Does this bottle look zen?

This bottle is one of my latest creation. I am pleased with how the dark stain turned out after the firing. I couldn't quite visualize the look when I glazed it and had tried a couple of technics before settling down with the final glaze. The glaze I used are shino orange for the body, and tamaku for the black stain. I initially used black underglaze for the stain but was not too sure about how it would look if covered by a white glaze (window clear glaze ran out that day). In the end, I switched to tamaku just to be safe.  The creation of the flower decoration was actually an unintentional design.  While trimming the pot, it moved and left a scar made by the trimming tool; in order to salvage the work, I extended the scar into a frame and made the design as it is today.  It turns out nicely.  I think.

Mr. Tofu in Flower Soup Bowl

I bought a Nikon D60 recently, so I have no excuse of not posting some of my latest work online. Last year I made a series of rice bowl with bright flowers painted with Amaco cone 10 underglaze. The end product exceeded our expectation; bright colors such red, orange, and yellow generally don't come out at high temperature hiring; however, Amaco has produced a number of colorful underglazes that can withstand cone 10. I was lucky of getting these underglaze via a promotional offer. I paid $6 shipping and handling for 6 2oz. jars of bright red, orange, and yellow. I just checked the price online last week, one 2 oz. jar of bright red cone10 underglaze is about $6.00. 

Pottery Wheel Maintenance

It came to my attention that many people probably land on this page looking for a REAL pottery wheel maintenance guide. I myself from time to time run into wheel problem too. There are cases where the wheel pedal is too sensitive; the speed is not consistence; the wheel is making loud noise at high speed; and at one time, the electric cord seemed to leak power, and I got a mild electric shock while turning the wheel off (luckily, I didn't die from that...) I found some simple guidance regarding taking care of your pottery wheel from eHow.com. Here it is:

Step 1:
Clean up well, after every session, as clay gets everywhere. Clay is easiest to clean up while still wet, so try to make wheel cleaning a part of your normal maintenance routine. Pay special attention to the small space between your wheel mount and the spinning tray.

Step 2:
Wipe excess clay from the pedal of your pottery wheel when you notice that it is building up. A dirty pedal can be difficult to control and can lead to the destruction of your projects.

Step 3:
Listen to the motor of your pottery wheel; it should be almost silent. If you begin to hear humming noises, it's time for a good cleaning and oiling. Clay dust can build up inside the motor after a long period of use. Your local pottery supply shop should be able to tune up and maintain your motor for a reasonable price.

Step 4:
Cover your pottery wheel with a sheet or drop cloth, if you won't be using it for awhile. During prolonged periods of inactivity, you should plug in the wheel and work the pedal a bit, every month or so, to keep the motor maintained.

Step 5:
Unplug your pottery wheel, or turn it off if you have an on/off switch, when it is not being used.

Xitang 江南古镇西塘 , China 2007

I took a day trip to Xitang during my two week long vacation in China in September. I had been wanting to visit Xitang for a long time now. Xitang is one of the famous water towns between Suzhou and Hengzhou; it's lesser known to foreign tourists and is better preserved in architectures and local culture. The slogan of the town reads, "Xitang is a thousand year old town that still lives."

Xitang is about 50 minutes south of Shanghai and can be reached by train from Shanghai South Train Station. Xitang itself does not have a train station; therefore, most tourists usually join local tour groups from Shanghai, and travel to Xitang by tour buses.

The transportation we took to reach Xitang is more down to earth. Before leaving San Francisco, I did some extensive research on transportation options, and I learned that there are express trains going to a city called Chia Shan. From Chia Shan, there are direct bus lines or taxi to Xitang. Taking public transportation avoided schedule constraint; therefore, this was the best choice to go.

Xitang Old Town is quaint and relaxing. Residents who live next to river canals for generations seemed to have adapt an easygoing way of living. Over the years, Xitang has became more and more touristy; most of the houses in old town are now converted into hostels for people to stay overnight. Although Xitang Old Town mainly derives its revenue from tourism, strangely, it hasn't being commercialized. My friend and I were eager to buy ourselves T-shirts that reads "Xitang" on top but cannot find any. Local handmade goods, food do not bare any mark or indication of their origin "Xitang". After talking to some shopkeepers in the town, we learned that very often, customers dislike the town's name to be part of the souvenirs (strange, isn't it?); therefore, artists and shopkeepers remove Xitang from their products to please customers. One shopkeeper told me that he suspects people who came to Xitang to buy their goods and resale them elsewhere. I have to say this is really a little town that doesn't know how to promote itself. Its neighboring water towns, Zhouzhuang, and Tongli are already world famous and attract tourists from around the world.

To be honest, I love Xitang because of it's lack of tourists. We arrived around noon, and the person who was in charge of Old Town's admission fee was not even there to collect our entry fee. The town was pretty empty; only a few local tourists, shopkeepers, and art students doing still-life drawings. We wondered around in the town for awhile, crossing a number of bridges, walking thru a number of narrow alley ways. Bridges and narrow alleyways are two unique architectural features of ancient water towns in the coast of China. We found a tea house next to the canal to take a break; the interior design of the tea place was trendy; the tea was definitely overpriced; and the table we got wasn't really next to a window. Thinking back, I regret we didn't insist on leaving; we were tired from a day's travel at that time.

Very soon, night started to fall, and we had to catch the last train heading back to Shanghai from Chia Shan. Before we left, we took a boat ride in the canal. Inns, restaurants, and boat keepers started to turn their red lanterns on; all the sudden, the canal is lined with beautiful lanterns. That's one of the most lovely images I have seen in my trip to China. Xitang is known for its view in dusk and dawn. I wish I had extra time to spend here.

On the way heading out of Old Town Xitang, we saw stores starting to close down. This is another thing that really amazed me. Instead of closing up gates and lock doors up, closing up a shop in Xitang is done in a classic way: Shopkeepers moved one wooden board at a time to cover up the entrance, until the entire door is covered by 5 or 6 wooden boards (vertically), and then, they locked the door. Although I was born and raised in Taiwan and read enough classic novels about Chinese culture, this was the first time I saw something like this. Xitang is indeed an ancient town that's alive.

Crucible Holiday Sales $$

No doubt X'MAS is a good day to catch up on writing because there is nothing else better to do. Yes, I would like to talk about the Crucible holiday sale 2006. I earned $125 selling hand-made pottery ($40 are contributed from sympathetic friends and coworkers.) I am still in awe of the excitement of being able to participate in an event like this. Some of the items I love so much that I feel glad they didn't sell. A couple of my creation found good homes and people who genuinly like them. Some of the pieces ain't so luck; I'm still quite upset at the woman who only bought the big Blue Blue Checker (see previous posting in archive) but not his bother. I don't think my dear Blue Blue Checker bowl will last very long. Sigh...

Here is a list of items I sold:
1. Dip me in Chocolate (set of 2)
2. Big Blue Blue Checker
3. Soda Fired Salt & Pepper Shaker
4. Porcelain "My Home" vase
5. Mini Salt & Pepper Shaker in persimmon glaze
6. Originally, Milki's tea cup with black underglaze (gladly, Mark has it now)
7. Raku rice bowls (set of 3)
8. Raku plate (with a crack, and I didn't take a photo of it.)
9. One pair of earrings (jewelry always sells...)

Anonymous Four

I'm not going to tell you what have happened to these four yet. Their fate has been sealed when they were fired in kiln, and subsequently, at the Crucible art sale. This photo was taken when they are still in their purest form, even before the first bisque fire. There is this timeless feeling and touch to the 4 unfinished vases. At least, this is my perception. The anonymous four humming quietly in my bathroom, waiting for their debut. Some have happy endings and some don't, just like real lives.

Rome, Italy (Fall 2006)

10 Things I remember Rome the most:

1. cobblestone is slippery.
2. It's a million dollar moment to see an old face in Rome when you are soaked in rain and had no dinner.
   
3. Shoes and leather goods are indeed cheaper and higher in quality in Italy.
4. A woman can spend her entire life's saving in no time.
5. Once Italians know you better, they are very passionate and friendly.
6. Traffic and air pollution is not as bad as some have described, especially if you live in Asia before.
7. gypsies and pickpockets don't function very well when the weather is bad.
8. You can bargain with shop owners the Asia way. Italians are very much like Chinese in this regard. Calculators, hand gestures, and you got a deal!
9. "Professor" who works at the conciege desk in InterContinental Roma is actually a very warm person if you tell him you remember him from 3 years ago. He opens up to you right away.
10. You need quick eyes and sharp elbows when outlet shopping in Rome. Roudtrip taxi ride would cost you an arm and a leg to begin with.
    

Rediscovering...

Just when i thought all the childish ideas were gone, something like this came out of my mind and hand without warnings. The child in me came out and danced with my fingers. "What a surprise", I said to myself. "It has been a long time!"

I found pure joy when making this little clay puppy. I designed it on paper first; however, I usually don't expect the final product to be like the initial draft. This one comes fairly close to its original design. I love the cuteness of the piece, but I am afraid it won't survive through the first bisque firing. Tail, neck, and ears, are fragile parts of this clay animal.

The little puppy is bone-dry now, but it is too precious for me to send it to the kiln yet. Things from childhood don't often make into the real world.






~~Kathy

Paris, France (Fall 2006)

I meant to write about my recent trip to Europe for awhile now. I'm afraid that if I don't put down my thoughts soon, the so-called recent trip would become very vague soon. My friend Ludo, who I stayed with in Paris, has also made a comment about not seeing my writing here. Thus, I am churning out at least 1/3 of the travel journal here now.

Paris is always an exciting city to visit, no doubt. This is my second visit to Paris; my first visit was 13 years ago when I was in my teens. My trip to Paris this time is totally different from the past: 1) I am traveling alone. 2) I am staying with a local. (yes, my friend is French.) 3) I have $ to spend on myself!

*MORE DETAILS TO COME...........

10 Things I remember Paris the most:

1. Subway Line14 is newest/fastest subway line in Paris.
2. Frog Brew in Bercy sells pina colada that tastes like sour milk.
3. First Sunday of every month can save you tons of money if you are a museum-goer.
4. When shopping for fabric in Paris, you got to know the unspoken rules. (I still didn't figure out how the entire thing works.)
5. Lyon Mussels & Frits is great! They use Le Creuset to server you your food, and don't forget about unlimited fries.
6. Berthillon has the best ice cream in the world! 5-start for their wild strawberry ice cream.
7. Cashier at Louvre can give you a hard time when you try to get rid of Euro coins.
8. People who work in the post office near Bel Air are very friendly. They found the cutest baby lamb stamps for my postcards.
9. Giverny, Vernon is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever been so far. Monet loved it, and me too.
10. Getting VAT in CDG is impossible. The AMEX counter has lazy clerks who purposely delay the refund process to make people late for their flight.