Gift Certificates!

Yes!  We have Gift Certificates!  We can mail them for you , or you can pick them up.  If you are mailing them, we can Paypal you so you don't even have to leave your house!
email us at handprintlady@hotmail.com

OUTprint ornament-no frame

OUTprint ornament in bronze

Quad OUTprint plaque in bronze

16x16 Stepping stone-before glazing

Print frame for baby Jake

IN and OUT, variations on a theme

Black and White damask

after drying for a week or two, they are hand sanded, very dirty work

Everything has to dry completely-one molecule of water and everything blows up in the kiln

I have to load layers of shelves in a 4 foot tall kiln for the first "bisque" firing turns soft clay into hard clay

It fires to 1944F or higher to 2400F and that takes 12 hours

Then I have to unload and clean everything, more sanding

The kiln has to cool for 12 hours to unload at room temperature-if I rush this, everything cracks and breaks

Mixing Glaze

Making Glaze

Mix dry ingredients according to a formula
Ball Mill to mix and pulverize
add distilled water
sieve twice through 80 and 120 mesh screens
use hydrometer to test viscosity

The Process

Step One :  preparing the clay

I mix my clay by hand to get it the right consistency

I pound the clay from big chunks to powder with a sledgehammer

I mix dry with water

I dry it on plaster bats

Then I knead it by hand on canvas covered boards

then I package it in bags

 

 

Breaking out of the box with copper patina

Just thought I'd try something new on an old sample:  also known as vert de gris

aged copper/bronze patina

Father's Day 2013

Father's Day 2013 is Sunday June 16th this year.  We have some precious items to help you celebrate the most important man in your life!  The deadlines are quick, so prepare ahead of time! 

1) May 10 for wet clay impressions. 
2) June 3 for tiles/mugs/plates

Make your appointment today!

Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day this year is Sunday May 12.  The deadline to do any wet clay project has passed, but I do have a few cute last minute, but very thoughtful and meaningful ideas for gifts: 

1) Handprint and Footprint Tile-Swing by my home and I'll print your baby/child real quick.  I can hang the tiles by a ribbon, or better yet, inlay them in a lovely wood frame, mirror, box, or tray.  I have items to fit small 4x4 tiles or 6x6 tiles, circle tiles, or even multiple tiles for a tray.  Available in any color.

2) Hand/Footprint Mug-Handprint or Footprint or both, with the name and a special message for mommy on the bottom.  Any color.  Serve Mom her hot chocolate and enjoy for years to come.

3) Hand/Footprint Plate-A special message for mom around the rim, and the prints inside.  Can be used to serve mom her breakfast, and enjoyed for years later.

Use the tabs on right namely, "tiles" "tile accessories" "plates" and "mugs" to see some pics.

Pickup Friday May 10

New Puppy!  Pawprint inside Handprint

Sibling OUTprints-hmm, what color will it be? with picture frame

flower with purple ribbon border

double hands large heart

teal hand and foot dot border

bronzed inprint

Daddy, Mommy, and Me in triple monochrome

hand and footprint plaque in brown monochrome pie crust edge

Extra Large Family plaque 16x16

Extra Large Mommy, Daddy and Me handprint plaque in two tone, 11x14

Doggie OUTprint in bronze

Baby Jake 23 weeks gestation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the honor of visiting a family who had lost their son at 23 weeks gestation.  He was a beautiful boy.  I was able to make inkprints for cards, mastermolds, 3D lifecasts of each foot and hand, and a picture frame with his prints, and in and outprint plaques for them.  They had a wonderful service in their home for him to celebrate his life, and displayed the casts.  It helped to show people that he was a fully formed baby, even so young in the womb.  His mother and father loved him so much I was so touched by them.