can I stop pulling my hair out yet?

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

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...

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!

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

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

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

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

freehand bowl set, originally uploaded by lisatoni.

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

for example

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

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) :)