Teapot 5

The lid for teapot 3 does not fit well, I measured twice.  I think this is due to the  fast-drying (using heat-gun).   I had hard time making the replacement lid for teapot last year.  It was way off, two large.  My thought then, was that if  the lid  is left overnight to dry (under the plastic), it dries  upward, meaning the nine o' clock toward twelve.  When I dried these lids with heat guns to speed up the process, these shape stayed the same (flat).  I don't know my studio is always hot and dry,  that may be the factor. Am I making any sense ??

Here is teapot 6. I wanted the body to be more projected  compared to teapot 3.  It looks a lot better than this picture, I thought.  A handle needs some more tweaking.



The color of new batch of clay is very different from the last batch.  Much dark-gray...  I need to make some tiles to compare the glaze color, now.

Teapot 3 & 4

Here is teapots from yesterday and today.  I thought the first two teapots do not have enough opening for tea/ teabag to be functional,and widened the opening a bit for these two.  I do not like the shape of teapot 3, so decided to have a fun with teapot 3.  I like the way the cap sits on the teapot 3, but the body does not looks good with feet. Turned out this practice is forcing me to stay an extra hour at the studio, and helps the greenwares just dry enough to cover with the plastic without deforming.  Before I lost couple pieces a day as the fleshly thrown pieces are too wet to cover.

[caption id="attachment_1379" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Teapot3"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1380" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Teapot4"][/caption]

I am getting 1000lb of clay tomorrow, and lots of trimming.

Mugs week and teapot

Once again, mugs week.



Have you seen at the Fong Choo's teapot making videos in Youtube?  His teapot shape is amazing, and his speed of making the teapot  is also amazing.  For inspiration,  I will make one teapot of different shape on my throwing day for a while.  Here is last two days.

Teapot1

Teapot2

Second Sale

Quick note.  Annual second sale is on Feb 12th  at the Mostly Clay.

Flat pieces and Netbook

First firing in 2011 is done. It was ok firing. Fired the flat pieces, pitcher, and soy pourer.  I like them.  The shape gives more dimensions, and the softness to the curve.   I glued the cork to the cap, and looks good, I think.  Now moved to the teapot.



I fixed the LCD of my netbook, the first replacement LCD I bought at the EBay did not work well, but second one I picked up the website recommended in this blog worked perfectly.  I changed the wifi network adapter to Intel Wifi Link 5100 as well. Reception in the basement went up significantly. It was from 802.11b/g to 802.11n with the same g router.  I am pleasantly surprised.  On the very bad note, my ford winstar is in shop, will cost $1600 to repair the engine malfunction light.  It was running all right,  though. Well, lots of mugs.  Mug is so cheap compared to these repairs. I am in wrong business....

Ready to fire

I went the dentist for a pea-side blister on the gum next the molar, and he extracted the molar being infected a week ago.  I was just shocked he said to extract it since I did not have any discomfort or bad taste in the mouse.  It was  like the moive, Marathon Man  for the procedure to extract despite several novacaine shots.  Just pure torture. After coming home, I had fever for two days.   I should insist to wait for a week.



Finally loaded the kiln.  I need to wait until Friday due to forecast of the possible wind.  Well,  there are many orders in this kiln, so better be patient.  The storm system will not be as bad as the first forecasted for tomorrow.  We missed two big storms,  NYC is expecting 14".  Less shoving is always good news.

New year

A happy new year.   Our daughter was back in the town from Abu Dhabi.  She loves the collage there, and seems very comfortable living and studying.  She went back on the new year's day. 22 hours, the same as traveling to Japan.

I am back in studio after a week off.  I applied most of shows for this summer.  I decided not to apply the Three River Art Festival this year.  I really like Pittsburgh, so I hope to find another shows in the future.



Lots of small pieces are out of stocks, and I am busy throwing on the wheel.  I will have the first firing early next week.  I signed up the show called "Thaw" in the Hungerford building, and have no idea what to do. It's in March.  Rather thinking about it, I decided to make something, and inspire myself.  I still do not know what to do.....