American Roads Travel Magazine has a article out that mentions Shelby, and my pottery. Check it out here.
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From Around the Pottery
The kiln is up to around 1750 deg. F. I am doing some odds and ends getting ready for my trip. I went down to check on the garden earlier. Here are a few shots . The chard was great this spring. I need to harvest this before it decides to bolt. In the background I have a few cucumbers and tomatoes.
A couple more tomato plants and a pepper plant. I'll have to get all the tomatoes staked up soon. We also have zucchini, squash, cantalope, and some herbs growing. I can't wait for that first tomato sandwich of the year.
This is our patch of wild daisies. It's getting bigger and bigger each year.
A couple more tomato plants and a pepper plant. I'll have to get all the tomatoes staked up soon. We also have zucchini, squash, cantalope, and some herbs growing. I can't wait for that first tomato sandwich of the year.
This is our patch of wild daisies. It's getting bigger and bigger each year. 
GO VOTE!
If you're in NC and haven't been to the polls yet I hope you'll take advantage of your right as a citizen today to go and vote.
Going Again
Amy came by today and had lunch and a visit. It was good to hang out. I wish she and Brian lived closer. I am going to be helping her out with the project she is working on this fall and winter. That should be fun.
The bisque seems to have went well. Like I said earlier the back was just a tad cooler but other than that the kiln fired great.
So I unloaded, glazed and reloaded this evening. I'll get the gas on around midnight so I can finish up early tomorrow. I have to teach tomorrow evening. I should be able to unload on Wednesday. Everyone cross their fingers.
The bisque seems to have went well. Like I said earlier the back was just a tad cooler but other than that the kiln fired great.
So I unloaded, glazed and reloaded this evening. I'll get the gas on around midnight so I can finish up early tomorrow. I have to teach tomorrow evening. I should be able to unload on Wednesday. Everyone cross their fingers.
Minnesota
On Thursday I'll be flying up to Minnesota to help out at the 16th Annual Minnesota Potters Tour and Sale. I got asked to go by my pal Julie who goes to help out at Bob Briscoe's place. Usually it's Julie and Amy who go to help but since Amy is 7 months pregnant she is not going this year. (She's going to see Radiohead instead!!).
It should be a blast. I am looking forward to seeing lots of great pots and having time to visit with friends. I'll especially be happy to see Linda Christianson., who is always a joy.
It should be a blast. I am looking forward to seeing lots of great pots and having time to visit with friends. I'll especially be happy to see Linda Christianson., who is always a joy.
Bisque
Fired the new kiln today. It was a bisque and all seemed to go well. The temp. is fairly even, just a bit cooler in the back. I hope to unload tomorrow and get the pots glazed. I am leaving for Minnesota on Thursday and would somehow like to get a glaze firing in before I leave. I'm not quite sure if that will happen or not. I also need to mix clay.
More tomorrow.
More tomorrow.
Filling the Racks
So this is my output from the past 10 days or so, not bad, enough to get going again and try out the new kiln. Mostly dishes, bakers, a few jars and teapots, lots of mugs and whiskey cups, bowls, and a few bottles. I am getting into the swing of things. I didn't get my clay mixed this week as I had hoped but will have to next week or I'll be out. Time to get supper going. Homemade pizza....yum yum, and then probably a dvd for Friday night entertainment.
Through the Roof
I'm all set to fire my new kiln as soon as the pots dry out. I had most everything out in the sun today, I still have 4 plates and bowls to decorate and they'll get out tomorrow. So hopefully Sunday or Monday I'll fire. I used a steel culvert pipe for the chimney. I had it left over from my gas reduction kiln I had years ago. I also had saved that roof jack so it worked out well.
Here's the left side burner. I use these burners called Big Burthas that are made in Wisconsin. I'm pretty sure they are made for agriculture use, but many potters have used them over the years and they are all I've ever had. Best of all they are affordable. Two cost less than $90.
I'll get some pics of all my dry pots tomorrow.
Here's the left side burner. I use these burners called Big Burthas that are made in Wisconsin. I'm pretty sure they are made for agriculture use, but many potters have used them over the years and they are all I've ever had. Best of all they are affordable. Two cost less than $90.
I'll get some pics of all my dry pots tomorrow.
Moving right along
Yesterday was a good day. I got lots of pots finished and slipped from earlier in the week and I also finished my new kiln . The chimney is in place and the burners plumbed in. So as soon as this stuff dries out I'll have a bisque.
Here are the dishes I made from cutting the leaf shape out of the floor and pressing into an oval .
Today I have lots of decoration to do and a few handles to apply. I'll get some pics of the kiln up later too. Happy Friday!
Here are the dishes I made from cutting the leaf shape out of the floor and pressing into an oval .
Today I have lots of decoration to do and a few handles to apply. I'll get some pics of the kiln up later too. Happy Friday!Brandon Phillips
These two fine pots arrived in the post a few days ago and we are enjoying them immensely. Brandon and I worked out a trade (I have yet to uphold my end of that, but soon will). Brandon lives and makes pots in Abilene, TX.I love the quiet nature of these pots. They are strongly made and confident. The dusting of ash on both of these pots is really wonderful.
I have been thinking that I may rebuild my salt kiln sometime in the future and fire it with wood instead of gas. I know in the past I said I didn't think I could bother with all that labor, but really it's not that much, and the pots are so rich. So we'll see I guess.
Thanks Brandon!
Giant Smoker
After my lunch, David and I walked around back to visit the soon to be open Hubba Hubba Woodfired SmokeHouse. Check out the size of this smoker!!! It's about 7 feet wide and 9 or 10 feet tall!! Boy you can put a lot of pork in that baby.
These two guys are probably safe.
I loved this metal rooster up on the roof.
Looks like I'll have to get back up to Flat Rock soon. Wood fired pizza for lunch and the some smoked pork for dinner.
David should just build his wood kiln there on site too, then they could have a big community woodpile.
These two guys are probably safe.
I loved this metal rooster up on the roof.Looks like I'll have to get back up to Flat Rock soon. Wood fired pizza for lunch and the some smoked pork for dinner.
David should just build his wood kiln there on site too, then they could have a big community woodpile.
Wednesday's Adventures
I headed out early yesterday to go to the Farmer's Market in Shelby and then hit the highway on the road to Asheville NC. I went to Highwater Clays to pick up some plate setters and some other odds and ends.
I then headed to Flat Rock NC to drop off my pots for the Animals, Animals, Animals exhibit at Hand in Hand Gallery. It was fun to catch up with my friends David and Molly who own the gallery. David is getting ready to build a wood kiln. He's really excited and asked me if I'd be willing to put a few pots in the first firing.
There is a great bakery beside the gallery. I went over thinking I'd get a loaf of bread to bring home and instead ended up having lunch.
Here's a pic of the woodburning oven.
And here is my delicious pizza I had for lunch. Boy it was good. The roasted tomatoes were sweet and savory, it had fresh mozz. , basil, and a thin white sauce. The crust was exceptional.
Wait there's more......(next post)
I then headed to Flat Rock NC to drop off my pots for the Animals, Animals, Animals exhibit at Hand in Hand Gallery. It was fun to catch up with my friends David and Molly who own the gallery. David is getting ready to build a wood kiln. He's really excited and asked me if I'd be willing to put a few pots in the first firing.
There is a great bakery beside the gallery. I went over thinking I'd get a loaf of bread to bring home and instead ended up having lunch.
Here's a pic of the woodburning oven. 
And here is my delicious pizza I had for lunch. Boy it was good. The roasted tomatoes were sweet and savory, it had fresh mozz. , basil, and a thin white sauce. The crust was exceptional.
Wait there's more......(next post)Getting Behind
I'm a few days behind on posting. I'll try and get caught up tomorrow. For now here are a couple images from earlier in the week.
I've tried several times in the past to make oval or rectangular dishes by throwing the pot, cutting a willow leaf shape out of the floor and pressing it together to make the pot change shape. I've never been able to pull it off very well but I tried again on Tuesday and came away with these three pots. They get trimmed on the bottom and handled too. I was happy with these and showed the technique to my class on Tues. night.
Here's the fiber roof all in place. It looks good. The only problem I see with this is that I'm going to have to deal with that dreaded ceramic fiber every time I brick up the door. I'll just have to wear my respirator and try not to rub on it too much.
I'll get the chimney in place on Thurs. and hopefully the burners plumbed in too.
Look for more posts later. Thanks.
Ron
I've tried several times in the past to make oval or rectangular dishes by throwing the pot, cutting a willow leaf shape out of the floor and pressing it together to make the pot change shape. I've never been able to pull it off very well but I tried again on Tuesday and came away with these three pots. They get trimmed on the bottom and handled too. I was happy with these and showed the technique to my class on Tues. night.
Here's the fiber roof all in place. It looks good. The only problem I see with this is that I'm going to have to deal with that dreaded ceramic fiber every time I brick up the door. I'll just have to wear my respirator and try not to rub on it too much.
I'll get the chimney in place on Thurs. and hopefully the burners plumbed in too.Look for more posts later. Thanks.
Ron
Getting Muddy
I got back to work making pots yesterday. It's time to get the racks restocked and a firing of the new kiln under my belt.
I had a good time casually making these plates, bowls, mugs and other odds and ends. I'm working in small groups of 3 or 6. I like working in a small series. The new kiln is small so it kind of dictates how I work.
I was listening to an interview with a famous illustrator yesterday and the interviewer asked him about his style and how he could make even the most fierce creatures appear funny and less threatening. The illustrator basically said, It's just the way I draw. It's my style. It's who I am. I thought that was a good enough answer. He was saying, This is how I do it, it's mine. There was no long explanation or defense. I liked that.
I have found that when I have an attitude like that I make my best pots. I'm just being me...making pots...making them the way I make them. Not trying to be someone else, not trying to be different or showy or super cool. Just being me. I felt like that when I was making pots at Clayworks the other night.
Now about My drawings. I have been thinking they are too silly. Maybe they should be more detailed, more serious, more like someone else's.
Rubbish. Right? Ha. They are what they are. Now, I would like for them to improve in some ways. I'd like for them to have some gesture, some movement, some looseness. It's coming I think. I can see it happening in my sketch books. So I guess I am 'developing' my characters. I know these pots are kinda different for me. Funny birds and fish with teeth, odd flowers and weird tails. Well, it's just how I draw. Right? It's what I'm doing right now. It's what I know.
Okay blah, blah, blah. Enough for today. I've got to get out there and work. The sun is out today and everything is green from the good drink of rain it had yesterday. So I'm off....
I had a good time casually making these plates, bowls, mugs and other odds and ends. I'm working in small groups of 3 or 6. I like working in a small series. The new kiln is small so it kind of dictates how I work.
I was listening to an interview with a famous illustrator yesterday and the interviewer asked him about his style and how he could make even the most fierce creatures appear funny and less threatening. The illustrator basically said, It's just the way I draw. It's my style. It's who I am. I thought that was a good enough answer. He was saying, This is how I do it, it's mine. There was no long explanation or defense. I liked that.
I have found that when I have an attitude like that I make my best pots. I'm just being me...making pots...making them the way I make them. Not trying to be someone else, not trying to be different or showy or super cool. Just being me. I felt like that when I was making pots at Clayworks the other night.Now about My drawings. I have been thinking they are too silly. Maybe they should be more detailed, more serious, more like someone else's.
Rubbish. Right? Ha. They are what they are. Now, I would like for them to improve in some ways. I'd like for them to have some gesture, some movement, some looseness. It's coming I think. I can see it happening in my sketch books. So I guess I am 'developing' my characters. I know these pots are kinda different for me. Funny birds and fish with teeth, odd flowers and weird tails. Well, it's just how I draw. Right? It's what I'm doing right now. It's what I know.
Okay blah, blah, blah. Enough for today. I've got to get out there and work. The sun is out today and everything is green from the good drink of rain it had yesterday. So I'm off....
Making Good Pots
I went down to the shed to sort out the salt glazed pots yesterday. Looking over some of the bowls and mugs and dishes I realized that this wasn't my best work ever. I felt like some of the bowls were too thin and small, the slip had been drippy when I applied it to the pots and it ended up showing on most everything in not so good a way. The pots were okay, passable, first quality, but not up to where I wanted them to be in my mind. Maybe some just felt a bit sloppy. Lack of attention to detail. Things only I would notice. Well....
I had such good fun making pots at All Fired Up the other night. I was making these loose, funky, not so generic pots. A couple years ago I was at a workshop with Peter Rose, a potter from Tennessee. Peter is a neat guy, he's been around, he's studied in Japan and other places. He knows stuff. He told me some of the pots I was making were fairly predictable, 'generic' was the word we agreed upon. He pointed out some of my pots had a nice gesture, a loose quality, nice strong throwing marks, confident. He said, Do more of that. That's what you are good at. Why make those generic pots?
"Be confident, take risks, be yourself." That was sort of the internal message I took away.
I don't always put it into play. But I did Sat. night. And I'm going to try to do so this week when I am in the studio. I'm sure what I have in my head is farther along than what I can do on the wheel, but I must start and see where it goes.
I already feel my earthenware has come a ways since those first dishes with the fish and chickens. I feel like I'm struggling with finding my voice and way of decoration. But it's okay, I can see it will happen if I keep trying, playing, sketching, searching. Asking.."What if? What if? What if?" So I'll do that. I'm gonna try and not be too judgmental.
Doug and I have talked about our ups and downs. It's something we all struggle with, or all of us who really care about what we are making. I know my pal Tom has often heard my worries and woes and has encouraged me along. Paul is having a battle right now. Clary Illian told me once that all of that is 'part of being a potter.' She's right. So it's good to know we are all in this thing together and we are striving to do our best.
So I guess I'll go out to the studio on this very rainy Monday and see what the clay can teach me.
Hope everyone can make some pots today.
I had such good fun making pots at All Fired Up the other night. I was making these loose, funky, not so generic pots. A couple years ago I was at a workshop with Peter Rose, a potter from Tennessee. Peter is a neat guy, he's been around, he's studied in Japan and other places. He knows stuff. He told me some of the pots I was making were fairly predictable, 'generic' was the word we agreed upon. He pointed out some of my pots had a nice gesture, a loose quality, nice strong throwing marks, confident. He said, Do more of that. That's what you are good at. Why make those generic pots?
"Be confident, take risks, be yourself." That was sort of the internal message I took away.
I don't always put it into play. But I did Sat. night. And I'm going to try to do so this week when I am in the studio. I'm sure what I have in my head is farther along than what I can do on the wheel, but I must start and see where it goes.
I already feel my earthenware has come a ways since those first dishes with the fish and chickens. I feel like I'm struggling with finding my voice and way of decoration. But it's okay, I can see it will happen if I keep trying, playing, sketching, searching. Asking.."What if? What if? What if?" So I'll do that. I'm gonna try and not be too judgmental.
Doug and I have talked about our ups and downs. It's something we all struggle with, or all of us who really care about what we are making. I know my pal Tom has often heard my worries and woes and has encouraged me along. Paul is having a battle right now. Clary Illian told me once that all of that is 'part of being a potter.' She's right. So it's good to know we are all in this thing together and we are striving to do our best.
So I guess I'll go out to the studio on this very rainy Monday and see what the clay can teach me.
Hope everyone can make some pots today.
All Fired Up!
Last night was the annual All Fired Up event at Clayworks in Charlotte. This is our fundraising party and it's always a lot of fun. There was a good crowd, lots of food and beverage , music and even some pottery entertainment. Here is the ETD Team. That's 'Extreme Throwing Demo' Team. Ha. Anyhow it's some of the instructors from Clayworks. Greg comes up with a plan and we all work towards finishing a work before the night is up.
This year we made a wall piece that represents a stacked kiln setting. We all made pots and assembled the piece towards the end of the night. It will get cut up into sections, bisqued, glazed and fired later on in the year. Hopefully if it comes out well we will be able to auction it off or sell it to raise more money for the studio.
It's fun working in front of a crowd. I sort of try and let go and just do things I normally wouldn't do. For example I made a couple teapots and assembled them wet. I think I actually came up with some good ideas for some pots I'll make this week. Just letting go will often lead to new things.
There are more pics on Becky's blog. And there will probably be some on Amy's blog and maybe Jen's at some point in the week.
My back is feeling better. I wasn't able to take Paul's advice on how to fix it, but I think just giving it a rest Friday and Saturday helped.
Hope everyone had a good weekend.
This year we made a wall piece that represents a stacked kiln setting. We all made pots and assembled the piece towards the end of the night. It will get cut up into sections, bisqued, glazed and fired later on in the year. Hopefully if it comes out well we will be able to auction it off or sell it to raise more money for the studio.
It's fun working in front of a crowd. I sort of try and let go and just do things I normally wouldn't do. For example I made a couple teapots and assembled them wet. I think I actually came up with some good ideas for some pots I'll make this week. Just letting go will often lead to new things.There are more pics on Becky's blog. And there will probably be some on Amy's blog and maybe Jen's at some point in the week.
My back is feeling better. I wasn't able to take Paul's advice on how to fix it, but I think just giving it a rest Friday and Saturday helped.
Hope everyone had a good weekend.
Flat Top
Here is the flat fiber top for my small kiln. It's upside down of course. I'll get it flipped over and put up on the kiln as soon as I get some help. I may end up adding a few more buttons but this is it for now as I am out of high temp wire.Ice Pack
I don't feel like I've done my usual amount of blog posting this week. I have been working some and I did unload the salt kiln on Wednesday. I had good results although there were some dishes in the back that will have to be refired because they came out a little dry. It was mostly a load of plates, bakers, bowls and mugs. I am all caught up on orders for now and I'm going to be working in earthenware for the next couple months and see where that takes me.
The baker below was especially nice and of course made me see the beauty of this work. For now though it's going to take some time off. I will certainly come back to making stoneware I think.
I made this really big dish sometime before Christmas, I finally had room for it in the kiln.
I had about twice this many plates in the kiln. If I keep making this many dishes I need to invest in some plate setters for the salt kiln.
A couple cups.
I'm embarrassed to say I injured my back this week. I'm sitting here bolt upright now with an ice pack on. I think I started the damage by picking up some big buckets of reclaim clay early in the week. Unloading all my dry materials later on certainly aggravated the problem more. So I guess I'll try and take things easy over the weekend. I do have some newly made pots to show but I've got to get out there and take a few pics.
The baker below was especially nice and of course made me see the beauty of this work. For now though it's going to take some time off. I will certainly come back to making stoneware I think.
I made this really big dish sometime before Christmas, I finally had room for it in the kiln.
I had about twice this many plates in the kiln. If I keep making this many dishes I need to invest in some plate setters for the salt kiln.
A couple cups.
I'm embarrassed to say I injured my back this week. I'm sitting here bolt upright now with an ice pack on. I think I started the damage by picking up some big buckets of reclaim clay early in the week. Unloading all my dry materials later on certainly aggravated the problem more. So I guess I'll try and take things easy over the weekend. I do have some newly made pots to show but I've got to get out there and take a few pics.Stocked
The clay shed is all stocked up for awhile. Picked up this order yesterday in Charlotte. I'll be mixing early next week. 
I was lucky enough to score some Ocmulgee clay from Georgia too. It's not been mined for several years and it will make a tasty addition to my earthenware body. I got the last 150 lbs she had in the warehouse. I think it's been sitting there unnoticed for 7 or 8 years now, at least.
I was lucky enough to score some Ocmulgee clay from Georgia too. It's not been mined for several years and it will make a tasty addition to my earthenware body. I got the last 150 lbs she had in the warehouse. I think it's been sitting there unnoticed for 7 or 8 years now, at least. 
Music and Such
In Athens last Thursday I had the good fortune of catching The New Pornographers at the Georgia Theater. It was a good show. Neko Case had an injured leg and was confined to a stool but still gave an outstanding vocal performance. The whole band was really tight, it's been way too long since I've been out for live music. I'm going to try to see/hear more this year.
The Breeders are going to be in Asheville in June. I love Kim Deal, she's a solid bass player and I loved her with Pixies. Her vocals...haunting and uplifting.
Happy Earth Day everyone. Hug a tree today. And drive slower, or not at all. Eat something good for you. Lay in the grass. Breathe. Plant some tomatoes. Recycle. Unplug your computer. Oh I better go now. Peace.
The Breeders are going to be in Asheville in June. I love Kim Deal, she's a solid bass player and I loved her with Pixies. Her vocals...haunting and uplifting.
Happy Earth Day everyone. Hug a tree today. And drive slower, or not at all. Eat something good for you. Lay in the grass. Breathe. Plant some tomatoes. Recycle. Unplug your computer. Oh I better go now. Peace.