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*

Spoons

I've been handbuilding spoons since last fall.  Mostly I have sat staring at them and wondering how to decorate them.  I did the long handled one and then stared some more!  Finally I decided that they are the first of what may turn out to be many so I just went ahead and painted. 

This is never going to be anything I can sell as a regular item as they would have to be prohibitively expensive.  They might work as special occasion or commemorative items.

All this is early days as I need to work on the designs and, also, finish them!

We'll see, grasshopper.....we'll see..........

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

More Spoons

I found two of the plastic spoons that used to come with Chinese take out.  I like the shape so I used them as molds.  The funny little one is an experiment to make it sit upright.  I think I will make future spoons of this type with a little wedge of clay at the base to make them stand.  The back one is made from the same larger spoon but with a long handle.  It's meant to be a 'tasting spoon'.  Does anyone remember these?  You put the soup in the spoon and tilt it down the handle so you can taste without burning your mouth.  Both my mother and Nanu had these in wood.

I'll make a few more of these to get the feel of them.  I think I'll make the tasting spoon with it's own spoon rest.  Who wants soup all over their stove or counter?

I hear rumors of it going down to the thirties tomorrow night.  Today I'm getting out all my old blankets and covers,  just in case!  I'll bring in a bunch of plants, but I want to keep the morning glories and dahlias going.  We could have a few nights of light frost, then great weather until Thanksgiving!


We'll see, grasshopper......we'll see....

Enjoy the coming week.

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