More ceramics...expect to see more of these posts in the future because...

I switched my major to ceramics! Yay! I know..."what were you thinking, Gracie? What on earth will you do with a degree in ceramics?" I'll make ceramic stuff! And if all else fails and I become a starving artist, well, I'll finally be skinny for once in my life! Okay, all kidding aside, I am so excited to have switched my major. From the first class I remember thinking, "I wish I could major in this...but I won't." Gradually as the semester continued and I spent more and more time in the studio I decided to minor in art and emphasize in ceramics. However, the more time I spent there the more I realized that if I were to minor in ceramics I would spend way more time working on my minor than I would on my major. So I decided to switch my major. It makes me a little anxious because it's not something that will guarantee a job for me when I graduate (which may never happen at this rate...I'll be in college till I'm old and decrepid, lol), but for the first time in 4 years (yes I've been taking college classes for that long) I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to go to school to study something I love. Before school seemed like a chore. Now it seems like an opportunity for which I am so grateful!

Anyway, enough of my gushing. Here are some of the last things I made this semester! There are a few jars with lids that I made that I will post about later. These are specifically the things I made before the semester ended.
A cup (without a handle) with dots specifically requested by a friend of mine. A cup that I went a little crazy on with the glazing, but actually ended up liking!

I was trying to get a burn-out pattern by using wax under the second layer of glaze. But I dipped it 3 times and I think it was too much to actually let the waxed part show through.
I used wax to paint little flowers inside the cup and then I dipped it in celadon which kind of burnt out enough to see flower (some people say they look like stars) shapes inside. I like this. It's the same as having a fun lined jacket or something. No one really sees the pretty fabric on the inside (or in this case flower design) except you and it's fun because you know it's there even though no one else does.

I made a pitcher. It didn't come out very well, but it was only my first one. I can't wait to try to make some more!

And my pride and joy...

my teapot! It's functional too! The biggest problem with it is that the glaze smoothed over the spout to the point that it dribbles a little bit while pouring. My teacher told me to try to make the inside of the spout a little bit sharper so that the liquid will cut off more easily when you want to stop pouring instead of it dribbling. I did make it sharper, but I think I should have made it a little sharper than I did because the glaze did kind of take the edge off it. And my glazing job on the lid was a little sloppy as you can see. My lines aren't very even. :( But for my first teapot I was very pleased!

I am SO sad that this class is over. Seriously, every time I thought about it ending I nearly started to cry. I know that sounds silly, but I truly did feel that way. The only thing that kept me from crying was knowing that I get to take more classes next semester since I'm now a ceramics major! I am so excited about next semester and the chance to learn more! I have been sketching ideas that I want to try and my brother-in-law drew my name for Christmas this year and bought me a book with loads of ideas and tips and techniques for ceramics (best book ever!) and now I have so many ideas for things that I want to try. I am actually excited about going back! I fully intend to work as hard as I can to be the very best I can possibly be, but the great thing is that no matter how hard I've worked in there it always feels like I'm playing. And time goes by so quickly! I once spent 11 hours in the studio one day and didn't realize how late it was. I spent a total of 16 hours in the studio that weekend and would have been there longer except I realized I was running a fever and felt awful so I left. I imagine though that I will be spending many more hours in the studio from here on out (which is pretty much my favorite place on campus!) and will be trying out lots of new things so I will probably be showing the things I've been working on here. :) I think this is going to be lots of fun!