From her Kernersville studio in North Carolina, Maggie Weldon preserves priceless memories with delicate imprints of antique lace. A discovery she made along with her own storied pathway of chance and determination, the artist’s meaningful Lace Pottery seems a tailor-made expression of her soul.
From her workroom, Maggie Weldon fashions pottery from large slabs of clay and remnants of lace. Stacks of plates are fired, glazed, and fired again to create pastel-colored pieces to be used as serving dishes and house eyeglasses and soap. To help her company prosper, Maggie draws support from Count Me In, and organization that champions women entrepreneurs seeking to expand their businesses.
STEP-BY-STEP CREATING A LACE PLATE
1. Using a rolling pin, roll out a slab of porcelain clay 1/4 inch thick, making sure the slab is about 4 inches larger than the size of the doily to be used. Place the slab on a piece of cotton fabric.
2. Using a rolling pin, press the doily into the clay to make an impression.
3. Gently and slowly, peel back the doily.
4. Using a wet sponge, clean and smooth the lace impression, making sure to wipe away any loose particles of clay.
5. Using a pottery knife, trim around the outside edges of the doily design, smoothing any rough edges with your fingers or a wet sponge.
6. Grip the edges of the underlying fabric, and slide the clay into a shallow bowl so that the sides of the piece are slightly raised. Carefully press the clay down into the bowl, and let it dry for approximately 2 days (this varies greatly depending upon the humidity of the environment and the dampness of the clay.)
For more information on Maggie Weldon’s designs, see “Timeless Impressions,” in the May/June 2011 issue of Victoria magazine.
