Going 'Round and 'Round - Keeping the Wheel Turning

2012-01-15T13:20:00.002-06:00

Yarn Bowls!

2011-12-30T16:30:00.001-06:00

Just want to say that it's been awesome this year for our Louisiana football teams. UL won the New Orleans Bowl with a nail biting 4th quarter and a splendid field goal by Bret Baer. LSU is going to beat BAMA to clench the BCS championship! And the NO Saints have never been better. Last game Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's record for most yards gained in pass completions (or however you say it) for a single season. His incredible receivers have played no small role in this, but ultimately it's been his ability to find his open players and put the ball into their hands that has won him this recognition. Couldn't be prouder to be from Louisiana right now!

2011-09-22T16:58:00.000-05:00

WHY didn't I figurethis out sooner?

It's the shampoo I use in the shower! When I washmy hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body and (duh!) printed very clearly onthe shampoo label is this:

FOR EXTRA VOLUME ANDBODY.

No wonderI've been gaining weight! Well, I've gotten rid of that shampoo. I'm using Dawndish soap instead. The label reads:

DISSOLVES FAT THAT ISOTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE

Problem Solved!

If I don't answer the phone, I'll be in the shower.

What's the difference between stoneware (ceramic) clay and and polymer clay (also known as Sculpey or Fimo)?

2011-02-27T10:27:00.001-06:00

While we were working on a craft project, some kids in the neighborhood were asking me a very good question that I thought I'd share with you. What's the difference between stoneware (ceramic) clay that I use for my pottery and polymer clay (also known as Sculpey or Fimo) that we were using for our crafts? The answer is practically EVERYTHING! I could understand their confusion since both substances have been called "clay," probably because they can both be molded/shaped and use heat to harden them. But as to how they are different: ceramic clay is a natural mineral substance composed largely of silica (the same material that glass is made of) while polymer clay is not really clay at all - it is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic (the same material your pipes may be made of). Although both are heated in the production process, stoneware clay is slowly, heated to 2260 F or higher (at which point it becomes very strong) while the Plastic clay is heated to 250 F (which is great because it uses very little energy and takes very little time.) When stoneware is "glazed" it is coated with another clay that is even higher in silica content, which, when heated (fired) to to temps above 2200F, becomes extremely hard and glasslike and which makes it "waterproof" in the glazed areas. When plastic clay is "glazed," it is coated with acrylic which is not baked. While ceramic clay bodies only have the vibrant colors available with plastic polymer clay when they are glazed, one of the main advantages of natural ceramic clay is that it is a material known and proven to last the ages (centuries). In today's throw away society, it's nice to know that your stoneware clay product has the potential to be passed down to future generations, and if it's handmade also, it will be something to be treasured!

This is a new piece; sort of a bizarre, out of the ordinary, tea light/luminary. It was hand thrown, altered while wet, and then carved when leather hard. It's glazed with a commercial glaze, Coyote's gun metal green. (we usually use our own glazes, but this one is so cool!)

EMT Etsy Mud Team Challenge! Today's the last day to vote in the Platter Challenge. (Voting earns you a 20% off coupon to participating Etsy Mud Team shops, of which Hurricane Pottery is one!) http://etsymudteam.craft-sense.com/Challenges/viewchallenge.asp?ChallengeID=43

New Year's Resolution

2011-01-12T07:47:00.004-06:00

I'm not sure how I feel about New Year's Resolutions. I mean, I think they're a great idea; goals are always good. It's just that they're so hard to keep when you set them too high.   But then I'm reminded of that saying, "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss at least you'll land among the stars."   I think what I need to remember, however, is expressed best in this quote, “Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” Either way, the point is that goals need to be set and they need to be (reasonably) high. So I have 2 major goals. First and foremost, I plan to begin each day with some flexibility exercises, to be followed in the afternoon by a bicycle ride for aerobic exercise, and to be accompanied by sensible eating throughout the day. Second, I plan to throw, build, or glaze 4 days a week This one is a challenging if only because the the "studio," also referred to as a "garagio" is not really climate controlled. I have a propane heater that works well to keep my legs warm, but it takes a while before my hands get warm. When you're working with wet clay and water, this can get uncomfortable. It helps to start out with a bucket of hot water, though. So no more excuses! I will "just do it!" as Nike says.     Here's one of the hand built pieces I'm making more of.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65751538/fleur-de-lis-spoon-rest-cajun-mardi-gras

I'm also planning to keep this blog updated! Many thanks to my Handmade Louisiana Team for the push I needed to get back into this. http://handmadelouisiana.com Please check out our team blog and visit the shops of team members to see some of the talents expressed by people in (and from) Louisiana!     You'll find some of our team members' shops in this treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d24c88fbd146d912707519e/handmade-from-louisiana?index=50

The Etsy Mud Team, one of my other teams, is doing a Pitcher Challenge! Please go to this site and vote for you favorite pitcher! You'll receive, by email, a coupon for 20% off at participating mudder's shops!

http://etsymudteam.craft-sense.com/Challenges/viewchallenge.asp?ChallengeID=42

This is our entry! The Wetlands Pitcher!

Louisiana events

2010-07-14T14:14:00.028-05:00

Hot Air Balloons!

National Hot Air Balloon Championships will be held in Baton Rouge in August, too! This should be awesome!

http://www.nola.com/festivals/index.ssf/2010/02/louisiana_festivals_for_august.html

Louis Armstrong celebrated

The music and memory of Louis Armstrong will be celebrated in New Orleans in early August. It's a good time to visit the area! Seafood is still available (Other than oysters) even though the fishermen are having to travel great distances to get outside the spill zone to get fish and shrimp that's safe to eat. BTW, crawfish are raised on crawfish farms in freshwater swamps, so they're definitely safe to eat!

Click on the "Eyes" to the right of this post to see other "Events in Louisiana and Fun stuff to see and do."

Clay is awesome!

2010-07-08T16:58:00.002-05:00

Clay is awesome. It comes from the Earth and its many uses provide for some of our most basic needs: shelter, food preparation and service, and aesthetics. Did you know that clay can be reused? If you make something out of clay that you don't like or messed up, just dry it out, break it up, and rehydrate it to start all over again! You can save your scraps and use them again, too! Bits of bisque (fired clay) can be ground up and used as fire clay (which is added to clay bodies to give them additional strength and stress tolerance.) Bisqued and glazed pottery last for thousands of years. Pottery remains are found in the digs of almost all ancient civilizations. The pottery you use in your home can last for generations, too, if properly cared for (which isn't hard - most pottery is dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and often oven safe, too. Even broken pottery still has usefulness. Many types of pottery shards are used in making mosaics, while stoneware and porcelain pottery shards are used in making jewelry. Clay - reusable, recyclable, and upcyclable. How cool is that?

Gulf Oil Spill Donation Sale

2010-06-17T11:08:00.001-05:00

40% of all sales, 6/16 to 7/31, to be donated to Audubon Institute for wildlife affected by Gulf Coast BP Oil Spill.

Happy Birthday Handmade Louisiana Team

2010-05-07T10:45:00.001-05:00

Medium spoon rest in green with brown trim

Medium spoon rest
in red with brown trim


Medium spoon rest in black with red

It's been a busy month. We have just about completed the process for buying a new house: we close next week! I'm afraid throwing pottery will be a bit on hold while we pack/unpack and organize. Current stock will still be available to ship, however! (I have some lovely spoon rests that I haven't listed yet. These are small and medium size and sell for $9 and $11).

Small spoon rests in blue
(and one with a tan center)


Small spoon rest in green with brown trim

Cottage Rose Designs featured Hurricane Pottery for a whole week! What a treat! Check out her blog there are some extra cool arts and craftsmen on her blog.
http://crgdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/updates-on-one-week-advertised-shops.html

A new Handmade Louisiana Team member, Beth, at BerryBlueCreations, included us in a treasury of Louisiana items. She found some cool things.
Ma Louisiane
http://berrybluecreations.etsy.com/

We were featured on Toni's blog here:
http://www.satinstitchery.blogspot.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/satinstitchery
I love her corner embroidered bookmarks. They'll make great Mother's Day gifts, but I think they'll also be great for teacher gifts and graduation gifts!

We were included in a treasury by Amanda. Take a look at the Louisiana treasures:
Louisiana Treasury
Check out the coo jewelry in her shop, too. We were so fortunate to make a trade with her for some super cool, fun earrings! I have my eye on another pair, now.
http://chloeboutique.blogspot.com/
http://www.wildlifer78.etsy.com/

We were selected as shop of the day by Wendy
WendysWhimsiesHandPaintedGifts

And now we're in a delicious Treasury all about ice cream sundaes. You'll love the color palette; it reminds me of an old time (turn of the century) ice cream shop!

sundaes-of-our-lives

2010-05-07T10:34:00.000-05:00

Relief for aching and sore muscles

2010-04-02T14:16:00.000-05:00

Two treasuries at one time

2010-01-07T21:39:00.000-06:00

Please visit this latest treasury to see how soothing green can be! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=104770

Expressions in Clay

2010-01-06T23:16:00.000-06:00

I snagged my first Treasury on Etsy. I took this opportunity to select pieces which reflected a variety of construction methods, surface treatments, and firing methods. No standard tableware here. Although a couple of the pieces are functional, most a decorative. I hope you enjoy this sensual collection from members of the Etsy Mud Team.

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T17:12:00.000-06:00

It's a new year, but it's hard getting started again after a 3 week break. Where are all those great ideas and great intentions I had when I couldn't act on them because I had to prepare for the lovely, long Christmas vacation trip? We.., I think they left with me when I left the house, only they didn't come back with me. Fortunately, I left myself some notes, notes written to keep me sane when I couldn't work. So now to begin the project list. If it wasn't so darn cold outside, it would be a lot easier to get started. okay, so I'll shift gears and look over my list for handbuilding projects that I can do where it's warm - inside the house. Pins, pendants, and magnets for Valentine's and Mardi Gras and a kiln goddess for the Etsy Mud Team Challenge. I'm going to start with the godess, because she'll need time to dry.

2009-11-27T15:50:00.000-06:00

We'll be at the Mandeville Trailhead on Girod St. in Mandeville, Saturday November 28, from 9 to 1. We're offering 10% off to all customers who mention this blog, as well as, Facebook fans, Etsy fans, EMT Etsy mud team members, and Louisiana Handmade fans/team members. If you can't come by the Trailhead, visit my Etsy shop and mentions thi promo in the notes to seller to get the discount. (Some items in the Etsy shop will be deactivated for the Saturday morning sale at the Trailhead, but will be re-activated in the afternoon). Items we'll be selling include: oil diffuser bottles, sake cups, shot glasses, our larger/heavier pottery (that costs more to ship), and our altered pottery.

Good News

2009-11-10T18:15:00.000-06:00

We have been included in Treasury West by DorothyDomingo. Please visit the page to see "Clay...Quilts...and Cozy" What a nice way to welcome us to the Etsy Mud Team!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=75180

Getting Ready for a Wedding

2009-10-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

Isn't this a lovely ring? It's a vintage piece, a family treasure, that was modified by those two artistic young people. The wedding band will compliment it asymmetrically. We're having a bridal shower this weekend (and a school fair, 2 birthday parties with friends, and Girl Scouts, too) There's a lot going on here, and with it comes soooo much excitement. Time to put away the pottery and dress things up a bit; we'll have out of town visitors! It's no wonder I have trouble staying focused! Ahhh, but it will be a lovely wedding in New Orleans, I'll have another daughter, and we'll all have some fun sightseeing with the guests, like tourists. Can't wait!

Making list; Checking it twice

2009-10-07T15:54:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not Santa! But my list is getting longer, and it's got all these great ideas from various Etsy sellers. I've always preferred handmade to storebought. Usually giving things I've made, but not always. This year more than one person will be able to say, "It doesn't feel like pottery.... Hmmm I wonder what it is." This necklace is just one of the truly different and personal ways to make someone feel special.

Necklace Handmade Irish Crochet Icord Hotoke by Nothingbutstring

2009-10-07T15:52:00.000-05:00

Necklace Handmade Irish Crochet Icord Hotoke by Nothingbutstring

Facebook Goal

2009-10-07T11:39:00.000-05:00

I'm hoping to get a Facebook page under our business name. If you're interested in helping, please visit our Facebook page and click on become a Fan. If you write a message with your site, I'll visit you, too, and return the favor. Thanks for helping out! Have a great day! (Weather report: no rain right now, but it is hot and oh so humid, just like a sauna :P )

A Gift from a Long Time Friend

2009-10-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

A friend recently gave me this poem. After learning that we had started our own pottery business, she found this poem and prepared it in the most lovely way. It's printed in gold on a piece of vellum paper laid over 2 coordinating sheets of card stock, a gold print and a solid gold. All three pages are trimmed with scalloped edges. Then she tied them together with a bow of 2 coordinating ribbons. It's beautiful. I think the best part is her hand written note of encouragement on the back, though. It was a very thoughtful, personalized gift; it means even more because she's been going through some tough times, personally and financially. Such a giver! I've suggested that she open a shop on Etsy, and maybe she will, soon. but in the meantime, if you have something you'd like made up, a personal touch for a special occasion, or you just want to touch someone's heart as she did mine, here's how to contact her: Vmenowsky@gmail.com

Weather Report

2009-09-23T18:32:00.000-05:00

It's a very rainy day here in Southeast Louisiana, but it was wonderfully cool and breezy working on the wheel today. Such a pleasant change from the heat. I wanted to thank jessi from ruby studios for including my sapphire blue bowl in the Spotlight she created. You can view it at www.byhandgallery.blogspot.com/2009/09/sapphire-september.html You can also see more of Jessi's beautiful jewelry creations at www.rubystudios.etsy.com

Making Progress with Item Photography

2009-09-17T16:51:00.000-05:00

I've taken longer than I expected to get back to this blogging project, but here I am and that's what counts.

Photographing and writing about our pottery was a bit of a challenge for a while, but I think I'm getting the hang of it, which is good because the photographer in the family is really working long hours these days. When he's not working his JOB, I'd rather he was glazing pots than photographing them, although he's better at both than I am. Here's the funny thing to me. Right now I'm showing off my photo skills instead of my throwing skills! I never thought I'd be in this position at all. What's even greater is that our pottery is starting to sell online, finally. It's hard to sell something like pottery online, even if you do have great photos. Pottery is such a sensual, tactile art form.. You really need to pick up a piece, turn it over, stroke it, cradle it, really get to know how it feels. Then if it feels right, you're hooked. Hard to do that online. So here are some examples of some of my latest photo sessions. The first photo is not one of my best, the light is too bright on the pots, but I do like the colors.

These pots with the glossy,black glaze have been the hardest. They just aren't working outdoors with out some diffuse artificial light. I really do have to save these for my husband to do with his fancy equipment and skills. (To get the light bright enough to show all the variations in color in the waterfall glaze at the neck you need some tricks to keep from getting the bright glare on the pot.)

I'm saving the rest of the black pieces to shoot at a later time. My photos just don't do them justice.

This little blue pot has the same waterfall glaze at the neck. Amazing how different the same glaze can look in combination with different glazes! This photo was shot using the flash point gear. Believe it or not, it's night time!

I have quite a few of the blue pieces, and just got some great shallow bowls and a vase out of the kiln that have this blue and waterfall combo. They are waiting their turn for a photo session. This next piece is a wonderful fruit bowl. I love the way the bright colors of the fruit contrast with the calm blue of the bowl. By the way, the green fruit is a Louisiana satsuma, and this is the last one left til I go back to the grocer. They were super tasty. The gala apples were also very good. These two were gobbled down shortly after performing their duty as models. These were shot outside on a partly overcast day. (We've had a few of those lately, but usually it's hot and sunny.)

Initially, this blue vase didn't show up well in Etsy's gallery images because I cropped it too close (so the glaze could be seen better.) But it was too tall for the space allowed in the gallery view. So I uploaded a photo that's not cropped as tight.

The lovely fall colors of gold and orange-rust (and the magenta cockscombs, too) are such perfect compliments to the blue of this vase. I can't get enough of these colors!

This little altered pot was easy and fun to shoot. It looked different from every angle.

Another little altered vase. This white is so crisp and clean and yet it blends so well with the fall foliage behind it, thanks to the totally awesome waterfall glaze at the rim.

The last little vase is in cinnamon roll cream icing, again with a waterfall flowing from the rim. Love that waterfall! These last two were also shot when it was overcast. No glare!

To see more of our pottery, visit our website at www.HurricanePottery.etsy.com

Getting focused again

2009-08-30T12:43:00.000-05:00

I've been so neglectful. I wanted to start this blog; I set it up, and then, froze. What to write? I can write in a stream of consciousness style and go on and on. But I really wanted to have a focus. Ahhh, now we get to the problem. I haven't been able to focus lately.

I thought when school started, and the house was empty again, that I could get better focused, but alas, No, it wasn't meant to be. I fell on the first day of school and busted my tailbone. It was very painful. Sitting at the computer and sitting at the wheel were not possible for days. It's improving over time, though, and as long as I sit leaning forward (as I do at the pottery wheel) I can hang in there for a while. So here I go with my first entry.

While I was in the process of healing, I found a few things to distract me in a positive way. I took quite a few photos, some to share on Facebook and some to post to my Etsy site. Here's one that I took of one of my pottery pieces. It's a large fruit bowl, or serving bowl. These bright, green grapes made such a lovely contrast to my teal green bowl, I just had to take a photograph before we ate any. The grapes were so sweet and juicy; it's a good thing I got the photo first, because those grapes didn't last long! I have several pieces of pottery with this deep teal green/blue glaze. I think the glaze color shows up better on the other photos I took, because they were taken at a different time of day. It was a little brighter outside. You can see the other vases, bowls, and pots on my Etsy site at: http://www.hurricanepottery.etsy.com I still have some more teal pots to list, so keep watching for them. (If teal isn't your color, I'll be listing some indigo and cobalt blue pots next.)

It's hard to focus when you're stressed or in pain. Taking time to enjoy some pleasing sights, or tastes, can be comforting.