FireHorse Designs of Texas

Working in the Studio and in the Field

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 20:30:00 +0000

My blog has been left in the dust by my FB presence for my fired art studio, FireHorse Designs, here: https://www.facebook.com/FireHorseDesigns?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark

and my photography studio, FireHorse Photography, here:

https://www.facebook.com/FireHorsePhotographyStudios?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark

In Progress as of August 2014: Chaney Porcelain Circus Pony

In Progress as of August 2014: Kilbourne "Kipling" in Porcelain

In Progress as of August 2014: Leisure "Samuel" in Porcelain

Stoneware from FireHorse Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 23:58:00 +0000

I've got a larger kiln now that can heat to a cone for stoneware firings so I've been playing with cone 6 glaze mixing. Here are my first results, two platters and two mugs. My next project is going to be a platter with a southwestern background and a horse. Stay tuned!

NAN Top Tens and Some Custom Glazes for sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 20:46:00 +0000

Most of my updates are via my Facebook page these days but I did want to finally update my blog to reflect that two of my custom glazes placed in the Top Ten in custom glaze appaloosa workmanship at the NAMHSA NAN in Harrisburg PA last month. Also I have some custom glazes for sale. Here is a link to the page with photos and pricing:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151445692767294.1073741825.220600312293&type=1&l=7d5f2653ac

Memories of ceramics and my Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:16:00 +0000

My mother was the person who got me interested in ceramics, just as it was my father who got me interested in horses. I had always collected model horses, brought to me by my Dad when he would visit family in VA, but when I was a child Mom took a ceramics class from a friend and made me several horse pieces and a chess set. Fast forward 20 years to when I was in my late 20s and putting my first husband through medical school. A friend asked me to go to a ceramics and stained glass class with her. I was bit by the bug and by the time my parents relocated to TX in 1984 I was producing custom tiles, lamps, windows, etc. for a local builder. My Mom got interested again and we entered pieces at the Texas State Fair. Somewhere along the way I learned to make clay flowers and made a few pieces for her. Then my Dad and I started showing horses and the ceramics/glass went by the wayside.

My parents passed away in 2004 but a few days ago when I was going through a box I found one of the ceramic flowers I made for Mom. She was English and loved roses so it was a lovely surprise to see that this piece survived. I mounted it with a copper bail to use as a necklace now. I miss you Mom!

Goodies for Breakables at BF 2012 Auction and Show

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:53:00 +0000

Fresh out of the kiln, a horsehead candydish and two slab cast terracotta tile awards, all for the Breakables At Breyerfest 2012 show coming up this month.

Below is a hobby mold of a horsehead container that I cast in earthenware, fired to bisque, and then glazed for a Breakables at Breyerfest Show auction donation. I cast it fairly thick and made it into a candy or pencil holder. It's fleabit gray and then antiqued with rubbed gold and silver.

Below is a handcast slab tile made from earthenware terracotta clay for the Breakables at Breyerfest 2012 Lakeshore Division, sponsored by the Lakeshore Collection. The imprint is from a Lakeshore Status Symbol. This tile is for the highest placing Lakeshore CG finished by myself. There is a similar tile with the reverse impression for the highest placing Lakeshore OF SR finished by myself as well. The tile was fired to bisque, then glazed with clear crackle, and then antiqued with black and gold rubbings.

Adventures with a new kiln and porcelain clay, part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Last week I took the dive and purchased a larger kiln, one that will hold the bigger bisque pieces I've collected and will also fire much higher, to cone 8. I will still use my Paragon Home Artist Kiln for smaller lower firing jobs and my microwave kiln by Fuseworks. As it turned out I ended up needing an electrician to fix the receptacle for the dryer outlet for the new kiln: Biggest Little Kiln from Paragon. Once that was done, I headed out to Fort Worth and American Ceramics and Glass Supply to purchase some porcelain clay.
I've worked with porcelain before but someone else did the bisque firing. I'm finding out that firing porcelain to bisque in my new kiln isn't going to be as simple as firing earthenware greenware to bisque. Apparently porcelain clay or slip will fuse to other pieces during the bisque firing, unlike earthenware. As a chemist this make sense due to the much higher firing temps but it didn't occur to me until I started researching firing porcelain to bisque. This article from Ceramics Arts Daily on Porcelain Clay was a great start.

So I'm going to go in baby steps and learn the "soul" of porcelain clay. First step is easy, putting kiln wash on the new shelves, drying them, and firing the shelves and posts to cone 01 for the first ever new kiln firing. While that is going on, I will work on creating a swirled open-weave vase using a balloon as a form to fit the vase pieces around. I will post in-progress photos as I go. My main goal is to become familar with firing porcelain to bisque so that I can throw it on my wheel etc. I don't like throwing earthenware clay on a wheel because it has a lot of grog in it and is very rough compared to the porcelain clay which is like playing with butter. Stay tuned!

Cleaning up the shelves

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:59:00 +0000

I have a bad habit of starting projects and then putting them on the shelf while I work on something else. This can result in some pieces sitting for a year or more, partly finished, waiting for me to return to them. Such is the case with this piece, a bisque Ravenhill by Hilary Hurley and produced by Horsing Around UK. I started china painting him two years ago and decided I wasn't advanced enough to tackle him. I'm feeling more confident and decided to work on him again. He needs more work on the face and in the hindquarters but I really like the way my roaning technique is evolving. I hope to have him done in a few weeks.

Thank you.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 May 2012 19:02:00 +0000

Best Of Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:08:00 +0000

While I would continue to glaze pieces for the shear joy of it, I admit it does feel pretty darn good when a piece you've put your heart into does well in either the model horse world showrings or at juried art shows. The Donna Chaney AA Striking Out Arabian that I custom glazed took home a division championship, a Southwestern overall championship and a Best of Show, all in the professional category! My husband was with me when they announced the awards, which made it very special. I am so thrilled, as this was a juried show, judged by fellow artists, some of which are masters in the fired arts.

End of an Era

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 May 2012 16:46:00 +0000

30 years ago when I started dabbling in ceramics with my mother, I found a show near where I worked in Dallas. The Southwest Ceramic Association show, SWCA, was huge, taking up an entire hall in the Dallas Market Hall complex. I entered a piece in the hobbist division: a large underglazed ceramic cathedral with stained glass windows (I was doing stained glass at the time) and won a coveted Southwesterner award. Fast forward to this weekend, which is the 60th, and last, show. It is now a very small show and is no longer attracts the vendors or entrants so they are folding up their tent this year. Since it is the last year, I traveled to the Mesquite Convention Center and entered two of the AA pieces I have been working on and will see how they do in the professional division. It's the end of an era.

Back in the Studio!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:51:00 +0000

Wow, can't believe how much time has passed since I posted to my blog. The school year is almost over too!

I have finally gotten back to the studio and started china painting an AA Chaney Circus Pony and a bisque Goebel foal. This is after the first of many china paint firings. I'm also working on a new Lakeshore SR and hope to have him finished in late May.

Moving on but never forgetting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:57:00 +0000

It's been four weeks since our Rissa passed over the rainbow bridge, leaving our home but never our hearts. The day I brought her ashes home I also brought home a little puppy-mill Chihuahua to foster from the vet. It's taken a lot of gentle care and love but she is finally coming out of her shell. However she decided to bond with one person and that person is my husband. So we decided to find a rescue poodle that would help the Chihuahua and us. Last weekend we drove to Houston and decided to adopt "Buzz" a wonderful extroverted two year old male poodle. He and Shadow get along fine and both love long rides in the car and van. It's good to have something to cuddle and take care of again. We're helping them and they are definitely helping us.

We renamed "Buzz" to Sam (for Sam Houston). The group we adopted Sam from is k-9 angels rescue and they are doing wonderful work!

Three weeks and counting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Three weeks ago, on January 18, Rissa told us it was time to say goodbye. It has been so very hard not having her joyful greeting for me when I come home but it is even harder for my husband, who is retired and has the empty house. We are grateful for the time we had with our little angel and know we did the right thing by her. But oh how I miss my little girl.

There is never enough time when you love something.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

One of the hard parts of adopting a rescue animal is that you don't know all their history and they are usually older animals so that when you bond, it can be for a shorter time period. I'm learning this personally with a little rescue dog we adopted in May 2008. She was about 5 or 6, a toy poodle who had been mistreated and was very shy about people. But when she bonded with my husband and myself, it was a fierce bond the likes of which I'd never experienced. We became her world. Not just because we fed her, but because we didn't hurt her and I think that was a new experience for her.

Suffice it to say, I have never had a dog like Rissa, and I knew she was older so I would be lucky to have her 9 or so years assuming she lived to the same age as my other toy poodles, who lived to be 15 or 16. That was not to be.

Last July she was diagnosed with breast cancer. We did surgery and chemo (yes on a dog, but sometimes you have to do things that in the past you would have thought ridiculous). So the time frame slipped to the point we were looking at having her maybe another 2 years or so. Now it may be today that we lose her.

I don't regret adopting her but I am angry with the short time she was given to us and I only hope we made up for the abuse she had in the first part of her life. It hurts so much to love them and know they will leave you all too soon. I understand why people are leery of adopting an older animal because of this exact situation but they need us, oh how they need us. And they will give back more than you can imagine.

I love you Rissa and I will do what is right for you, that I promise you, little girl.

Season's Greetings to All!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:13:00 +0000

See a need, fill it.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:29:00 +0000

Having lost quite a few pets over the years and currently having a terminally ill dog, I realized that there may be a need for small affordable pet creamtion urns for cremains. So I am going to offer porcelain urns as part of my art inventory. It may not be a pleasant product but I think it may fill a need. My supplier for the plain glazed urns will be Maryland China and I will keep a few of their urns in stock for china painting names, dates, artwork etc. Inquiries welcome.

Moving out of my artistic comfort zone

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:57:00 +0000

I started working on a fleabit gray on the Chaney striking-out arabian sculpture, which is a favorite of mine from Animal Artistry in the UK. I've never done a fleabit gray, let alone one in a fired finish, so this is a real stretch for me! He's not done yet but here are two in-progress shots.

New items in my Etsy shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:15:00 +0000

I've put some new items in my Etsy show and will be adding more during the holiday season. I'll also be stocking some local stores with my items (Rockwall/Greenville TX) and will be taking custom orders. Here is a link to my shop: FireHorse Designs on Etsy

Cheryl

New fused glass items coming to my Etsy shop this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:19:00 +0000

I have three kiln loads of goodies that will be uploaded to my Etsy store this weekend, November 26-27. The link is Etsy Shop for FireHorse Designs

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Cheryl

FireHorse Designs, makers of Pottery, Ceramics & Fused Glass, since 1980
www.appaloosas.org
http://www.firehorsedesigns.org/
Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/firehorsedesigns
blog: http://firehorsedesignxtx.blogspot.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/#!/FireHorseDesigns

Fusing again!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:43:00 +0000

Now that the weather has cooled off some, I'm working with the kiln again. Yesterday I made some fused glass cabs and also played with an electric engraver and some dichroic glass. Here are the results! I plan on making more, in different colors and patterns, to list to my Etsy store for holiday shopping. The first photo is of a bracelet made from tourquoise and black cabs. The second is a necklace made from etched dichroic glass.

A Day to Reflect, to Enjoy our Freedom, and to give Service

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:42:00 +0000

I remember where I was on 9/11/2001. Tomorrow I will use some of my class time to teach my students, who were 8 years of age or less then, what September 11 means, not only in terms of history but in terms of the future and what it means to serve.

This particular piece by Budweiser always manages to bring tears to my eyes.

Bud Clydesdales 9/11/2001 Tribute

Thank you to our young men and women who serve in the armed forces, as firefighters, and as police. God speed.

Items listed to Etsy!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 18:41:00 +0000

I've uploaded many items to Etsy. There is jewelry, home decor items, etc. Please check them out at FireHorse Designs Shop At Etsy

OOAK Handcrafted Jewelry: orders being taken now

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Offered for your consideration, for you or your holiday gift recipient, OOAK custom glazed earthenware and fused glass jewelry. All pieces can be customized to your color and breed preference. Glazes and glass colors can also be customized. Pictured are pieces finished in crackle glaze.

Each piece is handcast from earthenware clay, fired to bisque, glazed, and then china painted. Detailing such as mother-of-pearl, gold and silver overglazing, etc. can also be added. Item will be crafted to the design of your choosing, be it equine, canine, feline, floral, etc.

Depending on the complexity of the design, allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Pricing will be dependent up design of piece and the type/style of necklace, earrings, pin, etc. chosen for the piece. For example, a necklace with beads or semiprecious stones will cost more than a simple black velvet necklace.

A 50% deposit will be required at the time of ordering. Please e-mail me at firehorsedesigns@aol.com or cherylfarrens@aol.com for a price quote. PayPal accepted. Thank you!

CG Lakeshores for sale through Cindy Neuhaus

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:34:00 +0000

Cindy Neuhaus of The Lakeshore Collection has listed for sale many CG and tests finished by me. Please go here Lakeshore CG by Cheryl Farrens to view the pieces.
They have all garnered NAN cards and some have earned championships.

Donation to a good cause and a tea pot!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:29:00 +0000

I have been laid up with the silly leg ulcer again and my beloved toy poodle, Rissa, has been hospitalized since last Wednesday. Add to that a burned out element in my kiln, and you have a REALLY bad start to July. So I have thrown myself into some china painting and digging through some older work to find a donation piece for a silent auction a friend is hosting, which will assist a great rescue operation.

On a positive note, the vet thinks I may be able to bring Rissa home tomorrow and the leg isn't hurting nearly as badly as it was before I got to see the doctor on Friday. Gotta love pain meds LOL.

So without further ado, here is the abstract tile I'm donating to the Breakables at Breyerfest silent auction. I used underglaze watercolors and then applied gloss clear glaze using a sponge, giving it a pebbled effect. I then mounted it in a rosewood frame.

I am also working on a porcelain teapot. I have tried to emulate the Chinese brush-art style by using dilute black china paint and a calligraphy brush. I like what I have so far but I think it's a bit too stark and am debating where to go from here. I don't want to stray too far from the Chinese style so I am thinking about adding some minor detailing like bamboo leaves. Hmmm.

Before I can fire the china paint though, I will need to fire the kiln empty so that the element will form its oxidation coating properly though.

Lastly, here is a photo of my little girl, whom I miss greatly and hope to bring her home soon to convalesce.