For these past 2 weeks, I’ve been working on some smaller projects. I made a goddess pendant, a drip coffee cup, three cauldrons, and two pomegranates. I had a lot of fun working on everything and getting back into throwing on the wheel.

This goddess pendant is the first but not the last, I plan to create a few how I make wall hangings that are small enough to wear around my neck. I want to make a couple so that I can play around with the glazes and find one that I like the most. I made my first one at the end of last semester but she did not survive the firing. I’m hoping this one has better luck. For my next few I want to create some different body types and be inspired by other ancient goddess statues.

I made a drip coffee cup for my boyfriend and am excited to try it out since I have never made coffee that way! I had 2 main goals: I wanted it to be a decent-sized mug since I have had trouble with my mugs always shrinking more than I expected them in the kiln, and the other goal was to have a comfortable handle. I’ll admit, making mugs is not my strong suit and I’ve made a handful now, none of which are comfortable to use. One of my biggest mistakes then was not thinking about what it would actually be like to drink from. So, this time around I kept all of that in mind and I’m eager to see what it will be like after the bisque firing.

It was great to throw some cauldrons again and I missed it over break. I plan to make some larger ones this semester. I threw my largest one yet and used 4 pounds of clay. The other 2 I made are about the usual size I make them at. I spent a whole class throwing all three and then spent an entire day attaching the handles and legs. It ain’t much but it’s hard work. One of my favorite parts is the end when I just spend time refining all of the little details. It is a part of the process I disliked and rushed over at first but I have grown to love it. I am still working through how I want the legs and handles to look, but I like how my cauldrons seem they can get up and start walking at any moment.

Lastly today I made pomegranates! This was so fun and I am going to make more tomorrow. I have been wanting to make these for a while now but was putting it off because it seemed challenging and I wasn’t sure where to start. I watched a few videos of people throwing them and then went for it. It wasn’t too bad because I have practiced with making a bottle shape before which is pretty much all it is. The most challenging part was making the top. I used a wooden paddle at the end to flatten some of the plains since an actual pomegranate isn’t perfectly round. Not that I have more of an understanding I want to make some lanterns and jars out them them! I am excited to see what the finished project will look like.