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Unbagged

in
No kittens, or Jimmy Hoffa, or fruitcake or children. Just some red clay. I mixed about 600 lbs of earthenware at Clayworks on Tuesday. Yesterday I pugged the lot of it and got it stored in a big garbage bin.
I threw a few yunomi and some plates with it yesterday. I like this clay a lot. It has plenty of grog and a fireclay/brickclay called Neuman Red from California. I did pick some bits of rock out of it. I'm not sure if that came from the Neuman or from the sides of the Solder mixer (which is concrete). Anyhow I doubt I'll continue to use the Neuman in any future batches. It seems rather silly to be transporting clay across the country when I can get something more local. So I'll be on the lookout for that.
I'm gonna be making some more pots today and mixing my white slip. I'm pretty much putting everything on hold for this month to play with this new clay and deco ideas. It's challenging for me to try something new and not over think it or try to see where it will go. So for now it's just for fun.

Footing a Bowl

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I thought it may be helpful to some to see how I cut feet on bowls and plates. Or at least the set up. I'd like the show the cutting via video, but I have to figure out how to do that first. So maybe that whole video thing will happen this year at some point. For now though here are a couple posts that may be helpful.

Below is a soup bowl , freshly thrown. This one was a two pounder. I made sure I left enough clay in the bottom for my foot.After throwing all of my bowls I take a measurement of the interior so I can make a chuck for them to sit on. The chuck is then thrown and let to stiffen up along with the bowls. I'll usually let the bowls sit out until I can flip them over without damaging the rims. Then, when the bottoms are soft leather hard they are ready to cut (trim).
Here is the chuck, which is just a tapered, low cylinder. You can see that I have made it so the rim of the bowl will wedge down on it about middle ways.
Here is the bowl on inverted on the chuck. I forgot to mention that I throw the chuck on a batt. That way when I am ready to use it I can just put it back on my batt pins and it is centered and ready to go. A few light taps on the bowl will center it on the chuck.
Here is the finished foot. I lift the bowl off and replace it with the next one to be footed.
Hope that was a bit helpful. Like I said maybe I can shoot a video of the actual cutting. If you have access to the Hamada video, The Art of the Potter, it shows him cutting some feet and is really excellent.
Happy Friday.

Footing a Plate

in
I use this homemade foam bat when I am cutting feet on plates or wide bowls. To make it I just used white school glue to attach thin foam to a batt. The clay supply stores sell these too. I have another larger one I use for platters and big bowls.Here is the uncut plate centered on the batt. Learning to tap on center is a skill worth learning. I use it not only when cutting feet but also when waxing, or decorating.
The finished foot below. I'll usually pick up the foam batt and invert the plate over onto another regular batt. That way I don't mess up the rim or distort the pot. If it's firm enough it's okay just to pick it up.
I usually dry my plates upside down on a batt.

Note From a Friend

in
I got this email yesterday. This is why I love to make pots.

I just wanted to tell you I’m in a small part of heaven right now. I let my kids stay home to have one day of complete rest before heading back to school. My daughter came in the office and asked if she could learn how to make coffee for me. Sooo - don’t want to discourage another helping hand around here. I showed her how and she just brought in a poured cup of coffee in one of your cups - she even put cream and sugar in it for me.
Soo, I’m here sipping Farrah made coffee in one of your super cool cups and happy as can be. Thanks for sharing your talents – Smile !!

Take Care !!
D.

Happy New Year

in
Thought I'd better get off on the right foot and make a short post here on New Year's Day. We have had a very laid back day. I don't think Sarah ever got out of her PJs. I helped my dad with a small building project and ran to the grocery for some things for supper. I'm getting ready to put a chicken in the oven to roast and open up some green beans that Sarah's mom canned from their garden last year.

Tomorrow I'll be mixing up my red clay for a little earthenware holiday. I still have some things to finish for the next salt/soda firing and will be doing some tests with the earthenware in the mean time.

All for now.

Good News...and Bad

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I got some more dishes made today, a few bowls and five pitchers. I also got the plates from last week slipped and flipped to dry. So that 's the good news...some work completed.
Now the bad news....the Direct TV guy just left from hooking up our new satellite tv receiver.
We have 200+ channels which is definitely against my religion. Ha. I'll never get anything done and will probably turn into a mindless zombie. Oh, well.

Off for dinner with some friends soon (I'll have to leave my precious new channels). Have a safe New Years Eve!

2007 Almost Over

in
Hey folks. It's been a pretty good year. Hard to believe 2008 is here. I logged 285 posts this year, that's up from last year. What a geek. Ha. It's been really great connecting with so many people via this blog. I look forward to seeing what we all do in the next year. Andrew has a new home and potter's shed, Gay a new home and studio, Matt is getting engaged and following in his great grandfather's footsteps, and Doug, well Doug is having a show in London in the Spring and becoming more famous by the day. Brandon's new kiln is doing well, and all my clayworks pals are making great pots. Tom is raising chickens, making pots, and working on a community garden. Jen will probably have her soda kiln going soon. Amy is expecting and having fun working on a brand new body of work. There are plenty more of you out there to add to that list, all the best in 2008. Lets all keep having fun and doing what we love...making pots. And as Simon would say "Keep practicing."

Thanks for checking in to my blog, I will try to keep it fresh and interesting and updated. Please feel free to comment or better yet drop by for a visit.

Back at it.

in
In for lunch . I made it out to the shop this morning and got some dishes thrown. I spend most of my time getting my clay through the pugmill a couple times to soften it up . That's what I get for neglecting it for so long. I will make a couple boards of bowls this afternoon.

Warm and Toasty

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I went out yesterday into the Madness and did quite well. It's good to be at home this morning with the woodstove going and thousands of raindrops pounding on our tin roof. We have had no rain all summer. Literally. So this is very welcome, even if it does mean a messy and soggy front yard and dirty dog paw prints on the floors.

We visited with Sarah's niece and her boyfriend last night at Sarah's parent's house. It has begun, the influx of the Nantz clan. It will continue for a week or ten days with us going over and back for visits and meals and good times.

It's almost time for brunch. French toast and bacon, coffee, and juice. Sunday mornings are my favorite of the week.

Saturday Morning

in
Hey folks. Hope everyone is doing well out there in computer land. I am feeling quite well this morning (going on noon). It being Saturday and I have no obligations today I feel content and open. Right now in the distance I hear a freight train rolling through town, sounding it's whistle at a crossing somewhere. Sarah is home and out playing with Karma in the yard. I am having a nice cup of black tea, Baker Street Afternoon Blend. Fitting since I am still reading Sherlock's adventures. I got a shipment of various teas recently and had ordered some loose black teas. I usually get my black from the grocery in teabags. I have to say this is much, much better. I have it with a little local honey. No milk. I am not sure of the proper English way to have black tea, maybe Andrew or Doug could let me know.

Here's a journal page from a few days ago. I am still having fun with the Wreck This Journal journal. I found out my friend Elaine is working through hers also. It will be fun to get together sometime and share our experiences.

Good luck with any last minute shopping this weekend. I'll be out sometime in the crowds, practicing compassion and patience.

What Day Is It Anyhow?

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I keep asking Sarah, "When is Christmas?" As in what day? How soon? When? I haven't looked at a calender in weeks and I am at a loss for 'When'. So it's Tuesday right? Right. Well okay, that's fine I guess. I have to say I don't feel at all in the spirit. Maybe that will change as soon as someone gives me a gift. Ha, ha.

I have a bit of a head cold. I want to make some plates but have no desire to go out to the workshop. What I really want to do is go to Cheap Joes and get some art supplies and then go have a bowl of Pho. I could justify that.

I guess I'm feeling a bit rough around the edges. Rough is good. Okay, so that's it for now. I'm off to play ball with Karma for a little while, which is fun, she never fails to make me smile and laugh and run around and act goofy. Goofy is good.

Rock Creek Pottery. On the Move

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I went up to Rock Creek Pottery on Monday to help as Will and Douglass prepare to move to New Mexico. As I drove up the driveway I came upon Will on the tractor clearing the road. There had been a light snow the night before. It was really beautiful...the snow...not Will on the tractor.Here is a shot of the moving truck on Tuesday morning. There was a good crew up at the Creek to help with the move and it was fun to be part of that. We put a lot of pottery into this moving truck along with all the household furniture and stuff that has been in the barn. The contents of the pottery workshop was going to get loaded on Wednesday.
Here we see Shawn Ireland (in red) loading Will into a trunk. We all agreed this would be the best way to get him to New Mexico. This way he didn't have to deal with the hassle of finishing the packing and loading, and he could lay down and relax during the trip.
Actually this trunk got filled with Advancer silicon carbide kiln shelves, so in the end Will is going to have to ride up front.
Here is a shot of Roan mountain from the front porch of Will and Douglass's home. They have lived here for over 25 years. New Mexico will be more than a change of scenery for them.
Douglass and Will have inspired many potters in this area and folks have came from all over to visit them, buy pots, and enjoy their hospitality. North Carolina is losing two valuable assets this week, but I think that all of us who know them wish them all the best on their new adventure out west. They will certainly continue to produce wonderful pots and inspire and educate many people in the years to come.
These two kitties seemed to be quite comfortable and happy to spent a few hours under the warm stove Monday. They will be making the move too.

Off For a Couple Days

in
I am leaving in the morning for the mountains. So I'll be away from the computer for two days. I'll check back in late Tuesday or early Wednesday with a new post. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

The Circle of Eight crew came over Friday night for dinner. It was good to see them and have a visit. We have our sale dates set for next year (I'll post them soon). Also we are looking for some exhibition opportunities.

Two family get togethers over the weekend= way too much food consumed.

I will get some pots made when I get back from the mountains!

Later. Ron

This and That. Friday

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Boy, I really got caught up in those Simon Leach clips yesterday. He's a very personable guy. Great videos, very educational.

Some of the Circle of Eight crew are coming over for dinner tonight. I am excited to have some company. I need more good socialization opportunities. I'll be cooking pasta puttanesca for the main course. We'll be discussing some exhibition opportunities for 2008 as well as getting some dates nailed down for our spring and fall shows.

My dad's family is getting together for their Christmas dinner tomorrow night and I have a couple side dishes to make for that. I may knock out one today, just to be ahead of the game.

I am getting antsy, having not made any pots in the past couple weeks. My red clay mixing is still on hold. So I may get in the workshop and make some plates and serving bowls next week. I am all stocked up on stoneware till spring.

I think I am going to try and do a demonstration type workshop here at the studio in '08. I did one a few years ago and it went well. If you think you may be interested let me know. I have no idea when I'll do it, probably late spring or early fall.

Well that's it for now. I am still playing around with some paper art, and working in the Wreck this Journal, and doing some drawings.

Catch ya later. Ron

Making Room

in

I came home from the grocery Monday and found once again that I had hardly any cabinet space to store food. It's all full of pots!! Granted we could do with a few more cabinets but what really needs to happen is for me to stop buying pots. Easier said than done. Anyhow, yesterday after a frustrating dig though the cabinet looking for a jar of capers I decided it was time to pack up some pots that are not used so often. I ended up boxing up about 45 pots from various locations in the kitchen and upstairs. It helped a little and I did find the capers.

Once that was done I climbed up to the attic to store the box. The attic is a mess too and so I spent about an hour up there throwing things down to take to the landfill or recycling center. Old books, some hats, lots of empty boxes (I thought I could use them for shipping pots), a lamp, and many other things not worth mentioning got ditched. That done, I had room to store yet another box of pots in the attic. At some point I'll have to go through these pottery boxes and decide what what I'll keep or sale. For now, "out of sight, out of mind" and more room for groceries.