Pottery Club Fundraiser

Inspired by some great photos

The Pottery Club has decided to raise 

a few dollars to put  towards the new studio.

by producing some blank cards for sale.

Members were asked to provide a photo of their work

Collectively they were sent to the printer. 

The above image is the one that sparked the idea.

Thanks to Jennifer Gadsden and 

her fab photos of pendents under construction.

The cards are high quality glossy.

Some identify the artist, the above image is one of mine.

Egyptian paste bracelet.

Renae makes beautiful bowls.

This clay looks like pressed sand when fired.

You guessed it, Renae!

These became the most beautiful Christmas decorations.

With a little bit of gold lustre and some string.

Renae again.

This is another one of mine.

Raku plate. 

Jennifer has been making rings, cuff links and pendants.

This is a father and son collection.

Nicholas and Bob Reither

I hope I have the correct spelling this time!

Renae is getting serious about her pottery, 

she has developed a business name 

based on the pronunciation of her surname.

Very professional. You might find her work on instagram?

This is another of Jennifer's. 

These sculptures were made by David Gee

Approximately 50 cm's tall

It is the Aussie version of 'See no evil,

Hear no evil, Speak no evil'

Cards are available at $3.00 each or 4 for $10.

If you are interested in purchasing some cards, send me an email,

leave a comment or call in to the studio.

Fresh flowers today,

$5 per bunch

Varieties include Shasta daisy, Alstromeria, Coreopsis,

Statice, Fever few, Penstemon. 

Great value. 

48 Etiwanda Ave Mildura.

Help me fund the replacement umbrella, last one was totaled by the wind.

Note the lime green top.

I was unable to buy a navy blue one

The photo is a little blurry but the flavour was clear and sharp

A tree full of cherries. This is just a small pick.

Best crop in years. Wow! 

Every household should have a cherry tree...they are the best.

And they don't stain your hands and clothes when picking and eating. 

Unlike our Australian weeping Mull berry which had the best crop too!

It will fruit again around Easter.

Do you eat globe Artichoke?

If so you would be sad to see I have let the blooms flower.

MS had said they were stunning flowers so I had to see for myself

The transformation from the buds shown here either side slowly

broaden...then came what looked like blue spiders legs slowly

emerging....I was surprised to see it end up like a giant thistle.

Maybe next year I will take the plunge and eat the artichoke.

They need to be picked early 

and it is the inner core of the bud that is eaten.

Herb labels

I have been making heaps of herb signs.

I hope they are going to be popular Christmas presents

I have noticed that all those that have been on really hot days

are flushed with my sweat.

Can you see the orange blush on the worm heads?

I wonder if this colour will burn out in the next firing?

We have had some very hot days already 

and Summer is still a few weeks away.

We will be right with the air conditioner now installed in the studio

It dries out any clay that is left unwrapped though

I will have to be careful of that.

I have also been working on set of beakers.

Hot or cold cups

no handles

I think the Japanese were wise to ignore the handle concept

Saves a lot of time, less can go wrong

and the cups are stackable, space saving crockery.

I have often struggled to get handles attached before the pot is too dry.

With the studio in the back yard I now have no excuse however

I am enjoying the simple shape. 

Note the middle blue cup

I must have forgotten to stir the glaze with this one,

it's not very blue

I must have dipped the blue first then the satin white.

There is a lovely feathery lilac where they meet.

I must try a tester where I am going for mostly lilac, 

 I am not sure that is a good food colour though?

Then there is the debate about blue and green together.

I like this one, shame about the flat spot 

where I accidentally pushed the wet pot against something.

Oops

I have two more sets in the kiln at the moment.

I have tried a few different combinations and will post some pictures

when they come out of the kiln early next week.

Swings and Roundabouts

Life is just full of swings and roundabouts

One minute you are up 

and then the world comes crashing down.

I guess it is all about how you handle it.

I have been working very hard to 

get the new studio up and running.

I had lots of help especially my friend Lou 

who painted and carried her way through some annual leave.

 My sister's husband's Aunty and Uncle

 who were camping in our paddock  helped me install the sliding door. 

Polycarbonate will let some morning light into the studio.

An air conditioner was installed 

into the wall space next to the door. 

Lucky as we have already experienced 40 degree afternoons.

The children were quite pink on that day as we only had fans at that stage. 

Brave and determined creative kids to come to class on such a hot day.

 There is one last bit of wall still to build.

The section above the front door.

I have to get the sign writing off, it is upside down and back the front.

The door was from a shop that sold balloons and fireworks.

There has been a lot of recycling on this project.

It has come a long way...and 

we have already held some classes in there.

The first after school students, Amilia and Sasha

This space is going to be fantastic.

I have been using it in the evenings to 

make some things for Christmas markets.

First of which is due out of the kiln today.

Hopefully they are all fantastic and worthy of a post later in the week

Skittles V's snake take 2

Last Friday Skittles was down in the garden with me.

not far from here.

 I saw her bouncing about...

hunting something near a big pile of weeds. 

She was a reptile fan and understood when I called out 

"That better not be a lizard!"

This is skittles just 12 months ago, she was bitten but survived

thanks to the vet.

Unfortunately her fascination with reptiles

caught up with her last Friday.

She must have been bitten just before lunch

I found her at tea time under the kitchen table

We have lost the most loving dog I have ever met!

Patient and kind.

Loyal

Labradorable

Best friend of Stella.

Who is now a "lone ranger"

Too soon!

Too sad!

Time out from building

 Fantastic excuse for some time off building,

our friends suggested we go for a flight.

This is the first time MS and I are flying together

We meet for the launch at day break, 

in our front paddock.

The sheep are still in their night yard
(straight ahead and to the left)

and are a little unsure of what we are doing.

It was so fast, up and away I didn't get any shots of our yard

from the balloon.

Maybe next time.
Thanks Joe and Karen for the fantastic flight.
And for all the help with the studio.

Spring sprung while I was building

Just a few weeks ago it was all under control

Then we had a sprinkle of rain then a few warm days

This Salvia is called Tequila

stunning but a bit wild with it's growing habit.

This circle is a bit out of control with stinging nettles.

Even though they can be used as food, the public isn't that hungry

It reminds me of the Waif's line...

"when you water the garden you also water the weeds".

There are Ranunculi bulbs under there...planted late...flower late

if I keep them a little clear.

It is such a colourful time of year but 

I am really busy with a deadline.

Mum's home is up for auction in 1 1/2 weeks

Pottery has to be relocated

I have to be ready for class in 2 weeks today....

This is the entrance from the driveway.

A bit of work still to do here.

Back door view.

Bamboo pattern on the glass door/dual purpose window.

Today I insulated and lined these walls

Thanks  to Corey and Karen who helped me

it looks like I just might make the deadline.

14 days to go.

Holy cow!

It all started with a chicken serviette holder I made,

during a kids class.

We were discussing the potential for Christmas serviette holders

when one of the children said

"Make a holy cow"

We all fell about laughing at the idea

and I could not resist.

The ears aren't right but you get the idea.

I have orders for the chicken, 

and that might turn into a barn yard table setting.

My Christmas ones could have family members names on them.

They could also have coloured baubles to jazz them up.

This is just the beginning.

The elephant was on his way to being a cow but the

clay had other ideas.

I really must look at the Herefords markings.

They are just out in the paddock it shouldn't be hard

In other news...

The new studio has to be complete within 3 weeks

as my mother is selling her house and the Pottery club

would again be homeless. 

We have been most grateful for the generous sharing of her garage. 

Photos of the progress will be posted soon.