Dyeing with Mushrooms

Large dyer polypore found on a mushroom hunt near Mt. Hood, Oregon. It was approximately 12"wide x 6" tall. I diced it up simmered it in water for 30 minutes or longer to make a dirty yellow dye bath.

I made up some resist techniques based on traditional shibori practices. The folded canvas between two boards created the pattern below. The fabric I used to make the cushion was dipped and soaked in the dye bath for 4-8 hours.

I also used alum as a post mordant, which brightened the yellow a bit. This is the result. 

-NEW WORK-DRYING ON THE SHELF-

Standing by to be fired. I needed to document the pieces before firing this time, due to the fact that the whole last batch was destroyed by my own glazing experiments.....

I am super excited about some of these pieces, and going back to my original theory that less glaze is better unless you are creating your own or using a wood fired kiln. Someday I will have access to one again. I like to see the firing prints on the pots, maybe this electric kiln is just too clean. I am also experimenting with texture and combining the white and brown clay bodies, I hope they turn out.

ALMOST THERE

The last batch of ware for these orders come out of the kiln today, what a load. Most of these pieces will be available for sale at Spartan in Austin and online. The bottles and small cups will be available at Prism, in Seattle.

MY ACE ASSISTANT

FOR THE KIDS

Stacking Breakfast Dishes, Partial Set

I designed these serving pieces for Ray so she is better able to help herself. They also stack up for storage in limited spaces, like ours. I've also designed and made a fruit drainer, mugs, toast/pancake plates, and syrup decanter to go with these to make a complete breakfast set. I will be posting photos of the full set soon...

WORKING WORKING WORKING

I have been working day and night to fill this wholesale order. I am so excited that I get to do this, but next time around I think I am going to narrow these clay bodies down from 4 to 2 and commit. Lesson learned: changing clay bodies really slows down the work flow in a bulk order like this. 

THE FINAL PRODUCT: Commissioned set of dishes for my wonderful friend Katie Nash. The salad bowl didn't make it, cracked in the final firing, so it will have to be remade, but I am very pleased with the finish on this set.

I really like the edge on these plates, they kind of hug your meal. I wish I would of taken some photos with food on the plate before Katie picked them up....

In the future I will be offering commissioned sets of dishes, possibly a large and small version of the following:

4(small)-8(large) place settings (dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, cup) 

large platter or bowl,

pitcher,

creamer/sugar decanter.

I am working out the details, stay posted at www.kativonlehman.com.