Sunday, May 15, 2011

Making lamps and then there is a bowl

Mark has been a busy elf working on many different lamp shapes.

He started off just making our standard egg shape and then something else stepped in and the next thing you know those eggs had taken a twist.
These are small accent lamps that stand under 9 inches before the shade is put on.

I have several in our house that I really like for those spots that need a little light.

He moved from the small lamps over into some larger ones.
And, again, the standard egg shape has taken on a new look.
It will be interesting to see how these work out in the kiln.
New shapes to play with!




Then I found this quiet bowl sitting along with the lamps.
This bowl feels so soft and quiet to me.
I loved the shape and the swirl in the bottom.
More of these would be nice.
I could see filling this up with some of my spring salads or a nice summer pasta dish.




We keep working on filling up the gas kiln and I think we might be there soon.
I have moved over to glazing tiles while I wait for stoneware pots to dry.
Never a dull moment around here.

Most days I could use an extra hour or three to get it all done.

Then again my old bones tell me when it is time to step away and do something else.
This spring has been a wet one for us and I heard the other day it is called a blackberry summer. I gather that the meaning is that the cool days with lots of rain are going to make for some killer blackberries this summer.
We are keeping our eyes out on a few areas that hold promise for berries.
It has been many summers since I have made blackberry jelly, but it could be on the list for this year.
I have two rounds of strawberry jam put away and I know Mark would go for some blackberry.
I do know that you just can not compare real jam or jelly to what is out there in the store.
It is a bad day when we are out of the homemade stuff here.
Makes for sad toast in the mornings.....:(


The magnolia trees are also very happy with the wet, cool spring.
Cheers!
M

9 comments:

Tracey Broome said...

What a nice Sunday read! I enjoyed this post so much. love Mark's forms, love that bowl and love that magnolia!
All I see with those lamp forms and that bowl is my new raku glaze. I keep saying I have to make some lamps, maybe I will take some inspiration from Mark this week and give some a try. I have a slab form that I have sketched that wants to be a lamp. I need a round tuit!

Linda Starr said...

That magnolia has some inspiration for me for sure, thank goodness the weather is cooler right now, have a good one.

Judy Shreve said...

Boy Mark's forms are just luscious! I'd love to have one of his lamps.
When we lived in WV if it rained on June 1 we got great blackberries.
And we are cool here in GA today & for the next couple of days. I love it!

Dan Finnegan said...

Where do I place my Jam order?! I recently finished the last of the damson (my all time favorite) from England and I'm suffering through some store bought marmalade now. It's a tough life we lead...

Laurie said...

Mmmm, homemade jam. That bowl of Mark's is gorgeous!

cookingwithgas said...

Thanks all!

Tracey- you should try some lamps.
And dan- let me see what I can do.
Peach follows strawberry....my favorite.

Julia said...

We have a blackberry patch and get tons of berries every summer. When I get tired of making jam I make wine...blackberry wine is my new favorite!

I love that bowl too...very serene.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

nice center spiral in that bowl, INDEED :)

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Yes, an extra three hours or so would be great - on most days. Love the bowl. Lovely post.