Voila! If you read my previous blog, I showed a photo of a slab of clay with stripes running through it.
It decided to become a sake set with 4 adorably small cups.

I'm trying something new. I call it Organic Sgraffito. Pictured is a slab of clay that has been brushed with black color slip and then patterns drawn through it.

I cut out a piece of the slab to make a cup... with very interesting results! I like the unplanned feel. Look for more of these soon in my website.

I am moving in a new direction this month. I've discovered sgraffito, which means "to scratch". It's a time honored method used in ceramics to   make designs on the clay surface.

Before the first firing, a colored slip (made of colorant and clay in a creamy state) is painted over the surface of the plate. Then I carefully carve a design thru that thin layer of slip to reveal the white clay beneath. The piece goes thru its first firing and then is dipped in a contrasting color of glaze, which makes the design "pop" out thru the slip color.
Check back regularly! I will be adding more sgraffito pieces to my site as they come out of the kiln.