When Things Work
24 May 2012 1 Comment
in Pictures
I literally jumped up and down when I saw this in the kiln. I was so excited that it actually came out looking how I wanted. Making the stamps weeks before and firing them…all that time of babysitting the clay to be able to stamp it when it was the perfect balance of wet and dry…all the time spent meticulously glazing each little square with a tiny squared brush. It was most certainly worth it. Kimbra’s (my latest music love) album “Vows” was played over and over whilst doing this project which only attributed to the happy colors.
Psst…check her out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewMTRN9So88
I saw this design on Etsy by another potter, but it was made using a slump mold instead of throwing the bowl. They essentially rolled out a thick piece of clay and pushed it into a pre-made bowl. It makes it a little more difficult to keep that thrown bowl shape since I’m only pushing against my palm instead of hard plaster, but what can I say? I’m a snob about using molds. I made one for my sunflower using a large wok, so I can see the benefit of them. I think they take the challenge away. I’ve always done this for the love of it. Selling my work is a major benefit when it happens since it funds the act itself, but as soon as all of this becomes only about engineering to sell there will be a problem. I don’t want to lose the enjoyment.
Speaking of the sunflower…
I lost a few petals along the way but I made it for myself so it isn’t too big of a deal. Sunflowers just make me smile…there’s something so welcoming about them. I used a golden yellow and a bright yellow glaze on it so that it would add some color depth to the piece. All that’s left to do is epoxy the hardware for it to hang. I want to make a few small ones to put in the gallery as well.
Thursday, June 21st is the next Art Stroll 16 Main will take part in in downtown Huntsville on the square. I sold my little piggy bank (picture above) and a few other things at the last one. The free concert on Thursday nights at the gazebo in downtown Madison is starting back up on May 31st so we’ll be open in the evening for that time since it’s across the street from us. The series goes into August and it’s such a lovely time to be out and enjoying some local culture. It’s free and goes from 6-8 with the Madison Arts Counsel providing free face painting for children and selling some treats.
I was asked to remake a favorite mug that broke by a friend of mine. It’s called the Monday Mug. The original was bought several years ago at a festival and the series would get progressively happier as the week went on. Pretty cute idea, eh? I’m going to put this on the list of things I want to make but create it in my own style. His face makes me want to poke him in the belly to get him to giggle.
My June hand-building class at 16 Main is on the 16th at 10am. It’s a Saturday and I keep the class size small so I’m able to work one-on-one with each student. To reserve a space call 16 Main at 256-325-0161.
Kimbra is going to sing me to sleep now, so goodnight to you all.
T
Derby Days
02 May 2012 Leave a Comment
Hello my dear ones!
Derby Days is this Saturday, May 5th, from 10am-6pm on the green in downtown Madison. There are going to be several activities going on that are family-friendly and we’ll be selling the lovely derby hats at our gallery.
Hope to see you all out there as it’s going to be a great day!
<3T
Pottery and Control Freakery.
23 Apr 2012 2 Comments
…They just don’t get along. I unloaded the glaze fire this evening and had a bit of a giggle when I saw this:
The second butterfly came loose and ended up adhering a little ways down. With the flash you can even see the path it took. 
The new pieces have been uploaded to my pottery Facebook page here: Tisa’s Pieces
All new pieces are at the very bottom, so just scroll on down.
I think making pottery is just another way for me to learn to let go and be okay with the way things turn out. I can’t control everything, and I can’t change what happens in the kiln. My teacher always told me to love what I get when it comes to pottery….runaway butterflies and all.
<3T
Out of the Norm.
16 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Pictures
If you’ve seen my work you know what tend to be my usual style. A couple came into the gallery and gave me an order that I was really excited to create. It started from them seeing a mug I made for someone else. It’s something that I’ve never done before: Skeletons. I was sent a picture of their cake topper and asked to remake it on mugs along with designing 2 for bridesmaids.
Here is the original cake topper:
And here is my version:
The Bride-to-be wanted the mugs to have handles that formed a heart when you were looking at the people. So sweet. On the back she wanted it to say…
And here are the Bridesmaids:
And on the back she had me write “It Really Happened!”
Isn’t this such a fun way to celebrate the big day?
This Saturday is the event Art 4 Paws. There are going to be a ton of vendors and fun things to look at and take part in with your beloved pets. I’ll be selling my dog and cat treat jars and a percentage of all sales will be going to an animal shelter. It’s from 9-4pm and will be on the green in front of 16 Main.
<3T
Botanical Gardens and An Awkward Hello!
13 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
Dears,
I’m SO excited for this show tomorrow. It’ll be the first time my pieces are in any kind of art show so I’m kind of crazy excited. It’s from 9-4 and the gallery has a tent with pieces from all of us. I’m told we’ll be in the meadow, just past the lake. Go say hi and then come say hi to me at 16 Main while I’m working in the gallery tomorrow!
As you can see I am not a camera person! But some times it’s nice to have a face with the words…for the maybe 2 people that read this and don’t know me. 
T
Event Dates and Girly Tendencies.
03 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
My friends,
The street construction in front of the gallery has been rather trying. They’ve cut our water lines multiple times, cut the power, crushed the pipes taking water away, and more for the last several months. I’ve watched them stand around or smoke for hours while doing nothing. The building next to us is through private contractors and it’s going up faster than a paving. The positive side of it is that we continue to have students in our classes willing to trudge the graveled path to our door. A simple thank you would not suffice, but I’ll say it any way: Thank you. Truly.
As for me, I’ve taken this opportunity to get a large amount of work done. I really shouldn’t call it work since it’s my creative playtime, but I feel like I should proliferate the illusion nonetheless. It keeps me humble. ;-D
This year the theme of the Botanical Garden art show is butterflies and it just so happens that I’ve been quite explosive in my butterfly making. I’ve extended them past vases now and put them on sponge holders and I’m making magnets out of them. It’s been so fun and sweet. A lady came in to my studio and told me all my pottery was ‘whimsical.’ I smiled in agreement and told her, as I stood there in my clay-splattered apron and jeans, that I save all my most girly tendencies for my pottery. It’s not that I don’t want to be girly…I just err too far on the side of practicality. Perhaps all the flowers and butterflies will manifest themselves on my person in the future.
Pictures of the latest glaze unload are up on my pottery Facebook page: Available Pottery
Scroll to the bottom and you will find all the new goodies!
Now for the upcoming events involving 16 Main:
Botanical Gardens show: Saturday, April 14th. 10am-4pm
Art for Paws on the village green (in front of 16 Main) in d/t Madison: Saturday, April 21st. 9am-4pm
Derby Days on the village green in d/t Madison: Saturday, May 5th. 10am-6pm
Art Stroll on the square in d/t Huntsville: Thursday, May 17th.
‘Til next time my dear ones,
Tisa
Videos.
15 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
After going through a beginning wheel class I was quasi-mentored for almost a year by another potter. I learned quite a lot during that time but I don’t think you can ever get enough information when it comes to something like this. There are so many different approaches to making pottery.
And then come in the joys of the internet. YouTube, mainly. My two favorite potters are very different. One is English and uses so much water he can flip the piece upside down in the end and let it pour out. The other will throw almost completely with the slip (think really muddy water) made from barely dipping his hand in water.
Their hand placement is completely different…it’s fascinating to me. Throwing off the hump is still something I want to try. I’m grateful for their sharing since I think I’ve learned more from watching videos than anything. It’s most assuredly not something I could do.
At night, when I can’t sleep, I end up watching pottery videos until I can’t keep my eyes open. I think I’m in love with mud… 
T
