It worked!!

My glaze came out, YAY!!!! Here are some pictures from my most recent firing. The solid blue is my new formula. The bentonite worked and it went on super nice. The "simple" dish is an experiment with brushing a stain under the final coat of glaze. I like the way it turned out but I think my clear was a little too thin this time around and I didn't get that thick glassy surface I like so much. My next challenge will be how to combine the two surfaces. The new one is a little too matt for the interior of vessels but I'm trying it out layered over the gloss to get a semi-matt. The next load will be out hopefully tomorrow and with any luck I'll have some good pictures to share next week.

2 firings 2 days...

Well it's amazing what the addition of 1% bentonite will do for a glaze formula (especially when you were supposed to put it in to begin with!). I haven't fired yet but it already feels better. Much more like a glaze that will stick to the pot! I don't have pictures yet but hopefully I will soon. My little kiln is getting quite the workout this week as it's already taken 2 bisque firings and as soon as it's cool enough it will be glazing, hopefully twice before our show this weekend. I did want to give a little sneak peek at these awesome keys I bought from etsy a few weeks ago. I made molds of them and am trying to incorporate them into the jewelry I need to make for an upcoming show. My original idea was to totally cast them in porcelain but I don't want to fire my kiln that high just for some keys so I'm going to see if I can try to make it work with my red clay. We'll see. I'll keep you posted on how that's turning out!

Glaze testing this weekend

Yesterday I went to Clayworks and picked up a long list of new colorants and a few new ingredients to test some new glazes this weekend. I will be remixing the glaze that ran all over my kiln shelves so wish me luck! I'll be using the old shelves just in case :) Hopefully now that I have all the right ingredients it will turn out better.

Craving....

This morning I woke up with a craving for pancakes. Too lazy to go out I thought I would make some but I didn't have any eggs. I bought eggs at the farmer's market the last time I was there and they were so good we ate them all up and I'm holding out for more farm fresh rather than the regular market eggs. I needed a recipe for bread, preferable something I could put the fresh butter and pear,cardamom and sage jam that also came from the farmer's market all over. I wound up finding a recipe for drop biscuits that took about 20 minutes from start to finish including bake time. Sold! Michael and I savored the fresh, warm biscuits slathered with fresh butter and homemade jam. I no longer crave pancakes:)
Click here for the recipe.

Playing catch-up

Clay shavings from all the new pots:)
(above) Bowls drying, hand thrown slabs formed over thrown bisque molds. (below) Rows of new rectangular dip dishes and salt and pepper pots.

Well I hope you got out to check out Pile of Craft because it rocked! It also left me pretty out of stock for most things. Not that I'm complaining (at all) but it has caused me to be locked away in the studio for the last few days. Michael and I did make it out for about an hour last night to check out our new local farmer's market and get some ice cream. We will be making it a weekly trip since there was some seriously tasty looking food there that we didn't get to eat since we had dinner before going. I did buy some tasty looking beets and a couple of grass fed, all natural pork chops to throw on the grill later. Anyway, I thought I would take a break today while some slabs are drying to give you a little peek at what I'm working on. The studio is a mess so don't look too close:) I also figured out what went wrong with that glaze a few months ago...I just looked up the original recipe in my sketchbook and when I copied it down for the studio I left out an add-in ingredient. Doh! I will be remixing and retesting later on so I'll let you know if the results are any better.

Pile of Craft TOMORROW!!!!

Having fun...

I'm having fun setting up my new computer, I love all the features! It's going to make posting pictures everywhere so easy. Now iphoto has a direct upload to flicker and facebook, how awesome is that? I also got the new photoshop elements so I can edit all my pretty pictures:) I can't wait to figure that out. Oh, and like how Mexi Cat has to be in my face whatever I'm doing? It's hard to type over big furry kitty. I actually have this same picture from last year when I was setting up Michael's computer...cat in my face. Ahh, cats.

New Computer:)

Well it's finally here. The last day of school is Friday (wooohooo!!!) and tomorrow I will have to give back my ibook that I've been using for the last 3 years. It was so nice to have it but it will be even nicer to have my brand new Macbook pro! Michael and I went to the mall last night to pick out my new computer. I can't wait to see how the new laptop works. It's supposed to be more environmentally friendly and keep a charge for 7 hours. It's also really pretty and silver. Unfortunately I was so tired after moving stuff out of my classroom yesterday that it's still sitting on the couch in the bag it came in. So my assignment for tonight (after I finish glazing) is to crack that baby open and get it started! I'll let you know how it goes in case anyone is thinking about a purchase:)
p.s. The photo is a concept pic from last year but it's the best one I could find:)

Farmer's Market Trip

Onions and Potatoes in a Naomi Cleary Bowl I bought at Art Star.
Fresh Basil that made my car smell delicious on the ride home.
Asparagus and English Peas sitting in the fridge.

This morning I had to drop Michael off at the Hon Fest in Hampden, for those who do not know what a "hon" is just think big beehives, spandex leopard print, cat's eye glasses and John Waters. You'll get the picture. Since I was up and out of the house early I made a stop at the Waverly farmer's market which is on my way home from Hampden. This was my first trip there this season and oh how I missed it! I'm glad they only take cash because it helps me limit my spending, I go crazy for fresh produce:) I have a system for walking the market, I have to do a lap around first so I can see who has the best stuff and the best prices. Then I get the stuff that looks like it's going fast, like strawberries and asparagus. Followed by the heavy stuff like potatoes and squash and finally... anything that needs to stay cold like butter and cheese or delicate like lettuce. The market seemed to grow a little this year and is extending out into the main street a little so I had to walk it about 3 times to get all my goodies. Since this week also brought me a new camera lens (so excited!) I thought I'd take some pictures of my veggies to share here. I'll be cooking like crazy this week to use up all that I bought! Do you have a favorite market near you?

Nutella Ice Cream

This past Sunday we had a little BBQ to celebrate my leaving teaching (no, not yet, June 19th) and because our friend Andrew was in town from La. One of the things I made for dessert was my friend Karen's recipe for Nutella Ice Cream. It was a big hit and there was only a little bit left for an afternoon snack today. The pictures are not great due to a bit of freezer burn on the still delicious ice cream but I wanted to share anyway. You'll have to visit Karen's site and check out all her great recipes:) And I promise to post more than just food soon, but I have been cooking a lot lately and who doesn't love food?

Nutella Ice Cream

1 jar (13 ounces) Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Using a hand or standing mixer, mix the Nutella and sugar until smooth. Add the milk and mix on low speed until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.

Turn the ice cream machine on; pour the mixture into freezer bowl, and let mix until thickened, about 25 to 35 minutes. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.

Melt in your mouth cookies

Today I spent some time in the kitchen making a batch of melt-in-your-mouth cookies so I could update my recipe card that I give out to my customers. I am trying to practice my photography skills (for a new top secret project I'm working on) and since I don't have any new work left from last weekend's show I will post my pictures of baking day until the next kiln load. Let me know what you think.
For inquiring minds, these cookies are a vintage recipe that produce a very delicate and buttery cookie. Somewhere between a shortbread and a sugar cookie? They were some of my favorite growing up and I still love them! The only problem is that all I ate today was cookies!!!

Miami Egg Salad

I was browsing IKEA the other day looking for some props to use in my photographs and I stopped in the cafe for a quick bite to keep up my shopping stamina. I have long been a fan of their shrimp and egg on rye toast (that's what I ate while most kids gobbled chicken fingers and fries. Not me.) and I wasn't too hungry so I sat down with my sandwich and a diet coke. As I sat realized that the sandwich was kind of nostalgic for me, it really reminded me of my grandparents home in Miami Florida where I spent many summer holidays. I don't know if it was the cheap shrimp or the rye toast but something took me back. As I nibbled the tiny shrimp I started to think that there was no reason I couldn't make an even better version of this at home, in the form of egg salad! Here is my first attempt at the "Miami Egg Salad Sandwich" although I haven't bought bread since discovering making it myself so this sandwich is served on homemade sourdough instead of the rye that I think would make it complete. Next time.

Miami Egg Salad
1 cup cold cooked shrimp, tails and veins removed
6 hard boiled eggs*
2Tbs freshly chopped dill
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/4 (or less) cup of mayo
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

*To cook a hard boiled egg first place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with water by about an inch. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat. Cover the pan and let everything sit for about 10 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool and peel!

Chop the shrimp and eggs into smaller pieces and place in a medium bowl. Chop the dill and add it to the eggs and shrimp. Add the lemon juice and mayo, mixing until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with rye bread and spring mix.

This weekend in Philly.

If your in the Philadelphia area this weekend be sure to check out the Art Star Craft Bazzar happening Saturday and Sunday in Penn's Landing. It's sure to be a great time with music, food, the water and really nice crafts. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend and this would be a great way to spend it outside enjoying the sunshine. If you make it by be sure to stop by my booth and say hello!

Memorial Day Fun.

Yesterday we celebrated memorial day in true Baltimore fashion. We went to our friends row house BBQ, grilled, drank Natty Boh and played some poker. It was a nice way to spend a Monday. I hope you had a nice memorial day also:)

New work up!

New work posted on etsy, go check it out! I will be posting more throughout the week hopefully:)

Wedding Platter

I just made a platter for my friend Annie to give as a gift to her friend who are getting married. I think I might offer the design in my shop. What do you think?

Meet my family...

Hello Stranger! Yep, that's Stranger, our kitty (one of). Stranger is a tuxedo cat who enjoys chasing his food pellets around the house before eating them, catching bugs that fly into the house, plotting to catch the squirrels that run along the outside wires, napping on the heater, torturing his brother and snuggling while I'm on the computer. He is in a very intimate and monogamous relationship with a stuffed monkey named Merlin and his claim to fame is that he once caught a bird....while inside the house (we still have no idea how it happened since the bird *was* outside the house). While I decorate he sits in the chair behind my wheel, I keep waiting for him to make me some little kitty size pots. Sometimes he thinks that my works needs a little something more, or he's trying to sign them and take all the credit but either way I'll come in to a studio of little paw print plates sitting on my shelves. Yes, I said shelves. He likes to jump up on my full shelves and watch my heart leap from my chest as the whole wall of work wobbles while he balances like a little surfer. He does keep me company in the studio and even now as I type this he sits behind me on the couch kneading his paws into my back. Do you have a studio pet? Let me know in the comments:)

2 days in the kitchen

I've been avoiding my studio for the last 2 days. I'm not really sure why, I guess I just need a break. Instead I've been spending my evenings in the kitchen. It's a place where I am just happy. Some people hate cooking, for me there is nothing more relaxing. As soon as I start chopping or mixing my mood lifts and I start to hum and dance a little in front of the stove. My neighbors must think I'm nuts, if not from witnessing that then for other reasons I'm sure. Tonight I made a loaf of bread from my new book Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day and it was so delicious. The whole premise of the book is to make a wet dough that you can keep in the fridge for 2 weeks and just pull some off and bake it as you need it. I mixed the dough last night and made a loaf while I cooked dinner tonight. It was such a treat to have home baked bread with our meal, I think it was the prettiest bread I have ever made and as you can see there is not much left. I didn't think to take the pictures until after we ate. I also baked a vegan Mexican chocolate cake but it's still cooling so I'll let you know how that turns out tomorrow:)

Double the shows...and the sun came out.

Well the rain took a little break today but the rumor is that it will return tomorrow just in time for the two craft shows Michael and I will be in. That's right, we split up our work and each of us is taking a show, two for the price of one! Wheeee! My momma is coming down tonight to help me with the show in our neighborhood, the Bizzare Bazzar in Hamilton while Michael will be hanging with the mafia at the Spring Art Mart in Mt. Vernon. If your in the 'hood you should stop by and check it out...should be lots of fun. Here is a little peek at my seedlings, they are taking off quite nicely, although there are some that haven't sprouted yet. I'm not sure if they just aren't ready or they are duds. Only time will tell I guess. I hope you all have a happy mother's day and treat mom to something special! Mine is getting to sit at the craft show with me all day:) She is getting a very nice tea set and some other goodies though (including one of those garden dibbles and a scarf from Red Praire Press). We might even go out for crabs!

Rain, rain go away...

I feel like it will never stop raining here. We are having a week straight of rain. My plants are happy but it's really starting to get to me. I want the sunshine! It was such a tease to have those few days of 90 degree weather, I think it made us all crave summer. I'm also getting down to the final weeks of school and full time employment. Yesterday a girl came to interview for my job. It was kinda surreal. I think it made it a little more real for me that this is it and I won't be going back. I start to look around my classroom and make a mental list of everything I have to move out. It's such a mixed bag of emotions....what a ride! Most days I'm like "get me outta here right now!" and then some days it's more like "what am I doing? Leaving a good paying job in a tough economy to start a pottery buisness??" I realize how happy that thought makes me though and I don't know how I can't do it. I might be scraping for some part time work but I'm ok with that. Uuggg. I told you this rain was getting to me! Anyway, thought I would share this little still life of old bottles I made when we first moved into the house and I re-discovered when I was checking on my little seedlings.(I will share those photos later:) I totally have a thing for similar items all lined up, like a skyline on a shelf.