Kiln unloading no 28 - 7 favorite ceramic pieces from my latest firing

Welcome to kiln opening number 28. I number my kiln firings. This was a glaze firing and here is the Earthie award show. 

(I want to share with you the 7 best pieces or groups of pieces the kiln gave me. I affectionately think of these picks as "Earthies" awards. (Earth=clay). At the end of the post I am going to declare the Kiln Winner. I have declared a kiln winner ever since my very first glaze firing. The Kiln Winner is the ceramic piece that makes me the most exited to pull from that kiln firing.) 

To build on the excitement, here are 7 categories where I nominate a piece or group of pieces for each one. The categories are:

1. 1. Noted glaze
2. 2. Knows its shape
3. 3. Pattern pot
4. 4. Flexing texture
5. 5. Favorite newcomer
6. 6. Stacks or groups
7. 7. Honorable mention

From this group of nominees I pick my favorite: the Kiln Winner. Let's get into it. 

First up is a new Christmas ornament for this year. An adorable little fox. This clay fires to such a wonderful red color and I just could not help myself making some foxes for Christmas. I tried my hand at some detail painting and I love how adorable he and all his buddies are. I can't wait to bring them with me to market this Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi School.

Next up is a form I make frequently. Again in this toasty red clay which is peek-a-boo-ing at the bottom. I but my favorite satin black dress on it and it reacts with the clay in a subtle textural way while the vase itself is busy strutting its shape. Va-va-voom.

Noted glaze

Knows its shape

Next one is a beautiful platter which is fast becoming a favorite. Let me tell you, I am all about ferns and this is a stencil that is based on my hand drawing and is creating such a sweet moment on this platter by being contrasted with a white slip application, then outlined with that toasty red rim. Yum.

Then we have a class project which was to throw a bowl and alter it with a hand-built rim. I added scallops here. Scallops with scallops to be exact. Just so you know it's me, right? I left a little peek-a-boo gap between each scallop which is sweet little detail you discover as you hold this bowl up.  

Pattern pot

Flexing texture

If there were enough hours in the day I would have already made 20 of these acorns. And they are coming, be sure of that. How sweet is this shape and it is a box too. I left it raw on the outside of the bowl and on the inside of the cap. The inside of the bowl is glazed. It is about 4 to 5 inches tall. I love this one so much. 

Next is a snow flake garland on striped string. A sweet little thing that I can't wait to decorate with for Christmas. 

Favorite newcomer

Stacks or groups

Last up is an honorable mention: a big planter, my biggest yet and it is my new Christmas tree planter for my mini Christmas tree. If you follow along on Instagram you saw me flocking this tree in the garage yesterday. It was an action scene. For more action, you too can follow me on Instagram.

These are the seven picks from my 28th kiln opening and the winner is ... 

Honorable mention

I know we all saw that acorn and that is very difficult to overlook when picking a winner, but hey... this platter has a presence. It's a dame. I love her. I will bring her to the sale, but you may need a crowbar if you want to get her. I mean that glaze with the clay with the slip combo. How her freckled ferny face shows through the white white white surface. I can't even. 

This gang has such a great camaraderie going. You are looking at my three favorite clays in one shot. The sandy, the red and the white.

Group picture! *snap*