Paper Clay

I have been interested in constructing clay as you would paper for a while now.  A bit ago I tried making a book out of clay.   Usual problems with traditional clay arose,  problems with warping and the thickness needed to construct it was frustrating.  Not knowing really too much about paper clay I began to research it on the web and in books.  Basically paper clay is cellulose fiber (paper) broken down that you can mix right in your clay slip (water and clay) to make it SUPER CLAY!  It can be super thin, strong, you can bend it and it can be re worked at various stages of dryness.   Basically everything that a regular clay cannot do paper clay can.  Is this true??  Kinda hard to believe and why didn't I come across this before??!!
I had to see if this was all true......so I began.  

First I broke down the paper in a bucket of water.  Then added my own clay slip to the paper pulp.  Once mixed, laying out to dry in sheets on plaster slabs.

Once dry, I rolled it out super thin.  Got out my glazes and stamps and went to town.  Not totally committed to any one thing, I just wanted to have fun.  What I nice change!! 

I layered sheets of thin paper clay and treated it like a little paper hanging.  I like the torn edges on this first piece and like how I can hang several layers like real paper.  The house is a cut out attached on top.  All in all so far it has lived up to the claims but it still has to go through the firing process......till next time! 

Idea Vault

I have not touched clay since my last show!  It's been weeks.  Not cool.  Many factors; the end of the school year for my girls, new roof on our house and next week solar panels, then I have to tackle a new bathroom.  These are all much needed long overdue projects that need my attention.  These are not the only projects in my mind. 

Yes, this is what I have doing in the meantime.  Researching all the new ideas and planning it all out in my handy dandy sketchbook.  I have many ideas....perhaps too many.  First I have to see if some ideas are technically feasible, some I might scrap cause I don't like where it's going and some I might  not like the process.  Maybe a third of my designs see the actual end result.  This is o.k.  It is great to come back through and re-visit old ideas!
But now I am ready to go!  I NEED to make time however small next week to get in the studio and work.   I am very anxious to share a new direction in clay with you.  I remember a professor in ceramics once said that an idea is not yours till you actually create it.  I think he was trying to stress creating our work and not just putting ideas in our idea vault and letting them sit.  So enough of the sketching it's time to get my hands in some clay! 

Let's Get This Party Started

                                         Early photo of my first years of ikebana containers

Let's start from the beginning.  Well, not that far back but back enough to start my journey to pursue a "career" in pottery.  I left my full time management job at a crafts gallery in Washington D.C. and took a part time job closer to home to pursue this dream.  Soon after my husband and I had our first daughter in 2004 and moved down to the Charleston area of S.C.  Big change!  Things got rolling, built a studio by our garage stayed at home and slowly built my clay career up!  So new home, clay, one baby girl and in 2006 there was another one.  My life was full. 

So what about my work?  What did I make?  Stoneware. Functional. Wheel thrown.  That is how I rolled.  Started off with one or two local shows, then more each year.   I picked up a couple of stores and two wholesale accounts at local Plantation gift shops.  Yes, Plantations.  Middleton Gardens and Magnolia Plantation and if you are a transplant from the north, they are the real deal.  This area has been very beneficial selling your work as there is a big influx of tourists in the area. 

2013.  This year has had it's ups and downs.  Over the new year I was ready to approach new galleries a little outside the area and hopefully pick up another wholesale account.  I couldn't do it.  Just the thought of making 20 more mugs, 20 more dip servers or honey pots for an account felt like work!  Let's face it I made a little money but I was maxed out with my time and energy.  The "Make To sell" process for me had run it's course.  I was making to fill tables at shows and not inspired by my pieces anymore.  I still loved clay and making but not the process of only making items to sell.  

This is my reason to start my blog.  Many things are changing in my little Terra Locale biz and I am bringing whoever wants to come along on my journey!