Even though I was absent last month, I really did get a lot of creating accomplished. It was my goal to give all of the kids something handmade this year that hopefully wasn't too hand made looking if you know what I mean. 😉
I managed to get 2 hats knitted, 2 scarves woven, some pottery that I felt was nice enough to be used and a big knitted cowl for Hannah that will go back to school with her in a few weeks. (It's been nice to have her home!)
I was so pleased with the pottery above. I gifted the mug and the bowl to my oldest daughter Stacey and I kept the batter bowl for myself. I was so pleased with them, but the batter bowl was my break through piece for me. I finally mustered up the courage to trim this bowl hard, which is not easy to do mentally because you are always worried you are going to trim too much and put a hole into it.
I learned so much with this grouping. A different glazing technique, different throwing, making handles and more aggressive trimming.
I also made these 2 bowls and while the bowl with the handles is heavy enough to clock an intruder in the head and knock him out, I still learned a lot about being in control of the desired shape and adding handles. Aggressive trimming was needed here, but the fear factor got the best of me…. it's all a learning process for getting a tactile feeling for what you are doing and it's fun!
The smaller bowl is one that I was very pleased with. It's a sturdy bowl that is a nice size and is very even around the top and sides. I was very happy with the way the glaze came out too.
Here is the inside of the smaller bowl
Isn't it pretty?
All in all, I think that the things that I gifted to the kids came out pretty good and I was happy to share some handmade gifts with them this year. I hope that they were happy to receive them.
Next week I will show you the woven scarves and the big knitted cowl I am working on for Hannah. 🙂
The Woolen Rabbit 
Making handmade gifts for a large crew is quite an undertaking. Kudos!
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Those are fantastic! By trimming does that mean making it thinner? I can see how that would be a scary thing and I’m glad you are conquering your fears through pottery!
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The tactile feel must be soothing. Learning something new is rewarding, especially when you get to the point you start to feel how it works and how to get the result you want. Love the look of all your pieces.
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I LOVE that pottery – it’s so so pretty and yet useful! A double-win gift! 🙂
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Beautiful work, Kim! One of my best friends here in Kalamazoo is an artist specializing in pottery/ceramics. I know from watching her how challenging it is to work with clay — and how rewarding when the pieces come out of the kiln just the way you were hoping. Lovely, lovely pieces!
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Your pottery is so gorgeous, I bet your kids loved it! (If not you can adopt me and I’d promise to love them lol ;p )
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Beautiful, beautiful work Kim! I’ll bet I’ll be BUYING your work at the NH Craftsman store next summer! 🙂
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Your pottery is tremendous!
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Beautiful pottery. I love gifting and getting handmade gifts. They are truly from the heart
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WOW. Very impressive, especially the spout.
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These are beautiful! I love the batter bowl. Working with clay on a wheel is (to me) so incredibly difficult. Youre inspiring me to try it again–I failed so hard at it when I was younger (and much more impatient) that I haven’t tried in 20 years.
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Oh, wow! I love the pottery! When you start making it for us? Please, in your spare time, make pottery to sell!
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