most are still unfired so the colors are muted … stay tuned for updates!

Ceramics in Pittsburgh

I spent the past few weeks with my family in Pittsburgh and had a delightful time discovering paper clay and burnishing pottery. I had a less delightful time trying to figure out how to use a kiln to fire my creations at the proper temperature for the proper amount of time. That is definitely the complicated part! I now have a better appreciation for the time and skill and patience it takes to be a ceramic artist. The dark pot on the left in the photo above was supposed to be a brilliant blue — maybe next time!

I also learned that it is important to make metal clay jewelry pieces thicker so that they will be strong after firing.

I worked on the cicada wing earrings and the Chinese lantern pendant — both too thin but beautiful patterns! May apply lantern shell to a ceramic piece later.

Travel Tally

I have spent 278 nights and days away from the United States this year … so far.

Spain 49
Morocco 48
Ireland 36
England 34
Italy 29
Scotland 28
France 19
Portugal 14
Czech Republic 11
Greece 6
Wales 4