So, you know how I was happy about all the wonderful stuff that came out of the last glaze firing? I paid for it today. It seemed that each one of my pieces in this particular firing was sadder than the next.

My cookie jar with the awesome lid had pinholes all through the cappuccino glaze. My "Age is inevitable Maturity optional" bowl slumped on one side. The tiny bluebird salt cellar came out fine -- but it's a tiny bluebird salt cellar!

Made three chamsas today. They have too many fingers, but I don't care! They look nice, so I'll sell them as "a contemporary interpretation" of traditional chamsas. Besides, 6 fingers are better than 5!

Lots of nice stuff out of the kiln today -- it will slowly be listed at the etsy store and, hopefully, will eventually sell.

Meanwhile, I got a beautiful review at a judaica blogger's site. You can check it out at: http://www.judaicajournal.blogspot.com

This week I felt like I was a production potter. I received a commission for a pair of mugs. But, as most potters know, when you need to make two of something you need to make at least 6. I worked on 6, had the handles crack off because I let them dry unevenly, so threw 6 more the next day.

Apparently I was pushing my fingers too deeply into the bat under the clay, while pulling up. The grog on the bat filed my nails down quite nicely on the outside edge. Hard to describe -- but I'll be using a rib to throw for the next couple of weeks.

At least there will be mugs aplenty!

I also glazed a lovely pierced bowl and am waiting for another bowl with the message: "age is inevitable maturity optional" just below the rim should be going into the bisque firing soon.

Lotsa stuff coming!

My brother asked a funny question today. "How long does it take you to make something?"

I tried to figure it out and had a hard time. Ceramics is an animal that's a bit different from other arts/crafts. There are so many steps and you can't do them all in the same day.

There's throwing or handbuilding the piece. Then there's "finishing" the piece -- making sure the joins are going to hold, that there are no sharp edges, that the bottom is trimmed or smoothed, etc. Time for bisque firing and cooling time. Selecting a glaze and glazing the piece is the next step and might take a minute or two or a few days, depending on the final result desired. Then there's the glaze firing.

I usually end it there, though there are people who do multiple glaze firings at different cone temperatures to achieve varying effects.

So, how long DOES it take for a piece? I figure a thrown mug, total time, takes a bit under an hour. A handbuilt piece? Maybe 5-10 hours.

Of course, there are complex ceramic artists on the internet whose pieces take weeks to complete. A good example can be found here: http://www.barbroaberg.dk/

A good question with no fixed answer!

I realize I have a ton of "stuff" at the studio waiting to be put on the bisque fire shelf, needing to be glazed, AND my daughter wants me to make a few mugs for her to give to her teachers and bosses. OY!

I guess I'll really be putting in some hours this week, which is good, since it's time to get a few more things done for sales.

Very, VERY happy how my new cups came out. Of course, they're for specific handed people, meaning, right now, lefties can't comfortably use any of the cups that have come out or are soon coming out of the kiln.

Next week I'm going to have to make some "Lefties only" cups. After all, need to be PC!

The etsy shop is open. I've even had three sales and I've been pretty productive at the studio, which means less tea/conversation and more work.

Not sure where this blog will take me. But I'm hoping it will be read by people interested in my life, my work, or ceramics in general.