Don't take my word for it part three...

Today my guest photographer is my friend Gabrielle.

Here are my spoon rests working hard while Gabrielle is making soup in her home. Check out Gabrielle's pottery at Gabrielle Koza

Thanks Gabrielle for the photographs:)

Sarah

Don't take my word for it part two...

 

My friend Claudia is always an excellent host and it always a nice surprise when I show up to her home to see my pottery in use. Here is a couple pictures Claudia has taken in her home of my pottery. Thanks Claudia for being a guest photographer!

Sarah

Getting Ready

This week I have been getting ready for the Bethel Blooms Craft Fair, in Bethel Connecticut.

I have been pricing my books, checking my inventory, and finalizing my booth design. 

One thing that I should do each time I finish a book is add my stamp. However, I haven't been keeping up with it, and last night I had to stamp most of my inventory. 

My stamp is a Japanese Hanko. These are used in Japan instead of signing your name, like we do here in the U.S. I think a stamp is an easy and consistent way of signing my work. I ordered my Hanko from JBox.com.

So, if you are in the area, please come visit me at the Bethel Blooms Craft Fair and check out all the other artists. 

♥ Jessica

The Art of Glazing

 

 

The art of glazing is not only a creative pursuit, but also a delicate chemistry experiment.  Glazes have been used since at least 5000 B.C.. There are numerous glaze recipes, which result in various color combinations, and textures. The ceramic artist will develop various glaze test tiles, to see what combinations will make the greatest statement to their work. Seeing the results from each firing is like Christmas morning, hoping for the best gift, beautiful pieces of pottery.

Sarah

Sarah's Pottery in my Home

It seems like everywhere you look in our house you can find a piece of Sarah's Pottery

If I need sugar, I reach for my sugar dish. I also have a honey pot and creamer that I use when I have guests for tea.

These personal-size casserole dishes are amazing. It's often a challenge to cook for just one or two people without having tons of leftovers.

This little handmade dish is a perfect place to rest my disembodied skull :)
I have heard it also works well as a spoon-rest.

♥ Jessica

Book Covers Ready to be Glazed!

Here are some book covers I have been working on. I just need to glaze, fire and ship to Jessica to be bound into beautiful books!

Sarah

Fresh Cut

Sarah

Book Review: Making Handmade Books

Making Handmade Books 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms

By Alisa Golden

I recently got a copy of this book and I'm enjoying reading about the many different bindings it covers. It is very extensive with detailed illustrations. I think this book is better suited for someone with experience bookbinding, because it glosses over the basics. The book also tends to focus on books as art pieces, where I prefer to make utilitarian books, but it is still interesting to read with a lot of useful information. There are many bindings that I am looking forward to trying, including the Crossed-Structure Binding, Secret Belgian Binding, and Split Board Binding. There are also interesting cover ideas that I would like to explore. If you are interested in bookbinding, I recommend picking this book up. 

♥ Jessica

Jessica's journals in my home

Here is a showcase of Jessica's journals that she has made for me.

 

She has made me a nice variety of sizes and shapes. Each has different kinds of paper to fit my needs.

This book has recycled paper that I use to keep track of my pottery sales.

This book I use as a traveling watercolor journal. It fits perfect in my purse.

I also use the books as a sketchbook and personal journal.

Thanks for taking a look at how I use Jessica's books. Thank-you Jessica for making me these beautiful journals. I treasure them:) 

Sarah

 

 

Essential Tools

I would like to just take a moment to thank my tools for helping me create a diverse body of work.

Sarah

Don't take my word for it...

I recently wanted to follow up with friends, family and customers on how they use my pottery in their homes. On today's post, we are featuring Melissa Budzak. Hear what she has to say about my pottery in her home.

My two favorite pieces of Sarah's pottery are a mug and a jug. First of, the mug is hands down the best-sized coffee cup we have. With a husband as a ceramic artist(Tom Budzak's Ceramics)we have quite the collection of mugs, but morning after morning I find myself going for this one from Sarah. It fits my drink (I brew up to the 3 cup line and add a splash of skim) and the handle is thin but sturdy.

The jug we have is equally nice, but is just used for display in our ceramic art case. Though maybe I should start drinking whiskey out of it? At first glance it's a brown glaze, but up close there is a really nice red and green color variation. It definitely adds to our collection.

Thanks Melissa for being a guest writer on theycalluscrafty.
Sarah

Trimming Day

My journey continues with making plates. I put a small foot ring on all the plates. I am using B-Mix with Sand clay, so I need to make sure to dry them slowly so no cracking occurs.

More later....

Sarah

 

 

 

Obsidian Gallery

During spring break I visited Tucson. I know I have already written about the Obsidian Gallery, but there is a new show. The gallery focuses on ceramics and they always seem to get amazing ceramic artists.

I always admire sculptures because I know how much time and energy go into making a three-dimensional portrait.

I love how soft and elegant these portraits are on a thin piece of slab.

These sculptures in person are amazing, the pictures do no justice to the artists incredible talent.

Check out more about the artist's and the museum at

Obsidian Gallery

Sarah

 

 

 

Studio Time Making Some Plates

This week I focused on plates. I find plates challenging to make. To flatten the clay perfectly round is difficult to do. Here are the steps I took to make a plate.

First I centered the clay . To center clay you must ground yourself by pressing your arm into your thigh. When centering you must use your whole body.

Next, I opened up the sink hole. I supported the clay with one hand while the other opened up the clay.

Next, I created the sides of the plates. Here I am slowly guiding the clay outward so not to knock it off center.

Next, I am defining a lip on my plate. I like plates that have an edge to it so my food does not go all over the table.

Here I am trimming excess clay off the bottom. When the plate is leatherhard I will continue to trim the bottom of the plate.

Here is the final piece in the wet stage. I will post the rest of the process soon.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah