a stoneware commission, kiln unload (video), and laying a stone patio
Creative Thursday on Friday!
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I’ve been busy in the studio and the garden - one demanding my time more than the other. We should have been in Italy yesterday, but the firing schedule for my kiln required an extra day or two. So we’ll leave on Tuesday of next week. Meanwhile it’s been back to back firings - bisque and glaze - for about 8 days now.
Several of the pieces have to go to Italy, which is why I needed to finish them before heading down. Here is a set of eight large and extra large flat bowls that are for a very special winery client in beautiful Monforte d’Alba.
The client chose 4 different glazes and these pieces can be mixed together in any way. The extra large pieces are approximately 12.5 inches in diameter, and the smaller ones are about 10 inches in diameter. They are all high fired stoneware and can go in the oven and dishwasher. These forms are so organic and free.
I finished up the small rice bowls I slip painted and carved on this video and glazed on this one . I love the shape of them and I know I’ll make more to sell. Such a great, useful size.
Here’s a little video of unloading the kiln!
The gardening front is more complicated. We have a stone back patio that was literally covered in moss for years. The last three summers we were allowing our aging and failing beloved dog to use it as a padded, cool place to lay outside. He left us last summer (broken hearted).
This year I’ve committed myself to a rather large project: remove all the stones, clear out the earth and weeds from in between, and relay them.
To be honest, I was scared to even start this project because I’ve never done anything like this before. I was afraid the whole patio would fall apart from just taking out one stone. But I started slowly, and I’m working slowly; whenever the weather is nice I do another patch.
Here’s a before shot (yikes) in January:
Here are a couple of progress shots:
I am actually enjoying coming up the learning curve of recreating this patio. I think it will be beautiful when I’m finished - I’m shooting for the end of August to have it done.
It’s always good to try a turn at a project that seems scary. Just taking it slow is the key, and learning while you go. The relaying of this patio would have cost us in the five figures, so this is a huge savings, and I’m able to reuse all the old material. These stones are beautiful.
Here’s our back garden at sunset. We’ve built 6 raised beds that will get planted as soon as we get back from Italy.
We leave large patches of the ground back here un-mowed for the bees. It’s alive with activity.
The pottery is beautiful! I wish I knew how to make useful things. Your garden is, too. Just as it is. Taking things slow and learning as you go is how I've learned everything I know about growing a garden. I think that's pretty good advice for just about everything in life.
Oh Diana! First of all, planning your travel around the firing of/in your kiln feels like an organic metaphor. Not to mention laying pavers stone by stone and removing others as a new journey. And the wonderful little bowls! That fruit platter!! I am trying to figure out how to crawl through my screen to claim it. Your work is gorgeous—absolutely stunning in its simplicity and the confidence of its intention.