Monday, 14 July 2025

Another clay day!

 Over night it rained quite hard...then mizzled in the morning..but then turned fine by lunchtime...washing out....and dry!!

I settled in to my workshop, radio on and got on with it!!

The clay isn't quite right... working on it to get it back to the right moisture level isn't just a fair bit of work...it needs to settle down a bit before I can ask it to do things like bud vases or bottles....but bowls and platters are coming along ok


It isn't that big a platter...the batt is a foot wide...then the clay shrinks in firing..a good 10% if I remember correctly...I'll have to check with the supplier.

I got the first batch of fruit leather made..I used the oven on low instead of the dehydrator. I think I haven't dried it out quite enough...but it will do for first try!!





The recipe said sprinkle cornflour to stop it sticking...but it would take more than that! 

It is tasty .... blackcurrant with apple...

13 comments:

Granny Sue said...

I have never made fruit leather. That does sound very good. I wonder if it would work with pears?
Your pottery just amazes me. What skill you have.

Debby said...

It looks delicious, though, even if it is sticky. I imagine just give it more time to dry out and you'll be fine. You are a woman of many talents.

Catalyst said...

I'm HUNGRY! Would love to try that fruit leather, even with my degraded teeth.

Jean said...

That does sound good, blackcurrant and apple. I always enjoy fruit leather. Have you made fruit leather before? Jean in Winnipeg

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Mmmm, tasty fruit leather flavour!

gz said...

I've bought pear fruit leather in NZ and it was tasty

gz said...

But not of enough patience sometimes!

gz said...

I've made fruit cheese and butter, this is the first time I've taken it further. It is something I always buy as a snack in NZ! Cycling past the place it was made near Blenheim in the South Island was heavenly!!

Tigger's Mum said...

we roll our fruit leather in cling film - the cigars don't stick together then. Amazed by your output at the wheel once you get started.

gz said...

I'll look for something that isn't plastic.
Do you remember Annie's fruit leather? Is it still sold? It used to be made on the right as you go south towards Blenheim, just off the main highway

Barbara Rogers said...

Our clay used to shrink 12%...we'd fire it to cone 6. I imagine cones are same numbers everywhere. I like seeing your treatments of your bowls. So glad that you're back getting clay under your fingernails...which are cut short of course!

gz said...

I need to double check the shrinkage on this one...far less than porcelain anyway!
Surprisingly Seger and Orton cones' numbering isn't exactly the same

Steve Reed said...

More beautiful pots!