Today was my first day in the studio this year. It felt great to be back!

My studio New Years resolution is to keep better studio records so I can replicate things. For instance, I’ve got a plate from last year that’s just the right size, but I can’t remember how much clay I started out with. So today I made plates, starting with 1.5# clay and working my way up in half pound increments.

For each plate, I measured the diameter of the centered disk of clay then the finished plate with the rim and noted it on a card. I’ll record all of this information into a binder.  Once finished I’ll record the diameter of each plate again, and decide which sizes I want to move into production (one dinner size and one salad size). This was with the Dover White clay body; I’ll do the same with the B-Mix body in another session. Here are the results from today’s session:

The first four came out perfect, and I’ll have to redo the last two (3.5# because the bottom is too thin and 4# because the bottom is too thick!).

I love having the time and space to do this sort of work.

Happy New Year!

The gallery is closed for winter renovations. During the closure I will do pottery sales by appointment. Contact me at dina at zizziba dot com. I’ll also be setting the Etsy store back up in the next few weeks.

Thanks to all of you for your support in 2011. I’m so looking forward to a fantastic 2012!

Here’s a glimpse of some of the work that’s in the gallery at the moment:

Fine art cards and prints by Christina Scherer Wall art by Dudley Bacon, Rob Dutton and Ivy Gottschalk Woodland doll by Margaret Banker
Boutique items Scarves by Louise Hall Greeting cards by Dudley Bacon Jewelry by Carole Southwick
A whole table of gifts! Ornaments by Wendy Garrison and Dena Servis Mug Mats by Wendy Garrison And, of course, pottery!
New Pottery on the shelves.
Tatted Lace by Dena Servis
Lace frame satin print of Lomaki Ruins at Wupatki, north of Flagstaff, by Dudley Bacon
Modern quilt by Wendy Garrison
Wine bags by Wendy Garrison Tatted lace ornaments by Dena Servis Herb plant stakes by Yours Truly
Hand-hammered sterling silver and copper jewelry accented with semi-precious stones. Carole Southwick.

Is the First Friday ArtWalk really two days away? Yes indeed, it sure is. Stop by to taste Dudley’s chili for the chili cookoff, have a glass of wine and browse the gallery. Great gift ideas in stock!

Flagstaff ArtWalk

Here are a few pictures of the gallery. Click for larger images.

The sign:

Inside: