Clayton Hill Studio

Posted on April 27, 2012 by claytonhill

Long day …

but ending it in my studio – so, you know – a GOOD day.

Started in the early A.M., so that my curly hair could air dry, and I could TRY to look presentable (still haven’t figured out why I bother …???). Anyway, had to go to a social function related to my SANE job. It was very nice (I received an award on behalf of crime victims), just not my thing … Within minutes of getting home, changing out of ‘dress clothes’ and back into sweats, chugging coffee (to counteract the A.M. bit) – I was in the studio …

My dichro cabs (bling pieces) have made their way to the kiln – fusing as I type; I’m working out which mold I want to slump my recycled bottle project in … so far so good – I still like it; And, I’ve added ‘fishing line’ to the next grocery list, so that I can hang my ‘lil sun-catcher:

And … I finally got around to playing with paper … made two 12 inch pieces out of really old (non-existent now) bank statements. They’re still drying, but it’s quick and fun … and I have more ideas/playing to do …

I’m hopeful I’ll sleep well tonight (no insomnia, please!) so that I can roll into the weekend as a happy (pleasant?) ER nurse … Hey, it could happen! Smile

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Posted on April 25, 2012 by claytonhill

Trumped! I win …

Caught in my cross-hairs and so TOTALLY mine!!! I’ve got DH (umm – by the short hairs) … He’s completely PIQUED by my planted-seed of building an ‘L’ (addition) on the studio. This means more ‘downstairs’ room for him … AND – more to the point – MORE studio room for ME!!!

When will it happen? No time soon …BUT – I’ve already got my new space laid out! A potter’s wheel, shelves and cabinets galore … and maybe an ELEVATOR … Cuz, you know – I’m not as young as I used to be … It’s good to DREAM!

Meanwhile – I’ve been playing in the studio. Continue to work with recycled bottle bits. I think I have an end-design in mind for this piece, so it’s gone back into the kiln for round 3 (with 2 more firings to go yet) … We’ll see.

And, here’s a little sun-catcher … Hmm. What’cha think? Done as is, or keep playing?

Lastly – I found some really old Fimo clay and played with making tags. They’re still cooling down, but I think I burnt them!?! While I did stamp them (applied SOME ink), they started out as WHITE clay … Oops! (Before and after cooking):

While the fam was watching MI: Ghost Protocol tonight, I was surfing the net and started playing around with Wanelo … Uh-oh, could be some fun and addictive computer/insomnia time!

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Posted on April 21, 2012 by claytonhill

Flop, but it’s ok …

It’s all valuable learning … I continue to putter and play with recycled bottle pieces … The vase experiment was a total flop. Oops – totally wrong temperatures. I’m giving up trying that again (for now) as I think it’s a lost cause due to the nature of glass in a kiln (wanting to be 1/4 inch thick) … I may be wrong, but … Anyway – pictures:

I’m currently playing with bottle ring flowers … Hmm, maybe … still more tinkering to do:

I’m also working on some new dichro cabs … love bling glass!

And I’m loving my new camera. The zoom and clarity are amazing … Technology – very cool! And Zeus is too cute, the handsome bugger! Smile I’m even getting some listings pulled together for the shops, thanks to the camera … Winking smile

Once I get through the weekend, I hope to play with papermaking next week – while the kilns are running … We’ll see. But now, it’s time to get ready for work … [sigh]

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Posted on April 19, 2012 by claytonhill

Experiment Central …

I apologize for the poorly connected, flight-of-ideas-style of my last post. Apparently writing (and proofing) while medicated isn’t the best idea …

My kilns have been busy (thus, me too) with experiments. Some with promise, others – not so much. But let’s show them off anyway …

One of my books (by Boyce Lundstrom) shows it’s possible to do a bit more with recycled bottles than I had previously realized. Armed with this knowledge – I’ve been slicing up bottles like a wild-woman. I almost like them … It will require more experimenting.

But – I do want to try a votive/vase idea … just to see. This will be going in the kiln within the next few days:

And, I’ve gotten around to trying some metal inclusions (copper and aluminum) with enamel. Before and after … Hmmmm. Again, more experimenting required.

Baby steps and determined curiosity … I’m all over it! Smile

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Posted on April 18, 2012 by claytonhill

Back to “Rollin’ in the Deep …”

Oh yeah, it’s TOTALLY an Adele song … but it’s what I’m doin’. My kilns (count them – TWO!) are BOTH running. DH is sleeping, I’m wide awake … It’s what I’m USED to …

My little Yogi-Bear is going to the vet later today, as he’s scratching at his ears. Not normal, and must be addressed …

I took a good idea yesterday, and RAN WITH IT! If spending SOME money was healing, I AM SOOO HEALED today! We bought another camera – for my Etsy/Arfire shops, cuz, –you know – it’ll make life EASIER. Added a new air compressor (for DH), ALONG with my paper-making interests … and finally – a touch (1 tab) of Vicodin to my chiropractor appointment … And I AM feeling BETTER! It’s all good (maybe not ADMIRABLE, but GOOD – and no ambulances were dispatched!!!)

I’m hoping to share some successful studio pictures later … I’m on DARN-SANE call today – so, we’ll see! I was just-about at OVERLOAD, but decided to ratchet things down … time for DH to pick up some of these pieces … Hmmm – WE’LL SEE …

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Posted on April 17, 2012 by claytonhill

When all else fails …

Revert to what you love … for me, it’s discovering new hobbies (or spending money, according to DH)! So, I’ve just placed an order. I will be playing with the ‘art of papermaking’ … I’ve always had a thing for specialty paper (as well as all office supply ‘stuff’ – makes me wonder if I was a school teacher in some previous life …???) Anyway – mulberry paper, vellum, beautiful papers with pressed flowers … I’m gonna learn how to make it. And – you can add your own recycled paper to the pulp – so it’s a GREEN hobby. How therapeutic is that … turning your credit card bill into handmade stationary?!?

And, I’ve discovered a few new glass techniques to try. I’ll be experimenting with some inclusions and enamels in the near future. I’m also looking to enroll in a glass seminar in June. It’s an A.M. class (OUCH!) – and it’s not cheap, but it looks to cover lots of techniques I’ve struggled with – so, we’ll see …

I still have moments of depression, anger, worry and heartbreak … but, I’m learning to live with it. And while my back is still on fire, I haven’t erupted with any viral spots yet … It’s all good!

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Posted on April 14, 2012 by claytonhill

Internalizing – It’s what ER nurses do … ?!?

At least it’s what THIS one is doing … While I don’t hold a 4 year degree specific to psychology, I’m pretty sure that’s what’s going on … I’m currently experiencing a full-fledged acne break-out – like some 13 year old kid – AND … I’ve been to the chiropractor twice this week to deal with the red-hot-poker shooting from my shoulder-blade/spine region [“Good news” – it’s NOT a slow-leaking aneurysm or tumor, as I secretly suspected] … I’m just waiting for the cold sores and/or shingle spots to BUST out – to complete the Quasimodo, pizza-faced-look I’ve got going for me – with some beautiful herpes-rash added for color [and pain]! All because my Evil-Biologic lacks the ability to PARENT?!?

NOT ACCEPTABLE! Must figure out alternative stress relief – PRONTO!!! I have to work tonight, and I fear in my present shape, I may scare some folks …

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Posted on April 13, 2012 by claytonhill

Not perfect … not even close

But then, I never claimed to be … I do strive to be a good person. And I’m a tough-love kind of mom. With all of my years in the ER – witnessing trauma, tragedy and poor-choice outcomes – how can I not be? I parent this way because I have my kids’ best FUTURE interests at heart. Not today’s fleeting fancy or impulse – but end-game, adult success. My style/parenting decisions are frequently not popular with my children. I also have a meddling, unstable Evil-Biologic that continues to mess with my offspring. This latest saga has our oldest son – who’s spent the last few months doing as he chooses under her roof, and now – experiencing jail and facing criminal charges.

And it’s killing me … That’s MY boy! My BABY being allowed to cater to his every hormonal or poorly thought-out whim. Making choices now that could very well have long standing consequences on his life, success and overall happiness. And, I’m still the bad guy in his eyes through all of this. WTH???

So it’s time for more tough love – for me and you, son. I love you – always have and always will. I continue to wish for the best for you and hope that you find your way through this thing called life in a content, meaningful way (and remember, you were raised WAY better than THIS)! Now, please excuse me while I go cry for a bit …

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Posted on April 12, 2012 by claytonhill

Adele + Chinese Food = Good Medicine

Have spent the past week slowly trying to work through a huge family mess (BTW – have I cursed the Evil Biologic recently? Yes? … Okay, well, here’s another – %@#^*!!!) …

Thus, not much going on in the studio. Had it not been for a glass order, I may have avoided it all week. (And I love my studio!) While still singing alongside Adele (hers is a joyful noise – mine NOT SO MUCH) today, I started to poke and putter at my projects and idea-book. Ended the evening with Chinese take-out (since I’m not feeling like cooking either) … and I think I’m working my way through this mood-funk. I’ve got more ‘errands’ to do tomorrow, but then … I’m ready for some productivity in the studio, darn it!!

Meanwhile – I do have some knitting projects finished: Scarves – lots of them, as they’re mindless, yet keep my hands busy; And my One-World grocery bag … cute.

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Posted on April 5, 2012 by claytonhill

Speed Bump = Clean Studio + Adele

So a fairly substantial life ‘speed-bump’ has altered my previous MINE-MINE-MINE studio plans … Damn Evil-Biologic and her inability to act like a responsible adult anyway … So – feeling less than creative, I’ve spent time cleaning the studio and rockin’ with Adele (with a few of the Neo’s howling in the background to join in on the chorus – Oh yea, you know ‘we’ sound just like Adele. The fact that DH’s ears are currently bleeding is entirely coincidental!).

Here’s the comparison shot pre-remodel and today (pretty darn clean for a working studio):