Workshop for Teachers

Last term I ran a workshop for high school art teachers. We spent the day making moulds, casting bowls and experimenting with different decorating techniques.

Here are few photos that one of the participants emailed me, taken on her iphone.

They are mostly of me talking and people listening!

Oh, here's one of some work being done! Don't worry everyone worked very hard. I can't wait to see photos of the bowls their students make....

Mother's Day Studio Open

Twice a year I open my Eucalypt Homewares studio to the public for a sale on current pieces as well as some real bargains on seconds and discontinued lines.

One is held just before Christmas and the other the week before Mother's Day. Last Sunday was the annual pre Mother's Day sale. This year I invited some other local designers to join me resulting in a lovely market like atmosphere in my back garden.

Eucalypt Homewares table

Shoppers could wonder through the garden looking a tables set up with work from Eucalypt Homewares, Robin Wells Jewellery, Little Babushka and Old Grey House.

Robin Wells with some happy shoppers

It was a perfect sunny day with people arriving at leisure through out the afternoon. There was a nice mix of loyal supporters and new enthusiasts all enjoying an outing perusing local artist's wares. We even had a lovely local lady organise a luncheon for her friends with a stroll down to my studio after, a special thanks to Mia!

Looking through the garden at Little Babushka and Old Grey House

Talking of thanks, much appreciation to my friend, Kim and my husband, David for their help on the day!
I'm looking forward to the next Open Day in December....

Term One Clay Class Photos

These lovely bowls where made by the Monday night advanced slip-casting class. They designed and made prototype bowls then cast them using the paper pulp mould making method. Lots of Japanese tissue transfer was used to decorate the bowls, as well as wax resist and two tone colours.

Some interesting forms where designed by the Thursday night clay class group. Each bowl was decorated using a different technique; two tone colours, tissue transfer, wax resist and inlay. They also made a collection of ceramic drink coasters.

Next term we are making trinket boxes. I still have spots left on the Tuesday 10am class. Email me if you would like more information melanie@eucalypthomewares.com.au

Brand New Shiny Kiln

No, this is not my brand new shiny kiln. This is the old faithful, well maybe not so faithful... just old. It is a bit broken, but can be fixed. I'm giving it away to anyone who is willing to take it out of my studio... Send me an email if you are interested melanie@eucalypthomewares.com.au. You will need 3phase power and an electrician to hook it up.

This is my shiny new kiln - it's it beautiful?!! Here's to many years of firing success!

Win Eucalypt Homewares Products

Come to the Perth Upmarket this Sunday 20th March @ UWA 10am - 4pm to win a $200 Eucalypt Homewares voucher.

To enter visit the Eucalypt Homewares stall and fill in the entry form :)

Brooches

Next weekend is the Perth Upmarket. I am in a state of making madness to get ready.
Here is a little sneak peak at some of the new brooches I have. They come in lots of patterns.

You can choose from a number of shapes. Featured here are the cat and flying dove.

I have also made nesting doves, tiny kissing doves and love hearts.

These little guys are my new teddy brooches. They come in red, pink and sea green. I have a new batch of my other children's buttons too.

Slip-casting Clay Classes

This term I ran three slip-casting workshops in my studio. It is almost the end of the classes, with one class ready to pick up their work and two classes glazing this week.

This is John's set of slip-cast bowls (I must confess John is my dad - I think he did beautiful job!).

Each person designed their own bowl, then made a plaster mould from the prototype. They then cast four bowls and used a different decoration technique on each one. Voila, a set of cute little bowls all the same, but different!

This term was certainly a family affair, Tuesday night Classes with my dad, sister and sister's boyfriend. Certainly lends for a bit of banter in the class :)

Above are my sister, Chelsea's lino-cut drink coasters.

One more photo of the Tuesday night bowls. I hope everyone had lots of fun! They certainly made some lovely bowls.

Should have photos of the the other night's bowls next week...