updated: 8 September 2025, Wellington (didn't see the blood moon this morning as it was raining)
## paint-a-mug
My first paint-a-mug session was a success with everyone saying they had a great time. I'm planning a second one this coming Friday and have five people sign-up. This time only one person I know.
## play
I bought a bag of mid-fire porcelain because I wanted to make ghost figure tealights for halloween and for the cute factor. I heard that porcelain is translucent and I can imagine the ghost would look glowing with a tealight in it.
I liked the feel of it, and how it was easy to pull and form drapes of fabric folds. I then thought I should combine that with the little fella and made a couple where the ghost and the person is dancing. In a way I guess this was inspired by remembering people who have passed. I love the movement of the sheet and how it embraces the human figure. I just need to make sure this survives the clay process. I made a second one with a smaller human figure, so the pair look more similar sized.
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## WPA Anagama
Anagama is a Japanese style wood fired kiln. Wellington Potters' Association built one 20 years ago on a farm just out of Wellington. This gets fired once a year. I was a bit disappointed with how my pieces came out last year, but then again they were nothing special, just a couple of jugs and casserole dishes (none of which came out intact). This year, continuing with the human forms, I made this trio:
![[Trio under the tree.jpeg]]
They have now been loaded into the kiln and the fire started on Wednesday 10 September. Won't see them until kiln unloading on Sunday 21 September, though I won't be able to go to the unloading as I have a market on that day.
## prepping for upcoming markets and selling
Speaking of markets, I've been non-stop making things everyday. There are a few markets coming up. Between now and mid October, I have eight markets to go to. Jaime and I are also expanding our Welly Collective shelf to a new shop. I'm hoping it works out for us but you never know till you try.
## pottery home art kit
I am working on putting together a pottery home art kit. I'm going to start with a kit that makes small leaf shaped dishes. I know exactly what goes into the kit, but now I need to start planning the instructional videos and booklet, and figure out how to arrange getting the pieces back from the people who bought the kit to fire and glaze.
## now archives
[[2025-08-16]]
[[2025-06-27]]
[[2025-06-16]]
[[2025-05-09]]
[[2025-04-02]]
[[2025-03-09]]