Glazing Cups for Kiln Glaze Fire #8

I was (am) SO READY to clear off this table and get these cups glazed. It usually takes me some time to get started, but once I do I don't want to stop! This glazing session I decided to use the glazes Amaco's True Celadon, Blue Rutile, Temmokou and Shino. Also had to use Laguna's Colonial White and Fern Mist (which is my favorite).

Today I'll be heading out to the workshop to re-tape the kiln opening cups. Unfortunately actual "lid opening" videos didn't turn out because it was too dark in the workshop (yes, I went out their late at night to crack the kiln open..lol). You'll get to see the cups in this video and plus some in the upcoming kiln opening video :)

Hope you enjoy!

~ Tammy Jo

Cups 294-295-296 - Silly Chatty Tammy Jo & Her Cups...

LOL...This is the last time I'll edit with the volume down :D 10 People got to watch this previously uploaded video as I explain to my daughter why someone is probably not feeling well (forgot someone came in while I was throwing and was talkin' away! ;) Since I didn't say anything really important thoughout the rest of the video, I just overplayed the audio with default youtube music.

I tried another one of those handles and got even more inspired. I'd really like to explore the possibilities with this style. The other two cups are simple good cups that I'd like to improve with glaze.

Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy!
!~ Tammy Jo ~

http://hobbypotter.com

Cups #291- 292- 293 Making Two Mugs & a Tea Bowl

Really enjoyed the new handle style on cup 292...thinking of doing this one more often, but making little tweeks to it. Very comfortable handle! You'll notice trimming of these cups was a little wet. There definitely needs to be some re-adjust the length of wait time since the weather is cooling down. Need to allow more time for them to get to leather hard!!!

It's interesting that after almost a year of this I realized when making pottery I sort out all my inner most thoughts. Sometimes I just start talking to the camera (forgetting it's a camera and think I'm talking directly to you) and sharing as if you all really care about what I'm thinking ...lol! Anyway, after editing this "very chatty video" you'll notice where I've "cut myself off" (especially at cup 292..." deep thinker" for sure, but also...a "rambling talker"..lol)~

Hoping you enjoy the cups!

Tammy Jo~

http://www.hobbypotter.com

Cups #288-289-290 - "2 Handles and a Paddle" - Pottery Wheel Thrown Cups

I was being resourceful! Since I trimmed the two cups right after each other I was able to recycle a piece from the first handle to make the 2nd handle :) It's almost like budget shopping..."keep that clay out of the recycle bin so you don't have to reclaim it! :D

The paddle cup was fun! Next time, I think I'd like to keep the walls a little thicker when using the paddle, but still like the result of this cup!

Hope you enjoy!
Tammy Jo

Bisque Fire #8 & "What happens when you try to fire a cell phone..."

I was thinking just before I set-up the kiln how these bisque firings are so easy and uneventful.

WELL...I set the kilns delay for 3 hours (thinking I wanted it to start well after I exited the workshop). Impatience over came me!

After shooting the set-up video I decided to change the settings. I placed my phone on the kiln lid to reset the time to start immediately! So happy was I that my kiln was firing, I rushed out of the workshop leaving my phone on the lid....2000 degrees later, I suddenly became a poster child for what not to do with your cell phone at the local Best Buy ! ;)

I've updated photos and video links on the website...take a look see...I've got photos posted up to Cup #287

~ Tammy Jo ~ ;)


http://www.hobbypotter.com

Fruits of the Spirit Cup "GOODNESS" Cup #287

The word goodness is used in such a variety of ways that its meaning can be somewhat watered down or lost.

For example: This cup is more symbolic of goodness than my usual caricature style. Though small, the cup has been made (created) for a specific purpose. It's well formed for that purpose, meets with a quality standard and I know when it's used it will be a "Good Cup". This cup exhibits goodness of form and function to its creator.

The elements of goodness described for this cup are no different than exhibiting the fruits of "goodness". There is a certain joy in showing goodness to others. There is a standard of excellence that I strive for personally when it comes to this. Am I perfect...NOT EVEN CLOSE...but it doesn't mean I don't strive for it. Excellence at "Goodness", now that's a real goal for body and soul!!!

Hope you enjoy the clip!

~ Tammy Jo

http://www.hobbypotter.com

Cup #286 - ....and this is a test cup ;) ..

Yes, this is a test cup...I'll say that 1st. After watching my fair share of Simon Leach videos, it's still always refreshing to see that no matter how long you have been working on the pottery wheel, each throwing experience is different. This cup was a nice cup...and I guess it still is, but the end result I'm not sure I've formed an opinion on yet. Glaze may make it amazing (at least that is my hope!) Regardless...it's ALWAYS fun to try new things!!!

Thank you so much for watching!
~ Tammy Jo

Cup #285 - Making a Tea Bowl

Don't be fooled! It's so much easier to make a perfectly symmetrical tea bowl on the pottery wheel than to create a flowing form. Symmetrical was the original goal of this tea bowl...and it was easy, but then I realized the real lovely ones are asymmetrical in body, but the foot and lip of the cup are balanced.

Ken Matsuzaki makes the task look random and simple, but there is definitely an art to the making! Goal for self...try making "authentic" flowing tea bowl :)

Another thing I've been noticing about tea bowls...they are much larger than they appear in a photo. Live, they seem more like bowl than a actual cup. I have a chart that tells me the approximate weight of clay I should be using to make a tea bowl (1.5 lbs) and found this is a whole 1/2 pound heavier than I've been using for most cups in the project! Time to make some change... Hmmmm ;)

Thanks so much for watching!

~ Tammy Jo

Cup #284 - Small Tumbler with Carved Foot - Ceramics, Pottery, Clay

I was worried that by the time I got to over 100 cups I'd have nothing left to say about each cup...well here I am at 284 with still something (albeit small) to say. This cup reminded me that ever object around me can be used to make marks in clay. It doesn't have to be an official ceramic "tool", but can be anything with texture.

Today's cup I decided to use the back-end side of the number/letter stamps used to label the cup. It's just a simple circle, but a great reminder that I should keep my eyes open to different things I can use...it may be right in front of me (well at least for the last 284 Days ;) !!!

Hope you enjoy!

~ Tammy Jo

http://www.hobbypotter.com

Special Project - Fruit of the Spirit Cups- "KINDNESS" 283

Kindness begins in the heart! It's not just an act of doing something for someone else, it is a state of mind and heart that translates into the willingness to be patient, generous, helpful and forgiving when need be. It's the action of thinking of others before ourselves.

This cups' intention is to show that with 2 handles I'm willing to share what's in my cup with another. The difference in handle textures was to demonstrate that although the "drinkers" of the cups are different, they will share the common contents of what's inside. If we all could show this "Fruit of the Spirit" our world would be a totally different place :D

Please enjoy the fruit of kindness :D

~ Tammy Jo

http://www.hobbypotter.com

Cup #282 - A Simple Cup Thrown on the Simple Pottery Wheel

There was something more than enjoyable about this cup. It's not fancy, doesn't have a creative handle, or texturing or glaze...it's just nice and simple...and I liked it!

Thanks for watching! Let me know what you are doing with clay...I love to see new videos or pictures!

Tammy Jo ~

http://www.hobbypotter.com

An Adventure to Ceramics Annual of America

Made a trek to San Francisco, CA and saw the Ceramics Annual of America exhibition (plus the added bonus of Fleet Week! Had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful ceramic artists today...

Barbara Sebastian http://www.sebastianart.com/porcelain/index.htm

Steven Allen -http://www.sfclay.com

Amber Aguirre - http://www.amberaguirre.com

and Bryan Wilcox.

Really enjoyed the day!!!

Cups #280-#281 - Trimming and a Flowing Handle

Another "oops I did it again" with the throwing portion of the video clips. When I save a lot of clips to my flip camera I sometimes get delete happy and unfortunately ...well you get the idea! I've left a little more time for watching the trimming & handle making than on other videos so hopefully you'll enjoy!

And this does it! My videos are officially caught up.. Today is officially the 281'st Day of 2011 and I'm uploading that cup :D It has been a while!!!!

Thanks for watching :D

Cups #278 & #279 Simple Handle-less Ceramic Cups

Here are two simple cups that I hope enhance with glazes!

~ Thanks for Watching ~ Tammy Jo

http://www.hobbypotter.com

Cups #276 & #277 Ceramic Cups with Curly Handle & A Perfect Handle

I've set this to upload as I'm heading out the door to the Ceramics Annual of America in San Francisco, California. So looking forward to this adventure because it will be another first for me...my 1st official "ceramics only" event!

I'm sure once I see other peoples clay inspirations up close and personal the creative juices will go into overload. I'll be packing my video camera and cell phone camera to document the trek (only taking video where it's allowed of course).

Well, hope you enjoy these cups!!!

Cup #275 The "Guggenheim' Cup & its Repair Job

Happy & Sad day. First the Happy... I posted a photo of this cup on my Facebook page prior to publishing the video and Debra mentioned it looked like the Guggenheim Museum! Didn't realize it at the time I made it, but she was right :)

I also have some sad news about my dear kitty Addy. As you know we live out in the country...and here is where the real world happens. Miss Addy usually sleeps in my workshop at night, but I leave the shop door "available" for her to go out in the morning. Tonight around midnight she was outside and met with the pack of dogs that roam through our property. We heard the commotion and my husband and I ran outside to scare them off, but it was too late for our little girl. Dogs were born to do what they do and I understand that, but this is the last video with my Addy in it and tonight/this morning I'm heartbroken.

Thanks for watching ~ Tammy Jo

Cup #274 - Double Handle "Cafe" Cup

I can see coffee or tea being enjoyed from this cup and one of only a few cups I can actually say I can visual glazed :) The double handles are really workin' for me!

(Note: I don't usually use a sponge to throw, but my new clay is almost too wet and it just helps me dry the cup out as I pull up...much prefer to just use just my fingers :)

Thank you for watching and really hope you are enjoying the videos!
~ Tammy Jo

Cup #273 - Cup with a Tammy Jo Finger Grip Handle

I've wanted to make this cup for sometime! I had complete function in mind here, and a little inspiration from my flute playing years. This cup may not work for anyone but me, but that's okay. I hope you enjoy :D!

Thanks so much for watching and appreciate your comments or suggestions!

~Tammy Jo

How Many Days are Left...In Real Time :

http://www.hobbypotter.com

Cup #272 - A Fly Altered This Cup - Imagine Your Thumb as the handle...

A fly helped me with the cups creative stylings! People have romantic dreams about living in the country, well...this time of year it's fly season and I was about my business ridding my shop of these unwelcome visitors. Cup 272 was waiting patiently for a handle when a fly landed near by...needless to say my aim was off!

Believe it or not, this cup is actually very comfortable to hold and if it were a little deeper may be a neat style to explore and could be quite functional!

Hope you enjoy!

Tammy Jo

Checkout the Before & After Cup Progress to date:

http://www.hobbypotter.com

The Countdown Begins!

99..98...97 days to go in the project! (Thank you Stu for thinking of a count down!) So nice to be reunited with my white stoneware :) This is the softest clay (because it is super fresh) that I've ever had to throw with. It's almost like learning again...but wonderful!

My workshop has been buzzing with activity, along with the cups, trying to prepare for my 1st Fine Arts Festival in November. It's a different mindset than the cup project. I have enough ceramic cups to take for the project, but not ready to sell them yet as I'm going to be creating a book and also showing them in the local art gallery in June of 2012 :)

So many exciting things happening, but it's nice to get back to the routine of throwing cups for the 365 Days of Clay Cups project :)

Thanks for watching ~ Tammy Jo