Lamp Shades Are to Vases Like Hats Are to Kentucky Derby

These days I'm all in on lamps. The parts and my first wholesale lampshade order have arrived. Since returning from TileFest, I've been coil-throwing new lamps. Coil-throwing involves building the height using clay coils, joining them, and throwing them to advance the shape and size. I’ll do a separate post on the process. There are other tall pot-making methods, but I like this one best. While my process takes longer, it offers more control over the shape. For lamp making, that's important because you want the opening small enough that you won't have trouble attaching the lamp parts to the beautiful pottery base.

Glazing the pieces has been an intense process. The lamps with watery aqua or pale gold backgrounds have been painted white, with a ceramic paint called underglaze, and then glazed. It often takes me three days to finish a piece.

Bee's Delight, base - 16”, height w/shade 26”, shade 14'“ x 15” x 8.5”.

Bee Buzz Table Lamp, base 13”, height w/shade 22”, shade 11” x 13” x 9”.

Morning Glory, Golden Light, and Pink Poppy Table Lamps. Bases 14”- 16'“, height w/shades 23” - 26”, largest shade 11” x 14” x 9.5”.

These are some of the lamps that'll be going to Asheville. I'm so keen on making them that I've already started the next batch for customers here in Raleigh. I haven't been this eager to work since I finished the Rex project. I'm sure the next set will be even prettier. I look forward to showing you.