March 19th, 2017

I have a new obsession ....Pottery Lessons !!!

Just 2 weeks ago I started Pottery Lessons ...I decided that the exercise would be good for my injured arm ( most of you will know about my battle to save the use of my arm after severe nerve damage and arthritis) after my 3 months of Physiotherapy ended ...
I am not regretting my decision for one moment ..infact I am obsessed ..ha! ha! 
I made three 'gift tags' and decorated them as you can see ...these are in their raw clay stage and will be fired in the kiln this week so that I can learn how to color glaze them in my next lesson.
My vision for them is to have them in three calming shabby chic colors ..then I will put ribbons of shredded vintage fabrics through the holes and tie them together to either hang on the wall or just to lay on a coffee or side table ...
I can't wait to see how they turn out.

I also made two decorative hearts that I intend to make in to pendants for a necklace ...can you see the holes I put in them so that they will hang in a tilted position ...I had fun making these ...the powder on the clay is just part of the process and will burn off in the kiln.
I will also color glaze them 
Then they have their second and final firing in the kiln then the joyous day will come to take them home and show them off to Danny and the rest of my family and friends.

My five items are sitting on the shelf among the others that my fellow potters have made ready to go in to the Kiln for firing.

Here is my work station ....I am a bit of a messy worker so engrossed in what I am doing I don't notice the mess !!
The lady who runs the Pottery Lesson and is my teacher is one of the gang that works at the Therapy place ...she isn't a therapist but helps out with almost everything and would help me to do my exercises and showed such care, compassion and understanding I immediately was drawn to her...Faith is the definition of compassion and care ... I couldn't imagine a better person.
Faith is no longer a my carer she is now a dear friend.
You can see more about the Pottery, Faith and friends make here  www.facebook.com/FaithsEarthArt/

The photo's aren't very good as I didn't have the correct lighting.
And to be honest it was a last minute thought.
To take photo's of my items I had made that day and they were already in position to go in the Kiln.

I also made this cheese and cracker platter on my second lesson ...I loved making it ...I wanted it to look a little like a piece of pastry or fondant icing that I had just rolled up on one end to place on the cake or pie.
I added scrolling to the edge and hand made the flowers and vines ...I then put small pieces of dark grey sponge under three parts of the edge to lift it up and make the platter a little wavy around the edge ..you can see the sponges in the photo ...this is ready for the kiln as well and I am envisaging it being in a lovely blue with creamy white flowers and brown highlights but until I start the glazing stage I will only then know how I want it to be ..

Here are some other bowls, cups and jewelry pendants that my fellow class mates made ..they are much more advanced than I am ...
I hope one day to throw a pot on the wheel but have to get my arm a little stronger.
And grow in confidence in my pottery making.
The first day I made a lovely item which I hope will work out ...I haven't told anyone what I made as I want my first piece to be seen in a finished state and not in the raw clay process 
So I will reveal it to you the moment I bring it home even if it didn't work out very well.
As I am a true believer that we learn from our mistakes.

I have so enjoyed my first 2 lessons .
Not only the creativity that it gives me.
But the truly lovely friends I am getting to know.
It's now become my favorite day of the week.
Other than the ones I spend with Danny at the weekend of course.
Thanks for popping by 
And listening to my ramblings 

Happy Days 

Janet