A Good Friend

I had just gotten to school this morning, made my rounds, and entered the church office when I heard a banging at the door. A very distraught man was standing there. He said with tears in his eyes, "Pastor Bob, Nate died!"

Nate D'amico was an old friend from way back when. I knew him since the 1980s. He was just 42 years old. He had had quite a bout with diabetes a couple of years ago. They had to amputate his toes on his feet and he had to relearn how to walk.

Nate had lost a lot of weight, but he had more than gained it all back. His blood sugar was 480 this morning. He pretty much just woke up this morning and collapsed. He never woke up again.

Nate was very talented. He was involved in drama, making all kinds of great stagecraft. He was very proud of his work in "Little shop of Horrors" because he had created the animated man eating plant.

He did puppetry in the church as well as youth work. He was very active in church. He served as the President of our Deacons at Grace for a year or two.

God bless you Nate. You left us too soon...

My Studio

I spent all morning working on my store. I've added a lot of things and will add more this week. If you are wondering why there are so many bunnies on the Animal page, it's because my sister and brother in law make software for breeding rabbits. Well, the software doesn't actually "Breed" the rabbits, they do that very well themselves. Well, I don't mean my sister and brother in law breed the rabbits, I mean that ...oh, never mind, I'm going to get in trouble.

They have software that tracks the breeding of rabbits and they also sell rabbit jewlery, shampoo, and their famous rabbit-tat. Not sure I spelled that right, but it's a clever little hand held device that can tattoo rabbits or even YOU!

So, she, Cathy, is linking my store from her web page, so bunny people will ,hopefully, buy from me.

If you know someone who breeds rabbits, send them to www.stibbar.com. They've just released a PDA version of it. Pretty cool.

Click on the title to see my store.

Eddie Albert

Eddie, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

A sad passing for me. Most of my friends thought Green Acres was way funnier than anyone would like to admit. I don't know of a show that made me laugh harder than this one. Eddie Albert was a true war hero. He did a lot to help the children of this world and he was a pretty good actor and conservationist too. We will miss him.

e-Trash

Today is going to be a hard, but productive day. The City of La Mirada is having an e-trash day, which means people can take their computers, monitors, tvs etc. and dump them for free. I had Aaron, our school tech guy, separate all the computers etc. at the school that were too old. We filled 3 vans and a pick up truck! Plus I have more at my home. But there comes a time when this stuff just is no longer compatible with anything on the market.

So, that's what we do today. My worry is that they might refuse what we have because they told us, after the fact, that we were limited to 125 lbs. per car. That wasn't stated in the literature, but we've already got the vans packed, so I'm hoping it will go through all right.

Clay to Glory Studios

Clay to Glory Studios index.html

I chose from one of our readers the name "Clay2Glory" for my ceramic studio name. I really like it. I hope you do.

The online store is open. Still got a few bugs to work on. I hope you'll at the least, enjoy seeing what I make. I get satisfaction from that and would love to hear your comments. If you'd actually like to buy something, that would be great. My kids will be selling online too. They are getting things ready.

If you live close by, please don't even consider the Shipping and Handling, just drop by and pick up what you want. (Call first, please. It might have sold!)

Some things are already gone. I'm doing my best to keep it current, but I'll leave pictures up in case you want order it.

Would you help me spread the word? There are some great gift items you might want for birthdays, anniversaries etc. My roses are a big hit with the ladies. I made one for each lady at church for Mother's Day. That was a big project! But they really liked them.

So take a look and let me know what you think. There are probably cheaper shipping options in the USA if you don't mind waiting longer.



Bob

Hot Day

Went swimming with the kids today in our pool. Felt so good.

I got everything set up to upload all my info and picts to my new online store and the IP was down. Can't try until tomorrow as they are 'upgrading' the site.

Aardvark

The best clay place around for potters is Aardvark Clay in Anaheim. Connie, Liz and I went there today. Zack was at grandma's. Bought lots of new glazes, 100 lbs. of clay, and a few tools I needed. I'm looking forward to making a lot of stuff this summer. The glazes are incredible these days. So many cool things to try out. Hope I end up selling some stuff to recoup my investment.

Got a really cute bunny mold the other day. I have that and a real cute pig mold. Either one should make a cool looking bank as well as a figurine.

Hoping to get the store online tonight. Don't have to write a sermon today because I didn't end up preaching last week and still have that one to go for tomorrow. Freed me up to do ceramics and play in the pool with the kids and Connie today. The pool is up to 76%uFFFD today! Finally, it feels good to get in.

Online Store

Well, I chose the Clay to Glory name for my store. I liked that one. I figured out this morning how to do the Pay Pal store, so I basically had to tear apart everything I had done, but it will be better when I'm done. I'm going to try hard to get it up tomorrow.

When it is ready, I'll be real annoying and email everyone I know once that it is up and running. Then, I will have an update service for when I add new things for those who want to be notified, but I don't want to turn into a spammer, so just those who are interested will be contacted.

Even if you don't personally want to buy something for yourself, I hope you'll at least spread the word for me. Perhaps some of your friends will think of me when it's time to buy presents for people.

I've got a lot more stuff coming up. It tends to become ready in waves because you try and fire a kiln when it's full. I'm anxious to see how it goes.

Bob

swimming

Ah, the first day hot enough to have a really good swim. Kids and I came home and in the pool it was. We've tried two times before, but it was just too cold. Not bad today. This means it's time to have the school kids over for the end of the year swim and BBQ. Some years the water doesn't get hot enough, but this year is looking good.

Well Stocked

So much has happened since I last wrote. Connie bought me a slab roller for my birthday. She and the kids had kept me out of the backyard patio since Thursday. Turns out she had assembled it out there. A slab roller is a large table with two rollers on it, sort of like the old washing machines. It comes with 2 large canvases. You put a hunk of clay between the canvasses and then you crank away. In a few seconds you have a beautiful flat piece of clay that you can turn into just about anything.

Then, after a series of events that sort of ended up getting me some extra cash, including birthday money, I had enough to go buy a potters wheel as well. Connie, bless her heart, went and got it for me while I was at work. There's really nothing else I need to make anything I want now. I have the wheel, the slab roller and the kiln. Pretty much have a working studio. Just need to clear up more room to put it all. Getting a bit crowded in the garage.

Bob

Ceramics Online Studio

I've had a pretty good reaction to starting up an online ceramics store. I finished firing a load last night. I think it's my best work yet. I'll try and post pictures soon. I haven't had so much luck on ebay, I hope this store does better.

I hate CATs

Well, I don't like cats, but I guess I hate CATs more. Spent the last two days administering the California Achievement Test. It's pretty boring to sit and watch a room full of kids take a test all day long. At least they were well behaved. I hope they did well. Some finished so fast, it worries me they aren't trying their best. Guess we'll know soon.

This is the last year of this test. It has been upgraded to the Terra Nova Test. The great feature of the new test is it is MUCH more expensive. With the CAT test we are able to grade the tests ourselves. The Terra Nova test charges over $16.00 per student to grade. Now, that wouldn't be so bad except that they are just those bubble cards read by a machine. I've done those myself and it just takes seconds to do a class of students. That really bothers me.

Ceramics 101

Went to class this evening with Attie and Liz. Cindy and Zack didn't go. Attie and I each made something on the wheel. I was trying to make a nice bowl and I was trying to enlarge it and put my finger through it. What a bummer. There wasn't time to make another one. I decided to keep it, leave the hole, but patch behind it because it had so much character. I am really getting to like distorted pieces. Wonder what that says about me???

I saw this picture today that gave me perspective. This potter makes sculptures out of pieces he breaks. He does whole walls full of broken, glazed potter. Really looks cool.

I'm hoping to get a slab roller soon. That makes big slabs of clay, which allows you to make almost anything. I like that more than throwing on the wheel. But I imagine someday I'll have to buy a wheel also.

Busy as a Bee

Had an interesting day, today. One of our students, Bruce, had his 9th birthday today. His dad got pizza for everyone and a big jumper for the kids to play on. I was told that the dad would be bringing pizza to the cafeteria at 12:15, so I walked downstairs to help him. As the kids started coming to the cafeteria, I heard some yelling. (That's not too unusual.) I opened the door and bees were swarming everywhere. They settled in one of our smaller trees and commenced to build a hive!

We called a bee keeper company and they came out and killed all the bees. They said when it's a school, they just try to kill them as fast as the can because they can't take a chance with the little ones getting hurt.

I can appreciate that, but now there's no honey for my honeypot.

Zack's Birthday

Had a bad start to this day. Zack and Elizabeth had spent the night over at mom's house because Connie and I went out to the Ralph Carmichael concert for FEBC. About 4:30 am Mom calls and says Elizabeth is shaking all over and can't stop. We took her to emergency. She had a fever of 103. They gave her medicine and brought it down, figuring it was a virus. (Standard Dr. Answer for wanna pick straws?)

Anyway, we were pretty tired. Brought Zack home. Had to change plans because Connie and Liz couldn't go out, so I took Zack to the ceramics store and let him buy some stuff he wanted. He's pretty good at ceramics now. This will be his first time to work on a molded piece. Then we went to see National Treasure, which was a very good movie and quite clean, but full of suspense and adventure.

Then Zack played on his Game Cube, worked on his Ceramics, opened his presents and all. Hoping Liz will be up to church tomorrow. I don't want Connie to miss Mother's Day at church. I have a nice surprise for all the ladies.

Mel Rockhill Scholarship Fund

We will be starting up a memorial scholarship fund in Dad's name pretty soon. We already have been given $400.00 to begin it. Let me know if you'd like any information about it. I will construct a web site with information and some things about Dad's life.

Any donations should be sent to:

Mel Rockhill Memorial Scholarship Fund
C/O Grace Christian Schools
12722 Woods Ave.
Norwalk, CA 90650

Contest

If anyone here comes up with a name I end up using for my online ceramics store, I will make you a piece of pottery that you'd like if I am able to do so. So, start thinking!

Bob

Fiesta bowl2

Fiesta bowl2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This is my other favorite piece. It's a large bowl with an explosion of color around the edge and inside the bowl. The glaze I used has crystals that melt and explode when fired. I want to try more of this technique.

HeartCandyDish2

HeartCandyDish2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

I just made this as an example to my students at school. It's a handmade candy dish with a Maranatha dove in the middle. I'm planning to come out with a whole line of Christian inspired pottery. I used to see that a lot, but not so much anymore.

IvyCross2

IvyCross2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

Made this cross for my buddy Guy, who collects crosses. It came out pretty small, so I think I'll make him a bigger one. Clay shrinks quite a bit when it air dries and then it shrinks more when you fire it. I have to learn to anticipate that better. Had the same trouble trying to make candle holder only to find the candle wouldn't fit after it fired.

NeptuneVase2

NeptuneVase2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This vase is constructed by hand. Another of my sealife creations. It has stark contrasting colors, vivid and primary, unlike what I usually do. I suppose it is a matter of opinion as to whether you like the color combinations. Wouldn't work in my house, but it will catch your attention!

PiñaVase2

PiñaVase2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

My second Tower. Another very large vase. I stippled it with slip (liquid clay) and carved designs on the side. Just fired it to bisque last night. No glaze on it yet. I have an interesting idea for glazing it. I think it will come out great. Connie likes these large ones a lot.

SealifeVase2

SealifeVase2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This is my personal favorite piece. I'm keeping it for now. I use real sea creatures for this. I make my own molds of their little selves and then I use them as appliques to add to the piece. This piece is called a slab rolled piece. That means instead of throwing it on the wheel, you roll a slab of clay and construct a piece from it. That's the overlap you see on the left, which I personally find attractive.

Blackpocket2

Blackpocket2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This is another prototype of what I'll be making. Just a different color and decoration on it. I like working with appliques. I'll be doing more of that I think.

brnPocket2

brnPocket2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

These are miniatures of what I will soon be making. They are pockets that can hold flowers on the wall. These are just prototypes. I expect to actually plant live plants like ferns in the large ones. They have a leather thong hanger in the back and the finish is sort of a burlap effect. They are fun to make and decorate. A lot of people like my roses I make, so I put some on this one.

Bunny2

Bunny2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This is for my sister in law, Cathy, who sells bunny stuff. It is inspired by Killroy. Not that it looks like Killroy, but it sits on a shelf or computer monitor and peers down at you. It's quite small. I've got another one about finished that looks quite different. I think he has some character in his little face.

Candleleafbowl2

Candleleafbowl2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

I've been doing a lot with leaves. This piece is constructed using real leaves for texture. I build a piece from a real leaf and then I construct a candle holder from those leaves. It has some dry brushing on the leaves, but the photo doesn't show it very well.

Dabblevase2

Dabblevase2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This is one of my "Towers" I talked about in the blog. A large vase that would easily hold a dozen roses. It was thrown on the wheel and then I changed its shape. I think you can see that the mouth of the vase is in a heart shape. On the sides are my dabble effect that I put on with a syringe. It never even said ouch. This is not even glazed yet, but I put it on so Todd would know I'm not nuts.

elephant2

elephant2, originally uploaded by bobrocky.

This elephant is from a greenware molded piece I bought. I just glazed it. I collect elephants, so I'll probably do every one I can find. :-)

Samples

Some friends have asked me to put some of my ceramic work on the blog for them to see. My plans are to eventually open an online store to try and sell my ceramics. I can only keep so much myself. Ebay hasn't done to well. They don't have a place for people to sell their original work.

So, I'm hoping to open an Paypal store. A Paypal store allows you to accept credit cards, ATM cards etc. right online. So, here are some samples of what I have done. I'd appreciate knowing what you like and don't like. I'm pretty much experimenting right now, learning and developing my own techniques. So, comments would be helpful in knowing what the public might like to buy.

Thanks,

Bob

Store Name

I've been selling a few things on ebay. Ceramics don't seem to sell very well there. I'm thinking of making an online store for my work. Sort of an online studio. I need help with a name. My first thought was Rockhill Studios. That's kind of bland. I would like to play with the word rock or rockhill in the title. I'm open to suggestions. The bad thing about ceramics as a hobby is soon you have all this shiny stuff all over the house. My latest, the ceramic afghan, didn't go over very well with Connie.

I'm thinking of making Todd a ceramic Bible cover so we'll all know he's staying solid in the Word.

Ceramically speaking

Well, I have been quite adventuresome lately with my ceramics. I've now fired my kiln 3 times, about to do my fourth firing today. I'm sure I will soon slow down on the firings. It is expensive, but I've made a lot of things. I had a bad first firing and I messed some things up. But I had to fire the students stuff. There were about 30 pieces for Mother's Day they had made. Thank God they all came out just fine.

Today I will be firing many things, but the best thing is my two tower vases. I think I got very creative with them. I'm trying to think out of the box a bit. I'll start posting some of my better things in the blog if you'd like to see some of my things.

And Todd Seagle is a great guy!

Bob