Clayton Hill Studio

Posted on June 5, 2012 by claytonhill

Must have needed it …

I slept 15 hours. Hmm – I must have needed it!

WWU: Summer busy, without the pretty weather. Nothing major, just lots of volume, and a little full-moon-crazy thrown in for fun. But – I did discover ‘Cabbage Crack’ – and I’m in love … OK, so it’s officially called Napa Cabbage Salad, and yes, I realize the recipe has been around for awhile, but I hadn’t tried it before … So in-love, I put my own version together and had some for breakfast.

Now, armed with coffee, I’m in my studio planning for the week. I hope to get the coffin loaded with that blank-to-bowl slumping run. I need to ‘whip together’ a few more pieces to go with my peacock platter, as it won’t fit in my production kiln (BUMMER!), so I’ll need to load the coffin with pieces taken to just that (the right) temperature … I want to keep moving with some jewelry and dichro ideas. And, I think I’ll make a wind-chime out of my butterfly mosaic – something like this.

Time to get busy. Hmm – maybe it’s time for Adele …??? I’ll leave with a photo of Tunie, who loves playing ‘ball’ so much, she even recognizes the word when we S.P.E.L.L it – the little stinker! Smile

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Posted on June 2, 2012 by claytonhill

‘Date Night’ Report …

Date night was a success … But more importantly, the kids made it home safe and sound. They had a great, albeit cold and wet time at Cedar Point.

I hung out in the studio most of the day, with DH popping up from his man-cave from time to time. He’s taken to calling the barn our ‘cabin’ … OK honey, whatever … I had both kilns running, so the ‘cabin’ was warm and toasty, while Michigan continues with this strange weather …

I put together some jewelry from my pendant pieces (you can see them on the gallery page); got a few new pendant molds filled; scrubbed at my (FINALLY) dry Peacock Platter project … it’s just about ready for fusing, then slumping.

DH did a little foil wrapping/stained glass … that’s my fused mosaic rose he ‘bordered’. I think it’ll look great as a sun-catcher. AND … I talked him into agreeing to build a version of this for the studio cabin. [A sofa table from repurposed pallet with stained glass insert – discovered on Pinterest.] Yep, date night was a success! Winking smile

And here’s one of my ‘square bowls’ (1 of 3) – it came out of the kiln this morning:

So now, it must be time to switch gears and be ‘nurse-y’. Stay safe all!

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Posted on June 1, 2012 by claytonhill

“Date Night”

The twins have reached another milestone … at least in our school district. Today marks the 8th grade field trip – to Cedar Point. This is a pretty old tradition (DH and I both went when we were in 8th grade … umm, CENTURIES ago!) But it always makes me nervous, the thought of my babies crossing state lines, being THAT far away from me. DH’s take: ‘Cool, that means it’s date night’ … Sure, if I can let go of worrying for a minute.

But for now, I’ve got Adele blasting in the studio and I’m producing. (BTW – Adele seems to be a DH-deterrent … good knowledge to store away for future reference if/when needed.) I made pendant pieces last night – kinda cute.

I scrubbed and re-primed the coffin kiln shelves. Now I’ve got her loaded up for the de-bubble run.

And my woven bowl is ready for the next slump run. I think it may turn out neat … But that’ll be next week.

Sure hope the kids are staying safe …

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Posted on May 31, 2012 by claytonhill

No Sunshine, but solitude … ???

Almost! We’ve been adopted by yet another couple. This time, a pair of Barn Swallows has ‘moved-in’ … right on my side porch (outside the kitchen). They sure are a vocal pair and I’m not loving their choice of summer homes! I did a little research, and it turns out those procreative buggers have two ‘litters’ a season! AND … they’re more likely than not to try to come back to this exact spot next year. OH NO! I’ll be watching close, and as soon as possible (without killing babies or birds) that mud nest is GOING!!! (I’m still trying to figure out why I’m such a bird-magnet … WTH???)

As I was not enjoying the birdsong … I took my wake-up coffee to the studio. I’m waiting for the coffin kiln to cool down now. Will reload with a de-bubbling run; Hope to take my peacock platter to the next level (is it dry YET?!?); Need to take some photos for listings; and I’d really like to work on some necklace/pendant pieces … we’ll see.

Having Grilled Lemon-Pepper fish for dinner (not this exact recipe, as Ill be using Swai tonight, and no POISON bell peppers – I’m allergic, but) … very yummy (and for non-fish-lovers – it’s not ‘FISHY’ at all)!

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Posted on May 29, 2012 by claytonhill

Ahhhh … Sunshine and Solitude

DH is out manning the tractor, cutting hay …

The kids are in school, for a few more days before they wrap up another academic year – and Summer break begins … I can hear the bickering now.

But for today, it’s just me and the dogs, as we sit, enjoying the sunshine, quiet and our wake-up coffee. So peaceful … I love it. Time to plan for dinner (Teriyaki Chicken), my studio work and evening activities. Time to enjoy the view as the sun pours in my breakfast window. Pretty and peaceful.

I received a few new summer candle scents (and jars), so will make some soy candles this evening:

I also wrapped up a knitting project. It’s in the washing machine now, being felted. But here’s a photo taken with my phone (not a great camera). It’s ginormous! (That’s an emesis basin in the corner, ‘to give it scale’ … classy, huh?) And, a quick pic (again, lousy phone camera) of the socks I’m knitting now.

Time to get moving …

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Posted on May 26, 2012 by claytonhill

Win, lose or … draw!

Had some successes, a failure(!) and slow, but steady progress in the studio:

My square bowls … wouldn’t fit in my production kiln, so ‘energy-conscious’ gal that I am, I loaded the coffin up. I will now, [eventually] be making three square bowls (only have the one mold). And I’ve got a few pieces of another experiment in there (a ‘woven’ bowl). I say pieces, as they wouldn’t all fit! I figure it will be a few weeks before I can process, assemble and finish all of these in an energy-conscious way, DARNIT!

Meanwhile, DH played in the studio. He had an idea for a blank, explained his end-goal vision and I let him have at it. Oops! Needless to say, his vision and the actual output aren’t in alignment … can you say ‘DUKEY’!?!

I’m making progress on my peacock platter. Having issue with the fusing adhesive I’m using (it’s called ‘No Days’) … it’s taking forever to dry (like almost a week!)!! I don’t know if it’s Michigan’s humidity or what? But, I finally have it grouted, and will be waiting for THAT to dry … and move on to clean up, fusing and slumping.

But now, I will switch gears and get ready for work. The great news – my garden is planted and the Chayotes ARE GROWING!

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Posted on May 25, 2012 by claytonhill

Back in my studio …

Had a full day out and about, but ending with some happy time in the studio. Went to the crime lab ‘Meet & Greet’ … imagine a room full of SANE nurses, social workers and a few lawyers against one lone crime lab director. He did great(!) and I’m hopeful more positive process changes will be coming for victims of rape. Since I was in the area, I ‘popped’ into Delphi Glass. Oh, I had me-some-fun there … New experiments and projects to come over the upcoming days/weeks …

Like this … while it didn’t photograph as flashy as it looks in person, I’m in love with this glass by Uroboros (blue streamer bits), and will be making a ‘square’ bowl from it. [More pictures to come …]

I’ve been making blanks this week. Should be able to run the coffin for debubbling and bowls next week …

DH either loves me or was tired of my whining constructive complaints. I haven’t decided if they’re power-surges (umm, that’s code for hot flashes) or not, but in this in-between weather (not really AC weather yet), I’m not tolerating my studio without air flow – and I don’t do bugs … so he installed a screen door for me. BEAUTIFUL, isn’t it?!? (I’ll get around to painting it … someday!)

Did some clean up with my ‘mystery-reaction’ … it’s better, but I still have work to do (before and after):

And the kids hung out (in the studio) with me, showing (teenage) interest in what I do here [VERY short-lived]. While I haven’t hooked them into becoming next generation warm-glass artists yet … my youngest daughter decided she loved this night-light, so it will be gracing her bedroom wall now.

I’ll leave with a pic DH sent me … Mighty Zeus on the move, with his chops flopping in the breeze! Smile

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Posted on May 22, 2012 by claytonhill

Amazing!!!

Both the good and bad kind:

The good: I am in love with this – a Wireless Photo Upload card … I realize I take a lot of pictures – between dogs, kids, puppies, family and my fused glass/crafts. I’ve never understood folks who can use their camera SD card (or other storage card) for months (to YEARS) at a time without needing to transfer the images – my dad is one of those folks. Anyway, I upload pics multiple times a week, if not daily. But this program/device/thingy … sends the images right to my computer within seconds of taking them. I’d researched one by a famous name brand (the makers of my camera), to the tune of $150, and seriously considered it. This bad boy (Eye-Fi) was $40! Too Cool!

The bad: Here’s another bowl that came out of my recent coffin slump run … It’s stunning – but the back/bottom has a problem I’ve not encountered before. Very unsightly. The other day, DH helped scrub off kiln wash, and the blank was cleaned and eye-clear before slumping. Makes me wonder if he used some weird man-tool or compound/solvent??? Hmmm … I’ll be playing with coldworking (not fun for me) to see if I can salvage the bowl or add to my collection of studio work bowls …

But not right now … now it’s time to think dinner thoughts. It’s a good day to BBQ, I think. And maybe take some pictures (like my growing Chayote!) … Winking smile

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Posted on May 21, 2012 by claytonhill

WWU – I work with some Nutty Nurses …

Of course, that means the night is NEVER dull, but … Wow! Meet Buddy, our ‘team mascot’ for the last shift of my weekend. Some nurses consider ANYTHING a patient gives them as a precious gift to be treasured … even PARASITIC BUGS! [An engorged tick for all you folks not up on your entomology] … Ugggghhhh!

[Um, yeah – lets change the subject!] … Studio news: I had some successes from my latest coffin run … Love these bowls:

And my night lights are cute … Now ready to attach to their base(s):

My Peacock Platter is coming along. The border is roughed in, almost ready for gluing and grouting:

My week ahead: I have an in-service at the Michigan Crime Lab (for my SANE job) this week. Should be interesting, and it puts me in the same city as my favorite glass supply store … Surprised smile

Otherwise, I will continue to tinker in the studio, garden and yard. I want to try weaving with glass, and recently received the molds needed … But for now, I need to think happy thoughts so that I can sleep WITHOUT dreaming of ticks!

[I was going to put another photo of “ticks on a host” here, but can’t bring myself to do it … you can Google it if you want your skin to crawl/itch and feel an overwhelming need to shower WITH a scrub brush, bleach and scalding water!!!]

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Posted on May 19, 2012 by claytonhill

But Maaa – I don’t wanna ….

I’m on such a productive roll in the studio – I don’t wanna go back to work, darn it! [Arms crossed with pouty face!]

I have pictures: Finally got some badge reel photos taking in prep for listing in the shops:

I have the coffin loaded (and RUNNING!) for new bowls (slumping):

I have the production kiln running with a night light project – AND, I rough cut some spoon rests!

But NOOOOO … now I have to pack up the ‘creative zen’, shift gears and start to think ‘nursey’ thoughts. Oh … ALRIGHT!!! [Scowls] Thank Goodness my mighty Zeus loves me!