Friday, March 22, 2013

Making spoons


 This is the way I make spoons.

 I form the clay into a sort of scone shape;

 And start to pinch the bowl section of the spoon, working fast so the clay doesn't dry.
When I have a shape I like , I set it aside and pull out a piece for the hande that will complement the bowl.

 I roll out the handle, splaying my fingers using very little pressure so the snake doesn't loose it's shape.
 These are my three favorite tools. A needle tool, a scorer and a milled tool I found in an old tool box, that I use everyday. I'm always looking for things to use, this one has a little square on one end a flat circle on the other.



 I score the fat end of the handle, and the underneath bowl of spoon where I want them to fuse.
Press gently in place.
Then I push in my toolbox find and pass it through. I has to be placed low enough so the weight of the spoon doesn't cause it to weaken after use.
Sometimes I paint the spoons with flowers, because I see them outside and all around the house lately
Golden ranunculus over the mantle,
Alstramarias, button flower chrysanthemums and chamomile in the kitchen


In fact everything is starting to swell and gain volume daily. Pretty soon these peas will be for sale at the roadside stand.

And golden poppies already making the hillsides sunny.









This is a different method of making. Its 'slumped' in an old treen spoon. Next time!
xxx julie

49 comments:

jaz@octoberfarm said...

oh wow....these spoons are terrific! now i want to go back to taking pottery classes and making something more than cat bowls!

Laura Farrow said...

your spoons are Divine, Julie... and your work in general is happiness-inducing! xo

Cathy G. said...

Hi Julie,
Your spoons are just fabulous! Everything looks so sunny and warm there! Just seeing those flowers and peas growing has helped to warm me up a bit and bring a smile today! It's sunny but cold here (last night was four below zero!) Thank-you for sharing your process and the sunshine!!
Hugs from your friend in WI!
Cathy G

Elderberry-Rob said...

Thankyou for sharing the 'how to' - it would still be beyond the realms of my capabilities nonetheless! Such pretty spoons - I do like the 'slumped' effect with the little cottage. Betty

Tammie Lee said...

such wonderful spoons
your paintings make them charming as can be !

Carol said...

Thank you Julie! Love to see how you work your magic. I think I have a very similar dishtowel (I cross-stitched one when I was a youngster)

Yum peas!! It's still too cold here to start planting - the ground is still frozen, and the snow still flying, but I did start some seeds.

Deb said...

Just fascinating, Julie. I love your work. The spoon with the poppy is my favorite. Deb

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your spoons are wonderful. I love all of the painted pottery you make. Always puts a smile on my face when I see a new batch of things you have made. You are lucky to have so much green growing and blooming stuff already. We have snow again, and more expected this weekend.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Hi Julie, just love your spoons and pottery. You make lovely items so happy.
Mary

Valerianna said...

OOoooo love seeing spoon births and now I am dreaming of California poppies!

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

My Julie spoon sits proudly on my kitchen windowsill over my sink! I love it so much! The weathervane spoon is adorable!

I'm so envious of your lush greenery! We are still knee deep in snow!!! There are days I wonder if it will ever melt!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Anonymous said...

Adorabe pottery. Just found your blog from Garden of Daisies.



ERIKA

farmlady said...

Loved this. It's fun to watch you create your beautiful art. These spoons are lovely.
May the ocean breezes get warmer for you... it's time.

Lisa Graham said...

It's so neat to see your process Julie. I just love your work so much. It is always so charming.

Maggie Ann said...

How whimsical and cheery your lovely spoons are. They make me smile and feel happy.

sharon said...

Each spoon is more beautiful than the next, and I appreciate learning how this is done!
Love the flower shots...do you grow the ranaculus? I have wanted to try, but heard they are a bit difficult, maybe just in the frigid east coast..ha! I love all flowers!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

so pretty! Do you sell your work? I wasn't able to open up your etsy page...probably a problem with me.

millefeuilles said...

Hello dear Julie!

I tried, in vain, to post a comment last night: I wonder if others had the same difficulty? I'm back now as I simply wished to tell you how delightful your words and pictures are! I breathed a sigh of happiness after reading your post for you have told us a story here, Julie in which you mix technique and the beauty of gardens and nature. I love the way you weave the countryside into your stunning work. Thank you for sharing such beauty with us.

Happy weekend to you.

Stephanie

Anonymous said...

So wonderful to see how you make these, Julie, along with some of your tools!
I have been playing with paperclay this week - so much fun going from 2D to 3D! :)
Enjoy your beautiful CA spring!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed this post Julie! I've wanted to take up pottery for some time and enjoy learning as much as I can. While I don't have time for it now, I try to pay attention as I feel playing in clay will one day be inevitable for me. My mum was, many years ago, a potter and I have quite the appetite for growing my pottery collection. Great post!

gallerydarrow said...

It's fun to see your process. Gorgeous spoons Julie!

xoxo

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

So cool to see the process!! I love the spoons...the one with the little chair is calling my name. :) Will these be in your shop anytime soon? My mom's birthday is coming up and I think she'd love a piece of your pottery.

Mugwump Woolies said...

Wonderful spoon making tale! I am lucky enough to own one of your lovely spoons...an owl spoon...because my daughter is enamored with barn owls. It hangs on the door to her room and she loves it!
Robyn

Simply Shelley said...

Wonderful...you are surrounded by beauty...of your own making and of our Lord's making :) Love your spoons! Blessings

GardenCelebrations said...

Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing your process for the spoons. I feel fortunate to have your strawberry with a bee!

Madelief said...

Your spoons look enchanting Julie!

Happy weekend,

Madelief x

Melody said...

love to see the technique! Awesome spoons/designs! :)) Happy Spring!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

The spoons are just perfect little pieces of beautiful art. I love your pottery Julie!

Vicki Boster said...

Hi Julie- this was fascinating. I'm totally invoke with your spoons-- and have a secret desire to own a beautiful collection! They are all SO beautiful!
Vicki

Claire said...

Great to see the process behind your work Julie, but a spoon is a spoon is a spoon until you add your individual touch to it and then it's transformed into something wonderful to be treasured........
Lovely post.

Claire x

ShannonAnn said...

Thank-you for such a fun post, I love your spoons! You are so lucky to be seeing a real spring already, it will be much later for us up here.
Xo's

Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll) said...

Very nice spoons!! :)

sandra said...

I LOVE your spoons and am so happy to have started a little collection of them xo

Susan Wells said...

Such sweetness. For creating a happy day in gloomy weather!

Aprilgirl said...

Your ceramic spoons are so charming! Just wish I had a clever way to display the ones I have acquired. Beautiful sunshine here today...looks like you are enjoying spring.

annamaria potamiti said...

Beautiufl Julie. How lovely to watch the process. Thank you for sharing this;-)

Mary said...

Julie, I seem to have been 'knocked off' as a Follower as I've just realized I wasn't receiving your lovely posts! Anyway, I have signed on again because I have to see what you are creating these days. Wow, beautiful pieces.......love everything here.

Hope Spring is in full swing out there - we're still waiting here in the southeast!

Easter blessings, Mary

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

The spoon with The Skating Monkey makes me happy every day:)
XX
Becky

Flutterby Patch said...

I actually dream about your pottery sometimes Julie , it is so lovely. I wonder if you have other potters an in your family and if you talent is inborn.

Helen Philipps said...

I loved seeing your delightful spoons today, and how you make them. You have such a delicate style and something special too that makes everything you create magical.
Helen x

Willnnabel said...

One of these days I'm going to get lucky and be able to purchase on of your cups. They are always gone by the time I get there :(

Herbalgirl said...

How I wish I could report flowers and sunshine from freezing, dreary London! Still, your spoons have cheered me up and I love seeing your techniques. Your work would be loved and adored here in England. x

magnoliasntea said...

Your work I'd beautiful!

Lovejoy Bears said...

It's so wonderful to see the way you make your spoons Julie, they are always so beautiful and your paintings are divine!! Hugs ♥ Vicky ♥

Madelief said...

Dear Julie,

Your plans for Easter sound lovely. I hope you will see those wild flowers!

Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter!

Madelief x

Eggs In My Pocket said...

I just love your spoons! So very pretty!

Catharina Maria said...

Wonderful , I love them all !
Love from ♥RINI♥ the Netherlands

Barbara said...

Would b fun to collect those spoons.

Ladyfée said...

un petit coucou d'une fée qui découvre ton blog et qui adore tes poteries ! ça me donne envie d'en faire aussi.... ! bon week end et à très bientôt, Ladyfée

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