Monday, May 4, 2015

Glaze Daze

I've been spending a lot of time catching up on glazing.  I'm trying to dig out all the bisqued stuff I have and get it fired.  Some stuff I'm not happy with I'll save for tests.  They are going into a special bin so I can find them when I need them.

I'm doing a slow but steady studio reorganization and clean up; after all it's spring!

The teapot should be posted tomorrow for Teapot Tuesday but I could easily forget so here it is.  The bottom is glazed with a Spectrum Metallic.  I waxed it so I would not have to worry about getting other glazes and colorants on it.  The rest of the pot is glazed with Spectrum #251 Satin White.  There are three brushed coats.  The colors are Mason Stains.  The green is mixed 50/50 with frit 3124.  The red is a Mason encapsulated cadmium mixed with frit 3124 and gerstley borate 50:25:25.  I find that the gertsley borate adds a better density to the cadmiums.  I did thin this quite a bit with water to get more of a water color effect. 

It's going to be interesting to see how this comes through the firing.


As I mentioned on my Facebook page Woodrow has returned.  He's living under the shed again.  I took this on Saturday when he was out relaxing in the sun.  If we can get him to stay by the shed, we'll let him stay.  I am hoping he is Woodrow and not Woodrina.  What we don't need is a ton of babies.  That's when the have-a-heart traps will come out with relocation to a spot in the bordering state forest.


It may not be warm enough to grow much outside, but that doesn't mean plants don't stop trying.  This is a strawberry plant that I had in a hanging planter last year.  I wintered it over and it started fruiting a few weeks ago.  This is the first ripe berry.  I have no idea what it will taste like, but I like it for its prettiness and tenacity!


Finally it's acting more like spring.  It's supposed to be in the high seventies all week.  A nice change from weather that has felt more like March than May!

Here's to sunny days!

As always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*

11 comments:

  1. Lovely teapot! Can't wait to see it fired.
    Amazing that you have a strawberry. I think it's about time for strawberries here in NC. The timing always surprises me since it was so much later in the north east.

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    1. Hi Michele....Thanks. I was hoping to keep the strawberry plant alive; the fruit was a bonus. My Aline berry plants are beginning to grow but nowhere near ready to flower!

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  2. Great teapot Thanks for glaze info.

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    1. Hi Barb.....Thanks! I am a glaze, decorating geek!

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  3. Dearest Suzi,
    Well, you show always some very interesting tea pots with different glazing techniques. Also your critters are interesting and who knows he was the reason that Aloysius stayed outside?
    Enjoy your spring!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Hi Mariette...Thanks. Teapots are probably my favorite things to make.
      Perhaps Aloysius is widening his circle of friends. At my old house the kitties would play with skunks and possums, but that was when they were allowed out more.
      It's so wonderful to finally be having spring.
      Enjoy!

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  4. That teapot is sweet. A little studio reorganization is on my agenda also. It always feels nice to get back to work in a clean, well organized studio.

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  5. Hi Lori.....Thanks. Sometimes I don't realize how chaotic my studio has become until I clean up!

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  6. La tetera es hermosa y la fresa tiene muy buen aspecto :)

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