North Story - the process

Do you find it hard to imagine what work has gone into a finished product sometimes?
I do, especially if it concerns a technique I don't know anything about.

That's why I want to show you the process of how the brooches of the North Story are made.

It's a lengthy process that involves lots of sanding, 3 different firings and much patience along the way. But believe me, the result is all worth it...

Press a piece of clay into a mould.

Smooth out the back.

Lift it out of the mould gently.

Smooth the edges with a bit of water.

Let it dry in between plaster plaques.

After they are dry, sand the roughness away and fire it a first time bisque temperature.

After firing, sand again and do a porcelain firing.
And sand again after the porcelain firing.
Jip, that's 3 times sanding...

Meanwhile cut out the screenprinted images.

Put the decal in warm water.

Apply it to the porcelain by gently tearing away the paper underneath the screenprinted image.
Decals are normally used on glazed ware.
We're using unglazed material and this is trickier as the decal is more likely to let loose on unglazed ware.

Rub over it with a clay rib to get the airholes and water out.

Gently rub it with a clean cloth and then fire it at decal temperatures.

I apologize for the gloominess of the pictures - I blame it on the weather conditions! :)

And for the final products, keep an eye on our shops (LilaRubyKing & ArtMind), we'll be listing our new line later this week... :)

Flickr Favorites

1. reflection, 2. misty lake, 3. October sky*,
4. "Espera mãe. Acho que não está focando!"

Since we're lacking a lovely blue sky, I thought I'd create one in my weekly mosaic. What sad summer it has been here and I can see autumn already too. I don't mind as I love autumn but after such a crappy summer, I would appreciate if we would get a mild autumn with reasonable temperatures. But hey, we have to take it as it comes so I shouldn't complain.
I love the cat picture - what a great shot that is. Why is our cat not photogenetic like that? She never seems to take the right pose to make a fab picture but she is supersweet and I suppose not all cats can be supermodels, right?

Next week is the first Tuesday of the month so we play by theme. I'd love to see a teeny, tiny, mini, itsy-bitsy and wee mosaic. If you have a nice theme for next month, don't hesitate to let me know.

Hoera Hip Handwerk

Porcelain labels saying 'sweet' and 'just because'. I made more labels for a fair I'll be attending in about 2 weeks. The fair is on 'open monument day' in the fashion museum in Hasselt.
It's on Sunday September 11th from 10AM until 6PM and the entrance is free.
There will be a variety of sellers with handmade goodies plus there is a lovely new exhibition called 'prints' to see too.
If you have been curious about the new jewellery line that Anna (LilaRubyKing) and I are about to launch, you can come and see it for real then. :) Hope to see you there!

Moeders voor moeders

I'm part of a sew, crochet, knitting- group called the 'knappe knoopjes' or translated 'smart/pretty buttons'. We come together every 3 weeks to work on our projects together and chat the evening away. On our last get together, lots of participants helped to sew, crochet or knit for a non-profit organization called 'Moeders voor moeders' or 'Mothers for mothers'.
This non-profit organization is dedicated to families or single persons with children under 12 years.They help them with food parcels, clothing and more. The poorest children should not miss the fun times so they also help out with gifts for the children's birthday, Christmas, Saint Nicolas, etc.
They were in great need of dark blue and grey scarves and hats for primary school children to fit with their school uniform, so they called out for help for anyone who could help make 'em.
I too picked up my crochet hook and finished a scarf yesterday. It's pretty hard to photograph as it's quite long and very, very curly but I hope the child wearing it will love it and that it will keep her toasty warm. Well I suppose it will be worn by a girl as it's quite a feminine design. :)

Hand leaves

Another glimpse from the North Story...
Not much longer now before the new line will be in our shops!
Happy day everyone!

Flickr Favorites

1. napping, 2. Window (77/365), 3. ...

4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/suricata/4002494852/in/faves-artmind_etcetera/

Wouldn't you love to nap all day long like that baby? I kind of feel like I need a napping day. I've been working lots and lots lately so I think I deserve a day off sometime soon.
And I want to spend it quietly with a book, some scones with tea and perhaps even my crochet hook. I also found the picture of the mammatus clouds very intriguing. I've never seen such weird cloud formation but perhaps it's better that way as they are usually accompagnied by tornadic storms.

Tiny bunny love

Custom made bunnies for a moss terrarium. I couldn't resist an inquiery to make a set of tiny bunnies like the singing birds. However cute they are, they won't be added to the assortment of my Etsy shop. :)
They make me smile, and you? Happy weekend everyone!