One more layer of straw and mud have been added to the oven. So far we have had 7 pizzas, 3 calzones and 2 loaves of bread. Every baking effort is a delicious learning experience and the response from our friends is quite good. Next we will order the hydraulic lime for the exterior shell.
Every year, I am the official maker of the Bramwell Oktoberfest awards and I am busy making...For the past couple of years, I have been experimenting with handbuilding the awards. The pots pictured here are handbuilt, i.e., built using slabs of clay.
The bottom photo shows a thrown cup. It takes years to learn the art of throwing a pot... Handbuilding has a quicker learning curve. I always assume folks will go for the thrown cup, but after a weekend of friends stopping over and picking their favorite, I can tell you the handbuilt cups are the winner. Feel free to offer up your opinion-I'd love to hear from you and it's so easy to post a comment...
And a random aside... Several years ago, my dear friend Mary's mother died rather unexpectedly. It was her wish to be cremated. My friend asked for an urn-yes, I just so happened to have one on the shelf... I went through an urn phase several years ago. Anyway, over the weekend, I had an unplanned visit with my friend, Gene. His sister died a few weeks back and she too chose to be cremated. The plan was to take her ashes to the ocean, but they haven't been able to get there yet. He let me know that his sister is in an urn made by me, and is happily placed on the mantle until they can make it to the ocean. I feel very honored but it's also a bit strange. So as of today, body count=2. Wow. My mother, who loves all things macabre thinks this could be my calling...
6 comments:
Renee,
If I were a betting lady and a religious one to boot...I would swear the thrown cup is exactly like the Holy Grail would look. I dig it...simple, elegant and sturdy.
I think that is a heck of an idea - beautiful pieces of art for your family members to settle into post cremation. They are more like a luxury suite for your ashes.
Barlow-Bonsall...I think we have a potential partnership!
Hi Renee - I found your post about hand-built versus wheel-thrown pots really intriguing. I, too, have spent years learning to throw and appreciate the well-thrown form (and know I have more to learn as I further develop those skills)... However, I have to admit that the hand-built form is more immediately interesting. Maybe it's the character of the hand-built pieces... Hmmmmm.
Jennifer, Thanks for the input. I'll call Barlow-Bonsall right away... Finally, an occupation my mom can get behind and support!
Patricia, Thanks for casting a vote. You are right, when viewing the handbuilt pot,there is more for the eye to take in. I also find I have more fun when handbuilding, where sitting at the wheel for several hours feels like work. My college professor really had a bias against handbuilt work and I suppose I accepted his bias without question. After making pots for 20 years, I suppose it's okay to change things around a bit.
Both have their strong points, but I enjoy the handbuilt one more. It has more character and interest to me :)
Thanks for casting a vote, Erin. I visited your site and agree the organic chandelier is awesome. Good luck with your clay work this fall.
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