Flying off to Turkey and Urns

Well, these birds are. She decided she wanted all three!  I would like to go someday.

Urns, for a special person. Just at that wonderful leather-hard stage. Soft and warm.

making vessel Cathy Kiffney studio

Request from Turkey

Email request from a woman in Turkey, last year she brought a group of pieces.  She would like to see more bird with reds, tuquiose, green and blue. I've been wanting to get some more listings up for weeks so it is good to get the extra motivation! Hope she likes them. :)

ceramic wall bird, Cathy Kiffney

ceramic wall bird, Cathy Kiffney

ceramic wall bird, Cathy Kiffney

Birds, birds, birds

Beginning a new commission for Mayo Clinic in MN. These will be the largest of the group.

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Platters, special request

Yellow birds and roses, oval wall platter, Cathy Kiffney

Blue bird and roses, oval wall platter, Cathy Kiffney

Red birds and roses, oval wall platter, Cathy Kiffney

Chickadee and roses, oval wall platter, Cathy Kiffney

Here is the finished commission! Thank goodness, no cracks. I am always worried about cracking with these large pieces. ( about 18-20" high) Very slow firing and slow cooling seem to be the answer.
Here is how they look before the glaze firing. Here
Even earlier while making them, here.wet clay
During the underglaze stage, here, underglaze painting and carving

Hedgehog in the Fog

By the responses I received on my tile giveaway last week, the most popular tile was the Hedgehog. I can understand why--they are so dang cute! Remember the Beatrix Potter story of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle? She was one of my favorites.

Last year I stumbled upon a 1975 Russian animation-- Hedgehog in the Fog, by Sergey Kozlov. He is a famous Russian children's writer, poet, and author of many books, songs and screenplays for children and has won numerous awards.

I was so charmed, it is a wonderful story and a great bedtime story,  even for grown-ups! Good night... :)

I am a rock

ceramic "rock", colored slips on terra-cotta, Cathy Kiffney Studio

How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward. That is what I am hoping for this weekend...Have a great weekend!

Continuing with the commission

For those of you following the platter commission, I've just finished glazing them. This is the raw, unfired stage...now into the kiln! The colors will change pretty dramatically.

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

Cathy Kiffney Studio

The goddess is pleased

Kiln load af pearly glazed birds, Cathy Kiffney Studio

Special order for a bunch of pearly glaze surface birds. :)

A hard working Goddess

kiln goddess of the roses. Cathy Kiffney Studio

Kiln goddess of the roses, working overtime this Labor Day. Don't feel sorry for her, she is a goddess, after all.