After our positive pottery painting experience, we knew personalized ceramic pieces would make great Christmas gifts for some of the people in our lives. A few weeks ago I returned to the pottery shop to start working on gifts. My one major requirement ~ the pieces I give to people {or create for myself} need to be useable. There are plenty of "knick-knack" type items to paint in the shop, but I don't want to contribute to people's clutter. I'd rather gift someone something they can actually get use out of ~ a coffee mug; a serving platter; a wine or margarita glass; a candy dish; coasters; a dish set; a flower vase; soup bowls, etc. {All of which are items at the shop we went to}.
I entered the shop {by myself ~ that Glory is a busy girl!} not knowing exactly who I was going to be painting for and what type of item I would be selecting. I perused the shop, waiting for inspiration to strike. Within minutes, I spotted a butterfly-shaped chip-and-dip-type serving dish. My mom loves butterflies, and I'm sure she likes chips and dip {or at least entertains people who like chips and dip} ~ done! I also selected and painted a few other items during this visit, but I don't want to take the chance of people seeing their Christmas presents in advance on here. {My mom doesn't read this, so no worries there}. Check out my start to finish painting process below...
The blank canvas. {The smudge on the upper right is the price written in pencil. Anything written in pencil on the piece will burn off in the firing and glazing process; you can sketch out designs/wording on your piece and paint over the ones you like ~ anything else won't show up on your finished product}.
First things first ~ my autograph and the date, so she'll always remember when she received such an amazing, thoughtful gift {and from whom}. ;) I also included a "handwash" reminder.
Now you wipe off your piece with a damp sponge to remove any dust, and start painting! I literally decided my color/design scheme as I went along. I painted pink wings and a blue body and antenna {three coats of each, drying in between}.
Then I decided to speckle the butterfly wings with pink and blue polka-dots. I choose a pink and blue that were slightly darker than the ones I had used on the wings and body, staying in the same color family. I used these little round sponges to make uniform-sized dots {they have lots of tools at the shops ~ stamps, stencils, sponges, and more}.
Almost done! {I also did three coats of dots, stamping each one three times with drying time in between coats}.
The amazing ice cream that was my dinner after I finished the butterfly and before I started my next project. I know it's not really related, but it was so delicious I had to share ~ a "Campfire" {smores} sundae from the cute ice cream shop next door; it came complete with hand-toasted marshmallows on top! Okay, back to business...
Ta-dah! The finished product, all shiny and bright after being fired and glazed at the shop. {You pick it up a few days later}.
If you're in the southeastern Massachusetts area like Glory and I, check out South Shore Pottery Shop on Route 18 in Abington. If you're not, check out pottery painting places near you ~ they're popping up everywhere. {Color Me Mine has locations all across the country and the world}. It's something people of all ages can participate in and enjoy; it's relaxing; it can be a great social activity if you get a group of girls together to go; and it's productive ~ create pieces that you can gift to friends and family or use yourself!
Have fun, my little artists!
xoxo
Bean
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