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Weekend. Work and Fun
I slept in today a little later than usual. After breakfast, which happened around lunchtime, so therefore, brunch, I got the kiln loaded. It took about 3 hours once I got started. It went well and I got in most of the pots I wanted. I'd like to have gotten in one more teapot, a large bowl, and 6 tankards. Looks like I'm gonna have to have a bigger kiln someday. Anyhow here are pics of the back and front respectively.
You can see in the picture below that use some bricks as 'blockers" so some of those pots up front don't get blasted by the soda so badly.
Saturday was the annual Art of Sound Music Festival in Shelby. It's put on by the Arts Council and this is the first time I've gotten to go. (I am usually out of town this weekend). Any how it was really great. I have to admit there was way too much bluegrass for me, but the highlight for me was catching The Two Dollar Pistols from the Chapel Hill, NC area. Now, I don't normally go in for country music, especially commercial country (which the Pistols are NOT). But these guys rocked and the lead singer, John Howie Jr. has a great and unique voice and vocal style. Be sure to give a few tracks a listen on their MySpace page.
We stayed in town late to catch David Childers and the Modern Don juans. They rocked out too.
I'll get the kiln going tonight and fire off tomorrow. Keep checking back for updates from the studio this week. Peace out!
You can see in the picture below that use some bricks as 'blockers" so some of those pots up front don't get blasted by the soda so badly.
Saturday was the annual Art of Sound Music Festival in Shelby. It's put on by the Arts Council and this is the first time I've gotten to go. (I am usually out of town this weekend). Any how it was really great. I have to admit there was way too much bluegrass for me, but the highlight for me was catching The Two Dollar Pistols from the Chapel Hill, NC area. Now, I don't normally go in for country music, especially commercial country (which the Pistols are NOT). But these guys rocked and the lead singer, John Howie Jr. has a great and unique voice and vocal style. Be sure to give a few tracks a listen on their MySpace page.
We stayed in town late to catch David Childers and the Modern Don juans. They rocked out too.I'll get the kiln going tonight and fire off tomorrow. Keep checking back for updates from the studio this week. Peace out!
Getting Ready to Load
I spent this morning unloading another bisque and bringing in those pots plus all the others from the kiln shed. Then I sorted it all out as to what would go in my next firing and what would go in the Nov. firing. I have a lot of bisqueware. The pots below plus some that are still out are slated to be loaded on Sunday.
These, plus others to be made, will go in the November firing. I am planning on making lots of plates and bowls for that load. Anyhow, all this stuff will get glazed tomorrow. I mixed up a couple new glazes today, a yellow and a green. I hate mixing glaze. I am not the neatest guy in the world and I always seem to get stuff everywhere. If I would be more organized and slow down that would help.
I have had about 5 boards of misc. pots on the racks for 6-12 months. I trashed most of it. You know the saying about clearing out your wardrobe?...if you haven't worn it in a year, give it away or throw it out. These were not my best pots and there was no use in them sticking around.
That felt great.
These, plus others to be made, will go in the November firing. I am planning on making lots of plates and bowls for that load. Anyhow, all this stuff will get glazed tomorrow. I mixed up a couple new glazes today, a yellow and a green. I hate mixing glaze. I am not the neatest guy in the world and I always seem to get stuff everywhere. If I would be more organized and slow down that would help.
I have had about 5 boards of misc. pots on the racks for 6-12 months. I trashed most of it. You know the saying about clearing out your wardrobe?...if you haven't worn it in a year, give it away or throw it out. These were not my best pots and there was no use in them sticking around.
That felt great.Mornings
This is sort of a spontaneous post inspired by my end table. Here is a shot of it as it is at 7:55 am. I have been up for about an hour, hanging out journalling and having tea. You can see I am using my Warren Mackenzie yunomi for tea this morning. Beside that is a Linda Christianson bowl with my cereal waiting for me. (I make this great homemade cereal that has to soak for at least 15 minutes or longer, so I never get in a hurry to eat it). In the background is a Cynthia Bringle tumbler left from last night and way back there is a nice little soda glazed vase by Lisa Hammond who lives in London.
My Hand+Book journal is there and my Faber Castell pen, S point. Danny Gregory recommends drawing your breakfast or lunch or whatever and I do this quite often in the mornings. I have lots of drawings of mugs of tea and bowls of cereal.
Anyhow it's wonderful to have all these great pots to use each day. I have a memory or story with each one , and each is a joy to use.
Here is the base recipe for my cereal: In a large zip top bag combine 3 cups rolled oats to 1 cup rolled wheat. Add 1/2 cup wheat bran. Add raisins, chopped dates, and sliced or slivered almonds to your liking. I usually triple this in the bag so it will last for a few weeks. I have a cup of this each morning. Cover with rice or soy milk (I like rice milk the best), and soak for 10-15 minutes but longer is okay. Add chopped pear or apple and enjoy!
So I'll probably do a little drawing while streaming WEXP out of Seattle, have my cereal and head out to the workshop. I guess I should go or the morning is going to get gone.
Have a great day!
My Hand+Book journal is there and my Faber Castell pen, S point. Danny Gregory recommends drawing your breakfast or lunch or whatever and I do this quite often in the mornings. I have lots of drawings of mugs of tea and bowls of cereal. Anyhow it's wonderful to have all these great pots to use each day. I have a memory or story with each one , and each is a joy to use.
Here is the base recipe for my cereal: In a large zip top bag combine 3 cups rolled oats to 1 cup rolled wheat. Add 1/2 cup wheat bran. Add raisins, chopped dates, and sliced or slivered almonds to your liking. I usually triple this in the bag so it will last for a few weeks. I have a cup of this each morning. Cover with rice or soy milk (I like rice milk the best), and soak for 10-15 minutes but longer is okay. Add chopped pear or apple and enjoy!
So I'll probably do a little drawing while streaming WEXP out of Seattle, have my cereal and head out to the workshop. I guess I should go or the morning is going to get gone.
Have a great day!
Monday
The Claymatters Pottery Guild had their annual fall sale on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and the sale was well attended. I had great sales, thanks to everyone who visited my booth. It was fun to see what all the members of the guild have been working on. I think we had around 60 exhibitors. Below is a shot of my booth just after setting up.
The Circle of Eight was well represented, and it was cool to hang out with Adrienne, Jen, Greg, Amy, and Julie. We all displayed next to one another, quite a great group to belong to.
Today, Monday, I will making a few odds and ends to finish up for my firing next week. I have a bisque going this morning and will fire another on Thurs. I was set back a little yesterday when I unloaded the last bisque firing to find that one of my big dishes had a crack. So I made a couple more yesterday to hopefully replace it. I'd like to have 2 or 3 in the firing so I can take them to the ACC show. I'll be lucky if I can get these dried out for the bisque on Thurs. I'll risk it, nothing to loose at this point.
Have a nice Monday!
The Circle of Eight was well represented, and it was cool to hang out with Adrienne, Jen, Greg, Amy, and Julie. We all displayed next to one another, quite a great group to belong to.Today, Monday, I will making a few odds and ends to finish up for my firing next week. I have a bisque going this morning and will fire another on Thurs. I was set back a little yesterday when I unloaded the last bisque firing to find that one of my big dishes had a crack. So I made a couple more yesterday to hopefully replace it. I'd like to have 2 or 3 in the firing so I can take them to the ACC show. I'll be lucky if I can get these dried out for the bisque on Thurs. I'll risk it, nothing to loose at this point.
Have a nice Monday!
Pots from Thursday
I have 12 more yunomis to go on my order, here are the ones I made Tues. and Wed. I can't wait to see these all fired. It's been fun to try and make them all different. I can't really push myself to make them too far out or funky. I have my storage bank of yunomis in my head that I draw from and my practical sensibilities about what is a good pot, so I have my guidelines. I have 12 to cut feet on today and I'll make the last dozen on Monday. They will all be faceted in some way.
These little pots are called "nobbenalls". That's the Japanese word for incense box. Not really. These are called Knob and Alls, because they are thrown all in one piece, body, lid, and knob. They are later put back on the wheel and cut apart with my fettling knife to separate the lid from the body. You can see these pots in Leach's book on Hamada, plates:58 & 60.
These little pots are called "nobbenalls". That's the Japanese word for incense box. Not really. These are called Knob and Alls, because they are thrown all in one piece, body, lid, and knob. They are later put back on the wheel and cut apart with my fettling knife to separate the lid from the body. You can see these pots in Leach's book on Hamada, plates:58 & 60. They are great for keeping salt on the table or stove or can be used to roast a head of garlic.
Practical teapots for daily use.
A bit of a weird vase/bottle based on the pilgrim bottle that I make. I has been slipped, that's why it's so white. Anyhow it's kind of fun and reminds me of all sorts of things...a bridge, a football (American) goal, a cattle prod, an alien liquor pourer, an antelope's head...
Practical teapots for daily use.
A bit of a weird vase/bottle based on the pilgrim bottle that I make. I has been slipped, that's why it's so white. Anyhow it's kind of fun and reminds me of all sorts of things...a bridge, a football (American) goal, a cattle prod, an alien liquor pourer, an antelope's head...
Thursday
Just a quick note before I head out to the shop.
I am finishing up my next kiln load today, putting spouts and handles on a few teapots and hopefully getting some platters footed. More yunomis to make and plates and bowls for my November firing. I think I have made all the pots for the ACC Show and the exhibition at Wooden Stone. I feel kind of 'out of it', like I have reached the end of the cycle and thinking 'what's next?'. It's just a strange feeling of working on two loads at once, I like to work from firing to firing, but I'm not complaining because I am ahead of the game for once.
I'll be packing up pots for the Claymatter's Sale today and tomorrow.
I'll get some pics up this afternoon.
I am finishing up my next kiln load today, putting spouts and handles on a few teapots and hopefully getting some platters footed. More yunomis to make and plates and bowls for my November firing. I think I have made all the pots for the ACC Show and the exhibition at Wooden Stone. I feel kind of 'out of it', like I have reached the end of the cycle and thinking 'what's next?'. It's just a strange feeling of working on two loads at once, I like to work from firing to firing, but I'm not complaining because I am ahead of the game for once.
I'll be packing up pots for the Claymatter's Sale today and tomorrow.
I'll get some pics up this afternoon.
Flight of the Conchords- Business Time
Finally it's Wednesday!
First Dozen
These are the first 12 cups in my 60 cup order. All different. I made 12 more this morning and will get them footed tomorrow. I feel like I am winding down on my next kiln load. I really have about a load and a half made. I 'll be making bowls and plates next week, but they won't get fired until Novemeber.
Monday
I have had a good productive Monday. I really love Monday's, it seems one of the days when I actually get a lot of work done and seem to have my act together. From here out on out the week will get more chaotic probably. I got started on my yunomi order, also mugs, some stem cups, and platters. Nothing from today to show here, but I will post some of it tomorrow once I get some feet cut etc.
Here are a few pots from last week. This jar is my second try at this shape, more successful this time.
These are some big dishes. 18 lbs of clay in that one with the handles.
These are some big dishes. 18 lbs of clay in that one with the handles.
60 Yunomi
Friday I got an order for 60 yunomi. Sometimes I don't really like getting orders but this is different. 60 cups, all different. This will be fun. It will be a chance to sit down at the wheel and make one of my favorite forms over and over. They will evolve as I go, one leading to the next. And then they will all get turned, which is something else I love. I'll probably work on them in groups of 12 at a time. I'll post them as I go.
Here's a favorite from a firing over the summer.
Getting Things Finished. Signature Pots
I spent today trying to catch up and get things put together, handled, slipped, etc. I worked a LONG time on these seven little pots. Each one of these is made from 7 parts (except that one on the far left with no handle and it has 6). Anyhow who in their right mind makes pots with 7 parts!? I know, lots of people, but not me, not usually. So that took up a big chunk of time and I still have to slip them tomorrow. I like them though. Maybe I'll make more in a year.
I finished off these vases, some ovals and some faceted ones.
Square mugs, slipped. I got a bisque loaded today, I was running out of ware boards. So I'll fire it off tomorrow. No clay got mixed today. I wish the clay fairies would show up and do that tonight while I sleep.
I finished off these vases, some ovals and some faceted ones.
Square mugs, slipped. I got a bisque loaded today, I was running out of ware boards. So I'll fire it off tomorrow. No clay got mixed today. I wish the clay fairies would show up and do that tonight while I sleep.
I had a lady at my last show ask me what my signature item was. She was looking for something for a client and I guess she wanted something unique. I don't know. Anyhow, I don't really feel like I have this one thing that defines me. Some potters do. I have thought about it and at times feel I should have something, but that's not something you can just make up, well unless you go to grad school and then they make you. (right? I don't know. I didn't go.) Anyhow, I feel like my pots all have some sort of good quality that is me. The way I handle the clay, my handles, spouts, feet. my firing process. They are all my signature pieces. I wanted to tell her "Cups!" , which are what I really like to make, but that wouldn't have been what she wanted to hear. She did buy a nice large jar, so that was good. I know what my signature piece ISN'T....something made out of 7 parts.
We love you Ron Philbeck
Doug Fitch and Matt Grimmitt really got me good on this one!!! Cheers you two!! (That's Matt at the wheel, I imagine Doug was manning the camera)
Proof
Here's proof that I have been in the studio this week and not hanging out at the Fair. Today's worktime has flown by, interrupted in the middle of the day by a meeting at the Arts Council and now I am off to teach my night class. I guess I am going to have to get in the workshop earlier on Tuesdays. Anyhow I did throw some medium oval bakers and oval vases today. I have tons of stuff under plastic ready to be finished tomorrow...cups, tankards, jars, and I can't remember what else at the moment.
Below are some pots in progress. To the left some cruets that need spouts and handles and to the right some vases drying upside down. These will get faceted.
Below are some pots in progress. To the left some cruets that need spouts and handles and to the right some vases drying upside down. These will get faceted.
I am picking up some materials while in the city today so I can mix 4 racks of clay. I need to get stocked up. I'd like to mix that much plus 4 more before December. I have felt kind of panicky today with all that I have coming up. It's really under control for the most part, I just need to slow down and breathe. (But for now I have to hit the interstate!)
More from the Fair
We saw a great show by some acrobats from Kenya. We were right up on the front row.
There were five members of this troop. They flipped, contorted, climbed all over one another, balanced on chairs, layed on a board of nails, ate fire, and ran, flipped and jumped through flaming hoops. It was great and very upbeat with African music playing in the back ground.
This is the legendary water wheel at the fair. It's sort of the known landmark for people to meet.
Okay I'll get back to pots today. Monday is usually very productive. I got some clay pugged last night so I will be all set and ready to throw when I get in the shop this morning.
This is the legendary water wheel at the fair. It's sort of the known landmark for people to meet.
Okay I'll get back to pots today. Monday is usually very productive. I got some clay pugged last night so I will be all set and ready to throw when I get in the shop this morning.County Fair
We have had a good weekend. Sarah and I worked on Saturday painting windows and doors in the new renovation. Later that afternoon we headed to the Cleveland County Fair. Our county has the biggest county fair in the state. I have been going since I was a kid and it's always an adventure and lots of fun. This year we went with our friends from Charlotte, Amy and Brian Sanders. I had told Amy about the fair on Friday night during our Circle of Eight meeting.
The first thing we did was go watch the pig races. Check out these little guys rounding the second corner. That little girl is really rooting her favorite on!
Here is another group in a later race.
And ducks too! I didn't get a shot of the goats but they were really cute.
There is a ton of stuff to do at the fair. We ate lots of unhealthy food...corn dogs, vinegar fries, fudge, caramel apples, and I had a big cheeseburger just before we left to drive my cholesteral into the red. I also played my favorite midway game, Fat Albert. We visited the exhibition halls and watched crazy people on the rides. It's easy to go through a pocket full of cash so we had to get home before we went broke. Around the time we left the evening crowd was piling in. 
New Cycle
Here is part of this weeks output so far. There are also plates, soup bowls, animal jars, bird dishes, and oil cans. All this stuff is ready to be slipped which will happen after lunch.
Some of you may be asking why I have not filled up these boards. It's all part of sharing the studio with Karma. I have to push things to the back so she doesn't get her paws on them while I am out.
Some of you may be asking why I have not filled up these boards. It's all part of sharing the studio with Karma. I have to push things to the back so she doesn't get her paws on them while I am out.Fun Stuff
I'll get a pottery post up later. For now here are a couple of sites that I found that really make me smile. Both by artist Noah Z. Jones.
The first: Almost Naked Animals, be sure to click on Meet the Gang to see each one.
The second: Idle Monsters again be sure to Meet the Gang.
Pots coming later.
The first: Almost Naked Animals, be sure to click on Meet the Gang to see each one.
The second: Idle Monsters again be sure to Meet the Gang.
Pots coming later.
Help in the Kitchen
This little guy showed up to give me a hand with dinner last night.
Thanks Remy, it was delicious.
Thanks Remy, it was delicious.Sale Weekend
I had a great turnout for my sale over the weekend. Many of the pots from the last firing went to new homes. I hardly got to spend any time looking at them before they went out the door. Thanks to everyone who came out. I had lots of returning regular customers, some who hadn't been here in a while as well as some new folks who saw the sign on the highway and even a couple of my new students from Clayworks made the trip out. It's aways fun for me to see everyone and catch up and share my work. Now it's time to get back in the workshop and make more!
Thanks again for coming out, I couldn't do this without all the support of my customers and fellow pottery lovers. Thanks also to everyone who visits this blog and supports me in that way. I hope you'll pass word of my work on to others who you think may be interested. Have a great week.
Thanks again for coming out, I couldn't do this without all the support of my customers and fellow pottery lovers. Thanks also to everyone who visits this blog and supports me in that way. I hope you'll pass word of my work on to others who you think may be interested. Have a great week.