Monday, September 6, 2010

Simple

Here's a story I wrote about Clay. Clay is simple. You start out with nothing and when you are done, TA DA! You have something! It's that simple!


This is my husband.
His name is Tom.
He is a mason.
He digs footings.
Sometimes he finds clay.
He carries it home in spackle buckets.

Now I have spackle buckets of clay.
I have many, many spackle buckets of clay.
Many, many, many.
The clay is full of stones.
I cannot make things with stones in the clay.

This is how I get the stones out.
I use a spackle knife to push wet clay.
I push it through the old window screen.
That way all the nice clay goes through.
The stones do not fit.
I throw them away.


This is how I scrape the nice clay off the window screen
I put it in a plastic bag.
That way it stays moist.

When I am ready, I take the clay to the potter's wheel.
The potter's wheel spins around when I kick the big wheel at the bottom.
I like to kick the wheel.
I can make round things out of clay.
After the clay dries I put it in the kiln.
A kiln is a special oven that bakes clay.

Here are some mugs that I made.

Some day I will sell clay things that I make.

















11 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, Judy! You never cease to amaze me with your talents. You are just the most creative person! I love that these mugs are from "found" materials (it appeals to my "green" heart). Very nicely done! Your home must be filled with creativity!

Judy Goddard said...

Hey Cyndi!
It appeals to my " Scottish" heart!

I was seriously ill for several years not too long ago. Praise be to God I am alllllll better now. So I guess I feel like I need to make up for lost time.

One thing I can say, I'm not often bored!

Campbell Jane said...

I love your mugs. My yard is full of thick red clay. You're making me want to go buy a kiln! hahaha
Congrats on your new studio space!Blessings

peggy gatto said...

simply wonderful!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I never knew you could rework clay like that. After I reread the post, I decided the clay must be wet and had not been previously fired. Since I'm a green artist, I really love this simple approach to your art, although I wouldn't call the process simple. This is a lovely post for this week's challenge. You sure didn't struggle with the theme like I did (grin).

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

what a way to weave the pics and the story-TRULY enjoyed it.

artangel said...

These are fabulous Judy! I love what you made. I had a go on a potter's wheel for the first time recently and I loved it - the end result wasn't up to your standards though lol!

gma said...

Love the earthenware. Great to see the process and what you have done with simple clay! Awesome!

Kim Collister Studio said...

Thanks for sharing your entry. I have always wanted to try my hand at clay...maybe one day. Just the thought of it between my fingers sounds so lovely like mud between your toes.
Please do tell when you decide to sell. I would love to have one of your mugs ~*

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your process for your mugs- and how much more special it must make them to be from something your husband found and brought to you- I LOVE that!

Priti Lisa said...

I didn't know it was that simple!
:D far from simple, but simply wonderful. This was a great post Judy!

LIFE IS JUST SO FULL OF COOL STUFF!

My photo
Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States
My nane is Judy and I've been a christian for more than 3/4 of my life. I believe in redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that God, the Spirit lives in me and gives me the power to do His will and to live a joyful life. I have a Godly husband, a grown son and daughter. I live on a farm with 3 goats, 2 chickens, 2 horses, a cat, a dog and a python. I am an artist and a singer. I was a full time stay at home mom, the hardest job you'll ever love! I have two handmade shops on Etsy. Leaning on the Promises www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com (Hand Painted Walking Canes) and Beaver Creek Pottery www.beavercreekpottery.etsy.com and an Etsy shop for selling Vintage and Antiques. Jersey Pine Pickers www.jerseypinepickers.etsy.com I post about my relationship with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, about the things He teaches me, delights me with and how He uses me.