Since I became a potter, I’ve been admiring the ceramic lamps I’ve seen around: On TV, in waiting rooms, in catalogs. But it wasn’t until this spring that I was ready to give it a go. I picked a shape I liked and staged the line drawing near my wheel. Then I wedged 12 pounds of clay and thought, well, I’m done for the day. Seriously, 12 pounds of clay nearly did me in.
My first lamp was the biggest lump of clay I’d ever centered on the wheel, and it was also the tallest thing I’d ever made. I decided to video my efforts. See the process here.
After I threw my first lamp, I was hooked. I started to make one lamp a week for awhile. On the largest, I invited my husband Zeke to carve mountains. He’s a geographer and drawing mountains is second nature for him. When I carve mountains I have to look at a picture. But he slices lines on the clay with just the inspiration inside him.
Once three were dry through the bisque firing, then glazed, I called my friend and handyman to come wire them for me. He did a great job.
Now I’m working on my second batch of three, one with mountains again. I’m bringing my first batch to the Truckee Arts & Crafts Fair at the end of June (2024).
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