Karen’s Pottery

Here are some bird whistles I’ve been making. I’ve never made them before. Hopefully, they will survive firing and still whistle. These are water whistles. You put water in the belly of the bird and the water changes the whistle to a warble.

As I recover from hip replacement surgery and await my kiln to be repaired or replaced, I decided to make bird whistles. I’m not allowed to go down to my basement studio, so I had my hubby bring some clay and tools up to me. Working with the clay and creating art really helps lift my spirits. I’ll post some pictures when I have more made. If you want some, let me know.

So, I am laid up for several weeks. I had a total hip replacement last Wednesday. All is well, just need to heal.

I made quite a few fairy houses this past month, but unfortunately my kiln is still broken. We got the elements replaced, but now something else is broken. The kiln I have is an older model and is not made anymore, nor are the parts, so my hubby is going to try retrofitting the control panel. I guess I will be working on other crafts for a few months.

I just added my catfish mugs to the boutique, plus a couple other spring/summer mugs. Also, I improved the mushroom boxes so the top fit better and flatter on the bases. See below.

I’m running a sale at my booth at Inspire Crafts and Boutique in Jackson: $5 off all mugs!

Mugs are great Mother’s Day gifts! Mugs can be used all year long. Microwave and dishwasher safe, too. Give a gift they will remember you for every time they take a sip!

Looky what I’ve been working on. Still waiting on kiln elements.

I am back from New Mexico. Unfortunately, my kiln broke before I left, and my husband is having trouble getting the parts to fix it. I have some cool torus vases I want to fire.

I’m going to start working on gnome/fairy houses for gardens. I also saw some other cool ideas for the garden, watch for those.

I’ve been in New Mexico awaiting the birth of my daughter’s first child, and he is finally here and home. He had an extended stay in the hospital to help get his metabolism regulated, but he is home and healthy.

I have some fun pots waiting to be bisqued, glazed, and fired, so new pots are coming soon.

I delivered some new pots to Inspire Crafts and Boutique this weekend. What’s new? Lemon Juicers, Herb St*****rs, Pear Mugs with tops, new apple bakers and ring holders, too. I also added the big apple and pear I made, too.

These are torus vases. My daughter-in-law saw them and snapped them up. I have 3 more in progress. One is a standing vase and the other hangs on a wall. They can be whatever color you want, and they are glazed inside, so they do hold water.

I’ve been down in Tennessee taking care of my mom for two weeks. I’ll be home Sunday, and will fire some items and make some new ones next week. I can’t wait to see if the torus vases turn out.

I have a sale on my Valentines pottery. Most prices are $5 less than before. I also added yarn bowls, a big deco bowl and flower mug, etc. check them out at Inspire Crafts and Boutique.

Yarn bowls! The red & purple one is about 6 1/2” wide and 3” tall. The blue one is about 6” wide by 3” tall. $30/ each.

This is another torus vase that stands by itself. A torus is frequently called a “donut”, but these are hollow and hold water.

Second attempt at decorating my torus vase with a branch and bird. I tried regular clay the first time, and it fell apart. This is with paper clay (regular cone 5/6 clay mixed with tissue paper). The fibers from the paper add strength. I hollowed the bird out, so it would dry and be lighter, too.

New pieces I made for Valentines Day! These are at Inspire in Jackson.

I should be able to bisque fire some new pieces this weekend. I just pulled out some salt pigs (vessels that hold salt, like a salt cellar, see below) some more coasters, spoon rests and bowls.

Coming soon: Valentines mushroom pots, vases, bowls, puffy hearts, and mugs. I also have yarn bowls, a mixed media bowl, and a huge shallow bowl drying. BTW, I improved the design of the tops of the mushrooms so they sit flat on the base.

I’m up for suggestions.

A few new pots.

More in process work.