Jay Jasper's Blog, page 72

We Come From Flames

There is nothing quite like
communing around fire. It hits the oldest parts
of ourselves and pulls us in, transfixed Pit firing Getting the show started!I am thankful
for fire in my work And also for tasty roasted marshmallows Pit Fired Pottery
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Do you enjoy hanging out around a fire?

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This Week At The Studio In Photos

Garden’s Delight! A new vase drying on the pottery wheel Chairman Meow wants you to know that not only is he the Glorious Supreme Leader
but he is also an international super model. The Pillar of Atlas held up our Saturday
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A mushroom of some sort found on a forest walk.
Any ideas?That’s been the week here.

How’s your week been?

God Will Get You For That!

Think you have the weight of the world on your shoulders?

What happens when Gods war?

‘The Pillar of Atlas‘ is named after a legendary rebel who chose the wrong side in a war among Gods, an unusually cruel punishment, and a final look that would stop anyone in their tracks.

The Pillar of Atlas
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Atlas, a famous Titan, unfortunately decided to participate in their rebellion against Zeus and the other gods of ancient Greece. This was their attempt to regain power, for the Titans were the original gods of the upper world.

The quest to regain their former glory must have been irresistible.

The possibility and lure of power called out to the Titans. Most of all to Atlas, for he would eventually become leader of the rebellion.

Sadly, he was no match for Zeus. He and his Titan rebellion were defeated.

You can see more more pictures of the ‘The Pillar of Atlas’ here.

Zeus was often clever and quite diabolical when handing out punishment.

As leader of the rebellion, Atlas would receive a particularly harsh sentence – to hold up the sky! Some say the sky was placed directly on his shoulders, but in other accounts it was placed on two pillars he would hold in his hands.

But the story would not end here. Few people knew the location of Atlas, but a certain demigod (who happened to be a son of Zeus) had passed by Atlas. Perseus would eventually use the head of Medusa to turn Atlas into stone. Some say it was because Atlas refused to grant him hospitality, which would have been difficult because his hands were full.

Others say it was an act of mercy to alleviate the suffering of Atlas and end his cruel punishment. The Atlas Mountains are all that remains of this once proud rebel.

The Pillar of Atlas vase is featured in our first book
which you can learn more about here

What did you think of this story and vase?

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Ogopogo A-Go-Go!

The Ogopogo, also known as N’ha-a-itk,

Is reported to live in Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada. Ogopogo is commonly described as a 40 – 50 foot long sea monster resembling the extinct Basilosaurus.

The name ‘Ogopogo’ is thought to have originated from a song originally performed at a dance hall in Vernon, British Columbia.

His mother was an earwig,
His father was a whale;
A little bit of head
And hardly any tail—
And Ogopogo was his name.

The Sylix people thought N’ha-a-itk was a water spirit, a man turned into a monster for murdering a respected elder.

It was said that the only animal who could tolerate his company was the rattlesnake.

. . . Which i guess must be the reason why no one can get close enough to take a clear picture of the Ogopogo! Ogopogo – $88
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What do you think of this vase and story?

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🙏 In Gratitude 🙏

~ For storms ~Lately there have been a lot of storms here.This has meant everything is very green and the plants are growing very quickly. It also means that when the storms break, the lighting can change in an instant and create beautiful,
fleeting moments of magic So here is to storms!What is something that is
both beautiful and fleeting That
you are grateful for?

We would love to hear your answers in the comments below

Berry, Berry Quite Contrary

The Alchemist’s Studio Garden is growing more every month! But no matter which is ripe the best Berry is always the one in my belly! Monet’s Garden
SOLDAre you a fan of berries?

Which is your favourite?

The Magic of Raku

One of the things that I love about pottery is the magic of raku. The Alchemist’s Studio is a magical place!Raku is a real game changer. 

The kinds of effects you can get from this process are unlike those you can get from conventional firing techniques. You can learn more about how we fire our raku pottery here!

As an added bonus

The effects are unique and one of a kind to each piece.  While you may be able to reproduce a general overall effect, you can not reproduce identical pieces.  You can click on any of the titles of these raku pottery vases for more information

Fractal Magic

The patterns of the cracking on the glaze is very magical and intrigues me.

Fractal Magic

Diana’s Hunt

I find that using certain reduction materials can cause some very interesting multi-coloured textural effects.

Diana’s Hunt

This vase has many things going on!  Hues of red, purple and blue that almost give this vase a landscape quality!

A Horse With No Name

You can check out more cool one of a kind raku effects on other vases here. 

Which of these raku pottery vases is your favourite?

want to win a free raku pottery vase of your own?

– click here to find out how –

Playing Musical Vases – Sobek’s Tears

Gotta song that you think
goes with one of our vases?

We invite you to Add yours
in the comments!Press Play

then Read along

Sobek’s Tears, tells the story of an aggressive and fearless god who not only controlled the waters of the Nile, but also suffered from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). As the Egyptian god of fertility and water he was both adored and feared, for he could often side with chaos.

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As Sobek was busy helping to create the world and laying eggs along what would be the banks of the Nile, his sweat would become the mighty river. Good thing there was not yet a pill for that.

Sobek was thought to protect both the Pharoah and even some of the gods. It is thought that he assisted the venerable Isis during the childbirth of Horus. He also saved Horus’ four children in his net when they emerged from a lotus flower in the Nile.

This may explain why temple complexes devoted to him often had their own pond, complete with their own crocodile that was fed milk and honey and the choicest cuts of meat. Move over Cleopatra! Tick-Tock the crocodile from Peter Pan (not the social media platform) must feel jealous they did not end up in an ancient Egyptian temple.

What do you think of our raku pottery vase, ‘Sobek’s Tears‘? Let me know in the comments below!

Is there an Alchemist Studio vase that reminds you of a particular song?

please Let us know!

See all vases here

Have a great day!

or Get a free vase here

Made It Work

are you a Project runway fan or know someone that is?This shapely vase, titled ‘Make it Work’

is named in honour of Tim Gunn of Project Runway fame and his ever popular and perfectly timed catch phrase, and all those who mentor and support artists.

Thank you for many years of laughs and entertainment. Emerging artists need mentors like you, stylish experts like Heidi Klum, and critics who can tell you ‘no bueno’ when you are going in the wrong direction like Nina Garcia.

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Made with love by The Alchemist’s Studio

On The Wheel Wednesday

“All the best sands of my life are somehow getting into the wrong end of the hourglass. If I could only reverse it! Were it in my power to do so, would I?” ~Thomas Bailey Aldrich

If you could be 20 years younger again – not taking what you now know with you –
Would you do it?

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