Every year the ceramics studio I go to competes in the Pioneer Valley Ceramics Association's (PVCA) ceramics competition. I have been doing ceramics for about 7 years now. My friend Julie has been doing ceramics at the same studio for over 20 years. I wanted to do the craft back in high school but Julie refused to tell me where she was going... but that's a story for another day. LOL. Once we got back in touch as adults, she invited me to join her and I've been going ever since.
My very first piece won a blue ribbon and I've been winning blue ribbons ever since but I've never won a trophy. This year, I entered 5 pieces in the competition. One of them being my glazed pumpkin. I was really hoping I would get high marks for the pumpkin because I just love it and I glazed it really well. I won a first place blue ribbon. Not bad. I was hoping for a high blue ribbon or a trophy but I'll take first place. My ceramics teacher then presents me with a box. In the box is a TROPHY! I won the "Judge's Award" which means regardless of my marks and the ribbon placement the piece did, the judges felt the piece was trophy worthy. I was so excited.
Ready to see my pumpkin??
It's glazed with a special pottery coat glaze - several different coats and then a white cobblestone glaze is put on top before it is fired to get that crackled look. Or as my friend Julie would say - the moldy look.
Here's a pic with my very first trophy...
Amelia and I painted some pumpkins over the weekend as well. She enjoyed it. Here are a couple of pictures.
Enjoy your day!
Jen :)
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