Wednesday, December 20, 2017

SOFT SOUNDS

CERAMIC CHIMES
CERAMICS I
clay, glaze & oxides

This has been the second year to try out this assignment with my newbie clay kids.
It's the very first time I put clay in the student's hands at beginning of year,
and it's love at first touch
ha ha
I've got them hooked for life!
And each one of my students from last years Ceramics I class (2016-2017) 
is represented on this piece.
Last year we gifted the chimes to our Vice Principal's secretary Cindy Bailey.
This year we presented it to our beloved finance secretary Donna Main.
Merry Xmas Donna!
We love you
xoxoxox
Each student was required to make 2 tiles, 
one circular & one rectangular.
Stamping was required on both as well as a stamped word of text.
Of course a hole at top and bottom for stringing.

And then as a finish,
they were required to do at least 2 glazing operations.
Many of the students chose to stain with oxides first then to glaze with Transparent,
others stained or glazed first then put glass shards into crevices.
And some did a half/half thing.
We are already planning out how to finish off this years chimes.
We are thinking half of them into the Sawdust Firing, 
the other half into a bright glaze for contrast.

Our next recipient?
It's a surprise.

I want to send out a great big thank you to senior Lynette Lee
who very patiently and carefully strung the chimes for me,
and to
Alum Jordan Joyce,
on a visit, 
who was put to work arranging them.
hee hee

11 comments:

  1. absolutely stunning! wish I was in your class, Merry Christmas

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    1. This is a really fun first experience with clay, the kids get really excited to learn more.

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    1. Thanks Jen, the kids are gonna love your comment!

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  3. What a gorgeous arrangement- each piece delicate and crafted well

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  4. Each one unique, but all relying on the others to give it a voice. Metaphor for a world that needs beauty and unity.

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    1. Thanks Liz for the blog reminder, haven't posted since winter break started. I better get on it again. Glad you liked the chimes, they are fun!

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  5. Hi Deb. I love seeing the wonderful work of your students. You have great ideas for projects and this is one of them. Love that you share with someone on completion. Best wishes for a wonderful year!

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    1. Thank you Susan, I appreciate your kind words. It just kind of happened naturally when the succulents started to grow again. And the community loom was an idea I've been brewing for a couple of years now, ever since I saw it on Pinterest.

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  6. so happy to have found this blog as I am a beginning pottery student, after being mostly a quilter for the last 20-plus years. It's all so different from working with fabric and thread and I love it. This chime is incredible. I've had thoughts brewing along these lines myself and this is a great example. What is the medium used to "string" the tiles together?

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