Ceramics Day 3

Trying to squeeze 3 or 4 hours in here and there to dedicate to my little mugs... This time I've taken great care to the designs of the mugs, in particular the consistency of the thickness of the clay for each mug, the handles and the area where 'mug meets base'.

This care and attention I feel is necessary following the first batch of mugs that have emerged from the kiln. Some have cracked and distorted considerably, which may be for a number of reasons, including the above. Also, following my handles research, I feel that I need to step my game up on some that are more attractive and better fitting.

Keeping in mind the raw clay is subject to noticeable shrinkage when drying and following 2 firings, the following are some shots from the 'sturdier' range of mugs that I'm developing. Not quite so cute and more chunky than I've produced before, but I'm hoping with a good choice of colours, a bit of shrinkage and a subtle pattern and texture, this could potentially really work. Fingers crossed for next week!

Another few hours are penciled in for tomorrow morning, some glaze experiments soon and then the final batches out by next weekend. I hope...!

Designs - Fashion

 After experimenting with some of my stamp designs, I've started to consider their use as prints for fashion. In all honesty, I'm pleasantly surprised and I quite like them :)

 To put this to practice - IF I have the time - potentially before the Final Show rather than the deadline, I may try to print some fabric and mock up a really basic garment, or buy a simple and plain white garment and naturally dye/stamp it..... Just something else to go on the wish list of things to do with my non-existent time plan.

String Stamps & Books

I've been trying to work out what to do with my string stamps which I experimented with a while ago. I love the subtlety of them, how rough and textured they are, yet how well the string can work as a coherent pattern...

Started playing around with one of my favourite patterns and different colour combinations, focusing on a range of muted and quite earthy tones. I'm thinking book covers hand printed onto heavyweight linen, or screen printed as a range? Both are handmade processes, I'm thinking stamping straight on will actually be quicker than preparing a screen/stripping it/setting up/drying etc etc.... Decisions, decisions!

Ceramics Day 2

Business Card

In preparation for the PPD Interviews on Monday, I've used some of the branding from Paul just to mock up a really simple business card. I have plans to consult with Paul and finalise my design, then print the cards on high quality paper and print press. This will give a really tactile and handmade look, but with a highly professional finish to the business cards, reflecting the nature of my work.

A simple design I've used in preparation for tomorrow:
[Front/Back]

Ceramics

Some photos from my recent couple of days in ceramics - first mock ups, ideas of glazes and a few images of designs for the glazes and possible effects I'm thinking of. I want to keep a really simple and neutral design by means of shapes and colour used, with a small detail to texture and the organic, handmade quality to the pieces.

Scarves to Print

I've been talking to Paul and Nancy lots lately, they've been super helpful in giving me a little more confidence in doing what I want to do... So with a nudge from them I'm booked in to print some of my initial designs on silk tomorrow on the digital printers. The designs are scaled at 30x30cm, so ideal for small scarves, and have originated from photographs taken from Temple Newsam. I've used shapes from natural forms and have also taken inspiration from wallpaper designs and fashion accessories I've had my eyes on lately.

Playing with slight variations of colour and layout using 2 original patterns...

Inks

Sorry for the naff photos, but a few of the best experiments with inks from yesterday. So easy to get carried away with these! Definitely gaining some ideas about means of mark making and building up a layered pattern ... potentially to be scanned in and printed digitally, at least for research purposes.

More Stamps!

These are the hand-carved stamps I've made this evening... Trying out a new pattern I'm working on with the bird - Also just realised it's the wrong way round that I imagined, need to remember the mirror image/stamp effect. oops!

Inverted stamp, playing with positive/negative shapes:

 Need to take the advice of Matt (3D technician), and coat my wood first; as it's natural wood it will soak up the moisture of the ink I use... as I found out below.

This makes for a much less effective stamp - though the results are still quite nice:

 Plan next is to coat the stamps with varnish/pva glue or something along those lines. Maybe try out different types of inks as well- the above is just using some standard ink pads and a touch of water.