Clay Owl

 I've told you all before about my little artist at home.  My oldest daughter has wanted to be an artist since she was 5 years old.  She's been taking lessons in watercolor painting and acrylic painting and drawing  since she was 6.   I took her to an artists exhibition a couple of years ago and I really thought she'd love to see the artists painting.  I was surprised to find her reaction lukewarm.  Then, we made it around to the last station and there was a lady throwing a pot on the wheel.  Isabella's mouth dropped open and she just stood there and stared.  I knew immediately she wanted to do it. 

Over the past couple of years, I have been trying to find someone to work with her.  The first place she went was a chain studio that had the kids make some bowls.  She produced some nice bowls, but the teacher didn't teach any finishing skills such as trimming, sanding etc.  They did all of that for the kids after they had left.  The shop was more concerned with them producing a product that kids could show their parents and say "look what I made!"  And that is great.  But for a kid who wants to really be an artist, who needs to learn how to do all aspects of a medium, this wasn't going to work for us. 

She did a summer camp at the Craft Guild of Dallas, but really was in over her head with lack of experience.  I think now she could hold her own and really learn some things, but a year and a half ago it was too much.

That brings us to now when we have been lucky to find a potter willing to work with her.  She has been a godsend.  Isabella has been taking lessons with her for about 6 months, and we got her a pottery wheel for Christmas.  She is still very much in the beginning stages of learning her craft, but between she and I we have fallen head over heels in love working with clay. 

I have a little Paragon SC3 kiln here at home that I've been firing low fire clay and glazes  in big thanks to Tess of Nova of Sweden for the help in figuring it all out.    We use a large kiln for hire for Isabella's larger pieces.

That brings me to Clay Owl.  It is a little ceramic shop we have opened on Etsy as a collaboration shop with Isabella and I both making things for it.  I of course will be running it until she is of age, but the long term goal is for her to learn all aspects of running a shop from designing, manufacturing, photos, listings, management of supplies etc....  We named it Clay Owl because my girl is owl crazy. 

I enjoy making jewelry components, (surprise, surprise ;) ) and my little jewelry plates.  One day I hope to be brave enough to try the wheel myself!  I do love the break from metal working, dealing with clay is very different.  Much softer.  ;)

My style is similar to my metal work.  Full of texture.  Lots of hand stamping.  The glazes is what has me captivated.  I am thoroughly enjoying the color.  Mixing and matching, contrasting, complimenting.  I just love it.  I'm coveting a large kiln and working with high fire clays and glazes.  All in good time I suppose!

Following are some examples of the pieces I have listed in the shop.  I hope you'll get a chance to check out our little shop by clicking here:

http://clayowl.etsy.com 

 Plates for jewelry, candles, soap etc.......

 Wholesale lot of jewelry components.  I find myself making more pieces than I'll ever be able to use.  I will be offering wholesale lots like these in the shop and perhaps individual pieces or sets as jewelry components for all the fabulous jewelry designers to make pieces with.  This one is a mix of rounds with a hole and some flat backed pieces as well mixed in.

 Earrings