Spoons

I had originally planned to post these yesterday, but just couldn't stay indoors.  It was too nice out.

I've been making spoons using plastic soup spoons from Chinese take-out as my molds.  (Those were the days when spoons came with the soup!) 

These are made with my white earthenware, glazed mostly with Spectrum #799 majolica white, although I did do some with Linda Arbuckle's majolica white.  It's more a matter of convenience than anything as Linda's is a dipping glaze.  As usual they are painted with my own mixed Mason Stains and fired to ^05.

The are mostly decorative.  I could see using them for a very elegant bouillon. The one below would make a good tasting spoon.

After a summer of nary a praying mantis in sight we now have three perhaps four in the garden.  Proge spotted one last evening, then this morning we found three more.  The one below had just molted.  I wanted to get the empty skin but it blew away in a little breeze.

In addition to the dahlias and passion flower they appear to be liking the sassafras weeds that are always in abundance.  I guess I will wait to clip them.

Yesterday afternoon while I was sitting on the deck two female hummingbirds came to the petunias which are favorites of theirs.  Perhaps they will lay more eggs although it's getting a bit late in the year.

It's hard to believe we are at the end of August.  I feel like summer just began, but then, I always feel that way.  We need rain; how about you?

Enjoy these days of summer and as always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Blooming

My amaryllis appears to think it's Christmas in August.  I'm not complaining because I'll take all the flowers I can get this summer, but is it a bit of a surprise!  I love white  flowers and this one is is wonderful.  I didn't do anything special, just have had it one the deck in a shady place and watered it. 

I made this little stegosaurus intending to make it into a whistle.  Life got in the way and by the time I got back to it, it was too dry to become a whistle.  It will make a nice little planter critter.  I'll try another whistle soon.

 We are finally able to enjoy summer.  We lost a good half of it to the unpleasantness of the caterpillars in all their forms.  We could use some rain though.  I think most of the northeast needs rain.

Enjoy the day and, as always, thanks for stopping by.......*s*

All Cracked Up

And not in a good or happy way!

I fired this mug in my last firing.  It was bisqued at ^04 and glazed at ^05.  The crack is along the join and appeared after I used it several times.  The join was visible on the inside so I had my suspicions!  There are also cracks on other mugs that I fired the same way.

Right now I blame the clay body and the fact that I may be making them too thin. Possibly I shouldstart making thicker slabs.  I don't like doing this as I have always liked making think mugs and cups.

I may need to overlap rather than butt the clay edges against each other.  

Could I add a hand full of frit #3124 to the clay?

It's always sumthin'!

Sunny, warm with no rain in sight.......We'll see, Grasshopper....we'll see......

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

Chicken! Chicken!

Sharon, a Facebook friend, reminded me about the chicken whistles I made and once fired as an experiment!  The white chicken lost her tail!  I will not be once firing these again.  The small parts become too saturated with glaze and are prone to breakage.

Here are two chicken whistles in progress.  I need to work on the feet a bit more!

We have had several low humidity days which changed today.  It's humid and oddly cloudy.  Toes crossed that it rains!

Enjoy the week, end and, as always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*

Manatee Mermaid Monday

I am painting mermaids on my manatee whistles.  

Supposedly sailors saw manatees swimming and thought they were mermaids.  Those must have been some pretty desperate sailors.

This one is obviously in progress.  I wanted to take photos before I wax it so I can continue working without smearing or rubbing off part of the design.

 There is still a ways to go with this one.  I have two more in progress.  I'll try to remember to take photos as I work.

Alas the best laid plans......

Hares and Rabbits for August First!

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