With going back to ceramics next week I’ve been spending time thinking about the projects I plan to start. This will be my fourth and final class and I feel a bit of pressure to complete everything I can this semester since I don’t know how long it will be until I get to work with clay again, which is a sad thought. Because I’ve had three classes to experiment, I have a pretty good idea of the things I want to hone in on and make more of to possibly sell or at least make multiple variations of.

Firstly I plan to make many cauldrons. I want to continue trying to find a way to add chicken feet in an effective way since the couple cauldrons that I’ve made so far with them took me many hours and I still haven’t found a look I am happy with. I’m very excited to start working bigger and making a few large cauldrons as well. Last semester I found an effective way to add small and simple feet to the cauldrons that I also want to continue working with. This is definitely my favorite shape to throw and I’m ready to get back on the wheel.

Another thing I’m excited to dive into is making smaller Baba Yaga Huts. I want the windows to be open and the roof to be removable to that incense or candles can be placed in them, as well as any other objects. Working smaller also gives me the opportunity to make design variations and make each of them unique. The biggest challenge will be finding a way to make the base of the house and the feet quickly and effectively so that I can spend more time on the designs and small details. I see more mold making in my future.

Lastly, I plan to make a series of wall sculptures that are based on tarot cards, specifically the Ace Cards. There are 4 Aces, one for each suit: Ace of Cups, Ace of Wands, Ace of Swords, and Ace of Pentacles (Based on the traditional Rider Waite Deck). This all started with me wanting to make the Ace of Cups since it stands for creativity and creation, as well as love and abundance. But I soon realized that I love all of the ace cards and their messages and each of them would be a blast to create. One thing that will be consistent is the hand sculpture that will appear to come out of the wall holding the objects. Before the semester ended in the Spring I was able to sculpt my first hand and learned a valuable lesson, which is the hand and the object need to be made together in order for them to fit back in place after being in the kiln. I think this project will be the most difficult one that I attempt this semester but also the most rewarding and I’m excited to get started.

I can’t wait to keep you all updated here on how all of my projects are coming along as well as figuring out what I will be displaying in the Senior Exhibit this semester!