Bird Mirror Frame

I finally completed a mirror frame for a custom order. The frame has ceramic, sgraffito decorated birds and wormy apples glued to the edges. Here's a step-by-step view (with a few steps left out).

 Here are the bone-dry porcelain figures with black slip left as detail.

...and here is the pine frame after it's rough cut, glued and drying in the clamps.

The frame shape is drawn out and waiting to be cut on the bandsaw.

Here's the final shape awaiting the sanding job.

Here I am routing the backside of the recently sanded frame. The routed area will allow for the mirror glass to sit securely.

Here's a close-up of the routed area. A little sanding will be needed here before I apply primer and final paint.

...and here's the bright orange frame as requested by the customer.

Here is the completed frame with creatures attached at the sides, clear glass buttons added to the front, mirror glass installed and a hanging device added to the back. That's a line in the ceiling that you see in the mirror.

A detail shot of the underglazed birds. Done!

Newest Home Project

Here are a few pictures of my latest home improvement project. I recently poured a concrete slab (with brick border) and built a brick and cedar enclosure to house our garbage can and recycle containers. What a great improvement to an unsightly spot at the side of our house. It's not entirely finished but today I installed two metal crow sculptures (I made them today!) to add a fun surprise in this partially hidden corner. I love my plasma cutter! Much nicer.

A New Batch of Mugs

Here's a bunch of mugs I recently made. My brother is going to sell them in the coffee shop at his church.

Fantastic Cardboard Sculptures by Ann Weber

I saw Ann Weber's work in the latest issue of American Craft and was amazed. She is able to create very impressive sculptures from such simple materials, mostly cardboard, staples and shellac. I love the surface quality and patterns she develops with the paper. Check out her website!                                                                           

http://annwebersculpture.com/html/sculpture.html

Bad Girl Mug

Are you a bad girl?

Raku Horsehair Pots

Here are four of my Raku pots that are decorated with the horsehair technique. If you're not familiar, the technique is as described here: The piece of pottery, which has previously been bisque fired, is loaded into the Raku kiln. At about 1400 °F it is removed from the kiln with long tongs and set upon a turntable. Quickly, and carefully, strands of horsehair are laid on the surface of the pot. They immediately "frizzle" and smoke. The burning hair leaves its mark permanently on the face of the pot. The smoke also leaves its mark giving the piece a smoke "blush". Once the desired pattern of burned hair is complete the pot is allowed to cool naturally. Afterward the ash residue is washed from the pot and when it is thoroughly dry it may be hand-colored and sealed with acrylic sealer.