Sunday, June 9, 2013

Wet!


We have had the the rainy leftovers, but thankfully not the wind, from the Tropical Depression Andrea.  Every thing is full to the brim, pond, pool. wheelbarrow, buckets.  The sog is here. After having experienced a drought so bad the well went dry, I don't really mind rain....as long as we get plenty of sun too.  Rain at night is ideal in my book!  

 The humidity has finally dropped a bit so things may begin to dry out today.  Three days of not being able to work outside really takes it's toll.  We are fast approaching 'the jungle effect'.

Needless to say it has not been optimal conditions for drying clay!  I have been making planter cylinders, possibly for sale when I get them to the point I want.  It has been so wet that after days with the forms still inside them, they were still to wet to support themselves.  A judicious use of hair dryer and heat lamps solved the problem.  I don't like to resort to heat lamps etc. because there is such a fine line between just dry enough and too dry.  I also find when working with a round shape it is oh so easy to do uneven drying......and that leads to great sadness on my part!


I think I'm going to try a more freeform version.  When I was still working with my developmentally delayed students we did a really nifty planter using a plastic newspaper bag stuffed with papers for a form.

I'm going to try to make the deadline for Mud Colony.   There's always something going on there...just click on the link.

Enjoy a sunny Sunday......and as always, thanks for stopping by......*s*

18 comments:

  1. We finally saw the sun yesterday, here in NC. I have been leaving pots uncovered for days and they still aren't ready for trimming.

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    1. Hi Michele....Finally we are in for warm weather. I love summer but RI in summer is known for humidity.

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  2. we don't want to encourage any sadness with clay there is enough of it already, great planter.

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    1. Hi Linda....It's so easy for a great pot to go bad!

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  3. Dearest Suzi,
    Haha, we also got a very wet week because of Andrea.
    The gardens needed it; except the weeds.
    For drying clay it is tough with such humid weather conditions. We have been so blessed for having the painters finish on Monday around noon after three weeks of work on the exterior with sunny and dry weather. So much that the grass was getting scorched. Not any more; things look as lush and green as it can be.
    Enjoy the new week.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Hi Mariette....I think the entire east coast was rain due to Andrea. As I said, I don't really mind the rain until the frogs start laying eggs in the grass.
      How fortunate the painters finished before it started raining!

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  4. Hi Suzi,

    We had rain yesterday and yes, rain at night and sunshine in the day is always nice. You planter is great and hope you get some fine weather to dry things out.

    Happy new week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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    1. Hi Carolyn....Sun rise was a real treat this morning. I love to see the early morning light hitting the tops of the trees.

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  5. I know, CRAZY rainy is weird for pots...I have fans, I have hot guns....you do what you have to!

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    1. Have heat guns, lamps and fans; will travel.....errr...pot!

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  6. A creative process to the very end! Glad toy found a working solution.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth.....Creative even in the drying. This is what makes clay interesting!

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  7. Great planter. I haven't made one like that in years. Maybe I should. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Hi Lori.....When we were doing a slightly different version in my classes I was always happily surprised at the variety students came up with. Go for it!

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  8. I love those planters! They will look fantastic when herbs etc. is growing out of them! I think it is a great idea to make these! Unfortunately you are not close to me. I would come and buy one or even more of you! - Thanks for your kind words on my last post. - Take care, Christa

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    1. Hi Christa...It's so sweet of you to like these, but I bet a potter near you is making something of the sort. They look great on decks.

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  9. I've only done a bit of handforming clay in my life, but I do know what you mean about the drying bit. Stuffed form sounds interesting, love to see it....xox

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    1. Hi Corrine...Get out the clay and start making!

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