Finished! - Just in time for Christmas.

Its been a bit of a struggle in the cold but the 4 figures are finally finished...
Now all I have to do is manage to deliver them in this weather.  The roads are fine but the big hurdle seems to be getting the car up the drive - I think an entire drive shovel is in store....ho hum...

So... Seasons Greetings to you all, and hopefully much more to come in the New Year.

Moragx

Pinkie Nurse

Pinkie Nurse

Gay Gordons

Gay Gordons

Bisque Success!

Thankfully, all 4 figures were successfully fired to 1150C this week.  Below are the underglazed figures, having been taken inside overnight.  Firstly to dry and secondly, to make sure they dont freeze out in the garage, its well minus double digits here in the North East...

The translucency and colour of glaze on top of the underglaze determines how the finished figure will look, it also emphasises the words and tears on the clay, as well as giving a depth to the surface which cannot be achieved by 'painting by numbers' with glaze. 

A selection of hands and tools

This pair will be in red tartan eventually

TSC...Sssssssh!

Pinkie Nurse

Still Making!

These are the updates on my Christmas commissions, I only have the head of the top secret commission (TSC) to complete and its slooooooooow firing....

TSC

TSC

Can you tell what it is yet?

Pinkie Nurse

Commissions in progress...

Finding the motivation to layer up the hats, gloves, leggings and jumpers in this weather is difficult but I am very pleased with how these commissions are going.

The Gay Gordons has finally been made with the Man's hand going in the right direction! The head is mark 2 as the first one I made was far too old and much too small - it looked like a peahead...
I am also pleased with the Pinkie Nurse.  Getting the poses correct is a delicate business, its best not to start off with a concrete idea of how you want the pose to look as it sometimes takes a few tries to get it looking right.  Proportion is always tricky, I've lost count of the number of arms I have made for figures which had to be scrapped due to them looking like gorillas...

Gay Gordons, with the green version behind

This commission has words included which are personal to them - and some unpronouncable Orcadian words!

Shoes belonging to the Pinkie Nurse

The ruler is to prop the arm while drying - it also gives an indication of scale

These figures are s-l-o-w-l-y drying and the first firing will be crucial.  With all the cold weather, its difficult to tell if the clay may have frozen and thawed in parts creating tiny fissures and air bubbles.  The only way to be sure is by firing incredibly slowly and crossing fingers.....Wish me luck!

Christmas Commissions

Well, after the great success of Teacosy in Rosemount.  I must get on with the other work in hand.  It seems everyone wants a pair of 'Fit/ Like' Earrings - I sold 11 pairs on Saturday!

I have finished couple of Doric Delft boxes which were especially comissioned at NEOS and thought I would post a few pics if my (now all sold) earrings.  Theres still Shakkie/ Doon and Broth/ Stovies earrings left though!

Made for a well-known Scottish Blogger and Author

'Heelster Gowdie' more Buckie than Peterheid!

Bachled

Earrings are incredibly popular, stay posted for more...

TEACOSY on Saturday!

A message to everyone who values handmade, quality, one off Christmas Presents; Teacosy is back!
At Rosemount Community Centre, Belgrave Terrace, Rosemount, Aberdeen. 
12pm till 6pm
The first 50 people through the door will recieve a free goodie bag!
Here was the snow at my house 8 days ago - its just got worse since then....If I can make it SO CAN YOU!

Confused chickens - never seen snow before

You can barely see these shrubs and the barrel now

Here is a sneak preview of the goodies I have been making for this year - they are freshly made in the pics, raw clay with no glaze. 

Swedish style tree cones

'Sunty Claas'

More cones