Monday, September 30, 2019

Made by Hand

A long time ago I started telling you about some of the things around my house that have been Made by Hand. I've found myself without much to write about today, so I decided to return to this topic and tell you about a special object.


Back when my kids were in high school, they both took ceramics as electives, and I was the lucky recipient of some very nice pieces. They're things I truly like and appreciate, and not just because my kids made them. In Ceramics I, they had to use some specific processes, but could use them in whatever way they chose to make whatever they wanted. The process specified for this piece was to make a coil pot, and Ryan chose to make a DNA candle holder. 


The coil technique is pretty obvious, and the green-dark blue and orange-light blue glazed parts represent the adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine base pairs in the DNA double helix. I thought this was a clever and unique approach to the coil pot technique, and I still display it on my kitchen window sill ten years later.


I also use it often, especially in the fall as the light wanes. The candle holder fits a Yankee Candle jar perfectly and means so much more than something I might have purchased. A decade later I'm still delighted that Ryan made me something so wonderful by hand.

14 comments:

  1. I have some ceramics that the kids have made in middle school, I love how bright your ceramic is and isn't it nice to remember the kids from their formative years and when they were living with us??

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  2. Such a smart adaptation! The spaces between the coils really work well to let the candlelight through. I'm sure you get the warm and fuzzies every time you use it!

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  3. I love this, Bonny! That is really stunning! I too have things my kids made for me which are some of my greatest treasures! Nothing beats Hand Made!

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  4. So cute and nerdy! I love it.

    I have a Christmas ornament that Stephen made in third grade. Love it.

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  5. Amazing! What a great gift and so much thought there! I've got a few ceramic pieces from high school around too and love them. Lucky us!

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  6. Wow. That's so cool!! And what a great topic.

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  7. IS that Cool! I shudder when I think of expressing disappointment in Allison when I Sent her to a craft class to amens a Santa from a brick. Everyone' s Santa was darling. Al goofed something up and made her into a Santa with sunglasses. I ADORE IT since. I was a mom fail on that one for sure. I treasure it now as a unique part of our family history and a reminder to do better as her mom.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy! You are not alone in your maybe-I-could-have-done-better moments as a mom. I have my own collection of those moments and reminders to do better. Santa with sunglasses sounds pretty cool!

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  8. That is SO, SO COOL!!!! And very clever. Ryan was inspired!
    Obviously, your kids were MUCH more talented in ceramics than mine were! I have a coffee mug that weighs about 12 pounds (the handle is MASSIVE), and a crooked vase that has a gap in the bottom (so . . . not watertight). (LOL)

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  9. That candle holder is very cool. I love the way the light shines through. Thanks for sharing this story. Personal items mean so much and I bet Ryan is pleased that you still have it and use it.

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  10. As a former biology teacher and someone who has worked in clay, I approve on multiple levels. Very clever, beautiful and functional!

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    1. Thank you, Helen! Coming from someone with both biology and clay experience I really appreciate your comment!

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  11. Bonny, you have the coolest kids! I've never known anyone with a DNA candle holder! At first I thought you had a beautiful example of ceramic made in the 40s or 50s and thought how lucky you were to have such a delightful find. Then by reading I see Ryan had a bright Idea that really blew me away. I didn't realize a DNA structure was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this unique treasure.

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