Tuesday Tutorial --- China Painting

Out guest artist today is Joann Wheeler from Painted Panache.

A Work In Progress --- China Painting

                                     Inspiration Piece

So people always ask me how I do this. This time I took some pictures at each stage. Each piece of china is painted and fired in a kiln to a temperature of 1800 degrees multiple times. Here's some pictures of how it progresses:
                                       Blank China

The paints used are powdered paint pigments, mixed with oil for a painting medium.  Some people buy special mixtures of oils, however, you can use anything from mineral oil to motor oil!

Brushes used are very soft.  Unlike other types of painting very little paint is loaded on the brush. Your brush "kisses" the porcelain as you paint.
                                         
                              Design Sketched In

Each piece is painted multiple times as you build up your color from light to dark. There is no white on the palette, the white seen is actually the porcelain showing through. At each firing the glaze opens up and the paint goes into the glaze. As it cools the glaze closes and the paints become permanent. They will never wash off. They are dishwasher & microwave safe.

                                       The First Painting and Firing

The only exception to this is if the porcelain artist uses gold or lusters on the piece. Gold is actually 24kt. liquid gold. When fired it doesn't go into the glaze. It sits on top of the glaze.

                               Second Painting and Firing

Lusters like mother of pearl also sit on the top of the glaze. For that reason should you have gold or lusters, handwashing is advised.  Gold should never be put into the microwave as it is a metal and might give you a fireworks show!

                            Third Painting and Firing

So, if you are interested in porcelain art (a gift to treasure for generations to come), please visit the porcelain section of my Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JYWheeler?section_id=5051128

Getting Organized - Craft Room Organization Video

I ran across this video and thought I'd share. She has some really neat ideas.

Handmade Blog Party - Show Us Your Listings

Welcome to our blog party today.   Do you have your shop filled with wonderful things for the lover of handmade art?   Just add your links below to show us what you are selling this season.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops. 

The rules are simple:

1. Follow our blog

2. Handmade items only.

3. You may list up to 3 items.

4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.

Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.

And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg" /></a>

Time Saver Recipes ---- Crock Pot Potato Soup

Soups are the perfect food to me with our fall weather.   I have this cooking in my crock pot right now as I write this up.

Crock Pot Potato Soup

Ingredients:

1 onion,  diced
1 c. diced carrot
1 c. diced celery
1 glove minced garlic
8 c. diced potato
2 c. chicken stock
2 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp parsley flakes
2 cups milk

Add all ingredients except the milk.   Cook in the crockpot on high for approx.  5 - 6 hrs.    Crockpots do vary so check on it after 4 hrs.
When the potatoes are soft, turn the crockpot down to low.   I like my potato soup smooth so I use my immersion blender to puree the soup.   Then slowly add the milk while stirring the soup.    Let heat through for about 30 min.

You can add grated cheese or crumbled bacon  or dollop of sour cream on top of each serving.

We also occasionally add broccoli instead of carrots.

Trash to Treasure --- File Cabinets

Our guest poster today is Lindy from Lindy Cottage Hill Blog.


I have a dirty little secret. These simple little covered night tables with their very clean lines

started out life as one of these...

Nasty, I know.  But true.  I cleaned, sanded, and spray painted them using the last drop in more than one can and color of paint.  Waste not, want not.  It wasn't going to show anyway and wouldn't really bother anyone I know -- except maybe my mother.

I expanded the size of the top just a smidge because I wanted a little more space on top and because I needed the cover to drop down freely over the sides.   I glued a 1/2" piece of plywood the dimensions I wanted to the top using liquid nail and a small child to sit on it for a couple of hours while the glue dried.  Not really,  I used heavy books but I like the "small child" idea.

The topper was simple -- just four flaps cut to fit the four sides and 4 smaller flaps (mine are about 10" wide) cut to cover the corners.  I added the tiny bows to "cute" it up a little and to keep everything in place. 

All the extra storage comes in really handy.

Lindy
http://lindycottagehill.blogspot.com/