PLAYING WITH CLAY

I signed up for a 10 week beginner's ceramic course at the Killaloe Ballina Family Resource Centre late last year and had a wonderful time pinching pots and coiling. Basically it is back to those days of clay dough fun. We met every Thursday for two hours. As we could only do so much during class time, I bought extra clay from the facilitator so I could do more at home and paid her for the firing.

There seems to be a craze in Ireland for fairy doors and fairy villages. Since I do not believe in fairies I decided to make a door for Peter Rabbit to be placed at the foot of a tree in my garden.

                                                                         After Firing

Before Firing

I've always enjoyed Beatrice Potter's books and Peter Rabbit and his sisters Mopsy, Flopsy and Cottontail remind me of my own children. Even my Facebook Profile photo is Peter Rabbit's family.

The rabbit family has a neighbour. The very loveable character Stuart Little, so I made a door for him as well.

                                                                       After Firing

Before firing

I decided to make a pumpkin and a gourd as well for Autumn.

And a Christmas tea-light tree and Choristers for Christmas.

Then I decided to make things for the garden. Mushrooms and a fish chime to begin with.

Having gained enough confidence, I proceeded to make a miniature village for my garden.

Our house

St Flannans Cathedral, Killaloe

A thatched cottage

two senior citizens and their home

and two big menacing looking blackbirds to protect my crops in the garden

I still have unfired bits in the kiln so hopefully all the pieces for the garden will be completed by Spring.