Melissa Whitler
@mwhitler.bsky.social
public school parent, hobby potter, part-time education reporter, #UglyDogs, Minneapolis
The closest I come to mixing my own glazes. Goodies from the kiln, coming early December.🤞#pottery
November 17, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The closest I come to mixing my own glazes. Goodies from the kiln, coming early December.🤞#pottery
One last mug. This is a test for my next project. I applied a mix of wood ash from our solo stove & water (sieved w/an 80 mesh), on top of the shino. In a couple weeks I should have a whole set for some gifts. #pottery
November 15, 2025 at 12:17 AM
One last mug. This is a test for my next project. I applied a mix of wood ash from our solo stove & water (sieved w/an 80 mesh), on top of the shino. In a couple weeks I should have a whole set for some gifts. #pottery
This is a dark stoneware clay. It has a swipe of very thick porcelain slip on the side of the jug. The glaze was a little too thin and it sort of crawled. But I am not mad about it. Just one more look for this glaze #pottery
November 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM
This is a dark stoneware clay. It has a swipe of very thick porcelain slip on the side of the jug. The glaze was a little too thin and it sort of crawled. But I am not mad about it. Just one more look for this glaze #pottery
I tried waiting 1, 2 weeks and 6 weeks before firing to see if it impacted the carbon trapping. In my experience, kiln placement was more important in getting heavier carbon trapping. These pieces were in a good location in the kiln. Luckily my instructor understood what I was trying to do. #pottery
November 15, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I tried waiting 1, 2 weeks and 6 weeks before firing to see if it impacted the carbon trapping. In my experience, kiln placement was more important in getting heavier carbon trapping. These pieces were in a good location in the kiln. Luckily my instructor understood what I was trying to do. #pottery
Carbon trapping happens when soda ash in the glaze evaporates onto the surface of the pot & then pulls the carbon out of the gas combustion in the kiln. By waxing the glaze immediately after it dries, you can stop the soda ash from reaching the surface. That’s how I made these designs. #pottery
November 15, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Carbon trapping happens when soda ash in the glaze evaporates onto the surface of the pot & then pulls the carbon out of the gas combustion in the kiln. By waxing the glaze immediately after it dries, you can stop the soda ash from reaching the surface. That’s how I made these designs. #pottery
This plate has the glaze thin enough to see the subtle texture. The top side, unfortunately, has the glaze too thick & the texture is lost. I forgot to take a picture of the top, but it has some very subtle carbon trapping on one side of the rim that almost makes up for the too thick glaze. #pottery
November 15, 2025 at 12:05 AM
This plate has the glaze thin enough to see the subtle texture. The top side, unfortunately, has the glaze too thick & the texture is lost. I forgot to take a picture of the top, but it has some very subtle carbon trapping on one side of the rim that almost makes up for the too thick glaze. #pottery
Two tumblers, a small oil bottle & a faceted vase with a squared opening. Sometimes I don’t mind having to be precise with glazing. But I like this glaze because it usually looks better when it’s uneven and a little messy. #pottery
November 15, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Two tumblers, a small oil bottle & a faceted vase with a squared opening. Sometimes I don’t mind having to be precise with glazing. But I like this glaze because it usually looks better when it’s uneven and a little messy. #pottery
I made two lidded forms. I will probably revisit these forms because these are two wide & angled uncomfortably. But the glaze is nice! One thing I really like about this shino is how it responds so much to thickness. #pottery
November 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I made two lidded forms. I will probably revisit these forms because these are two wide & angled uncomfortably. But the glaze is nice! One thing I really like about this shino is how it responds so much to thickness. #pottery
I am working on changing my handles, hence all the mugs. Here the carbon trapping is heavy at the top & handle, while leaving the bottom grey. I tried making a more subtle texture on these but it got lost in the glaze. #pottery
November 14, 2025 at 11:56 PM
I am working on changing my handles, hence all the mugs. Here the carbon trapping is heavy at the top & handle, while leaving the bottom grey. I tried making a more subtle texture on these but it got lost in the glaze. #pottery
I also carved some cups. (These definitely weren’t going to be mugs that got too dry for attaching handles. No, I would never do that.) #pottery
November 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I also carved some cups. (These definitely weren’t going to be mugs that got too dry for attaching handles. No, I would never do that.) #pottery
I threw these little vases off the hump, then carved most of them. The glaze gets bubbles when stirred. If you leave them on the pot, sometimes it results in little dots of carbon trapping which you can see in the close ups. #pottery
November 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I threw these little vases off the hump, then carved most of them. The glaze gets bubbles when stirred. If you leave them on the pot, sometimes it results in little dots of carbon trapping which you can see in the close ups. #pottery
Another carved mug. This one has a fair bit of carbon trapping. I like how there’s a dark side and a light side, showing how one side of the mug was shielded from the flame. #pottery
November 14, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Another carved mug. This one has a fair bit of carbon trapping. I like how there’s a dark side and a light side, showing how one side of the mug was shielded from the flame. #pottery
I spent the fall working w/ 2 different stoneware clays that fire to a medium brown. Both have some iron. Everything is glazed in a white, carbon-trapping shino, fired in a gas kiln to cone 10. I love this glaze & all the different things it can do. Here are some mugs I carved with floral motifs.
November 14, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I spent the fall working w/ 2 different stoneware clays that fire to a medium brown. Both have some iron. Everything is glazed in a white, carbon-trapping shino, fired in a gas kiln to cone 10. I love this glaze & all the different things it can do. Here are some mugs I carved with floral motifs.
From the southwest corner of Minneapolis
November 12, 2025 at 1:54 AM
From the southwest corner of Minneapolis
From the southwest corner of the city
November 12, 2025 at 1:53 AM
From the southwest corner of the city
Me: I just have one small shallot. I should add a couple to the next grocery delivery.
Also me, unpacking 3 shallots the size of my hand: welp, I guess we’re making SHALLOTS.
Also me, unpacking 3 shallots the size of my hand: welp, I guess we’re making SHALLOTS.
November 11, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Me: I just have one small shallot. I should add a couple to the next grocery delivery.
Also me, unpacking 3 shallots the size of my hand: welp, I guess we’re making SHALLOTS.
Also me, unpacking 3 shallots the size of my hand: welp, I guess we’re making SHALLOTS.
I don’t know if @darthbluesky.bsky.social is hibernating yet but I made some roasted tiny potatoes. (Always better in a handmade bowl!)
November 10, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I don’t know if @darthbluesky.bsky.social is hibernating yet but I made some roasted tiny potatoes. (Always better in a handmade bowl!)
This was the email sent to parents this evening. K-5 childcare w/transportation & meals by reservation. Middle & high school drop-in gym w/meals. Meals available for pick-up at some schools but open to all students.
November 6, 2025 at 2:29 AM
This was the email sent to parents this evening. K-5 childcare w/transportation & meals by reservation. Middle & high school drop-in gym w/meals. Meals available for pick-up at some schools but open to all students.
Me at 7am: time change is good
Me at 5pm: 🤬🤬🤬
Me at 5pm: 🤬🤬🤬
November 3, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Me at 7am: time change is good
Me at 5pm: 🤬🤬🤬
Me at 5pm: 🤬🤬🤬
I know there are some of you- not naming any names- whose brains will also be pleased by my son’s well sorted candy haul.
November 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I know there are some of you- not naming any names- whose brains will also be pleased by my son’s well sorted candy haul.
First the sort. Now for the spreadsheet. Sixth graders are a delight.
November 1, 2025 at 3:09 PM
First the sort. Now for the spreadsheet. Sixth graders are a delight.