Test Tile for Ceramics -- Scene

Have a handmade ceramic back splash in work...decided a test tile of the scene might help, in addition to the test tiles of the individual colors.  Each section of the scene on the back splash will be a separate tile, but the test tile has them all together.   Will see what  happens once it is fired.
(ahem....it turned out u-g-l-y -- too garish). 

The Thistles That Would Get Stuck to You

Found the thistles/burrs from kid-hood (and adulthood) that would attach themselves to me when I was a kid -- usually after playing in the field.  I think I just took it for granted that they would come on me, never  knowing that they actually grew off something!  After all these years, found them in various stages of green to brownish.

Acceptance without questioning...even for a burr. And then, discovery, even when you didn't know for what you were looking.

Puff Ball goes on Walk

Found him separated from ground already.  Could not resist holding him for awhile. 

Know Puff Ball has already been around a lot of beauty, but took him for a little walk up the hill. Knew the wind would come and change him. 

Wooden Figures

Heidi and Grandfather.

P.I.A...but change is good (sometimes)

A lot more cumbersome than I had figured..two layers, neither too pliable. But, here, there, and everywhere, changes.

Juice for Me!

The little one presented me with this juice today -- so pretty, and so sweet, figuratively. She was proud when I said how good it was after my first sip. Raspberries and blueberries, a bit chunky, but perfect. 

In Process -- handmade ceramic tile pieces

First includes horizon, so tile widths going from larger to more thin on top.  Second includes some luster pieces, my first use. Third had two glazes react differently than my test tile...the last element in kiln, so shall see how it comes out -- might not be the contrast that I was planning.  See if getting multiples ready helps the assembly any -- making the surrounds all at one time, rather than pulling it all out each time. 

75th Hurrah!

Sparkly wishes for 75th..along with historical events that occurred on that day...including the event 75 years ago!

Peacock Platter

Ok, I was walking through a shop with some friends, and one liked a peacock platter we saw.
I said "I can make that!"  So, this form comes somewhat from that design, though the decoration  is different.

Golly. If  I am going to go for "clean" on hand built, I need burnish and smooth my clay before it fires. The un-evenness shows up -- all white shiny now!  Plus, since I have little experience with glazes, I need to do a larger test tile with the design to show what gets blurry.  Plus...speed can work in a race, but not necessarily on a project.

Ullll.  But learning is good.