Sunday, April 7, 2013

luminous

juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

 
I've been making tea lights for the mantle and table.
The right one was the first I made, I cut in a face without thinking.
They look better lit up
At first I made the complete chamber, then decorated it.
But when I decided to add animals, I did it all on the slab;
And added punctures with these spring tools from Dick Blick.
I picked ovals, but there are rounds and squares too. I use lots of other things to vary the size of the holes.  Nails would work, especially a square one would be great if you can find it.
I brought this donkey bowl from my kitchen to the studio, and used it as my model for the tea light
Here we have a deer in the ferns.  This is a new clay for me called Frost. It can be rolled paper thin,
but has a tendency to warp. I don't seem to have the knack of getting things perfectly aligned anyways, so I don't mind.
I've been working in the garden too. Things are budding, and growing inches of green daily.

Walking the boardwalk by the beach each day this week!

Found another secret boardwalk behind this inlet. Someone lives on this floating boat/island.
The sea birds nest here, right in the sea grasses. Its really quite big!
What's a post without a chicken in it??
 
Hope you are having a wonderful April and seeing signs of spring around you~
 xxxjulie

31 comments:

jaz@octoberfarm said...

that just might be the coolest plate i have ever seen! and the lights!!!! can you imagine them with pumpkins and cutout stars and moons!!! these are fabulous!

millefeuilles said...

Such solace for my grey skies weary heart, Julie! Thank you! That boardwalk is calling out to me! I wish we could stroll together. I imagine the winds are a little bracing sometimes?

Your donkey is so adorable! Sigh of pleasure, and I love the thought of a clay called Frost. Those lanterns are so, so pretty and exude a very gentle light.

Happy week to you, wonderful Julie.

Stephanie

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

They are all very beautiful! I love how you've highlighted the deer with all the perforations around the antlers, it's just beautiful., I can imagine your chicken luminary sitting on my kitchen windowsill!

What a beautiful board walk, I'd be on that every day too! We've been in Maine all weekend and it hasn't been out of the 40's and we've had a cold wind - we're seeing signs of spring, but she's slow to be fully awake!

Your garden is stunning! I love your style!

Have a great week! I'm hoping for a great week for April vacation the week after this! Lots to do, inside and outside!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Wow Julie, they are all so unique. I love them all but especially the deer. It looks as if he is standing in a forest with snow falling down around him. I know I say this all the time, but, you are just so talented.

felicity said...

The clay lanterns give off a lovely warm glow, I love the little rabbit.The pictures of your garden and the sea look so calm, and warm, a nice place to dream- it's very cold here in Cornwall!
Flissx

Madelief said...

Hi Julie,

You made some lovely things! I like your tealights very much and your pretty donkey bowl :-)

I didn't realise you had such a pretty garden. It looks lovely! Hope you will show us some more photo's in future!!!

I wouldn't mind walking that boardwalk everyday.....the view of the sea and beach is amazing.

Happy week!

Madelief x

Denise said...

They are beautiful! Do you light them with tea lights? I work with cone 6 stoneware, probably I would have to buy some porcelain if I wanted them to glow like yours. Your garden is lovely the tips of my day lilies are just starting to peek through the ground here, Spring is a bit late coming to the East coast of Canada this year.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Oh my goodness! I want them all! Everytime I hop over to your Etsy shop, everything is gone!
V

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Thanks so much for your lovely comments! Denise, yes Frost is a porcelain clay. I made some first from another type of white clay, and glazed them, but the porcelain changed the look completely. I use tea lights, the kind you buy in a bag and also votive lights fit too.
j

lynne h said...

oh, julie... perfect...

you have a gentle and knowing touch...

xoxo

Valerianna said...

I love the deer in the ferns... with little stars everywhere, too! Wonderful tealights. Spring is just starting to dream herself here :) and, yes, what's a post without a chicken?

smartcat said...

What a lovely walk and sweet tea lights. Thanks!

Claire said...

A chicken tea light....yeeesss, they are all fabulous Julie and add a wonderful glow to the evening.
The small holes look like snow flakes falling or stars.
It looks like you've had a lot of fun making them all.
How nice to be able to use the boardwalk every day, love the sea air and the snapshot of your garden is just beautiful. I'm sure everyone is well and truly ready for Spring as I am for Winter (crazy lady, you must all think!!)

Have a wonderful and creative week.......Claire x

A Magical Whimsy said...

I keep coming back to your blog and I can almost hear and smell the ocean spray. I do miss the ocean and used to live 8 miles from the beach in Long Beach, CA.
Your pottery ware is so charming and touches a soft spot in my heart!
hugs,
Teresa in Central CA
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

Librarian said...

As all the beautiful things you make, your tea lights are totally unique and wonderful - I've never seen any like them!
Your garden looks lovely, and I'd make sure to walk that board walk every day, too, if it was close to my home!

Ruostevilla said...

My teacher on the web :) thank you for inspiring me.

leon 10 said...

the new candle holders are very pretty the give a cosy warm light lovely leon10

Garden Celebrations said...

Yes, chickens need to be everywhere! I especially like the tiny radish. Thanks for sharing your lovely tealights, home, and garden with us!

sandra said...

Love your new tea lights, so precious when lit up. Its a blustery day here in So. Cal. Love your garden photo too! Happy week to you Julie.

Lovejoy Bears said...

Everything is always so gorgeous in your world Julie!! I adore the lights, especially the one inspired by your beautiful donkey bowl and your garden is looking divine!! It's all so lovely!! hugs ♥ Vicky ♥

Elderberry-Rob said...

I love your new tealight idea - they have your usual distinctive style but when lit up an extra dimension - wonderful, Betty

Dreaming Woods said...

you are an magic maker Julie!!! those tea light holders are just too beautiful.

Maggie Ann said...

It must be so wonderful to live by the beach! I'm a tad envious...=) Your candlelights are lovely.

Flutterby Patch said...

More gorgeous ideas from the 'cottage potter'. The tea lights are unique Julie and fit your style so well. I'm guessing your kind climate suits what you do. 'Sun dried' pots sounds so inviting. We really do need some of your brightness and warmth right now. Looking forward to your next post. As always, happy potting, Eli x

jone Hallmark said...

Your new tealight holders take my BREATH away!
I must come to visit you sometime....really....
And, do you ever teach workshops, dear julie? If not, perhaps that would be something to think about....

Lusting after your incredible talent and treasures...
always.... xo

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Oh...........now you know I love that chicken! All of your pieces are so wonderful and I love the donkey as well. You have such a lovely garden!

mary ellen mckenzie said...

Charming ... your pottery is absolutely delightful ... thank you for sharing!!

Vicki Boster said...

Julie- your tea lights are truly magical-- and they will fly right out of your shop!!! You are a creative genius girlfriend! They truly are beautifully luminous.

Such a pretty place by the sea to take a walk-- I'd be there every morning with my morning coffee!

Sending love-
Vicki

Lori ann said...

oh julie, i've almost never seen anything prettier than the deer in the woods with the sparkly sky. it's perfect.

i love that boardwalk, we walk it when we stay at moonstone beach. your garden/home is amazing.

Lisa Graham said...

Oh my goodness Julie, your tea lights are absolutely beautiful. I love everything you make!

Barbara said...

Love the lit up lanterns you have made and enjoyed my walk with you very much.

Animals who garden

Animals who garden
Donkey with green paw