Ceramics FOs

I finally have some finished ceramics pieces to show you. Here's my very first piece, the Caveman Mug. The handle's actually quite nice, but that's only because the instructor made it as a demo.

Then I made a box. I guess it's not too hideous. I experimented a bit with my glaze "technique" on it. But I was in a hurry so it's kinda spotty. Let's pretend I intended it that way.

Now, these last two pieces I actually kind of like. This bowl would have turned out really cool---

--except the clay was too thin in one spot and it cracked when it was fired. I guess I can still put stuff in it, though, and I love this glaze (which the instructor did, again). Finally, there's this guy:

You can't tell from this picture, but his body is actually a cup, so you could use this as a pen holder or something. Believe it or not, this project was not my idea. The instructor gave us a choice of making a cat or dog, and the dog happens to look quite Saint-like. I wasn't too thrilled with this piece until after I glazed it. His tail fell off when he was fired. But I really do like how he looks glazed, and the missing tail is no big deal.

So, there we go--my masterpieces. Next week is the last week of class, and we get to raku. Whatever that entails.

I have to say, I adored this class. Ceramics takes enough concentration for me that I didn't think about anything else while I was in class, and the 2 hours just flew by every week. I'm going to try to sign up again in the fall, and maybe learn then to use the wheel. Where else can you get 16 hours of therapy plus assorted ugliesh things to take home, all for $52??