slowcraft

organising...

2009-04-18T03:52:00.001-07:00

organising..., originally uploaded by lisatoni.

Ok, the countdown is really quite serious now... I'm not sure if my last batch to go in the kiln will be out in time... fingers crossed!
These wee things are all for etsy, I hope to continue small stuff in London, at least small stuff - then I can keep the shop going... Its been so great - people have paid me money for the things I have made! wicked.

slow days are over so quickly

2009-04-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

yo-yos, theres a fantastic childhood bakery good I should never have forgotten about.

re-home

2009-03-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

me and my stuff have to part ways. Its an unbearable concept so I'm 'not' thinking about it, and attempting to complicate things further by using up all of the clay at home... this could result in having a lot more stuff to part from, or a lot of incompletes floating around. Logan and I are moving to London, but I dont have my visa yet, I dont know when I will get it, fingers crossed everything is right and I will get it... I am stressing out about it, its true, I am a worrier.
Luckily the lovely Kirsty Rebbecca of the brand spanking new Lucien Midnight on Johnston st will sell my ceramic stuff for me. Its god awful ebay for my dresser and lamps and sewing machine and lounge suite and chairs and STUFF that freaks me. Which is why I haven't even started it.
haha . . . ?
Anyway, I have been stocking my etsy shop as things come out of the kiln, in the hope of flicking a few things off before depositing them in the real life shop.

process

2009-03-17T22:11:00.001-07:00

process, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

I have been doing STUFF, I have just been a bit lazy keeping up to date with documenting everything.... I'm obsessed, I'm making, I'm using up all the clay and glaze and colour I have before its time to pack up and go.
If all goes well the timing will be perfect and all will emerge from the kiln in time to be finished and fingers crossed sold, or re-homed... it will be pretty tight!
xL

the return

2009-03-01T17:54:00.001-08:00

ferry, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

oh New Zealand, so awesome,
miss you already!

flaky

2009-02-06T20:49:00.001-08:00

some small things in the shop! quite a relief when it comes to my smash-in-the-post-anxiety. also,alarmingly enough, I have opened the bucket of porcelain slip I bought for all that christmas holiday productivity (bah haha) and have made some new plaster molds... exciting stuff - some photo evidence soon!

a-new

2009-01-09T20:33:00.000-08:00

Its getting easier and easier to do less and less as the unemployed days clock up.
Grand plans for mass productivity over the holiday are all but lost, but in the interest of being one of those "I'll just do the dishes first, then tidy the desk, then get some washing on..."etc procrastinators I have listed the remains of last years (apart from the stuff still at school waiting to be fired) body of cup-mad work on etsy at mega sale cheap sell it all prices. fingers crossed it goes, I feel the need for a cleanse in order to start fresh! Also after a whole year (gasp how could you possibly wait?) I have employed my gocco and burned a couple of screens for some thank you notes and address cards, its a very cool little thing, more could come of it...

so, goodbye etsy packages, be safe!

tradgedy and triumph?

2008-12-02T22:10:00.000-08:00

my two-for-one-scrawny-chicken pots sold quite well at the sale. hoorah for people liking them enough to buy them, but boo for me selling them at prices far lower than I would have liked. now Im not too sure where I stand in terms of sustainability of my craft (profitability is a dreamy vision).
Am I hooked on a hobby? why did my own mum think I had over priced everything!
Am going to have a far wiser crack at this commission of cups, keep myself safe from poverty and heartache- with money up front and an order of specific products at agreed prices and amounts. (could be a winner yet). Will also develop the black and white range, work on 2 more cast shapes and play with some fancier clay, that should keep me happy - even happier if I can get some stuff in shops ;)

out with the old

2008-11-21T08:24:00.001-08:00

new work, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

a new direction for the holidays (still with the dreaded moulds- am not done with them yet!)... am pretty excited, I think these are finally 'me'.
am feeling a bit sad for the old work. like poor neglected chickens marked down for a quick sale in scrawny sets of two (!)

creeping

2008-11-13T04:52:00.000-08:00

many things are creeping closer, ends, beginings, christmas, departures and arrivals, good news and bad...
will see what unfolds soon
its the time for shopping, so I have put a couple of things on etsy (gasp!) it seems a great way to test the water in terms of selling, costing and seeing if there is love for these slip cast babies!
also the Carlton Arts Centre exhibition and sale is very very soon, friday the 28th november 6-9pm and saturday and sunday 11-6pm. Check it out, loads of lovingly crafted ceramics and i dont doubt a few bargains to be had also (we are so terribly modest).

cup mad

2008-11-03T06:29:00.001-08:00

cup mad, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

haha, some of the fun stuff to do within the limitations of repeated shapes. what am i saying.. i love repeated shapes.

distraction

2008-10-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

Rightfully, I should be quite bald by now (with the pulling of my own hair through absolute frustration of my own design). But luckily Im not one to focus my full efforts on the project at hand, procrastination and dreaming do have a few plus sides...
Am still yet to get the full go ahead on my tea and coffee commission (picky picky!) so I have been using the rejected moulds for playing around with colours and transfers. hoping to generate some sets for sale - cute pairs may make good pressies...??

can I stop pulling my hair out yet?

2008-09-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

a bit bland for my liking but... the idea is set now, these are the shapes, this is the colour... its work until its done then I can play with my new tissue transfers and pretty colours.
(I couldn't help myself on these trial cups though, with some very subtle resist patterns in the clear glaze)

apologies for continued crappy photography x

dribs

2008-09-08T01:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.kirstencoelho.com/

mmm, pretty....
still fascinated with stacking, wanting to explore a set of 'geometric' and a set of 'organic' forms. All (hopefully) functional, some wobbly and some sound. Jugs and cups mostly - still have tea and coffee service on the brain.
There are some things out of the kiln, I need to take photos, but they are coming out in dribs and drabs - im such a whore for the grouping, i cant stand to post pictures of them all alone!

helping hand...

2008-09-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

trying to get things done (making time)

and at the same time attempting to get through this stupidly large bag of coffee with my new friends plunger and grinder!
now to make the cups and saucers to drink the beloved coffee from... more on that soon.

ah ha!

2008-08-18T00:19:00.000-07:00

I thought I was close to gone for good too.
I havent been making time for the internet lately, really a bit of a shocker, because I enjoy it and find it rewarding - so.. I must take some photos of my new work - the slip casting is all happening. Trials have been completed and new moulds have been made - will take a bit of time to get them through the kiln so I can offer an absolute final REAL example and then start manufacturing. Have also been having concerns that the quality is shit (I break every second one, is this normal?) may have to make twice as many if that is going to be the case....
heres a sneak peak - I was trying to get a slate green thing happening, but its really blue grey. but anyway soon your coffee and tea service may be transformed! I hope!

appreciation

2008-07-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

some amazing things I had to buy over the past few weeks...
Lisa Boyter cups
Laura Walker button
Bridget Bodenham ring
porcelain pleasures!!!

sadly funds have now dried up entirely, and thus I will re-focus on solving my own ceramic puzzles... the stacking cups mock ups were quite successful, and I can actually see the potential in the idea (a fusion of tall things and tea cups - what could be better than a functional/non functional combo?). The casting of the cups has had some success, the hunt for red continues, I have now branched into tinting my own glaze (exciting - should see the samples out of the kiln on tuesday) so hoping for a breakthrough there. Also have had interest (from workmates mostly) in selling cups since I dished out the pink ones, apparently they are nice to drink tea out of and would make good gifts! so thats pretty exciting. Will be off to northcote next week to expand my colour palette and make up a range of slips and knock out some cup pairs.. wish me luck!

clearly pink

2008-07-02T01:51:00.001-07:00

clearly pink, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

I'm over the disappointment now. it was a bit traumatic to see so very much pink when one is trying to achieve red.
luckily I visited the good people at northcote pottery this afternoon and was reassured that I should indeed let the whole silly idea go as frankly its not going to happen. Red could happen but not functional food safe red. it all makes sense now.
(to be honest my application of the pink wasnt exactly quality either, lots to work on still!)

the goodness inside

2008-06-26T03:03:00.000-07:00

inside out why do I not subscribe to you?
shapes colours and collections that speak to me on every second page. too good.

more bowls

2008-06-20T21:25:00.001-07:00

freehand bowl set, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

another black on white obsession.
bowls again of course, so simple, so open.

for example

2008-05-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

so the tall shapes are on my mind, but not really progressing.. luckily when you are vaguely always thinking about a shape, material, colour, texture, whatever, your mind seems to be able to do some kid of auto-pilot research for you. its really very good.

Due to some quite #$%** weather, the paper-clay making process has been severely stunted in the drying department. Thats ok, its another thing I dont have any 'real' plans for - the self satisfaction of using up all the clay and recycling the egg cartons is nearly enough!
I'm hoping to try making my first plaster mold tomorrow, fingers crossed...

pondering

2008-05-20T23:48:00.000-07:00

Liking these cups by Carol Epp, might be nice to introduce the stacking idea to the tall things series as a functional version... hmmm. also feeling drawn to the natural beauty of stoneware glazes rather than controlled (contrived) design. I want it all! for now, i will continue to investigate the tea cup (underglaze/stain a specified colour, throw a perfect model on the wheel, make a plaster mold, practise slip casting and problem solve saucer and spoon options) I had better get started on that actually now that I spell it out its an awful lot to get organised! In between the serious stuff previously mentioned I am all about exploring the tall things, so much to discover here. And for grounded breathing time... bowls cups and ramekins as usual! I had better stop sleeping in. (the winterness has become a problem) :)

more!

2008-05-15T01:12:00.000-07:00

more grouping ambition...
the tall things want to be part of a large group. Sadly they are labour intensive, clumsy, yet elegant and definitely in need of some mates!

PS be jealous of me and have a look at the fabulous bainbridge scarf I am currently sporting thanks to a trade with Kirsten (Assemblage). Love love love it.

2 ovens

2008-05-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

The kiln has cooled, the tea cup trials are out, and the oven at home is heating up for roast dinner tonight. Its all good.
I took a million photos of this group of cups and milk pourer's, I couldn't stop rearranging them! Essentially these are a colour trial to make a set of red tea cups based on the mud australia cups. simple shapes and solid colours with little hand made dashes of personality. Knowing they were just tests I varied the amount and composition of underglaze applied then used glear glaze to seal them....The search for red shall be fun!

unpause

2008-04-29T22:40:00.000-07:00

sometimes its quite hard to pick up where you left off... what was I doing?
I have definitely not picked up all the threads yet (ahem still have the suitcase in the room)
So despite having nothing crafty to say I am here, making a return to my blog (its closely modeled on my return to the gym technique).
here is some goodness from wellington in link form (food and drink and things)

vessel
matterhorn
city gallery
avid
pomodoro
hawthorn
scopa
good as gold

it would get too boring if I went on, too much goodness. I didnt fall in love with auckland or know where to go to find the goodness rather. back to melbourne goodness it is! I am looking forward to seeing Connie Lichti's work at Stephen McGlaughlan Gallery from saturday may 3, she used to help at the ceramics studio I go to.
I will spring into action now and be back soon!

australian fridge magnet set

2008-03-20T04:12:00.001-07:00

australian fridge magnet set, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

the only treats to come out of the kiln before the long drought...
I made these with cookie cutters ages ago - and have already sent the one shaped like Australia to my brother (a pretend birthday present that was more a sneaky domestic device to remind him of where I am every day).
The postcards on the fridge, the left 2 from Ainjali, the amazing amazing glasses she works with now, and a slice of Italy from nearly 2 years ago! the ladies I bought back from my Europe travels with mum 10 frickin years ago and the right from when Melissa was in Korea (yes, a number of years ago also) I have a collectors reflex for portable images ok.
So the drought, Easter means no pottery. following the Easter break I will be swanning around NZ getting drunk with my much beloved and dreadfully missed friends and family, which is excellent, but no pottery, for like a month. not sure I will cope and will probably not blog in sulky protest.
So please follow my lead and make up for the downfalls of Easter with outrageous amounts of Chocolate. (Melissa I know you are with me)

muse

2008-03-12T22:21:00.000-07:00

this is awesome. all my tactile textile clay dreams come true...
sadly not realised by me, but by Becky Harle.
I have been potting, don't you worry, potting like mad - just not glazing. I'm hoarding, stock piling, delaying, plotting and mostly just being a bit lazy. Luckily I took a photo of my latest cheap thrill before they managed to jump off the shelf in the night (luckily only one broke, one with quite severe denting and one totally fine).
More will be assembled shortly (taller thinner faster)

a treat

2008-03-06T04:04:00.000-08:00

couldn't help it.
I swear, I was lured into the shop against my will and forced to choose from a wide selection of awesome books. I could have chosen something cheaper or not even entered the alluring store in the first place. But, who am I to mess with fate?
from my pretty new The Cutting Edge of Wallpaper

Tracy Kendall

Front
Susan Bradley
Louise Body

quite itchy

2008-03-04T07:01:00.001-08:00

hoodie jacket, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

oh my god the sewing machine has seen some recent action. Its not quite a miracle, but I was starting to wonder...
As per usual the project has been deemed completed at the wearable but not entirely finished stage. I started this last winter and wore it overlapping and buttoned on one shoulder but It would open out and flap around and pop buttons off randomly. Hence the zip. The whole thing cost almost nothing to make from a big wool remnant a bargain zip and some scrap vintage goodness left over from making pretty cushions for the lounge.
voila!

2nd

2008-02-25T18:46:00.000-08:00

Laura Fayer painting. very nice. Sorry, being very very lazy, slap dash post before work - so cannot be sucked into the time vortex- - Of paper and thread did a proper post here, am loving it, and am on the hunt for inspiration and direction, so thanks!
!and today the pots from the reduction firing were ready to take home!
Some failure and some success, but Its sooooo good to have a point of reference, and see what I want to continue with, drop entirely, try again or push further...

shellac resist was swallowed into the glaze. try again..
the scratching was a success, and my fears of the black coming out green were erased when it came out brown (and I like it). will do it again..
the resist things I had laboured over in a fiddly and fussy manner on the plate set are different to what I had planned, but I still like the result, (may) try again (depending on patience level)..
I guess the list of things to try, and develop just gets longer rather than shorter the more you try and develop huh?

1st

2008-02-24T21:22:00.001-08:00

bowls n cups stack, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

the pots I made at home are being cooked, the first firing came out of oxidation on saturday!

obus dress

2008-02-20T00:12:00.001-08:00

obus dress, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

despite the fact that I look decidedly bored, I am in fact quite excited with this bargain, I have never owned a shirt/dress before and in general am quite scared of 'over dressing'... but, some clever flattery from the shop assistant and the 75% discount were unstoppable forces to reckon with.

the slowness

2008-02-18T19:13:00.000-08:00

aaaargh.

things are taking a very long time to be cooked. I'm throwing, trimming, joining, glazing...
its great to be producing, but I feel a bit blind not having seen any of this years new work completed.
Its slowcraft.
I have to remember that and be patient!

oh.my.god.

2008-02-08T21:28:00.000-08:00

Today I am basking in the glory of receiving a 'you make my day' award! Generously gifted to me by Kirsten of Assemblage. I now take on the task of spreading the love by selecting blogs that make my day for the award, listing them here and commenting on their blogs to let them know the have won. I know I was well and truly over the moon to receive mine so here goes...
With the exception of Melissa who introduced me to blogging by modestly inviting me to look upon hers back in the day (a regular remedy for homesickness and crafting motivation) The small list of 5 are treasures discovered through joyful linkage and endless amounts of flickr browsing.
Mel for ceramics approaches and stunning outcomes
Diana for wonderfully shared processes and events to celebrate ceramics
Jen for the food the booze and the photos
Melissa for the strength and adventure
Paula for considering simpleness

Thank you all for making my day! now back to my glorious domestic duties...Ps I am guilty of being a chronic lurker and a lazy blogger. well more like a binge blogger, where for days I will abstain then suddenly can't get enough, chaotically following links photos names shops blogs tutorials editorials anything I can get.... without the grace to leave some thanks, I apologise and promise to be better from now on. I hope this doesn't seem like an introduction to a crazy person. (I make pots and things -slowly- and am still in awe of the mass of talent available for my greedy eyes on the internet. I am not quite crazy)
LTP

jazzmataz

2008-02-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

a selection of work by various pottery gurus from the beautiful
The Ceramic Surface Logan gave me for Christmas...
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT

lately

2008-01-29T22:36:00.000-08:00

yes, some relatively hippy-like activity has been happening (at one with the soil of the earth type stuff). Not only potting in the elements in my back yard, but also stomping around in the dust and the heat trying to be a festival type. Im not sure I am. Logan got us some very very last minute tickets to the big day out which I went to solely to see bjork -this dreadful singlemindedness led me to miss Arcade Fire. regretting!
All is well, and the shellac is waiting to be applied....
mmm ridgy

a sulky return

2008-01-24T21:11:00.000-08:00

mmmmh I have to give the wheel back.
Its all tidy and ready to go (sans the 2 sponges next doors cat abducted), but I don't wanna! I harrumphed quite a lot today using the last of the clay and the last of my available 'wheel time'. (I was forced to take a curious visit to my old friend ebay.. its been a while, but I cant afford to fall in love with bidding again, so just took a very calm, tentative peek... the $80 bargain? beauty nearly had me, but I was strong - and for goodness sake, class starts on tuesday and it seriously is terribly impractical trying to make pottery outside in the sun under a very dropsy tree with 2 thieving cats waiting for me to abandon my post).
all of that aside, heres the last of the things made at home...

It was down to the wire, but quite satisfying to use the last of the clay and the porcelain slip on the last day. I plan on making up some shellac tomorrow if I get a chance before work, it should be ready for resisting next week - I want those cups and small cylinder (vase?) things to be etched with ridges, very simple ridges, and then glazed very simply for an all over simpleness (and ahem, ribbed for pleasure. both visual and tactile)
the results in just a few weeks!

the colour ban in action

2008-01-18T17:13:00.000-08:00

a new batch of bowls and cups have made it to the bisque firing stage. hoorah! hopefully they make it into the kiln in one piece and don't show cracks from dodgy clay preparation and thin bases (aggressive trimming)...
here they are, most have a layer of porcelain slip on the inside - the grey paint is black underglaze which at this stage I would like to leave unglazed/rough/natural with nice clean/white/shiny insides.

nervous laughter

2008-01-12T18:39:00.000-08:00

you know all those bright new challenges for the bright new year? well, some are just a bit silly really. For example, deciding to sew a dress to wear to Aaron and Vanja's wedding. A 1930s themed event that i have the impression is to be perfect. So in an attempt to please, I thought authentic would be good, and so a pattern was purchased...

pretty isn't it? whats even prettier is the nana floral silk i have fallen in love with at artextil

luckily, I managed to save face by just taking these swatches - it was only after I left the shop that I had a melt down over the $75 per meter price tag. Later that day, Auntie Tracey deciphered the measurements on the back of the pattern to announce the damn thing is going to need 5 meters! This is very bad, I'm not even sure I can actually sew this thing.
At this stage I am plotting an alternative route (a cheap option)...

I have so much poplin lying around its not funny, but it is very very cheap. I'm thinking some gypsy gold printing of the undecipherable Vogue measurement charts. I like the large scale - looks like city lights, good for the art deco theme, but much more difficult to print, will have to do some tests? not sure this is the best of ideas, but I do have a backup dress I wore as Amber's bridesmaid.
hmmmm

back

2008-01-09T03:26:00.000-08:00

Manuka, or Kanuka? pretty sure this is Manuka, from the walkway to Pupu springs in Golden Bay. Nice to capture an image of it for real (not sourced from someone else's lens) after obsessively trying to get this flower to be a symbol of new New Zealand nostalgia. The concept got a bit incoherent, and didn't really work out, but I still feel something when I see these flowers...
Am looking forward to a new year of creative challenges! fingers crossed a few get finished and I remember to post on this blog and explore others with relative regularity...
LTP

pause button

2007-12-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

...want the year to end but not quite ready....
I went with a non-Christmas theme for my Christmas cards this year ( probably a throwback against all the stenciled and collaged beauties I slaved over as a youngster...)
and yes these are collaged cards, but cut from magazines and not in the shape of a tree or a candy-cane!

from scratch

2007-12-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

thats it. no more colour, its had its chance, simple black and white is the way for all pottery until I get bored...
these 'bendigo' outcomes are what pushed me over the edge to the extreme colour ban.

naaaasty! I cant even justify applying these colours or patterns. All that glaze is doing is making good shapes ugly. Maybe form now on I will only use clear glaze, under glaze, slip and different types of clay. I dont know, I just want to make pretty things !!!!!

on to other peoples work... a few finds at make

Lisa Boyter The calligraphic markings on Lisa's vessels and large vases are hand-painted to the inside of mold before being filled with porcelain slip. The result is a unique and permanent record of individual expressive action. The surface is then polished with paper to enhance the translucent glass-like appearance. These vessels are beautiful as well as strong and resilient. Prices start at $250AUD.

porcelain vessel

Love the organic lines- great technique. The pattern is lumpy on the inside of the vessel which a nice handmade touch, showing the process.

mud
great use of coloured clay, something I could look into to ease my no coloured glaze policy... very pretty shapes, all unique hand made and so simple.

caffinated again

2007-12-13T18:24:00.001-08:00

It would be too much to ask for... one stand alone project with an outcome of unlimited prospects instead of this Christmas tree of small idea lights all flicking at once!!
Often when you are all over the place with no one to reel you in, wandering occurs. In my case, internet wandering, where items are transferred from the not even knowing about them category to the I MUST HAVE THIS category before your mind catches up to moderate the wildest desires.

Annette Bugansky pots I discovered on flickr in a ceramics photo pool. I Love them, so simple, such a clever integration of textile and clay.

And I cant stop thinking about Gwyn Hanssen Pigott. Who could? Not only are the shapes and surfaces stunning, I have a real admiration for all 'elevated' domestic objects. Gwyn's arrangements have such a quiet rhythm, each group is perfect.
I went to the wheel yesterday in the heat and threw these...

The oval shape is experimental (a cup gone wrong) but I like it, its been very shadily repaired with some slip, so is likely to crack but its a shape I will try again.

Another idea thats been on the shelf... I have this beautiful little book called speak Italian full of images of old Neapolitan hand gestures. I love them and am itching to reproduce them on card or cloth.
I have nearly finished a pot of coffee that I am positive will push me through a few more tricks for the day, first of all putting those animal shaped cookie cutters into action!
LTP

postal

2007-12-11T17:59:00.001-08:00

It actually happened, I have posted a Christmas gift. It wont get there on time at all, but I have actually posted a Christmas gift.
A sneak peek perhaps?

I felt like the little splityarn purse wasn't enough. I still hadn't put any of those leather scraps to any use, so set about making a little leather covered note book (from the inspiration that hit when I purchased the wrapping paper). It turned out very very badly. So, I had an original pattern design - the glasses - and wanted to make a complementing item to the purse...

Using some black leather from the stockpile,a bit of poplin sprayed with gold fabric paint through the glasses stencil and a strap from an unused camisole (too lazy to get to the fabric shop and too impatient to wait until I acquired the right materials, ie a bit of elastic)

I glued and stitched, un-picked and re-stitched a diary jacket that snuggly fits my moleskine.

I loooove my moleskine diary, but it is about to lose it down the spine from a year of activity. Maybe the diary jacket idea is commercially viable? I was too cheap and too impatient to purchase said diary for part of this gift, so glued and stitched a blank note book of the same dimensions to fit inside the jacket. Once again using materials at hand (thanks Sam for appropriating reams of photo-copy paper from the office) I used a branded ribbon from the packaging of some beautiful jewelery Logan gave me last year, to secure the spine and bookmark pages.

And voila! complete and posted!

shoppin'

2007-12-06T17:02:00.000-08:00

As indicated b the baking of THE cake, the Christmas season is upon us... making lists, conjuring perfect gifts that involve skills and materials beyond my meagre means, working more shifts, hitting the streets, buying things for myself. dammit. I wasn't supposed to buy that cute top! but, constructive (to be constructed) items were purchased also...

Found a new fabric stash on Brunswick Street, Alanah Hill by the metre, which is very girly.... so just got these zips, tre cheap!

Another Brunswick Street fix I cant miss is Zetta Florence where I couldn't resist this wrapping paper. I cant wait to cut it up and make cards and note books....

lacking in patience

2007-12-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

THE Christmas cake was a success, luckily it turned into two cakes because one disappeared. Who can wait?

Surprisingly on topic for a late night entry, I couldn't wait for the daylight to snap some picks of this purse, hot off the press... I tried to be good and follow the instructions! gratefully sourced from splityarn.com.

investments

2007-11-29T20:34:00.001-08:00

spending money on things that are a little over the ol' budget.... nothing drastic, a book, a magazine, a cake, a wheel, some stylie shorts for my man, and the ever faithful budget ruiners - food and booze.
Pictures from in fashion magazine issue 33, loads of crazy inspirations for my pottery, colour structure, detail, its all there, I just need to trial and error to adapt techniques from textiles to ceramics... very exciting!

Valentino Garavani for VALENTINO. I love the structured half circles clinging to the delicate highly patterned
framework.

Alber Elbaz for LANVIN, almost the opposite, the ruffles fall as they pleased, tipped with gloss to highlight the curves.

Paulo Melim Anderson for CHLOE. so expressive in colour and application, great asymmetry.

Riccardo Tisci for GIVENCHY, Albert Kriemler for AKRIS. loving the scales, can really see this translating into surface treatment for ceramics. The geometric and folded shapes are beautiful too, reminds me of traditional pleating treatments we experimented with at Massey.
And last of all images from a recent ebay purchase Decorating pottery with clay, slip and glaze by F. Carlton Ball 1967! which could give me a few clues on my way to achieving some of the prettiness I desire for my pots...

THE recipe

2007-11-29T04:58:00.000-08:00

A wave of I don't know what came over me about a week ago and gave me the idea to make a christmas cake. Its started, Nan sent the recipe today and the mixed fruit is soaking up the brandy and glycerine goodness as we speak. The soaking stage has been quite enjoyable so far, I feel relaxed, no trouble seems to be brewing, and I can spend as much time as I like reading other craft blogs and clawing my way through the mountain of amazing things to be seen on flickr.
THE cake can also give you permission to drink the rest of the brandy (ahem, quite a lot) and boast about your domestic prowess to others (regardless of the outcome, making a christmas cake is quite impressive).

½ lb butter
½ lb sugar
6 eggs - separated
¾ lb flour
1 tspn mixed spice

3 lb mixed fruit – I generally add a packet of glace red cherries to that.
8 0z tin crushed pineapple
2tbspns brandy
1 tspn glycerine

1 tspn each of essences, lemon, rum, almond and vanilla.

Soak fruit overnight in pineapple, brandy and glycerine

Cream butter and sugar, add egg yolks one at a time, add spice and essences then flour, fruit and lastly beaten egg whites.

Preheat oven to 150 then turn to `135 when cake goes in, cook 4 hours or until tested. (Prick with a skewer and if it comes up clean it’s cooked. Cover top with baking paper for the first hour so the top doesn’t get too brown.

When it’s cooked and cooled down I poke it all over with the skewer and then pour LOTS of brandy over I – well about 3-4 tbspns I’d say.

Good luck and sorry about the imperial measures.

the test

2007-11-22T00:09:00.001-08:00

I put some price tags on my pots today. There is a three day exhibition/sale on at the pottery studio this weekend. I have put in 24 pieces, some to get rid of, and a couple so outrageously expensively priced I wont be disappointed if they don't go.

ironing

2007-11-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

Ironing fabric and other kinks can be very satisfying. I am currently trying to smooth my life out and catch up on about 3 weeks of not normal. Starting from today with this post. Lots to catch up on, I have a few pots to photograph and some selections to make for the end of year exhibition. I am being leaned on to put some things in to sell, but which??? Very scary, and happening this weekend before my big vases have been glazed, dammit!
So the photos here are evidence of a flurry of stitching on the last day Amber was here... It all began after stumbling unknowingly from Richmond Train station into a golden haven of fabric. Artextil at 285 Lennox Street. I am yet to tackle this amazing cotton drill shot with stainless steel, very exciting! The skirts we made were all cut from a little A-Line Amber had with her, one military styles thanks to an old iron on patch I have had for years, and one cute apron type of thing pictured. We made one greenish and one blue underskirt for the apron with patterned facings and brightly coloured zips for secret off-the-wall-ness.

travellers

2007-11-06T00:16:00.000-08:00

Even pottery went out the window last week... Logan and I went to dog-sit on the other side of the river making early classes and late work impossible for someone erring toward lazy. Positive points of note are however

I did a favour for my boss
I got to hang out in a house with just Logan and one crazy boxer
I clocked a few hours at work (thus lubricating some outrageous spending)
Had another other side of the river experience
Was nearly attacked my a magpie for the first time (positive point for the thrill of survival)

And now some New Zealanders are here to distract me with their duty free and onion soup/reduced cream dip...

The house over the river is full of things (and magazines of things) that are so super design-y... the jealousy raged! I couldn't stop looking at this painting. I feel bad for not remembering who painted it, but I think its supposed to be breasts. So simple and beautiful.

Ps walking past an aboriginal art gallery on Bourke street about a week ago, I noticed a painting similar to this... a bit of detective work and the artist is.....Minnie Pwerle.The idea that the motif is breasts is slightly questionable?

failed collaboration

2007-10-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

my one woman collaboration currently is lacking in both free time and inspiration.
I shouldn't be so impatient with myself it is slowcraft after all, and I did glaze some of my big pots yesterday (fingers crossed they come out looking amazing!) I marvel at women like Melissa who can inspire and encourage crafty obsession while secretly raising children, animal rights awareness and baking her own crackers...

21 degrees

2007-10-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

The only temperature I am truly comfortable in has been unattainable recently... the scary summer is making day long appearances then hiding in the clouds. Yesterday was so unbearably hot that today when I opened the door decked in my swimming togs and ready for refreshment, I was surprised to find the summer trapped inside and a fierce winter outside. Its so confusing we swam anyway.
After the glamorizing of the house yesterday a new flatmate was selected to move in in November, this is good news because looking for people is not fun and uses all of my computer time in boring and occasionally frustrating ways.... not today!
Some Images to share....

Gwyn Hanssen Pigot, Travellers 2000.Porcelain beakers and bowls arranged rhythmically play with shadows, scale and end use (how could you possibly separate one to use in an inferior domestic act???)

Jane Atfield T-Towels, Washing Up Series 1, 2000
Pillows Lounger, Hanging Things and Stuffing Things Series, 2000.
"I am interested in the familiar elemental forms found in archetypes leading to simple and functional objects that evoke strong associations and narratives, often addressing environmental issues."
A discussion on sustainable craft here.
The most satisfying design surely addresses concerns of ethical obligations to the consumer and the environment, I have always worried about making more crap for a market that doesn't need it. How is a healthy desire for products created? When I say healthy, I mean more aware of production (how it was made why it was made where it was made how many times was it made) and more importantly its role in your life - the end use (does it become more valuable to you or less valuable what is its life span is it recycled is it loved????) After thinking about it too much will you still buy it? what am I to do with all of this frickin pottery? Re-gifting and waiting for Christmas cant solve the dilemma of someone guilty of making more crap without addressing any of these issues.
Anyway some more distraction perhaps...

Ettore Sottsass From the Rocchetti Series 1956-59
I am completely in love. I picked up this book (Ettore Sottsass Ceramics, Chronicle Books 1996) in Adelaide after a boozy tour around the Barrossa (check out Torbreck wines, amazing) and despite being infinitely inspired by an array of pure forms, colours textures and his own meanderings and gallery notes, none of my pots look like this (I have tried, will post some picks later after I recover from how awful they are).
Interview with Sottsass 2000

Alessandro Mendini Manici (Handles) Vases for Studio Alchimia, 1984

These vases are a sweet relief, and give me confidence to attach as many handles as required to my own wonky vase tomorrow....

I found Lydia in one of my design books,
Design of the 20th Century, Charlotte and Peter Fiell, Taschen 2001

These are from a book called Heaven and Earth, Unseen from the naked eye, Phaidon Press New York 2002. The pink image is a desert in the United Arab Emirates, Imagine achieving this surface on a ceramic.... Below, Rainbow Trout eggs. You can see the embryo inside, a beautiful painterly contrast to the symmetry of the eggs on the black background. Destined for interpretation on fabric!

The Ganges river delta, desert irrigation in Saudi Arabia, like a painting by Klimt and Sudan's patchwork of irrigated fields.
Heres hoping for a comfortable 21 degrees tomorrow in a perfect(ly inspirational) world!

pinelime

2007-10-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

Had my first pinelime splice iceblock treat of the season today... very aussie, green and delicious on a hot day after an unlrealistic attempt to beat my hangover at the pool by swimming lengths, really it was all about the iceblock.
At this very moment, not one but two giant three piece pots are drying slowly under plastic at the pottery studio. One is a true success, the other came up lop-sided and looks a bit hilarious, but a handle or some other distraction should re-balance it. All will be revealed on Tuesday morning when I next visit...
Other exciting pottery news includes putting these buttons in for firing They are made with porcelain, Connie has some bright underglaze colours I can use on the surface, I should really plan what I want them to look like... I do enjoy the rough shapes of these buttons, which I cut from various sized logs of clay, but the inconsistency of the shapes and the clay (airbubbles!) only added to the tedious task leaving me wondering if this is the way you should make buttons? I really don't know, I just thought any textile freak with the means to make ceramics MUST make some buttons. I have had a severe craving for a cloth covered button machine for a while now, so I am hoping this is a practical fix. Anyway, the point is I went mad purchasing cookie cutters for the next lot of buttons...
Obviously the round ones, more specifically the round one in the middle is what I was after, but how cute are letter magnets and animal badges??? will let you know when it happens (slowcraft).
I kind of finished the top, But as you can see those edges were in fact not resolved, just stitched down with hope.. Its not going to be everyday wear, maybe when it gets hot? It looks cute pinched at the waist with skinny belt too.

In the hunt for a new flatmate its time to glamourize the house a little (obviously cleaning will go a long way but its very boring) so I made a display shelf for a few pots to look pretty on instead.
Yes its an old ladder painted black.
And, the most exciting ebay package arrived yesterday....2kg of leather all the colours are amazing and only two bits are too shiny for my taste. An absolute bargain (always good for those of us with only very tentative ideas about the end use/product).
Also was chuffed to be invited to join madeit group on flickr, I dont have anything to sell yet, but its nice to have the contact - I wasnt sure if I should tell them I'm from New Zealand! If I'm ok being Australian, Australian crafters will accept me as their own right?

Slowcraft Manifesto

2007-10-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Pick a name for your blog...
Having created this thing with only the most vague ideas about what I might like to publish on the internet, the only truths that have developed during recent explorations of my crafting ambitions are the following.

I have crafting ambitions
I am quite slow at achieving said crafting ambitions...

Slowcraft is born. Essentially an attempt to not only document and share my crafting, but to speed it all up to the point that I feel productive! Having dragged myself to the bitter end of a bachelor of design while working full time in restaurants and bars (see current occupation as evidence of what stuck) its time to resurrect what few design sensibilities I may have left after all this time out of the game.
My current focus orbits around a local pottery studio where I have been learning to throw on the wheel since late last year. I do own a sewing machine (the evil Lydia who I purchased from ebay purely because she is gorgeous) there is also evidence to suggest that from time to time I do know how to construct bits and pieces on a sewing machine. (Even the evil Lydia). Recently I have abducted our second living area as my sewing/storage room. As of yet I am not paying any extra rent for this rude appropriation of space (bless my flatmates)... Just to top of my list of 'no more excuses' I have reduced my roster to a pitiful 2 nights a week. The poverty is horrifying, but the free time is gold.

Starting with the most recent success to come out of the kiln, these two bottles were the last of the bottle shapes I made in a 'make them until you can make them' trial that took quite a long time (Slowcraft, remember).

In a break from the norm I actually chose some silk from my pile of fabric (all purchased in advance for potential projects), and am on my way to finishing a top cut from an old gorman t-shirt.

I still love the print and the softness of the cotton on this t, but its become dangerously crop-top-ish and stretched a bit sideways. Despite issues of wear and tear the shape is simple enough to host a print/pattern, and all has been going very well including the tidiest seams I have ever sewn along the shoulders and sides.... until I was challenged by some curvy neckline and arm hole action. Yet to be resolved, as am determined to continue the tidy thing to the end with limited course language.
hmmmm