Same, but different!

I think this style of teapot might be my favorite so far.  At least for an everyday, functional teapot :).  So I made a second one fore this week, but in a clay boday that I've been making some of my other things in.  I like how the speckles come through the glaze.  I've decided to make this teapot again, but to glaze it more like the mixing bowl in the last photo.  This might be the first time, EVER, that I've made something and already know (and visualize) how I'm gonna glaze it. :) I think this challenge is working! Growth! Yay!

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Simply Tea

Ok, so it might be a cop out, but I have a lot going on right now! Haha. But seriously, a lot of the teapots I've made for this challenge have been just decorative, not functional.  I wanted to make a visually appealing teapot that you can use! Time to get back to the basics. Sure I love my other ones, but I love(even more) the idea that someone will get to use the "oh so pretty" teapot. Sometimes (not always) less is more :).

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More mini

This teapot turned out to be a pleasent surprise.  I put it off until Saturday! This is the first teapot that I didn't have any idea of what it was going to turn out like. I just grabbed a piece of clay and threw the lid and then the spout of the hump.  Then, with the remaining clay, I threw a bottomless cylinder.  When the clay was leather hard on top, I connected tbe bottom and the top retained its circular shap and the bottom was still wet enough to join properly.  At this point the teapot looked like a coin purse.  I rolled the outter corners in on themselves to act like feet and then assembled the spout and handle.  It is a coil handle and looked like it! Ha not good. So I added the texture with a wood screw :).  I trimmed the lid in such a way that it could also double as a cup :).  This is one teapot I'm very pleased all around with.  It seems like the best ones happen with little or no planning. (Maybe because I done have any expectaions lol) have a great week!

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Up and over

I think sometimes we or I get caught up in a certain way things have to be done.  And sometimes there is one way, but in respect to my teapots...there are millions of ways to do things. I say this because I love doing over the top handles (I mean this literally, I'm not saying my handles are "over the top" in Awesomeness haha) but the lid usually gets in the way.  With this teapot...hello...I just cut out the spot that was causing me issues! Duh! I like how it looks too.  And it helps stabilize the lid when pouring or anytime! Yes! Haha no feet on this pot, but I am loving this spout design. Do you? 

I like the swirls on the body of the pot, but (for some reason) they intimidate me when glazing.  Not sure if the topper on the lid goes with this design, but, individually, I love that topper.  I pull the topper, just like I pull the handles, so to me they match ha.

Just glazed and now firing some other mini teapots, so look for those soon.  I'm low firing right now (cone 05) because I can't get my kiln to cone 6.  Also, with the whole quitting my job and starting my own business I am forcing myself to use my "old glazes".  This was discouraging at first (which is why I haven't glazed those teapots til now), but I'm forcing my creativity...and its working :).  Sure I've got some duds, but I feel I am on the verge of greatness! Haha...it sounds rediculous...but I do have a sense of encouragment and excitement.  Everythings gonna be ok... Also, check out my online shop to see other things I make (I don't only make teapots!) Www.sarahmics.etsy.com

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Wood firing results

Soooo cool. What a great day. I was just so pleasently suprised with the results of the firing.  I thought they would be orange and they are blue and gray with green! How amazing. There was no glaze on these pots when they went in that kiln. The beautiful colors and sheen is from the wood ash, soda, and carbon trapping.  In the last pic you can see the little balls hanging off. Those are called wadding. In my electric kiln at my studio, I use wax so the pot doesnt stick to the shelf if the glaze runs, byt in a woodkiln, everything gets glazed! Even the bricks look pretty! Haha so, we use wadding to prop up the pot so it doesnt stick to the shelves in the kiln.  I couldnt really be mire pleased :).  My favorite is the taller one. Im just so thankful I got to be a part of this experience and that I got to meet a bunch of great potters from all over the u.s.! Thanks again, Justin!

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wood firing!

These are pics of justin rothshanks wood kiln that he let me be a part of! I met some awesome potters there that know soooo much! These are the teapots I put in the firing, so they will be a special treat for the end of the year show! :) go checkout justins work at www.rothshanks.com and my etsy store at www.sarahmics.etsy.com to see and purchase more of my pottery! Thanks for reading!

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Four Teapots!

Ok, whell I'm officially a full time potter now! I'm taking the plung! I'm scared excited! Haha I just feel like its the only thing to do! Anyways, so I had time to make 4 teapots this week :).  I also made 12 mugs, 2 pitchers, 4 huge decorative/serving plates, a bowl and a bree baker! Ya, I know I'm pumped up!! I'm learning so much and I feel that this blog was a huge part of my encouragement to jump! So these four teapots are just expansions of my fong choo inspiration! I like the idea of working on something ( an idea) that I can stretch and expand on.  I'm really liking the swirls, mini teapots, lines, crazy(not so functional) spouts, and pushing in the sides of the pot so that it looks plump or like its moving :).  I like the little feet too!

I've been thinking about my final show a lot lately. I need a venue! Any ideas? I was also thinking of setting each pot on a stand with the printout and sketch from its blog post. I'm thinking about how I personify each one and how id like to give each pot its own mini show within the show. Like dramatic lighting and the blog post and a very black tie feel. I want it to be so special for them. Haha it sounds weird, but these teapots are the closest thing to children I have...haha... and I want them to look their best! I also think thhey should be in chronological order, so everyone can see the story and growth.

What a beautiful day today!

Oh ya! So... I got to participate in a wood firing yesterday with my friend deb! Yes, it was awesome.  Ill post pics in the next post :) checkout my etsy shop at www.sarahmics.etsy.com to see more of my pottery!

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link to etsy store

Handmade ceramics on my pottery wheel from me to you by Sarahmics

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Quitting my "day job"

Ok, I took myself to Etsy school yesterday and I've been doing it wrong this whole time.  This post isn't teapot related per se, but it is related to me and my overall happiness as an artis and potter.  I try to keep this blog for my teapots only, but I'm willing to make an exception :).  I got on the full sight of this blog (usually I just use the mobile) and I've got over 1200 views! Thanks guys! Whoever you are!? Also, a large number are from Russia and other countries! Awesome! So, I was wondering if any of you have websites, blogs, and any other internet outlet (facebook, twitter).  I learned yesterday that having links to my etsy shop all over the internet is sooo helpful! Makes sense, right?! I know...sooooo... if you enjoy this blog and want me to succeed at this whole etsy thing and want to help me get more traffic to my store, and therefore more potential buyers??......please share my blog and etsy store! Here is a link for my etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sarahmics?ref=si_shop I hope that works :) thanks for all your views, and please comment. What do you want to see/hear more of? Any style of teapot you want me to make? Just comment and let me know!

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