This is the second set of twenty test tiles.  See Mince, Splinter, Incline, Arrival, Cellar for technique details.

Tryst: klear over algae moss

Whirl: stoneware blue over algae moss

Oblique: stoneware blue over desert varnish

Beast: algae moss over desert varnish

Sky: klear over desert varnish

These are the first of a set of twenty test tiles I made to try out glazes for my drums.  Instead of putting numbers on the backs, I put random words.  The tiles were made with a die and an extruder. These sushi dishes/spoon rests/soap dishes/paperweights make good test tiles that are also useful.

The glaze names will mean very little to anyone who doesn’t take pottery in Tempe, so these are mostly for my own use.  Some of the new glazes were developed last session by Daphne Azzi and Gabrielle Koza, two very skilled potters.

Mince: purple haze over purple haze

Splinter: stoneware blue over purple haze

Incline: stoneware blue over emu

Arrival: algae moss over emu

Cellar: plume over algae moss

My nine-year-old daughter painted this. I’m very proud of her.

While I was making cards, I decided to make a valentine for Jeremy.  I’d already cut out the Jack of Hearts scans, so I started by glueing on on the scrapbook paper background (the scrapbook paper is to cut the print for the invitation I didn’t use.)

I bought the red handmade paper at a Japanese import store last summer. It was meant to be used as wrapping paper.  I tore a heart out of it, then cut a second heart out of the middle.  Then I painted glossy gel medium in the middle and added the pink glass beads. I liked the tiny heart from the reversed jack, so I wiped that part clear of beads.

I call this one “Laura’s Crown” because of the crown and because it reminds me of my sister’s style. She has a wealth of papers, paper cutters, and decorative fasteners.  Most of her creations look very tidy, unlike mine which don’t feel complete unless something had to be cleaned up afterwards.

The card on this is from a Mexican lottery game.