bisque-fired buttons and pendants ready for glazing:
backsides painted with wax resist to keep the glaze from adhering to this side, and to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the kiln:
Lots of notes on glaze colors and behaviors when they're fired; as well as notes on what glazes and combinations I use with each batch. (in case I do something great (or lousy) and want to repeat it):
glaze gets brushed on, and must dry between each layer:
all finished glazing. glaze is rarely the same color unfired as it is fired, that is why my notes are so important. the glazes in this batch will be deep shades of blue, green, brown and mulberry (I hope!)--you'd never know it by their colors now.
after the layers of glaze dry, I clean out the holes...(almost always results in bloodshed):
any glaze spills are wiped off the back:
four hours later: finished pieces, out in the kiln shed waiting for the final firing:
Wow! Thanks for the photo essay, I love to see processes. It's great to see what goes into making one of your lovely pieces.
Posted by: Amanda | 22 July 2006 at 05:17 PM
Thank you for letting us have this "behind the scenes" glance at your lovely work!
I do so enjoy seeing the technical aspects of other people's craftiness - even if it is something that I'll probably never be able to try...
Posted by: lla | 22 July 2006 at 05:33 PM
Lovely. You are slowly pushing me into taking up another hobby.
Posted by: wanett | 22 July 2006 at 06:32 PM
Love seeing this, you at work. Something like this I know nothing about, so even more fascinating.
Posted by: Blair | 22 July 2006 at 07:03 PM
Very interesting, Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Gina | 22 July 2006 at 07:55 PM
I love seeing the process, Molly! Thank you for sharing. And, um, oh my! Are those owl shaped buttons I spy? ;-)
Posted by: Wendy | 22 July 2006 at 08:29 PM
I also enjoy seeing the process...and the results!!!
Posted by: Dawn | 22 July 2006 at 10:18 PM
Wow Molly, thanks for sharing. So cool.
Posted by: Courtney | 23 July 2006 at 12:07 AM
Very interesting and looks like so much fun, can't wait to see the final results. I would love to get into doing something like this!
Posted by: Max | 23 July 2006 at 04:51 AM
Thanks for this series Molly! It's really neato, I especially love the picture of your fingers dipped in wax or glaze. I dunno if this makes me want to take up ceramics, but I love seeing processes. You have great patience. I always realize that what I make pretty much has to do with how much patience I have to make it.
Posted by: katiek | 23 July 2006 at 09:13 AM
how liberating to have a kiln at your beck and fire!
Posted by: melissa f. | 23 July 2006 at 11:20 AM
Loved your step by step photos and then of course I had to go purchase one from your etsy shop!
Posted by: Jennifer | 23 July 2006 at 01:49 PM
very cool pictures, this is my hobby too! I love it! so many things you can create! you have some very lovely creations!
Posted by: michelle | 23 July 2006 at 02:49 PM
oh molly this is awesome! thank you so much for sharing some of the process with us! cant wait to see them after they have been fired! mulberry huh?
Posted by: hannah | 23 July 2006 at 05:51 PM
Love seeing the process too! Thanks :)
Posted by: wilsonian | 23 July 2006 at 10:58 PM
Thanks for showing the process Molly. Looking forward to seeing the owls.
Posted by: Kristen | 23 July 2006 at 11:00 PM
I love seeing how the process works for your pendants and buttons. Thank you!
Posted by: Melissa | 24 July 2006 at 09:31 AM
Thanks so much for showing the process. As a beginning potter, I always enjoy seeing this kind of thing!
Posted by: amy h | 24 July 2006 at 03:09 PM
mark me down for a couple of those owl buttons...they look absolutely adorable!! and I am really contemplating buying a small pendant to add to my "molly" collection. :)
love the new stuff!
.♥.
Posted by: Jenn (knittyJenn) | 24 July 2006 at 03:17 PM
you made me reminisce about my studio days (pre-kiddos) and all my pottery friends at our co-op. great post.
Posted by: jennifer | 24 July 2006 at 11:54 PM