Sunday, August 28, 2011

Kiln in garage?

Trying to find a new place to live.....here's a short poll....

What about putting an electric kiln in a garage? (not unattached one)

What's your practice? what do you recommend (or not)?

Just thinking.... looking into possibilities.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Wisdom, Please!

Well, I'll ask for wisdom at the end of this post. More about this picture first and my trip.
Just returned from time in the North Cascades with my parents. Went hiking with Dad. Amazing, beautiful views beyond words! This was after a 5 mile hike up!

We stayed at Holden Village, a retreat center in the middle of nowhere in the North Cascades. It's one of my favorite places.


Made some pottery while there. Donated it all to the bookstore at the village.

Ate outside often as they often served the food outside. This was part of my view. :)

Used Bob's Blend clay which was purchased from Seattle Pottery Supply. It felt much like phoenix clay, which I like and use (from Highwater).

Yunomis I made. And bowls in the center too.

Wonderful August weather there. It got as cold as 34 at night. :) High of 80 most days. :)
This is why I go there in August and leave NC.

Everyone accesses Holden by arriving on a boat. At the boat dock waiting for the boat to come on my day of departure.

Returned to NC on Friday and went into the studio and made a bunch of bowls. Gotta use all of the phoenix clay before I move. Yes, I'm moving in mid-September to Southern Pines, NC. New job. I'll create my own studio soon after I move. I'm looking to buy a house. With that I'm wondering....

Do's and don'ts for having a studio in a 2 car garage? What should I keep in mind?
I'll purchase an electric kiln and also a brent wheel.

Best place to buy supplies and clay for studio--- highwater or elsewhere?

(I'll spread the word soon more via blog... as I'd like to buy used supplies.)

Any other wisdom for one creating a studio?

What do you wish someone had told you about creating a studio?

Thanks ahead of time...


Meanwhile, I brought some wood ash back from the North Cascades and sprinkled it on my pieces today. These all have a spotted shino base with blue and or blue/green celadon and some soda ash too.

Monday, July 25, 2011

...And Class!

I love the look of trimmed teabowls. Here are the first of this past week. I'm slowly getting back into the rhythm of being at the wheel-- etc.

Although I'll be traveling some more this summer, I am taking Adrienne Dellinger's pottery class. She always makes it all look so easy. One of, if not, the best instructor I've had. Here are some jars and containers she's working on. Lots of demos...

Finished jars. Still not too interested in teapots Not sure what will happen during tomorrow's class. Will post about it.... plus include some pictures of my trip to England and some other miscellaneous pictures. Hope you've had a wonderful summer! (Oh... and two posts in one day! Read below for the second one).

It's Been Too Long!

I have been away from blogging for a long time. I've missed it. Lots has happened. My job ended at the end of May and the clayworks studio closed because it has changed locations. So I was without time at the wheel for almost two months! I've also been traveling.
Even so, I returned to the new (air conditioned) studio this past Tuesday and made these three pieces above. An okay beginning. At least I could center the clay! I was a bit concerned- wondering what I'd remember, and am so thankful that I remembered what I did.

Soon- on Wednesday night, I made these three and some more teabowls. When I had some time alone, I got back into the rhythm of being at the wheel. Peaceful! The clay in the front of the three teabowls was turned into a teabowl too-- in time.


More teabowls. As I consider this my 'default' form, I am pleased with this new chapter of pottery. I also sense that my pottery will change a bit. More on that soon...