Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Spring! (More ceramics)

I need to remember updating on here once in a while - even more than usual as I've been kept busy with the patron blog.

I made some more ceramics as a test firing and picked out most of the pastels for a picture - reminds me of spring.


I got some new clay - hence the 'test' firing. My old clay had gotten pretty stiff (have had it for probably more than half a year) and so I decided to buy a new pack as I'm too lazy to spend THAT much time reviving and kneading it... Problem is, that the store I used to get it from went bankrupt last year and I couldn't find any other danish sellers offering that particular brand/type of clay *sigh*
So I got a new one - recommended to me by a lady at a different shop after I explained what I was going to use it for, the firing temperature I usually use etc.. Good news is; it is SO much better to work with! - SO much easier to make handles and mold things without small pieces drying out in a matter of seconds AND I can even use it with my silicone molds to be able to make a larger variety of pieces (the rectangular dishes, squared plates, heart shaped plates, pie dish and ramekins were some I originally made from polymer clay and I then made molds from them).
The problem (which may not even turn out to be a problem) is that I'm scared the glaze will crackle. I had that happen to a lot of pieces after a few days/weeks with the old clay, although I didn't have any problems since I changed to a different clear glaze and switched to a higher firing temperature.. Yet I'm still worried that something similar will happen to these, so I'll be keeping an eye on them before making more and before using these for anything.
I'm thinking that 1-2 months should be an okay time frame to judge? - you see, the next fair is in the last weekend of April (I think), and I would love to bring ceramics to sell. If there are any experienced ceramists out there, I'd much appreciate a second opinion as to whether or not I need to wait longer than that before selling any of the pieces made from this new brand of clay.

13 comments:

  1. Hi Tanja! I'm so glad to see your new ceramics, they are absolutely wonderful and yes, you're right: the color of these items are a nice whiff of spring :D!! But at the other hand, I'm sorry that I can't help you regarding the glaze. I don't know anything about making ceramics this way, so I have no experience at all with this issue....
    I think you will sell very quickly all of your ceramics on the next fair, that's for sure, cause it is wonderful!!
    I have perhaps a silly question, but how can I visit your patron blog, or do I have to sign in than?
    Kind regards, Ilona
    P.S. Am I still allowed to share the links to your youtube channel for sharing all of your wonderful tutorials? As I did in my previous blog post about 'your' cake pan??

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    1. it is most definitely okay that you link to my youtube :)
      The patron blog was part of my 'patreon' rewards ( http://www.patreon.com/sugarcharmshop ), so it's a blog people gain access to if they choose to support me by pledging 3$ or more a month. I update the blog every time I upload a new video and write the measurements for the project + include the packaging I paint for some things (bags of candy, the boxes of pastels I made recently etc) if people want to print them :) I also want to slowly add all my other measurements for food, furniture, animals etc and hopefully build up a 'library' of pictures of food as well, that can be used as reference pictures when sculpting (to see colors, texture etc)

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    2. Thank you so much for answering my questions, Tanja, it's much appreciated by me :)!
      Kind regards, Ilona

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  2. you make great and also cute ceramics. I love all of them you are such a great artist

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  3. These are great, what was the new clay you were using?

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  5. Very pretty colors! Did you also pour the ceramic bisque or did you purchase it? It looks handmade!

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    1. I don't use casting clay, just normal, solid earthenware clay :)

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  6. Hej Tanja. Jeg vil meget gerne købe noget af det røde porcelæn du laver, hvordan kan det lade sige gøre.... Der er jo lang tid til Farummessen..;(

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    1. Jeg kommer faktisk ikke til farum-messen som sælger igen. Sidst besluttede Celine of jeg, at vi ikke ville støtte Kirsten længere. Jeg er heller ikke istand til at brænde nyt keramik i øjeblikket, på grund af varmen. Vi har 2 chinchillaer som kræver, at vi har aircondition kørende det meste af dagen, og jeg vil ikke overbelaste sikringerne.
      For at gøre det endnu bedre, skiftede jeg for nyligt ler, og er defor nødt til at køre et par tests mere, før jeg ville kunne sælge (vil først kunne brænde igen omkring oktober, og skal bruge 3-4 måneder derefter, for at teste, minimum) :/

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  7. Nå... det er jeg meget ked af at høre :o(..... Men når du så ikke kommer på Farum messen, hvor kan vi så finde dig...???.

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  8. Åhhh, nej ;( Præcis i aften har jeg sagt til min datter (13), at jeg glæder mig sådan til at vi skal se dine ting IRL i Farum på min fødselsdag i 2017.. Shok! Så tror jeg ikke, vi skal til Farum ;'( Men hvor er det så muligt at se dig udstille?? For dine fantastiske evner fortjener da i den grad at komme i rampelyset ;)
    Venligst Anette Overgaard

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