The assembled teapot

On the weekend I was invited to my old employers Christmas party. As is the tradition, we had a stealing santa gift exchange. Each round, one person has the choice to open a gift, or steal from a previously opened gift with the caveat that you can not steal a gift that has been stolen that round.

As soon as the t-shirt at right was opened by someone, I knew what I wanted to end up with. So, when it was my turn to go I immediately stole the t-shirt. But, unfortunately, I wasn't the only one coveting this fine garment. The current CEO (they switch every few months) stole it from me. So, my response was to steal the highest value gift ... which given this crowd equates to the one with the most alcohol. A bottle of Crown Royal.

Very oddly though, no one wanted the whiskey. I was shocked and confused. No one stole it until the very last round. Theft was rampant in the last round. My friend Vincent, who went picked in the first round and wisely picked what looked like a wine bottle but was duped when it was actually a game of Jenga (he was pissed, since no one would steal Jenga) decided that what he really wanted was a teapot. So, when someone finally stole the Jenga he asked if I had a teapot. "Of course I have a teapot, would you like some whiskey (wink)." Heh, heh, the t-shirt was mine.

But unfortunately, a little bird told me that he broke it taking it to work on Monday. So, in the freezing cold, after riding my bike home in the snow, I went to the studio and threw the parts for a teapot.

Chip'n'dip for James and Jordanna - trimmed.

Here's the chip'n'dip after trimming the two pots and attaching them. The dip bowl was trimmed to a round bottom, moistened and then formed/altered to sit nicely against the wall of the platter.

I think they look quite nice together. I'll be able to bisque it this weekend.

Chip'n'dip for James and Jordanna - thrown.

Unfortunately, I haven't yet sold any of the pieces at work from the last post. But, I did get a commission. Apparently my colleague James has an Aunt in Nova Scotia who made him a chip'n'dip. I gather they really like it, and wanted to find one to buy as a gift for a friend.

I have found that the chip'n'dip form is considerably less popular than it used to be. (Despite that I also got asked if I had one at the market last weekend.) I think there are fad forms. The chip'n'dip definitely was a fad about ten years ago. The current popular form is the french butter dish. I haven't made a chip'n'dip in years, so no problem, I can have it done by Christmas.

I decided I'll document it. Here it is thrown, about 13" diameter.

James asked if the bowl could be attached to the side instead of rise up from the middle. Of course it can, and a very good suggestion. So, I'll trim these two tonight, the little bowl will have no foot and be somewhat tilted and altered when I attach it to the side.

2009

Well, that was an even longer break.

I still haven't replaced my camera. While I'd like to blame that apathy is probably the chief reason. I have some plans in the works though that will hopefully see this blog experience a resurgence.

In the meantime, I've finished my 2009 xmas markets. I decided to bring a few pieces to work and see if I could sell them here. I work with about 2000 people who mostly have wives that they need to purchase gifts for.

I posted these four images on our internal classifieds list. As you can tell, I've been working pretty hard on my ash glazes. These are bone on the top half, oatmeal on the bottom, waterfall covering the bone, then a little bit of the ash on top of the waterfall. (All from Roy & Hesselberth except the ash glaze.)