Pottery Communion Pieces

I field more questions about communion pieces than any other pottery. I like it that way! And most churches and wedding parties require only the simplest of communion forms. But, some,

request pieces that are more unusual, more challenging and, if possible, even more fun. So, for those of you who have asked for, and would like pictures of, ciboriums, I have photographed a couple. Along with other communion pieces. The lava bowl is over 12" across and the ciboriums are 9" and 10" tall for reference.

The End of May, and My Favorite Pottery Communion Set

May brought joys to the farm that were stifled all winter long. Green things and baby animals have brightened the month beyond belief. There wasn't a table that lacked eggs, greens, herbs, asparagus, onions, snow peas and the like. The last of the carrots and beets will be pulled this week, but we won't mourn them - cucumbers, tomatoes and squashes will ripen before the week is over! Spring things will be set aside as summer rushes in!

This month included a visit to my sister in Atlanta...to greet the newest member of her family and love on the family that already lives within the walls of her home. We enjoyed several mountain visits and time with Nana and Grandpa and our children as we visited them and they visited the farm.

This month also included studio time that included testing several new shapes and two new glazes...to be revealed after more use. My favorite pottery this month would be a communion set, glazed in the soft white glaze that I used on my everyday coffee mug. I tested this glaze on my favorite mug shape nearly a year ago, and in the hustle and bustle of the last year...I forgot I had gallons of this mix sitting in the studio! I love it daily, and throw it in the dishwasher and go to the studio to work, rarely thinking about it again. So, now, this set is available in my etsy shop, see it here: www.etsy.com/listing/48277014

May, is also the birth month of my baby girl. Today to be exact...May 31st. She's 20 today. No longer the parent of a teenager, both of my children are 20 something. And, I can't wish her a happy birthday until next weekend...she's in summer school in the wilderness, in an unreachable area. Hope she's enjoying the experience and the day!

Stoneware Communion Set

I just finished unloading the kiln. Almost completely special orders, so nothing fun for me. But, this 9 piece set for the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, to be used at Camp Arrowhead, is my favorite from this kiln load!

The campground is covered in sassafras trees, according to the director. So, we designed a set of carafes (1 litre each), a set of chalices for intinction (1 1/2 cups each), a set of chalices for communion by mouth ( 1 3/4- 2 cups each) and I impressed and applied leaves from one of my sassafras trees onto each. Then I carved the camp logo into a set of patens and created a lava bowl to match. The chalices are all 8 inches tall and the patens and lava bowl are all 9 1/2 inches in diameter. (Click on the picture above to enlarge it if you would like to see them more clearly.)

I must say, I love this set - it came out of the kiln just gorgeous. I hope they are pleased and it serves them well for many years to come! It is such a blessing to be able to share in communion with people I will never meet (not in this world, anyway)!

Pottery Wedding Communion Sets

Courtney & Michael, your woodland wedding communion set is ready for post and will ship out tomorrow morning!

Just thought I would show everyone else what your chalices look like, as well as new sets for other weddings in Virginia and Kentucky. I hope each wedding is beautiful and blessed!

Pottery Wine Glasses and Their Kiln Buddies

Most of the requests I get these days are for wine glasses or communion chalices...my favorite shape and form! I love those requests, otherwise I'd be throwing and building pieces that would take over my studio and home...I just can't seem to stop myself! I love exploring the shape, balance and overall feel of each goblet!

Now and again, kiln

buddies find their way

out of the clay, only to be

matched up with goblets

that need partners and

glazed accordingly.

Goblets have become

that much of an addiction!

These are some of the latest pieces to find their way out of the kiln (at least those not special ordered ahead of time). I missed photographing the larger portion of the goblets, they left home and can be found now at GG's Gallery & Gifts in Statesville, NC, and Buck Shoals Vineyard in Hamptonville. Click on the pictures above for a larger version and let me know what you think!

Pottery Chalice and Paten Sets with Ewer, Communion

My favorite forms! The lump of clay becomes a vessel of honor when used to share the body and blood of Christ in Christian service....

New Pottery Chalices Fresh From the Kiln:

If you recieved an email to check the blog for an update on your communion sets, let me know as quickly as possible which chalice you prefer. I have marked one that was made specifically for Ann as "sold". Let me know what you think of the new pieces and which one you would like. These were so much fun, thanks for the opportunity to create something for you!

Several of these are unsold, please contact me if you would like to purchase one. They are priced in order:

The 9" chalice is $32.50

The 8 1/2" chalice is $29.00

The 8 1/2" chalice marked "Ann" is $32.50

The 9 1/4" chalice is $35.00

The 9 3/4 chalice is $40.00

Click on the photo above to read captions and see closeups.

Pottery Chalices in Progress....

Today is glazing day. Made easy because I have orders for particular colors and I don't have to decide (that generally takes as long as the process itself). I thought photos of works in progress would be cool. So, those waiting for communion sets will see yours in the bisqueware photo (top).

Then I thought, maybe works even earlier in the process would be interesting to some. So, my damp cabinet is full of greenware and I am adding photos of that as well. A set of the daiquiri glasses and one pitcher are special order pieces, but the rest is just me having fun! (Click on the photos for a close-up view.)

Now, I'm off to glaze everything in the Misty Forest combination (except the dogwood vase). The kiln should be lit by 2:00 and ready to open by late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Check back then to see your finished pieces!

Handmade Stoneware Pottery Chalice and Paten - Communion Sets - by Little Bear Clayworks

Wow, how personal communion sets are. I had a custom request on Etsy and started thinking about the possibilities. I have spent much more time on these in the past and now my mind is reeling with new stylings, engravings and appliques I would love to try. Footed plates, lipped, bowled, flat...it all depends on what the body/bread looks like to you. Is it wafer or loaf? And my years of Bible teaching offer so many inscription ideas that would be fitting and pictoral ideas that could be interesting. So, my studio list is growing as I type this, and I pray God gives greater inspiration. It's a good thing Alan built up my fire before he left this morning, and I worked up clay balls for a dozen wine glasses late yesterday...one more cup of coffee and I'm gone for the day! (To order any of these, or custom, sets visit my Etsy webshop by linking at the top right of this page.)