I am slowly getting obsessed with making books. And like usual, I'm playing with different sizes, from mini to (eventually) maxi. I made these tiny ones first, partly to work out the different elements that make up a book. My plan was to create a book as a pedestal for the birds, using titles that might even suggest that irony ensues.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLrQYIpddhz1SoTbqaAZtfqzl4LC_JI4CSUZwIfOuSiwYcp98CoJnyixfc8XnAqGx0wfb1p9EpWvYSHu0623PZDobjOSRr7JUw13Ri4X0ppQeLD2WhlwDrbC9TI4BJdqb7KH4-iOltjk/s400/CIMG6030.JPG) |
These are petite...and solid. Up to 3" |
Now I'm building them bigger, from slabs, with internal structure to keep the shape from sagging.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTR7vOD5VqpLdUlaBmX5Gxa_X0ESxRCapfbAQOuxbWPyYI9d8jShk6XRXmBi2wYRkuTkrlFnlQzvhif4XUzYyOXYVgPDmXXEOMeMYKaGTHwepF4s1kO4WcP3P2kVU81Ow6gEe3K0qNi8/s400/CIMG6049.JPG) |
This is the first slab built (as in hollow) book. I showed it previously, before adding the bird. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKOMCYr5AkS1P6OORGs660ukUNlha2FCzp8dmMzjfvvd4uEc1MUqSA2-Ov4Vrl3H9-HBqW-ZZs6Lllw_IuVeo2DD8wP6H5tG45O0DCS8xLG5K0-GYhazIMxQ54QbEMtCUevxqIV04FXQ/s400/CIMG6050.JPG) |
Once I looked at the two together, I felt that I had to cut an opening and make the bird a lid. I guess that makes it an inkwell? |
There is a classic photo of a German (or is it Belgian?) salt glazed flask that I have long admired. Like most of my best ideas, it starts in medieval Europe. I've had it in mind to make some for years. That's the great thing about a long career in clay, plenty of time to get to most of the intriguing ideas that tickle one's fancy.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUFtK7-tHCV4f_IBF7yLvRmAMewzhSWXO_Kzf3I0jJi0YxSGv8ZcizUSOsJcaBiKgReYjaAGd7lC550O-_QJsxXBGb2EUpPF_lC-33d6TmSSDVIaJLGrR8MVOUtqiUW591nui089lcic/s400/CIMG6054.JPG) |
Here's the newest one. Even bigger. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRLLSsWukdAvqZHq78oQnLOwFw3nllLA0OWvGbX_7QreV-msscncbo20wjeS4zvtKXbg6SXpuwnoii1_sX-9OwDEri4dRK6wOPKJoXflq-cabbVqspceQtm71X0DgRDymYI1p-gjm5-I/s400/CIMG6052.JPG) |
There are butterflies and dragonflies everywhere, even by my wheel. |