I love old houses with character, and charm!
It’s the inspiration behind my handmade dinnerware
called Vintage Cottage. The design reminds me of an old tin ceiling,
in a home with beautiful woodwork, moldings, old wooden floors,
radiators, and a claw foot tub. We actually had a claw foot tub in the first house my husband and I purchased. It was built in 1912, it had original varnished woodwork, huge cast iron radiators and old wooden floors. I miss that house. Too bad we couldn’t take it with us when we moved.
The dinnerware starts out as a bag of B-Mix clay. A combination of stoneware and porcelain. I love working with this clay, it’s so smooth and really nice to work with. It does have its draw backs though. Sometimes it tends to crack. So, I baby it. As long as I let it dry slow, it’s fine. Do you like my water bucket? I like to recycle.
I cut chunks of clay with my wire tool, and smash them together on my slab roller. I kind of like this part. I get to punch it! Those marks are from the end of my fist. Oh, here’s a tip! If you want a really nice clean surface, use an old sheet over your canvas. I use them all the time. I have a draw full of old sheets that I cut up to fit my slab roller. I also cover the clay with another sheet as well, so both sides have a nice smooth clean surface.
After I roll out the clay, I add texture, then cut out what I need, and shape it into plates. I let them dry a little, so they set up and don’t lose they’re shape. Then I clean them, let them dry completely, and then bisque fire them. And this is what my handmade plates look like after they’ve been bisque fired. This is a dinner plate and a lunch/side plate
Each plate and bowl is made one at a time, so each one is unique, and different. The design will differ slightly from plate to plate, and from bowl to bowl, depending on where I cut out the plate, or bowl from the slab.
These are side plates
After they’re washed, I let them dry. Then I wax the bottoms, and let them dry again. Once they’re completely dry, I can start glazing. I usually start glazing the bottoms first, then the top and end with the rim.
These are glazed in Antique Celadon Green by Duncan
I like this glaze!
This bowl was glazed in Vintage Blue by Duncan
This glaze is Deep Olive Speckle by Potters Choice
This is Deep Sienna Speckle by Potters Choice
And this one is Deep Firebrick by Potters Choice
I really want to try these new glazes by Amaco.
I think Vintage Cottage would look fabulous in these colors!
Which color do you like?
I might try these too!
What do you think?
Which color would you like for your kitchen or dinning room?
Beautiful pattern & colors. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks Jim! 🙂
I like your work and like the colour: marigold.
Thank you! 🙂