Autumn Color Combinations

Hey All,
Now that school has started, I'm so excited to make serious progress on my ceramics.  To start out with, I'm doing a color study of autumn color blends.  Here are some of my tries.  I love how the colors have mixed and filled in the recesses.  I couldn't predict all of the color blending, but, that is the beauty of ceramics--unpredictability.  Here are some recent creations (I just posted on etsy).  Do you have any fun color blending experiments to share?

Curved Bracelet Bars using a combination of teal and a crystaline green glaze.

Some of my favorite old-looking glazes blending together in stripes.  I started with blue, rust, and yellow.

I love how this turned out!  I could never have predicted the cool fire-like look here.  It's hard to tell, but there are some sparkles in the chocolate brown too.

This was an experiment gone right (I have many that don't go right).  My favorite thing here is how the glazes blended together in the recesses to really emphasize the design.

Same type of deal as before but I used a terra cotta color instead of blue.  Honestly, I like the blue better, but this is still lots of fun.  

Happy Creating!
-Kathy

Oak Leaf and Acorn Jewelry

A while ago I moved from the desert to a place with lots of lovely oak trees.  Oak trees remind me of where I grew up, so I have a great affinity for them and decided to use them as inspiration for my next wave of pieces.  I've focused on the lovely recognizable leaf shape as well as adorable acorns.  Here are some of my newest pieces.  Click here for more of my recent creations.

Mandala Pendants and Charms

Hi All, I had a crazy last several months moving and getting settled in a new place, and now that I have, I can't keep away from my clay.  I have always loved circles and I've always loved mandalas, so I decided to make a series of original mandala style pendants and charms.  I hope you like them.  Here are some pics...
 
Happy Creating, Kathy

PS. I just listed them on my etsy site, pajegoarthouse.etsy.com if you are interested in using these in your jewelry creations.

Warm Brown Jewelry Connectors --Aren't they pretty?

Glossy Terra-Cotta Pendant with Tulip Detail

Blue with Tulip Detail (I love tulips)

2-Hole Half-Circle Pendants with Original Flower Design and Rustic Colors

Rustic Multi-Color Pendant

Brighter Colored Pendant

And, of course, charms for earrings

Student Work - Carved Ceramic Tiles

I have a bunch of wonderful talented art students (ranging from 7-14 yrs old).  We have recently been working on carved ceramic tiles.  For this project, the students have to draw a design, roll out clay, cut it, and carve it.  They have to learn to work with different clay tools and have to work with clay in different stages of dryness.  Here are two examples of work from my students.  This is a brother and sister...

This first tile, is about an inch thick (not including the tail of the plane).  It was made from earthenware ceramic clay which was fired, painted with acrylic paints, and attached to a wire stand. (Cool tip for your own art: this stand is actually one of those receipt points they use in restaurants.  I got this one at Office Max.)  The artist cleverly tilted the plane on the wire to showcase it better.

This pretty tile is about 1 foot long.  It was made from earthenware clay that was fired and painted with acrylic paints.  The mermaid has a wire on the back of the tile so she can hang on the wall.  This piece has a lot of detailed texture. 

I can't wait to see how my other students' tiles turn out. And I would love to see or hear about your creations...

Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Hot Air Balloon Necklaces

October is a fantastic month to be in Albuquerque, NM.  During the first and second weeks of October (usually), Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta.  For two weeks it is fun to wake up in the morning to dozens of colorful balloons over head.  There are special events such as the special shape balloon take off, or the glowdio's at night where the balloons are lit up.  People around here love their hot air balloons and for two weeks balloons are life.  I personally love the whimsy and brightness of hot air balloons.  Seeing so many at once is like nothing else.  So, in light of this wonderful inspiration, I decided to make some necklaces.  First, here is a real life balloon pic, followed by my newest pieces.  Hope you like them. (I'm listing them for sale on etsy.  If you are interested click here or here.)
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Colorful Ceramic Vials

I had an etsy customer comment that she liked the turtle vial I made (see earlier post), but she would like to see more vials in a variety of colors (and I changed up the patterns too).  She also hoped that they would be different heights (These are around 4" high for the ceramic part).   Here are some ones I just finished.  They are a lot of fun, and they are colorful--although you can see my love for blue.  Also, I like how they are not all perfectly upright.  I think that gives them a handmade feel.  These were made with my handmade stamps.  I hope you like them. 
Happy Creating!
--Kathy

Butterfly and Peacock Paintings

I was recently asked to teach painting at a birthday party for 12 year old girls.  We will do a 1 hr. canvas painting, and the birthday girl was having a hard time deciding whether to do a butterfly design or a peacock design.  (I have to admit the peacock idea I stole from my sister :)  So, to help the birthday girl decide, I did a mock up of the two ideas.  These designs are simple and pretty, keeping both the time-frame as well as the girls' age in mind.  I hope you like them.  I wonder what she'll pick...
Happy Creating!  --Kathy