A true friend is one soul in two bodies.
Sharing our lives, our love, and our faith.
I am hooked on painting pottery! Check out what other bloggers are hooked on this week at Julia's Hooked on Fridays!
Today is the birthday of my precious friend, Mandy. Last summer when she was in town visiting, I dragged her to a pottery painting place where we each painted gifts for people. While we were there that day she told me she wished she had a birthday plate to put a single slice of cake on each year. So, I filed that information away in the back of my mind, and a few weeks ago, as I thought about what to give her for her birthday, I knew the perfect gift. I headed back to the pottery place and made her this birthday plate:
Now, before you get all impressed that I'm so artistic, I have to disclose something: I cheat. The first time I visited, the girl at the pottery place told me that graphite burns off in the kiln. And, of course, I got to thinking, "Well, carbon paper uses graphite, so I could easily trace items onto the plate!" So that's what I do. I print out text or graphics that I want to use, bring them with me to the pottery place along with dozens of very, very fine-tip brushes (the brushes there have been obliterated by children), some masking tape, scissors, a few sheets of carbon paper, and a large cup of coffee. (It takes a long time!) Then I transfer the items to the plates and start painting! To give myself some credit, it takes a ton of patience and a very steady hand to do this kind of work. But it does not take an ability to draw.
This is the first platter I ever did. It was a wedding present for the son of our friends, Doug and Susan. Doug created a logo for the wedding using the first letters of the bride and groom's names, and I reproduced it on the platter in a style that matched their kitchen dishes (I looked up their wedding registry). After my mom saw a picture, she said she wanted one too, so I made her one for her birthday. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of that one. If only I could show up for life with my camera, as prepared for photo ops as I am for painting.
Happy Birthday, Mandy! I love you!
A true friend is one soul in two bodies.
Since you love painting
Since you love painting pottery, I thought I'd show you my cheaper alternative that you can do at home. I love doing this, and its turned out to be a great way to make gifts. Go here: http://suburbansaga.blogspot.com/2007/09/every-time-i-get-new-niece-or-nephew-i.html. Oh yeah, another big tip is to dab the sponge brush on a paper towel until there's much less paint on there than you think you need. That makes a big difference in your frustration level... =)
Awesome!
I'll have to try it! I like things to look exactly right so it keeps me from painting! -Kim
That platter is gorgeous.
That's how I do most of my painting also. You have a great style.
Love this!
These look beautiful! I love the idea of painting pottery and plates, but I'm afraid mine wouldn't turn out quite as well. Thanks for joining my blog party and showing us these!
You do really great work.
You do really great work. What a sweet gift for someone. Personalized gifts are so hot right now. We don't have any where near us but I love the idea.