Angel's Watching Over Me

It was the Perth Upmarket today. (Sorry forgot to take camera!). Mum and I were very busy. Thanks to all our lovely customers. The Pre Primary Angels came out of the kin this evening.

This is my James' angel and a couple of other kid's too.

Pre-primary ceramics

My friend Alison helped me glue the pre-primary tiles on to board this morning. They now need grouting and a frame around them. The kids painted self portraits - too cute!

Yesterday my little girls and I spent all morning in my son's class making Christmas Angels. It took a lot longer than I had planned, but oh what joy, how adorable are they? I really hope their mum and dads enjoy them as mush as the kids enjoyed making them.

Only a few more weeks until the next Upmarket, so much to do, so much to do!!!

Almost there

I have almost finished the school component of the Ardross Primary School tile mural. Just one more session next term to grab the last few kids who were away during their painting session.

Now is the task of drying and glazing the painted tiles.

The tiles I have fired look wonderful.


I can't wait to see it all finished. About 400 tiles in bright glossy colours.

Here are some of the tiles painted over the last few weeks.

The ones above are national sports and the ones below are national musical instruments and dance.

We have x-ray animals influenced by indigenous paintings.

This is the glazing table with flags, leaf prints and national costumes.

Inside the kiln...

All finished, looking pretty special!

Just have to glaze about 250 more...

Busy, busy...

Life has been extremely busy over the last few weeks. I seem to be juggling even more than usual.

CAAWA has their annual selective exhibition coming up soon, here is sneak preview of one of the vases I am making for that show. I have been playing around with tissue transfers. I have designed a new line for my tableware using these transfers. Trouble is I haven't had time to make anything yet. Watch this space for actual work!

My clay classes are coming to a wrap up. My students have been popping in over the last few days to finish off their clocks before we bisque fire them on Monday.

My friend Kim is pictured here crash drying her stencil design.

This is Tessa exploring the studio. Now she is walking she is allowed to come in from time to time. The kids love coming in the studio. Not sure I feel the same way! They were very good this day. It was raining outside so they couldn't be banished to the sandpit...

This is what my "waiting to be bisque fired" table looks like at the moment. I have clocks and hand print tiles all waiting to be fired. Hand print tiles are running hot in the lead-up to father's Day next Sunday.

The Ardross Primary School mural is well under way. This week we painted about 130 tiles. Here is a sample of the class doing costume as a sub theme.

The other thing (no photos) I am working on is the next Perth Up Market. Put this date in your diary. Sunday 13th September 10am - 4pm Perth Town Hall - see you there.

Handprint Tiles

I was going to be pressing some little peoples hands into clay today. But my littlest is sick with a tummy bug. She has either been stuck to my knee or asleep - very unlike her.
Here are some photos of my hand print tiles. I do them for children and babies. My nephew had his done when one day old. I used to make frames but woodwork is not really area of expertise. Besides you can purchase much better (and cheaper) frames from Ikea!

Last year I made a tile mural from all the kids hand prints at our playgroup and Sunday Club. It has been bolted in two panels on the exterior walls of the playgroup/church.

Here is how I do it...

Firstly, I roll and cut a tile from wet white clay (the softer the better for a good print).

I press the child's hand or feet or both, if little enough into the clay.

Years ago I hand made lower case letter stamps. They have become very handy for naming these tiles. I also stamp in the year.

Once dry I glaze in bright colours and once fire to 1260*C