Kyle Day

It’s…not the best. But it *is* borderline hilarious.

Clay shards in the bottom of a kiln

Clay shards in a kiln

Clay shards and broken bowl in a kiln

Four bowls in a kiln, two with the bottoms broken.

When you have a show in a week and open the kiln to find this absolute carnage.

It’s SO egregious that I can’t do anything but laugh.

#ceramics #ceramicfails #pottery #oops

Two black espresso cups stacked on top of one another.

I’ve been making like crazy and it’s so nice to unload the kiln and see the results.

I’m happy with how things have come out, especially these two little cups that just can’t wait to hold some morning espresso.

#pinchpots #ceramics
#pottersofbluesky #terrasig #terrasigillata

View of Copacabana beach with sugarloaf mountain in the background.

Rio de Janeiro at night.

Bouquet of flowers with beach in the background.

Pond full of lily pads at the botanical gardens in Rio de Janeiro.

I always mean to post more on social media, but I had a good excuse for lack of participation: prepping to be a guest at a gorgeous wedding and eight days in Rio de Janeiro.

Now back to real life as I return to my 9-5 on Monday and prep for a show in one month for which I have…zero inventory. 🙃

Two small bud vases sitting on a wooden shelf. A beige bud vase sits in front of a red bud vase.

Quick snap of two of my baby bud vases sitting in the Gathering US shop in downtown Boston. The pomegranate terra sig color in back has quickly become my favorite.

#terrasig #terrasigillata #pinchpot #pinchpots #handmade #slowliving #wabisabi

A trio of green bud vases sitting on a wooden shelf

The last of their kind (for now, at least). This deep green didn’t make the cut for my final color palette. Still, it’s a pretty nice color - maybe it’ll make it into a special seasonal line…

#terrasig #terrasigillata #ceramics #pottersofbluesky #pinchpot #pinchpots

Photo of four beige cups, one of which is a mug. Handmade, pinched pottery sitting on a shelf

A quick #shelfiesunday shot of my cups at @gatheringartisancollection . Each holds about 8oz and are perfect for sipping juice, tea, whiskey, or whatever brings you a moment of peace and relaxation.

#handmade #ceramics #pottery #pottersofbluesky #terrasigilata #terrasig #pinchpot

A row of five small bud vases on a yellow wood surface in front of a white wall.

A row of five small bud vases on a yellow wood surface in front of a white wall.

After a few months and 200+ test tiles, I’ve narrowed in on a color palette that works for me. I have a wee bit more work do find a soft, earthy green that will work, but I’m pretty pleased with the results!

#terrasig #terrasigillata #pottersofbluesky #pottery #ceramics

Despite the fact that I think these tiles are truly a mess, I think the final product will be much more successful. I was testing 1, 3, and 5 coats of TS (top to bottom), and skipped burnishing to see how necessary it would be. Turns out, the answer is “very.”

A cardboard box filled with ceramic tiles of multiple colors. Mostly in shades of brown or blue.

Seven rectangular tiles in seven different colors.

Out of 200 Terra sigillata test tiles, seven ratty looking samples will move on to round 2 of testing. None are burnished, so the colors are a bit dull and muddy. Next up: 13 color variants - and this time they’ll be burnished!

#TerraSigillata #terrasig #pottersofbluesky #pottery #ceramics

Small green bud vase in a ray of light. The vase is holding two dried flower stems.

Another piece from my recent collection.

As much as I miss the precision of throwing with porcelain, I do appreciate the warmth and irregularity that coil building brings.

#pottersofbluesky #terrasig #terrasigillata #wabisabi #pottery #ceramics

I’d love to see them! My favorite part about this platform (so far) is that it’s so community-focused. So anything to keep that going is appreciated!

As I mentioned yesterday, here’s my small (but growing) starter pack of artists working in Terra Sigillata.

#terrasig #terrasigillata #potterystarterpacks

go.bsky.app/VJXNpuV

Definitely - already have you on the list!

Hello to all you fantastic clay folks! I’m looking to make a starter pack focused entirely on terra sigillata. I follow a few artists, but if you know of anyone (or want to be included), give me a shout!

#terrasig #terrasigillata #clay #ceramics #pottery #ceramica #ceramique #pottersofbluesky

Three worn clay bottles in front of a window. One has an old label on the front.

Time for a little inspiration.

I snapped this photo in a vintage shop a few weeks back. Used and discarded items like these are a huge influence on my work. I keep my pieces pretty sedate, but I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate type into my work without it being too much of a focal point.

Leonard Koren. He has a few other books too, but this is the only one I’ve read so far.

Three beige cylindrical bowls nested inside one another. Bowls are on a rust colored surface with a gray, concrete texture in the background.

These are the first pieces I made in my new style. It was one of those rare moments where what I had in my head is what came out of my hands which is, as most artists know, a rarity.

#terrasig #terrasigillata #pinchpot #pottersofbluesky #pottery #ceramics

Branches covered in snow with blue berries hanging down.

It’s snowing! (Or was). I grew up in Maine and desperately miss having mounds of snow all around. I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort when I see it. Even just a few inches.

That texture and overlap is 👌. So good.

With life being so overwhelming lately, my friends and I have taken to sending each other pictures of frogs in hats. So this is kind of perfect for stress relief on my end.

I’m definitely working on it. I also do work in dyed porcelain, but it doesn’t quite mesh with what I’ve got going on now. I’m also trying to formulate my own porcelain clay body, but that’s a looooong road.

Translucent porcelain is so beautiful. I’m still trying to figure out how to marry it with my current work. It’s a finicky clay body, but when it works, it really works.

And I 100% agree about the lack of algorithms. Bluesky already feels like much more of a community.

Four terra sig bases and seven line blends over two clay bodies equals 200(ish) test tiles.

I’m still in the process of finishing these tiles and haven’t even made the sig yet…what have I done to myself?

#pottersofbluesky #pottery #ceramics #terrasig

Thank you! This is just before the terra sig layers. I honestly debated putting any on at all since I liked these so much.

Three vases sitting on a wooden board. The vases are coated in layers of rust and white colored porcelain slip.

Here’s a process shot of the vases from the other day. After pinching the forms, I build up alternating layers of slips. Then, they get 5 coats of terra sigillata before firing.

It’s time consuming, but meditative. And the finished product makes it all worth it.

#ceramics #pottery #terrasig

Oh, nice! I’m going to have to set aside some time to watch this soon. Thanks for sending!

I just found it a couple months ago! I had no idea and couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard about it before then. It’s on my bedside table in my to be read pile. Which is…large.

I’m not doing the 20 books in 20 days thing (I’ll forget after day 3), but it did make me think of the impact this book has had on me. I have Opinions on referring to my work as wabi sabi as it’s more than just an aesthetic, but it has *definitely* been inspired by the philosophy. #wabisabi #booksky

I’ll definitely share! On the docket are: 2 clay bodies, four different TS bases, and 10(ish) color line blends for each. It’ll be a lot of work, but worth it when I’m able to define a palette that hits on what I’m going for.