starts from the potter (me).  I’m SO happy with how it turned out.

Spiral Bowl

A Surprise Inside

This bowl was completely dipped in New Clear Glaze, with a top dip and a bottom dip in Caramel.  Who knew that the New Clear glaze would turn out to be such a lovely bluish gray??!  I’m in love with this pot!

THE GRANDS

Tub Time with the Grand Trio, right before the kid in the middle dropped a special delivery and the other two made a hasty exit!

Left to Right:

Babydiva, the Sprout and the Papoose

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of algebra.  Unknown

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Knitting

Short and Sweet

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I’M BACK

With such a difficult week last week, I’ve let my blog slide and I can tell.  I’ve missed blogging and reading other’s blogs.  It’s good to be back.

GOING POTTY

Again, with all that’s gone on the last couple of weeks, I totally forgot to show off my first photoworthy wheel thrown pots.  So, without further ado, here they are.

Today’s a pottery class day.  Hopefully, I’ll have something to show off by the end of class – if I can remember to take a picture!

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.  Aristotle

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Knitting

Shutdown, Spirals and Festival

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YOU CAN DO THAT?  REALLY?

Mr. Iknead and I woke up this morning still wondering about the predicted government shutdown, even though we pretty much knew from last night that nothing had changed or had been agreed upon.  This hits pretty close to home for us – Mr. Iknead works for the State of Arkansas, which in turn is contracted by the Feds, so we’re sort of up in the air.  I feel very, very fortunate that at this point in our lives we don’t have to worry about our finances and if Mr. Iknead is furloughed for a bit, it’s not a crisis situation.  I know others who are not so fortunate.  Thank you, Mr. Iknead, for the austerity program, even though I gripe about it sometimes.

GONE TO POT

Pottery class is going well.  Teach told me yesterday that I definitely had gotten the hang of using the wheel and with practice, I’ll get better at it.  Still have nothing post worthy, but I’m planning on going in to work on the wheel more this week and hopefully, I have something at least minimally postable.

Here’s the spiral bowl I glazed this weekend with shiny black.  Can you tell that I totally didn’t check the background when I whipped out my phone to take a pic?  This one cracks me up.  It looks like it’s drinking out of the bowl –

LOOKING AHEAD

The first Diamond State Fiber Festival is this weekend.  I’m really looking forward to it and I’ve already got some extra money budgeted for whatever strikes my fancy (up to a point, of course).  Hoping to come home with enough fiber to keep me spinning for a little while, at least.  Violet, yeah, that’s my wheel’s name, is making the trip and hopefully, I’m going to learn a lot in the beginning spinning class I’m taking. I’ll take lots of pictures.

The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.  Zeno

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Knitting

WIP Wednesday 9/25/13 and Happy Birthday

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Happy First Birthday, Sprout!

I’M INTO POTS

Oh my gosh!  What a difference seven days makes!  First pottery throwing class was last week and I admit it – I wasn’t sure that that whole wheel thing was for me.  I did promise myself that I’d give it four weeks and if I still wasn’t feeling it, I’d go back into the morning handbuilding class.  Well, yesterday’s attempt at the wheel was totally different, something clicked inside my head (in a good way) and it was so cool!  The clay stuck to the wheel, just like it was supposed to, centering the pot on the wheel was a million times easier and by the end of class, my hands were beginning to know what to do to cone the clay up and down on their own.  Nothing post-worthy yet, but I may go to the Art Center today to practice more, besides, I have a pot that needs to be glazed and I’m thinking black.

GRINS AND GRANDS

I ran across this photo when I was looking for something else on Flickr.  I don’t know how I missed it because I love it!  My son, Jordan, and his niece, Susannah.  Isn’t it sweet?

ON THE NEEDLES

Les Miserables from Cynthia Parker, Hand Held Knitting in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Using

I’ve also started on some Christmas knitting, which, for obvious reasons, must be kept under wraps until then.

TOPSPIN

My roving FINALLY arrived and this is what it has become –

Mixed undyed black and white roving from Fire and Fluff, this may further morph into socks, but I’ve still not decided for sure.

Linking with Tami Amis and Frontier Dreams.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.  Mother Teresa

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Knitting

Junior High Rewind

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JITTERS?  AT MY AGE?

The first day of my new pottery class is tomorrow.  My Monday schedule is turning upside down -class starts at 12:30 and runs to 3:30 instead of 9 to 12.  I have to keep reminding myself of the time change. This semester it’s Introduction to Throwing and Independent Study.  I’m very excited but why do I feel like is the first day in junior high? For the last two semesters, my classmates and I have been a group of five, comfortable and acquainted now, asking about kids, colleges and vacations.  We have a history.  Who will I talk to?  Who will I sit with?  Nice to know that some things never change.  I guess.

ON THE NEEDLES

As for the continuing saga of the Blue Day Socks, I’m happy I frogged them and restarted with a different yarn.  It’s going much more smoothly and I’m so much happier with the result.  See?

THE GRANDS

A week from tomorrow, our babiest of grandbabies, the Sprout, will turn one.  She’s number three in the line up and Mr. Iknead and I should probably be getting a handle on this grandparent thing, but you know what?  It never gets old, never gets routine and her firsts are exactly that for us, firsts.  She made her debut in this post.  Time doesn’t fly anymore – it’s jet propelled, rocket boosted and don’t blink, you’ll miss it.  She’s very enthusiastic and I can’t wait to see her with a cake ALL her own!

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving.  Anatole France

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