First decide what your budget is. Having a budget will help you apportion money to right areas and ensure that you have enough to finish job. Next choose a style and make a plan. Decide style of theme you want for your room or home decor. Do you want a modern or oriental tone? Once this is established you can pick colors you want to use. Do you want room to be calming or energizing? Colors have a very influential impact on our moods and feelings. You can then decide on furniture and accessories you wish to use. This is a good time to select art or prints you wish to feature. Make sure that print is reflective of theme of room. Do not buy art just because it ties colors in room together. Art is a powerful medium that is used to invoke emotion, feeling, and thought so emotion art projects should be aligned with feeling of room

Use a fine, sable watercolour brush and add one colour at a time to build up to final picture. For those who have taken any watercolour or oil painting classes, same techniques apply going from light to dark.

Firing and Glazes

Now it’s time to put it in oven and wait for glorious results. Be aware that fumes from firing are deadly, so extreme caution must be used to avoid gas poisoning. After firing it with colors painted on (4 times), apply glaze on top and use a wet sponge to wipe off any drips at bottom of piece. A clear glaze can be used or a mother of pearl luster adds depth and brilliance. I usually paint on 22K gold luster to edges, using a fine brush, however this can be very expensive – a 10 gram bottle is $270.

Attachments

It goes without saying that hypo-allergenic metal is only kind to use for attachments, especially earrings, for health reasons. Always apply your attachments after final firing. The best glue to use for brooches is Goop Houseware Glue. It takes 24 hours to cure.

Support and Reading

Making pottery alone in my studio is very therapeutic and relaxing for me, I can get very absorbed in process. However, for those who prefer to learn and exchange ideas in a group situation check out Potters Guild of BC at www.bcpotters.com . You will find workshops, networking opportunities and discussion board, all very helpful for those starting out.

A great magazine filled with pictures, articles, contests and suggested reading is Ceramics Monthly. Many potters send in tips they’ve learned along way and it’s a good magazine to see some incredible pieces. This is meant to inspire, by way. Be patient, keep practicing and before long you will be presenting friends and family with your beautiful treasured creations for many special occasions to come.