Hope to see you- Teresa
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Kids, Kids, Kids Kids Art Camp
Kids Art Camp starts up again next week and runs through August. There are still a few spots left if you are interested in attending. Camp runs Mon-Fri 9 am - noon. Daily drop-ins are welcome if there is space available. We limit class size so all the campers get intimate attention while working on the potters wheel.
Labels:
ceramics,
kids art camp,
Lake tahoe,
pottery,
pottery class,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
New Class Schedule is out!
T Pots Pottery has added classes in fused glass and pottery painting workshops!
Check it out - great fun, exciting new classes and mediums.
There are still a few spaces left in the Summer Kids Camps in August. Camp has been so popular, the studio will be offering kids pottery classes starting in September.
Check it out - great fun, exciting new classes and mediums.
There are still a few spaces left in the Summer Kids Camps in August. Camp has been so popular, the studio will be offering kids pottery classes starting in September.
Labels:
ceramics,
kids art camp,
Lake tahoe,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
pottery class,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Monday, July 19, 2010
Hot Weather, Hot Cat, Hot Kiln
It has been hot, even hotter in the studio the past week. Many days both kilns have been clicking away which makes the studio really, really hot.
Even my fluffy, long hair cat, Raku is hot.
Two kilns???? You may be thinking... Yes,(I say with a big smile). I got a second kiln a few weeks ago, it is an itty bitty little thing.
The Paragon Home Artist kiln is only 12" x 12" and plugs into a regular wall plug! It even has wheels and one of those pull up luggage handles so I can wheel it outside for Raku or move it out of the way when not being used.
My husband, Stu calls it the Easy Bake after the kids play oven. Adorable, easy and fast! The new kiln allows me to offer 24 hour turn around on Paint Your Own Pottery and Fused Glass projects. Oh so fun!
Keep Cool, Teresa
Even my fluffy, long hair cat, Raku is hot.
Two kilns???? You may be thinking... Yes,(I say with a big smile). I got a second kiln a few weeks ago, it is an itty bitty little thing.
The Paragon Home Artist kiln is only 12" x 12" and plugs into a regular wall plug! It even has wheels and one of those pull up luggage handles so I can wheel it outside for Raku or move it out of the way when not being used.
My husband, Stu calls it the Easy Bake after the kids play oven. Adorable, easy and fast! The new kiln allows me to offer 24 hour turn around on Paint Your Own Pottery and Fused Glass projects. Oh so fun!
Keep Cool, Teresa
Labels:
bisque fire,
ceramics,
kiln loading,
Lake tahoe,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
raku,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
ARTour 2010
ARTour- North Tahoe/Truckee's Annual Open Studio event starts this Friday, July 9th.
You have two weekends to visit the 32 artist studios from Tahoe City to Incline and Truckee. Come by the studio for your free map or check out the North Tahoe Arts for an online version and more information.
Looking forward to seeing you this weekend! (Or before to pick up your free ARTour map).
Teresa
Labels:
ARTour,
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
open studio,
pottery,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Truckee Thursdays
Wow- I could not believe how many people were at Truckee Thursdays last week! It is definitely the happening event in town. About a dozen people painted pottery during the evening, most came over the weekend to pick up their masterpieces.
Being that I have Drop-in (open studio time) Thursdays 5:30 - 8 pm at the studio, Gerri will be there tonight for T Pots Pottery. Stop at our booth by the Kid Zone to say Hello and paint a piece yourself or come over to the studio and check out the happenings there!
Enjoy your Thursday in Truckee,
Teresa
Being that I have Drop-in (open studio time) Thursdays 5:30 - 8 pm at the studio, Gerri will be there tonight for T Pots Pottery. Stop at our booth by the Kid Zone to say Hello and paint a piece yourself or come over to the studio and check out the happenings there!
Enjoy your Thursday in Truckee,
Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
drop-in,
Lake tahoe,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
pottery class,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee,
truckee thursday
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tahoe Kids Camp
Another fun week of Kids Pottery/Art Camp started today. The campers did great! We spend the majority of time on the potters wheel. After snack, we handbuilt mushrooms and started our art journals.
I'll try to remember to take some pictures tomorrow. Another fun morning planned with glass fusing and more time of the wheel.
Teresa
I'll try to remember to take some pictures tomorrow. Another fun morning planned with glass fusing and more time of the wheel.
Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
kids art camp,
Lake tahoe,
pottery,
pottery class,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Peace, Love and Pottery Kids Camp
Summer Camp started this week, what a blast we are having so far. The kids are between 6 and 12 yrs old - are all such characters!
I've been so impressed with how well then all have done on the potters wheel the past two days. The youngest ones throw standing up since they just can't get close enough to their wad of clay while sitting. Older kids sit with blocks of wood under their otherwise dangling feet.
I've been so impressed with how well then all have done on the potters wheel the past two days. The youngest ones throw standing up since they just can't get close enough to their wad of clay while sitting. Older kids sit with blocks of wood under their otherwise dangling feet.
Check out what the campers made on the wheel...
Great stuff!
Today the kids trimmed and painted glaze on their ceramic pieces. After snack we used glass to make sun catcher peace signs. The glass is in the kiln now.... stay tuned to see the results!
Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
kids art camp,
pottery,
pottery class,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Monday, June 14, 2010
Summer
Summer arrived yesterday... and is leaving again tomorrow. So sad. It has been wonderful having the big roll up door open, it is South facing, so the sunshine beams in all day long. The studio feels so much larger.
With summer comes all sorts of activities, "Truckee Thursday" begins this week. New this year, Donner Pass Road will be closed off to cars. Stop at our booth to say "hi".
The first Raku firing will be this Saturday from 2 - 7 pm at the studio. It is so exciting! Probably not an issue this year.... if you are going to Raku fire your own piece of pottery be sure to wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and closed toe shoes. Using tongs, we take the pottery out of the special Raku kiln when the pieces are around 1500 degrees! That is hot!
Kids Camp starts next week with a 60's theme- "Peace, Love & Pottery". I'm so excited, have some really fun projects planned. This first week, we will be playing in clay, both handbuilding and on the wheel, doing some fused glass and so much more.
And, of course, ARTour, North Lake Tahoe's Open Studio event. Two weeks of fun are planned July 9-11 & July 16-18. I'm really looking forward to ARTour this year, with the new studio, I can leave the "working" area as is without to much interruption to production and class schedules.
Lets hope summer comes and stays for a while!
Teresa
With summer comes all sorts of activities, "Truckee Thursday" begins this week. New this year, Donner Pass Road will be closed off to cars. Stop at our booth to say "hi".
The first Raku firing will be this Saturday from 2 - 7 pm at the studio. It is so exciting! Probably not an issue this year.... if you are going to Raku fire your own piece of pottery be sure to wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and closed toe shoes. Using tongs, we take the pottery out of the special Raku kiln when the pieces are around 1500 degrees! That is hot!
Kids Camp starts next week with a 60's theme- "Peace, Love & Pottery". I'm so excited, have some really fun projects planned. This first week, we will be playing in clay, both handbuilding and on the wheel, doing some fused glass and so much more.
And, of course, ARTour, North Lake Tahoe's Open Studio event. Two weeks of fun are planned July 9-11 & July 16-18. I'm really looking forward to ARTour this year, with the new studio, I can leave the "working" area as is without to much interruption to production and class schedules.
Lets hope summer comes and stays for a while!
Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
pottery class,
raku,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee,
truckee thursday
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Painting Pottery Field Trips
This past week, a second grade class at Incline Elementary and Middle Schoolers at Loyalton painted pottery.
A sampling of the 18 ice cream bowls painted by the 2nd Graders at Incline Elementary for their Moms.
A few of the 8" square plates painted by the 11-13 year olds in Loyalton. Mr. Fisher spearheaded the project to help the kids release some tension and stress after a long week of STAR testing.
All of the painted pottery turned out beautiful!
Teresa Wik
Labels:
ceramics,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
pottery class,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Can't draw
As long as I can remember, I have been uncomfortable with my drawings, even as a kid. The drawing just never felt right. Probably why I became a potter.
I know, I know, I have said it so many times now- Painting pottery is a blast. This is not just a marketing ploy, I am constantly thinking of different things to paint, searching the web for new techniques and painting at least one piece each day I am at the studio.
Unloaded a kiln today below are some of the pieces which came out.
Flower Plate
Dragon Fly Dish- I tried to blend the leaf colors by dipping the brush in two different colors then twirling the brush while I stroked. Kinda like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time- very difficult.
Tree Sponge Plate- Ok, yeah it was the neighborhood 5 year old who taught me how to paint with a sponge. I even mastered two different colors! The tree was fun, maybe a little less coffee before using the fun writer pen.
Off to use the other side of my brain in the Emergency Room. Easter weekend and a snow storm, how did I get so lucky?
Happy Easter!
Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
truckee
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Moms Visit- Painting Pottery
I love my Moms company, she is silly, goofy and a lot of fun! Mom is my #1 Assistant! If you have been to an open studio- you know have experienced Cory (aka Dogwood, Gigi). Along with open studio, Mom helps with glazing, pricing, dusting and thankfully adding cute little touches to the pottery display.
If it were not for all of her help and support (both mentally and physically) I would not be where i am today.
Last week Mom, my friend Teresa and I spent the day painting pottery to be used as example display pieces at the studio. what a wonderfully, fun day we had. Painting, chatting and giggling. The pieces came out great!
A gal came in, just after I had put the display up, saw the dog dish mom painted and wanted to buy it! Mom is very crafty and does some wonderfully creative stuff- check out her blog http://pinkdogwoodblossom.blogspot.com/
Later that same day, a group of young women loved a different display piece so much, they used it as a sample to paint their own pieces.
Have you ever painted pottery? Help me out, let me know what you liked about it and if there was anything special the studio did to make your visit a great one.
Paint Pottery- it is cheaper than therapy! Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Monday, March 29, 2010
March Mudness
It's been pouring rain since around 4 pm today. They (good ole "they") say we are going to get 1-2 feet of snow by Wednesday. For now, it is raining. I have mixed feeling about the downpour outside, the rain melts the snow really, really quickly... Good for spring fever and the emerging dandelions, bad for spring skiing.
I play in the mud almost every day at the studio and love it. Cleaning the house from all the mud we have tracked in- not as much fun.
What really makes me smile and not care to much about the rain is..... (drum roll) the new studio does not flood. Tomorrow I can spend the day how I want to instead of squeegeeing water around the studio!
Enjoy your days for what they are. Teresa
I play in the mud almost every day at the studio and love it. Cleaning the house from all the mud we have tracked in- not as much fun.
What really makes me smile and not care to much about the rain is..... (drum roll) the new studio does not flood. Tomorrow I can spend the day how I want to instead of squeegeeing water around the studio!
Enjoy your days for what they are. Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
pottery,
studio,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
"Cheese Burger Bird"
I heard my first "Cheese Burger Bird"... spring is here! No, the cheese burger bird is not a flying Big Mac but, a true bird whos song sounds like it is saying "cheese burger". Some say it is saying "spring is here" or "hang over" or "lame loser"- guess it just depends upon your frame of mind.
Personally, I like Cheese Burger because it is so silly. As I write this, I realize I have no idea which bird sings this McHappy song. A quick Google Search teaches me, it is the Black-Capped Chickadee.
I am so enjoying this spring like weather we are having and would like to encourage the birds. (My indoor cats love watching them through the window, too) Yet, I am afraid if I put bird seed out this early, I will only encourage the bears. What do you think, should I risk the bears on our back deck and put bird seed out or should I just go to the studio and make some ceramic birdhouses for the birds.
Enjoy your days! Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Ceramic Basket Class
What? A basket made of clay???? Yep, the basket making classes were scheduled for this weekend.
The baskets are both fun and easy to make. Great project for all levels, could even be completed during a single drop-in session.
The baskets are made upside over a bowl with the uprights (corners) hanging down and the woven coils wrapped under and over the uprights.
Hope you had a great weekend!
Teresa
Monday, March 1, 2010
Paint Your Own Pottery
In preperation of offering Paint Your Own Pottery at T Pots Pottery, I recently dragged my friend, Teresa with me to learn the ins and outs of paint your own pottery. I figured we would stay an hour or so... 2 1/2 hours later, we left with smiles on our faces. What a blast!
Jean, owner of Clay Canvas in Reno, NV was fantastic, showing us all the fun techniques in her arsenal.
We painted, dripped, blew bubbles and stamped glaze on our pieces.
Jean, owner of Clay Canvas in Reno, NV was fantastic, showing us all the fun techniques in her arsenal.
We painted, dripped, blew bubbles and stamped glaze on our pieces.
Teresa's creative masterpiece! I love the grapes.
Mine is a little goofy.... I wanted to try everything Jean could throw at us.
Right now I have about 20 glaze colors and 15 different bisque pottery items to paint, more is on the way. I hope to get it all on the website soon.
Happy Painting, Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
glaze,
Lake tahoe,
Paint your own pottery,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik
Monday, February 22, 2010
About.com
About.com is a wonderful resource for potters with tons of great articles, techniques, definitions, pottery projects and more. I have used the vast resources many times.
Beth Peterson, a potter, writer and teacher is the Guru behind About.com Guide to pottery.
I am excited that Beth has posted and commented on a picture of my Flower Power Casserole Dish in the gallery of her Impressed and Incised article. I will definately do more of her projects in the future, they are a fun way to try new techniques as well as a great motivator for those times when I feel stuck doing the same thing.
Creatively, Teresa
Beth Peterson, a potter, writer and teacher is the Guru behind About.com Guide to pottery.
I am excited that Beth has posted and commented on a picture of my Flower Power Casserole Dish in the gallery of her Impressed and Incised article. I will definately do more of her projects in the future, they are a fun way to try new techniques as well as a great motivator for those times when I feel stuck doing the same thing.
Creatively, Teresa
Labels:
Cone 5 glaze,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Slip Test Tile Results
Hummmm, not what I had expected...
The picture actually shows the colors pretty well- they are very light and look washed out.
The green is an olive green where as I was looking for a hunter green. Except for the dark blue and green, I was hoping for bolder colors.
The vertical lines are a thick coat of each of the slips and the vertical lines are a thinner coat so I could see what the glazes look like on top of each other.
Back to the work. I loaded a bisque load this morning and will do a little clean up before Drop-in tonight.
Teresa
Labels:
ceramic slip,
ceramics,
Cone 5 glaze,
Lake tahoe,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
test tiles,
truckee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Much Needed Day Off
Playing with the cats (Oscar, Raku and Delly) left me rolling on the floor laughing with the realization that cats innately know how to slow down and enjoy every aspect of life, weather it be watching a bird or squirrel, playing with a rubber band, knocking pens from the table onto the floor, finding that sliver of sun comming in the window or hanging out with their friends.
Today I spent the day as if I were a cat- After our morning snowshoe, I leisurly drank coffee, checked email and surfed some pottery sites. Spent some time looking at magazines in front of the window with the warmth of the sun my face. Some time was spent reflecting on life and drinking green tea, watching a movie on "Lifetime, the Womens Network" (makes me laugh), thought about doing laundry- but did not. In the afternoon Beau (our 12 year old, crazy, golden retriever) and I enjoyed an afternoon walk over to our friends house.
And if they don't want to do something... they don't.
Today I spent the day as if I were a cat- After our morning snowshoe, I leisurly drank coffee, checked email and surfed some pottery sites. Spent some time looking at magazines in front of the window with the warmth of the sun my face. Some time was spent reflecting on life and drinking green tea, watching a movie on "Lifetime, the Womens Network" (makes me laugh), thought about doing laundry- but did not. In the afternoon Beau (our 12 year old, crazy, golden retriever) and I enjoyed an afternoon walk over to our friends house.
Unable to keep my hands out of clay, I pulled out the bag, I just happen to have at the house, for a little handbuilding.
Flower magnets and buttons ranging in size from 1/2" to about 4"
Tried out a new idea for a napkin ring -Would not it be fun to have a flower napkin ring?
Wishing you a cat like day in the near future!
Teresa
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Martis Camp Folk School Forum II
What a wonderful event! As I told you in a recent blog post, I will be teaching a pottery workshop at Martis Camp in August.
Over the weekend there were about a dozen instructors of different mediums participant involved demonstrations as a sneak peak to what they will be teaching next summer.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, meeting many of the members, a ton of kids and the other artists. I befriended a very fun and down to earth fiberartist, Nancy Hinds who was working on a quilt which will be donated to Project Linus. Others included: Andy Skaff, a local oil painter, was painting with people in the sunroom. Frank Pisciotta, another local, took over the indoor basketball court with his fly rods. Larry Charles amazed us all with his wonderful drawings of Tahoe life. Erik Rinkleff carved a 300 lb ice cube into an adorable bear Saturday and carved wood Sunday. My only regret of the day was not joining in on one of the sessions with Joy Ravelli, owner of the Purusha Yoga Center in San Francisco.
Martis Camp is an extraordinary place, I am looking forward to being a part of it this summer.
Over the weekend there were about a dozen instructors of different mediums participant involved demonstrations as a sneak peak to what they will be teaching next summer.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, meeting many of the members, a ton of kids and the other artists. I befriended a very fun and down to earth fiberartist, Nancy Hinds who was working on a quilt which will be donated to Project Linus. Others included: Andy Skaff, a local oil painter, was painting with people in the sunroom. Frank Pisciotta, another local, took over the indoor basketball court with his fly rods. Larry Charles amazed us all with his wonderful drawings of Tahoe life. Erik Rinkleff carved a 300 lb ice cube into an adorable bear Saturday and carved wood Sunday. My only regret of the day was not joining in on one of the sessions with Joy Ravelli, owner of the Purusha Yoga Center in San Francisco.
Martis Camp is an extraordinary place, I am looking forward to being a part of it this summer.
Labels:
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
Martis Camp,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Tagged: 7 things
I have been tagged... the rules are for me to tell you 7 things about myself which you probably do not know. Here goes...
1. I once skied all day with my telemark boots on the wrong feet- the boots were very uncomfortable even on the right feet so, I did not notice.
2. I have lived in the Tahoe/Truckee area for 24 years, first moved to the Tahoe City in 1986, lived on Donner Summit for about 6 years and have been in Truckee since 1994.
3. Peeps are my favorite candy, Easter a favorite holiday. I really dislike Halloween even though I have a huge sweet-tooth.
4. We are addicted to watching American Idol... I am constantly asking Stu "Can they sing?" I think I am tone deaf, I know I have no rhythm yet, I really enjoy music and sometimes dance when I know nobody is watching.
5. "Catcher in the Rye" is the only book I have read more than once.
6. I did not like cats when I got Oscar, his sole purpose was to be a mouser in the studio. Now we have 3 cats, they all sleep on the bed. Not one of them has ever lived in the studio or caught a mouse.
7. Until Stu and I married, I did not have a middle name. A family tradition is for the girls to use their maiden name as a middle.
Welcome to my world,
Teresa Moore Wik
Saturday, February 13, 2010
My Way or the Highway
Students ask the most wonderful questions. I love the intense look on their faces while awaiting that tidbit of wisdom from their mentor. I try to respond with the answer in a clear, concise way which still allow them to think about it and work out a solution to best fits their needs, their style and personality. There is no single right or wrong way and very few rules in pottery.
Believe me, I have found most of the wrong ways of doing things... time and time again. I guess, what I teach is my experience; I demonstrate what I do and explain why I do it that way instead of another. Often showing alternative methods as they may work better for someone else than for me.
There are plenty of ways of throwing a vase, trimming a bowl, putting a handle on a mug or skinning a cat.
Be Courageous! Teresa
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Martis Camp Folk School Forum
I am so excited to be teaching a workshop at Martis Camp this summer! Over Presidents Day weekend, all of the visiting artists instructing at the Folk School will be in "The Barn" with hands on demonstrations and a sneak peak at the summer session.
I will be teaching a slab building workshop. Each participant will make 2-3 items choosing from half a dozen fun and functional projects such as birdhouse, planter, pitcher (or watering can), dishes and platters.
I have some samples in the kiln which I'll take pictures of and post this week while I am getting ready for the Forum this weekend.
I won't be at the studio Saturday but, will be there Sunday and Monday.
Teresa
I will be teaching a slab building workshop. Each participant will make 2-3 items choosing from half a dozen fun and functional projects such as birdhouse, planter, pitcher (or watering can), dishes and platters.
I have some samples in the kiln which I'll take pictures of and post this week while I am getting ready for the Forum this weekend.
I won't be at the studio Saturday but, will be there Sunday and Monday.
Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
Martis Camp,
pottery class,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Monday, February 8, 2010
Olive Oil Pourers
I really enjoy sitting down at the potters wheel to throwing a dozen or so of the same item; it is relaxing and fun to play with different shapes, sizes and texture while working through which form will be the easiest to use for functional pottery.
My plan is to have the shape easy to hold and pour without an attached handle.
Below is a picture of the spout which slides in and holds a seal while pouring. As you can imagine, the top diameter is critical with very little margin of error to ensure proper fit of the spout.
Can you picture them finished, in color with glaze?
This is making me hungry... a little bread and olive oil before dinner sounds delicious!
Have a wonderful evening, Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
Pesky Details,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
t wik,
teresa wik,
truckee
Monday, February 1, 2010
Flower Power Pots 2
Flower Power finished pieces
Casserole Dish- the "pink" flowers were suppose to be lavender... seems the purple underglazes all lighten quite a bit at cone 5.
My favorite is the dark blue one with red flower. Since the flower is raised, I have it opposite the handle of the mugs so you can drink left or right handed.

Close up of a mountain scene, glazed in Peacock. Beleive it or not, this is all one glaze; blue where thicker and green where thinner.
Casserole Dish- the "pink" flowers were suppose to be lavender... seems the purple underglazes all lighten quite a bit at cone 5.
My favorite is the dark blue one with red flower. Since the flower is raised, I have it opposite the handle of the mugs so you can drink left or right handed.
Mountain Scene using underglazes and Cream Rust glaze
Close up of a mountain scene, glazed in Peacock. Beleive it or not, this is all one glaze; blue where thicker and green where thinner.
The flower was painted on using a purple underglaze. You don't have to recaliprate your screen- it faded to blue while in the kiln.
All in all, i really enjoyed putting the flowers on, painting underglaze was a kick. I like the way most of the samples turned out. What do you think? Which are your favorites?
Painting pottery.... I never would have thought...
Teresa
Labels:
ceramic slip,
ceramics,
Cone 5 glaze,
Lake tahoe,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
test tiles
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Colored Slip Decoration
Yesterday was a terrible day in the studio.... just one of those days where nothing went as planned. I could not even throw. Today was fun, I eased into the day by mixing up some batches of thick slip for decorating.
Slip is just a fancy word for way watered down clay to the point of being a thick liquid. My goal is to have colored slip stored in small, airtight containers for painting on pottery. Since ingredients for slip (and glaze) and based upon dry weight in grams, I had been saving scraps and letting the clay dry to "bone dry" and brittle. I mixed 8 small (100g) test batches today using oxides and stains.
Stains are put on pottery while the clay is still wet so the clay in the slip shrinks with the piece. The B-Mix we use in the studio shrinks 12%. Above is a picture of the test piece I made today using the slips. Once dry, it goes in the kiln for the bisque fire, a clear glaze will be applied over the entire surface then back to the kiln for the second glaze firing.
A picture of the results along with details of which oxides and how much were used will be posted after it comes out of the kiln.
Teresa
Labels:
ceramic slip,
ceramics,
Cone 5 glaze,
glaze,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
test tiles
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Flower Power Pots
Gardening has always been one of my favorite things to do. Our growing season here, in Truckee, is very, very short. Gardening magazines are beginning to come in the mail, seeing all the wonderful flowers has motivated me to add some flowers to my pottery.
Winter is a great time to experiment, try out new techniques, forms and ideas. The cooler temperatures, higher humidity and using gas heat (moist heat) all make the clay dry slower which gives me more time to tinker around in the studio between kiln loads.
Hope to get these in the bisque load tomorrow, then glazed and fired by the end of the weekend. I'll post pictures of the finished pieces!
You will have to let me know if they end of looking like what imagine they would.
Flower power to you! Teresa
Daisy on a vase
I threw this casserole dish as a demo during drop-in. Added the flowers, stems and leaves the following day.
The relief will be painted with bright underglaze then the entire piece dipped into glaze. I can just picture the glaze pooling in the lines of the mountain scene creating a darker line of glaze color, a touch of blue for a river under the mountain and underglaze of green and brown on the tree.
Winter is a great time to experiment, try out new techniques, forms and ideas. The cooler temperatures, higher humidity and using gas heat (moist heat) all make the clay dry slower which gives me more time to tinker around in the studio between kiln loads.
Hope to get these in the bisque load tomorrow, then glazed and fired by the end of the weekend. I'll post pictures of the finished pieces!
You will have to let me know if they end of looking like what imagine they would.
Flower power to you! Teresa
Labels:
bisque fire,
ceramics,
Lake tahoe,
pottery,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
truckee
Monday, January 18, 2010
Snow!
Today feels like winter, the white stuff has been falling from the dark sky all day. Well, not all day, it started a few minutes after our morning snowshoe and is still piling up.
No where near the 10 feet some were calling for, the snow on the railing has landed since around noon when the deck was shoveled. Do you see the ceramic birdhouse peeking out through the snow?
The cats love watching the white stuff floating through the air, they do not like the snow sliding off the roof.
No where near the 10 feet some were calling for, the snow on the railing has landed since around noon when the deck was shoveled. Do you see the ceramic birdhouse peeking out through the snow?
The cats love watching the white stuff floating through the air, they do not like the snow sliding off the roof.
Raku is rest now. He had a big day chasing snowflakes.
Enjoy! Teresa
Labels:
Lake tahoe,
snow,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
truckee
Friday, January 15, 2010
Low fire Commercial glaze at Cone 5?!
I've been playing around with some commercial low fire glaze and underglaze as decoration and addition combining with my Cone 5 glazes.
It is really a lot of fun to see the spectacular results, especially the vibrant screaming red under my grassy green celadon glaze.
The purple (my favorite color) seems to fade to either violet or a dark blue, depending upon which low fire glaze I try.
When fired at low temperatures (04-06 range) these glazes stay in place with very little to no movement, on vertical surfaces at cone 5, they they run or "smudge" some. I like the effect.
Element Chunkies look completely different at the higher firing temperature! I love the way they still make crystals yet, they really run and "smear" creating wonderful effects, especially on texture!
I'll be playing with glaze effects more.... what do you think of the colors?
Positive thoughts for you today, Teresa
Color Chart- (by Cory Moore)
Commercial glazes lines up and down
Cone 5 glazes were painted on from left to right on top of the commercial glazes
(Top to Bottom- Purple, light blue, raw clay at "underglaze", celadon green, white)
It is really a lot of fun to see the spectacular results, especially the vibrant screaming red under my grassy green celadon glaze.
The purple (my favorite color) seems to fade to either violet or a dark blue, depending upon which low fire glaze I try.
When fired at low temperatures (04-06 range) these glazes stay in place with very little to no movement, on vertical surfaces at cone 5, they they run or "smudge" some. I like the effect.
Element Chunkies look completely different at the higher firing temperature! I love the way they still make crystals yet, they really run and "smear" creating wonderful effects, especially on texture!
I'll be playing with glaze effects more.... what do you think of the colors?
Positive thoughts for you today, Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Cone 5 glaze,
pottery,
pottery tools,
studio,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
test tiles
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Spinning into the New Year
Life is beginninng to get back to normal after the excitement, stress and hardwork of moving the studio in November '09, the holidays and work.
We celebrate Thanksmas, which for us is a wonderful few days at Moms house (check out her blog at http://pinkdogwoodblossom.blogspot.com/) where we celebrate Thanksgiving with a hike in the foothills and an incredibly delicous meal prepared by Forrest one day and Christmas the following with presents under the fake fiscus tree iwth white lights.
The hecteck holiday season begins after that with the finale of working the ER at Tahoe Forest Hospital from Christmas day through New Years day, the busiest time in the ER. I also taught at Martis Camp for two days and helped with their budding paint your own pottery program.
As I said, life is beginning to get back to normal in the studio and at home. Still busy yet, manageable and fun. Last week I added an additional drop-in time on Thursdays from 10 am to 1230 pm to compliment the Wednesday and Thursday evening drop-in sessions at 5:30 to 8 pm.
A Mini Beginner Wheel Throwing class started last Sunday with an awesome group of 5 people, three additional pottery classes are scheduled to begin in January.
I really enjoy teaching classes and helping out during drop-in sessions. I feel so blessed to have such a creating, engaging and fun group of people who frequent the studio. So much of what I blog about is technique and/or studio issues, both are a huge part of what i do at the studio yet, it is the people and interaction which really make it such a comfortable and relaxing place that I am excited to go to everyday.
Enjoy Today! Teresa
We celebrate Thanksmas, which for us is a wonderful few days at Moms house (check out her blog at http://pinkdogwoodblossom.blogspot.com/) where we celebrate Thanksgiving with a hike in the foothills and an incredibly delicous meal prepared by Forrest one day and Christmas the following with presents under the fake fiscus tree iwth white lights.
The hecteck holiday season begins after that with the finale of working the ER at Tahoe Forest Hospital from Christmas day through New Years day, the busiest time in the ER. I also taught at Martis Camp for two days and helped with their budding paint your own pottery program.
As I said, life is beginning to get back to normal in the studio and at home. Still busy yet, manageable and fun. Last week I added an additional drop-in time on Thursdays from 10 am to 1230 pm to compliment the Wednesday and Thursday evening drop-in sessions at 5:30 to 8 pm.
A Mini Beginner Wheel Throwing class started last Sunday with an awesome group of 5 people, three additional pottery classes are scheduled to begin in January.
I really enjoy teaching classes and helping out during drop-in sessions. I feel so blessed to have such a creating, engaging and fun group of people who frequent the studio. So much of what I blog about is technique and/or studio issues, both are a huge part of what i do at the studio yet, it is the people and interaction which really make it such a comfortable and relaxing place that I am excited to go to everyday.
Enjoy Today! Teresa
Labels:
drop-in,
pottery,
pottery class,
studio,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik
Monday, January 11, 2010
Metal Flakes in Pugged Clay
Those little black specks in the clay are the culprit! For months we have been fighting "contaminated" clay coming out of the pugmill... the first few times, I thought we must have had a stray tool find its way into the clay recycle garbage can but, after a few more times and just as many complete and through cleaning of the entire inside of the pugmill, I knew that could not be it. The entire clay recycling program was put on hold for a few months while the studio moved to the new location. After some time had passed at the new location and we had settled in, I decided to take the pugger apart for further investigation...
The nice guys at Peter Pugger diagnosed this awful case of metal acne as "oxidation". Well, humm, I thought, who would have guessed that after all of these months and safe guards put into place so foreign objects would not get into the pugger, it was all coming from the metal nozzle inside the pugmill.
Peter Pugger sandblasted then brushed on two coatings of Devcon Brushable ceramic epoxy coating making a lovely Tahoe blue color. I did not get a picture of the fresh pugged clay, we used it all up already!
Labels:
ceramics,
drop-in,
peter pugger,
pottery,
pottery tools,
pugmill,
studio,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
tools
Friday, December 18, 2009
Way to much glaze
Of all the steps, glazing can be the trickiest in making pottery.
"Ocean" glaze on colander made by a Drop-In potter
Color can make or break a piece. Each glaze seems to have its own personality, some are runny, some like a thin application while others need to be thicker and others look best with a very even thickness. My favorite glazes "break" on texture, those which are one color where then and another where thick.
Too much glaze- no matter it's charactorists, is NOT a good thing.
Glaze was applied to thick- it ran right off the colander during firing, welding the piece to the kiln shelf.
A good rule of thumb- glaze should be the thickness of a postcard after application and before firing.
Happy Glazing! Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Cone 5 glaze,
glaze,
kiln loading,
pottery tools,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Navajo Wheel Clay (Red Clay) by IMCO
Yep, the rumor is true. T Pots Pottery now stocks a red clay called Navajo Wheel by IMCO.
We tested the clay for a few weeks, everyone who threw with it, really enjoyed the smooth, creamy feel and loved the deep, rich color. Testers felt the clay was easy to center and throw with, so easy, may found themselves with the top portion of their pot suddenly unattached to the wheel and in their hands at the end of a "pull". Using less water than with the white clay (B-Mix) really helped with the "flimsiness" feeling of the clay.
I found the clay to be easy to throw, softer than B-mix. Navajo Wheel is much less tempermental in respect to attaching handles and "S" cracks. A few pieces were intentially left with a thick, uncompressed bottom and left to dry right side up. - no "s" cracks. Handles stay put, even with slightly dry clay.
Navajo Wheel on the left, B-Mix on the right= same glaze on both
The best part is the clay will wash out of clothing! The shrink rate is 15%, a little more than b-mix at 12%. so far the studio glazes all have a nice fit with no crazing and they look gorgous on the darker clay.
I'll add updates about the clay as they come out of the kiln.
Happy Holidays
Teresa
Labels:
ceramics,
Cone 5 glaze,
glaze,
IMCO,
Navajo Wheel,
pottery,
pottery tools,
studio,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
test tiles
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
New Glaze Tests- Cone 5 Oxidation
Even though it takes a lot of time, I love playing around with the computer and chemicals to come up with new glaze recipes. I recently mixed up 6 new attempts at various colors and came up with two I like.
The first is based on a very stable base for a matte glaze I already use with two of my colors "Sage" (formally Carribean Sea) and "Ocean". With the new still unnamed glaze, I added 2% Red Iron Oxide resulting in this wonderful glaze. The second picture is the new glaze on the top rim of a glossy transparent honey colored glaze I am playing with. Love the two together, especially the way the they run together.
The other one I like but, will tweak some more is from recipe given to me by Hawaiian potter, Dean McRaine. I told him I have been working on a purple glaze for some time with out much success, he gave me Randys Red and said to add cobalt.
The first is based on a very stable base for a matte glaze I already use with two of my colors "Sage" (formally Carribean Sea) and "Ocean". With the new still unnamed glaze, I added 2% Red Iron Oxide resulting in this wonderful glaze. The second picture is the new glaze on the top rim of a glossy transparent honey colored glaze I am playing with. Love the two together, especially the way the they run together.
Here it is on both light and dark clays. I like the violet color, will try it with a little more cobalt for a darker shade.
Here it is with light blue dribbled along the edge
On top of dark blue it has a slight pink cast
Enjoy!
Labels:
ceramics,
Cone 5 glaze,
t pots pottery,
teresa wik,
test tiles
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