Kiln shelf

A sample of what a shelf looks like as I unload the kiln.


There are not always two layers on each shelf like this, but I try for two whenever possible as it really saves on energy to fire the kiln. The tricky part is to judge the weight of the beads so the wires don't sag. I don't always get this right and here is a couple of samples from sagging wires:



If you picked up any of the accidentally glazed together beads at my last trunk show and have made them into a finished product - let me know. I'm anxious to see how they turned out. These two pieces are the beginnings of my next pile......

Thanks for checking in on me,
Elaine

Another new shape......

See you Friday and Saturday at Ornamentea!

Friday is the day...........

Here is a sneak peek at some new colors and shapes I'll have at Ornmentea on Friday and Saturday:







Hope to see you there!

Seasons change and so do I, you need not wonder why........

When Ornamentea's current stock runs out, many Elaine Ray creations will no longer be available on line. Take a look here: http://www.ornamentea.com/ElaineRayRetiring.htm Get those items while you can and be ready for exciting ideas in the works. Some are cooking in the kiln right now -so opening my kiln tomorrow morning is what I'm looking forward to.

For you lucky people living in or near Raleigh, stop by Ornamentea. The selection in the store is way more diverse than what is possible on line, and...... it there will be even more to chose from at my trunk show September 24 and 25.

Hope to see you there!

PS - Take a look at this from Cynthia:

Time to say Good bye to a lovely friend ... last spring I started to use a new glaze that soon became one of my favorites: Leaf

Glazes and their components change over time and the magic seems to have slipped away from this one - so it I can no longer create beads of this beautiful color. If you want to snatch up any that are left, check here at Ornamentea.com to see what they have left in stock, because when it is gone, it is gone!

On a brighter note, keep tuned .... I have the kiln loaded with a new greenish color that also loves the buff clay. My plan is to fire the kiln tomorrow, so I may have pictures on Saturday.

Opps!

What happens when you put a tray of beads out in the sun to dry and forget about them until after the rain storm?

Bummer!

And now for something completely different...........




A couple of years ago I took a class with Chris Campbell, a local potter who is nationally know for her work with colored porcelain clay. The murrinis I made in class were intended to become plates, bowls and vases, though those items never quite materialized and the clay sat idle with all its lovely potential wrapped in damp cloths and plastic. I realized that if I was ever going to set that clay free for the world to see, it would have to be in bead form. Each bead is hand rolled with attention given to balance the colors of clay, which leads them to be nonuniform is size, but uniform in pretty. Visit Chris's web site for more information and a beautiful tour of color at ccpottery.com.

The beads are available for purchase at Ornamentea (the shop) and will soon be available on Ornamentea.com .

Thanks for helping me set this lovely clay free to go out and beautify the world!