Making Some Progress

Okay, don't pass out.  Two blog posts in one week!  
Yesterday I had a reporter come out from The Thompson Report to do an interview with me and shoot some video.  The Thompson Report is a local news website that covers people, events, etc in Cleveland and Rutherford counties.  It was really great to sit down and talk about how I got started making pots and tell why it's so important to me.  Honestly, it was sort of emotional because haven't talked about that too much of late and it just felt good to say it all and share my love of making pots.  I'm not sure when the story will air on their website but I'll let ya know.  We did an impromptu Facebook Live video that you can watch on their FB page.  The quality isn't great due to a weak connection in my studio. 

Today I finished off the pots I made earlier in the week.

I had a little turtle factory going on as well.

I threw a few faceted yunomi and some pitchers to finish off the day.  The yunomi will get footed tomorrow and the pitchers will get their handles.  Then I have to pack up pots because I'll be heading up to Blowing Rock, NC bright and early on Saturday morning to do the Art in the Park show.  

Back to Work

Two weeks ago I stuck my right hand in a bag of trash and slashed open my middle finger on a lid from a cat food can. That resulted in stitches and two weeks of not making any pottery.  I'll spare you the photo of the finger and go on to say that I got back to work yesterday and today and made some pots.

I started off with some medium sized serving bowls.  I had a few of these in my last firing and really liked them.  I did some brushing of slips which will show some good action in the kiln I hope.

I also made a few mugs and bases for animal jars.  

Some bottles that will get more added to them tomorrow. And a few yunomi and more mugs.  

So a good start for what was really just 2 half days in the studio.  I've also been updating my Etsy shop, shooting all new photos.  That has taken a lot of time.  Anyhow, that's about it for now.  Maybe I'll get another post in to show you these getting finished off later this week.

Glazing Some Pottery. Two Videos

I spent the morning glazing the pots that came out of the bisque kiln.  Most of my pots get a simple shino glaze liner.  The exteriors have been slipped prior to bisque firing.  I apply a hot wax to the rims of the pots to keep the glaze off during the pour out.  If any glaze drips on to the exterior of the pot I wipe it way with a damp sponge.  Here are a couple of videos showing the glazing.  

Ok.  I hope that is helpful or informative or maybe even a tad bit entertaining.  I'm off to spend the rest of the day with my sweet wife.  Have a great Friday folks.  Thanks for watching.

Post from June 21

I started this post on June 21st and never really finished it or got around to publishing it.  So here it is now.  

I had a good day today.  I made some pots and  for the first time in a while I felt at ease in the studio.  I felt like I could just make my work and not worry too much about where it was going or if the clay was gonna be a problem or whatever.  I made pots that are for everyday use, not special exhibition type pots, or pots that ask for much attention.  I think making those pots gave me some space to relax.

I made some honey pots.  I'm looking forward to getting some local honey from my beekeeping friends soon.  I also made a half dozen luncheon plates and a few soup mugs.  The tumblers I made yesterday got slipped as well.

They are a different shape than the last ones I made and bigger.  I stayed with the dimple deco. though because I really liked the way it came out last time.

I made 3 cut sided plates just because I've been wanting to try them out.  If I like these after firing I may make more.  I think the edges will pick up the soda glaze nicely.

Soda Kiln Unloaded. Video.

I think these videos pretty much sum up how I'm feeling about the firing.  Have a look.  Thanks.

I Have Fewer Pots Now

On Friday I posted the earthenware pots on FaceBook and by the end of the day quite a lot of it had sold.  Most folks had bought this work before and some had wanted a piece but had found out about it after I had stopped making it.  

 I've always felt that I should be sending my best pots out into the world.  So I don't know why I even started boxing those pots up last week to go into the attic.  I guess it was because I am not making them any more and it seemed I may want to have a record of them.  But the best thing to do was to photograph them and then send them off to be loved and enjoyed.

Some of the pots were really one offs of things that I had tried while working in low fire.  This work that was painted with underglaze never really went anywhere.  But it was fun to try.

  I did this next style for about one month.   It was what I had seen in my head from day one of starting the earthenware and was actually what I was after all along.  The drawings were of flowers and also of some animals.  It was really well accepted by some folks but I just did not feel like it was 'me'.  So I stopped doing it and went on to the sgraffito work.  

Sarah's mom has this one with the chickens in her kitchen so I get to visit it often.

Anyhow, there are still some pots left and I'll probably put them out at my next Home Sale or maybe post a few on my Etsy page.  

All the pots will ship out today.  I used to do drawings on all the boxes when I sold a pot.  I had stopped doing that but thought it would be fun to bring it back as a Thank You to the folks who had bought a pot. It was super fun to do the drawings and maybe I'll continue to do it.  I was a bit out of practice so they are a little quirky.  

Saturday I loaded the soda kiln and fired it off on Sunday.  I'll unload tomorrow and have some new pots to show.  There were quite a few clays in this load so it will be good to see if there is anything that I'm going to stick with.
 

Have a good Monday folks.  Thanks for checking in.

All The Pots

I've mentioned it before in a Facebook post but I don't think I've talked about it here on the blog.  I have A LOT of pots.  It's great to have so many pots made by my friends and pottery heroes.  Our kitchen is packed with bowls, mugs, plates, teapots, pitchers, jars, and all the stuff in between.  I know many of you can relate.  It's awesome!  We love using our hand made pots.  And of course we have tons of pots on display in our home too.

But I also have a lot of pots of my own that I've squirreled away over the years.  These are pots that really meant something to me at the time, or maybe they were transition pieces where I was trying something new.  What happens is these pots get put in the shed on shelf, or in a box, or just piled up under a table in the studio.  Ever few years I do some sort of purge of all these pots.  Many times they will go into a box and into the attic or if I feel less attached then I'll try and sell them at my Home Sale.  

 I am at that place right now where I need to make some decisions about quite a lot of earthenware pots that have been stashed away for a few years.  I have taken a few hours yesterday and today to sort them and wash them up.  I even put many in boxes thinking they would go to the attic.  But after talking to Sarah this evening I've decided it's best not to put them in storage but instead to take some photos of them and then try to sell them.

So over the next few days I'll do that  and I'll probably just post them on Facebook for sale.  It will be quicker that way, as opposed to putting them all in my Etsy shop.  If folks want something they can comment and I'll invoice them and then ship out the pots.  

This feels like a good solution.  I'll keep a few things but it will be so nice to have these pots go off to new homes and be loved and enjoyed.  That's a hell of a better life than being in the attic.  And if I need one or two back when I have my 50 year retrospective show I'll give ya a call and see if I can get it on loan.  :)

Prepping for Firing. Practicing Yoga.

It's been a fairly low key week here at the pottery.  I've finished up making pots for the next firing and gotten all the work done around the kiln so I can load as soon as I am ready.  I have one more load of pots to bisque fire over the weekend.

There will be 4 or 5 different clay bodies in this firing (I've lost count but I've kept good notes).  Honestly I have a feeling that most of these will not be what I'm looking for.  I made some more pots using the white stoneware (B-Mix) that I complained so much about.  I do like the fired result of that clay so maybe it's a matter of me changing some of my working habits to get it to work for me.  I wedged some grog into that body as well to see what the fired result will look like.  I'm not sure if I'll get speckling from the grog or not.  I know there are commercial versions of the B-Mix with sand and grog.  

I've started going to Bikram yoga classes.  This is a type of yoga that is done in a room that is heated to 105 deg F.  It's a 90 min class and we do the same sequence of poses in each class.  Some of you know that I was into CrossFit for a number of years.  I haven't been doing that for over a year now so the Bikram is a welcome addition to my life.  I certainly need to be exercising to stay in shape as I am getting older.  A friend of mine introduced me to yoga in my 20's but I really did not take classes or pursue it too much.  My wife Sarah has had a daily yoga practice for years and also teaches.  She practices the Iyengar style of yoga.

I am finding that being in that room for 90 minutes is a great experience.  I am able to let go, be present, work on the poses, sweat, be quiet, and go inward.  It is both physically and emotionally challenging.  Here's a picture of Sarah in pose, Peety often joins in.

Sorry no yoga pics of me! Ha.  Just envision me drenched and dripping of hot sweat.  Right, not pleasant. Aren't you glad I spared you?

I Made It Through the Week and Didn't Kill My Clay

Well I did have one little 'incident' and threw this pot and it's lid to the floor in frustration.  

Take that. I'm leaving it there in front of all the clay boxes to be an example of what can happen if you don't cooperate.

But other than that it was a good week.  

The racks are filling up and I can fire as soon as I get things bisqued.  (And buy propane)
 

I really enjoyed making those paddled bottles above as well as that pedestal dish with the 3 birds. 

Tomorrow, Saturday, I'll be in Winston Salem, NC for Pottery Fair on the Square.  We've been moved indoors which I am very happy with since it's going to be rainy.  I'm taking some nice pots so I hope they will find new homes.

Have a good weekend everyone.

I Love You; I Hate You

So a week ago I got pretty irritated that I had a bowl crack through the bottom and foot during the drying.  I posted about it on FaceBook and got plenty of suggestions, sympathy, and one good reprimanding. 
 

My knee jerk reaction was that I'd had enough of this and that I was gonna go back to groggy stoneware clay.  I've been having clay problems of this sort for a while now and I admit it's mainly due to the way I make pots, especially bowls.  I leave a lot of clay in the bottom so I can make a nice foot.  The white stonewares I have been using tend to really dry out unevenly.  Or to go dry on the tops while the bottoms are still super wet.  I know there are ways to deal with this but I honestly don't like damp boxes or putting pots under plastic, (or shower caps as one person suggested) for days as they even out.

Anyhow, long story short I mixed up 5 stoneware bodies to test in my next firing and made pots from each one.  That, along with a special order for a big vase, took up all of last week.

The pots made from the groggy stoneware above felt so nice to make and trim.  Ah, I was in heaven.  But I know already that I won't like them as much as the pots that are made from the clay that cracks.  That clay really looks beautiful in soda and accentuates my stamping.  My slips do some really beautiful things as well.  

I mean my god, just look at that:
 

So today I got back to work in the studio and made pots from the white stoneware.  (For those of you who care I'm using B-mix and in the past I've used Loafers Glory) (Both look amazing but don't really do great for my footed pots).

Right, so what's the point of this?  Mainly that I guess right now I'm going to try and work out things with this clay for the sake of getting the surfaces I want on my pots.  I'll have to learn to roll with it and maybe put up with some plastic on certain pots.  It's all a balance.  Give and take.  I don't think you can have it all in this clay game.  Once you think you may have it then just wait, you'll be rudely awakened with some cracked pots, an over fired bisque, glaze crawling, or another of the thousands of things that can happen.

It's a struggle.  Right now I'm not happy with it but I've got to make the pots.  Also, I know those surfaces really make my day.  I've got to be able to make a good foot though.  It's important to me and to the look of my pots.  

Decalled Pots for Thrown Together Pottery Sale

Pots from the April Soda Kiln Firing

I am doing a bit of catch up today.  Here is the video I shot last week after I had unloaded the kiln.  It was such a nice firing.  I had some new pots in the kiln, berry drainers, vases with turtles on the rims, and maybe a few other odds and ends.  I had plenty of pots for my upcoming shows.  Here we go:

I feel so lucky to have a kiln that fires well and gives me some nice pots.  I hear so many people who struggle with their firings and with getting the results they are after.  This design is a kiln I've built 3 times now and in ever instance it's worked beautifully.  I also can't say enough about the simple venturi burners I use.  They never fail me.

Anyhow I got some great surfaces on the pots.  I'm spraying in 3 lbs of soda ash that is dissolved in 3 gallons of hot water.  This seems just enough for my kiln and gives me good glaze on the work.  I am learning where some sweet spots are in the kiln and placing pots there to get special treatment.

The Thrown Together Potters Spring Sale is tomorrow and Saturday at Free Range Brewing in Charlotte, NC.  Friday night Party 5-11pm and Saturday, noon-4pm.  2320 N. Davidson Blvd.  Charlotte, NC.  We all have some super nice pots.  Come out if you can.  Our Facebook Page can be found

That's all for now.  But I'll be doing another catch up post here soon.  So stay tuned.  Better late then not at all I guess.

Video. Wax Resist

Hey, I'm trying to do a few videos that show some of the processes other than throwing or making pots.  Here's one I shot earlier in the week that shows me waxing a plate.  The main point I want to make in these videos is that there are a lot of skills involved in being a potter.  Making the pots is a very, very small part of what we do.  In this video you'll see me tap the plate on center.  That skill alone is something that most people have a very hard time with.  It took me quite awhile to learn to do it but now it's nothing to me.  I totally take it for granted.  Anyhow, here's the video.  Look for more to come.  Thanks so much for visiting the blog.  ~Ron

Thanks. Back to Work. Upcoming Shows.

Man I sure do wish I could get into some sort of routine with this blog.  It's so freaking hard for me to sit down and write a post and put up a few images.  I don't know why.  Well, I probably do know why but I don't want to talk about it. (how many times in my life have I used that line?)

Ok.  Well here I am.  So just get on with it buddy and don't stop or you'll never hit Publish.

The Spring Sale went well.   I am so thankful for the folks who came out.  It wasn't a lot of people but the ones who came found pots they liked.  I'm happy to keep doing these home sales a few times a year.  The best one is in the fall but I do feel like folks will support me and my work if I open my doors to them.  I want to connect and I want people to see where the pots are made.

So now I am getting ready for 3 shows between now and the end of May.  Well 4 shows really because I have been invited by a friend and fellow potter to send pots to his Spring Home Sale (but I don't know if I can officially talk about that yet).

My next show will be with my clay group Thrown Together in Charlotte NC at Free Range Brewing.  This is a super show with such a fun bunch of friends.  We are all working hard to have new work for the event.  It's great having the show at Free Range.  Friday night is like a big party with all the pots set up and folks shopping, enjoying live music, dinner from the food truck, and beverages from the bar.  The dates are Friday, April 29th 5pm till 11pm and Saturday, April 30 Noon till 5pm.  Saturday is a bit more relaxed but come out either day, or both!   

I bought 1000 lbs of clay this week so I got right back to making.  Today was super productive with board after board of pots coming off the wheel.  I made about 40 pots today and will finish off tomorrow with another 20 or so.  Then I'll play hell trying to catch up putting on handles, cutting feet, slipping, applying animals, etc. 

I'll be in Blowing Rock NC on May 7th for Art in the Park.  It's been many years since I've done this show.  I'll be doing May, July, August and October this year.  I love Blowing Rock.  It's a beautiful town and I always enjoy spending the day there and hopefully selling some pottery.

Another great NC town is Winston Salem and I'll be going there on May 21 to do the Pottery Fair on the Square in Old Salem.  Last year I had to cancel going to this show because I was too jet lagged from my trip to Korea.  I am looking forward to being on that green lawn among the historic surroundings this year though.

Alright.  There ya go.  Blogging done.  I'll try to get something down here again soon. Thanks for reading and please leave a comment.  (It's encouraging.)

Showroom Walkabout Preview Before the Spring Sale

Hey folks.  I'm all set for my Spring Sale.  It sure did help to get the kiln fired a week early.  I wanted to give you all a sneak peek of the showroom and all the pots.  So here's a little video that I shot today.
 

New Pots and Video

I unloaded the kiln yesterday.  Here's a video showing the pots.  I'm in a bit of a rush this morning so I'll write more later.  Thanks for watching and feel free to leave me a comment.

Getting Ready to Fire

[This post was written quite a few days ago but didn't publish it because it was pretty boring and I was hoping to add more later.  Well, it's later and I've already fired the kiln so I'm just gonna put this up and move on.]

Hey. After being sick for more than 2 weeks I have finally got to feeling better.  Now I just have to battle the spring allergies.  Which is fine because I'm so happy to have had temperatures in the 70's this week along with beautiful sun shine, budding trees, and blooming dandelions.  

I'm getting ready to fire the kiln.  The ware boards and racks are full of glazed pots so I'll do some prewadding and then load over the weekend.  I hope to fire on Monday.

Here's something that may interest the potters who read this.  A little tip.  I know my kiln will hold 15-17 shelves of pots.  I use 12"x 24" shelves.  The ware boards that I put my pots on in the studio are 8" x 36".  Do the math.  What do you find?  Both a shelf and a ware board are 288" sq inches.  So I know when I get 15 or so boards of pots made that I have I full kiln load.  Of course I have to take into consideration the sizes of the pots and the kiln posts but generally it works out to me having just the right amount of pots to fill the kiln.  Sometimes I'll have a few left over.  But I never come up short.

Pots from the Past. TBT. Early Earthenware

I'm a bit under the weather and I don't feel like writing a whole lot so I'll just post this video that I shot today.  

Great Finds in Asheboro, NC

I rarely go looking for pots in thrift stores or antique shops.  I probably should because here in North Carolina there are pots all over the state and there's no reason I shouldn't find a sweet pot every now and then.  But I don't really consider myself very lucky so I hardly ever try.

This weekend while at the NC Potters Conference in Asheboro, NC I was lucky!  On Friday I spotted a pitcher in the Randolph Arts Guild's shop that I knew was made by the English potter Clive Bowen.  I love Clive's pots and have admired the few I have gotten to handle over the years.  I inquired with the shop keeper and she told me that a lady had recently brought in some pots from her collection for them to sell.  I couldn't believe it.  And of course I immediately bought it.  (for a song).

The next day a friend told me he had seen two mugs of mine in an antique store nearby the Conference.  I walked over and low and behold there were two of my salt glazed mugs for $10 each.  I think they were probably made 2000-2002.  I probably sold them out of the studio for $12 at that time.  Ha.  So I bought one and my friend Anne bought the other one.  

A while back my wife Sarah found a bowl from this same time period in a shop.  She wasn't sure if I'd want it but after seeing the photo she took I assured her that I did.  I need to go and see if it's still there.

It doesn't bother me that my work shows up like this.  Maybe the pots really didn't suit that particular person in some way.  Or maybe they just needed a bit of extra money or space in their collection.  Either way the pots get a second chance and in this case they are with me and I'm happy to have them.

NC Potters Conference 2016

I had a really great three days at the NC Potters Conference this past weekend.  The presenters were Tony Clennell, Sunshine Cobb, and Steve Godfrey.  I have been going to this conference for at least 15 years and I get so much out if it each time.  I came away wanting to explore my work more and really think about what I'm interested in at this particular time in my life.  I am loving using texture and pattern and color on my soda fired pots.  I want to dig deeper into those areas and see where it takes me.  I could go on about that but maybe I'll just break that down into several posts as things move along.

Here are some images from the weekend.  I honestly did not take a ton 0f pictures.  I have found that I really enjoy just being there in the moment as folks demonstrate or speak and instead of taking photos I listen and make short notes in my journal.  I'm trying more and more to 'un-plug' and really be there.  You can certainly find more images if you do a Facebook or Instagram search and use the hashtag #ncpottersconf

Tony Clennell brought a ton of his wonderful pots.  I loved getting to pick up these jugs (pitchers).  Such strong forms and surfaces.  Also there were mugs, whiskey cups, bowls, and the infamous 'bacon baskets'.

Steve Godfrey was thoughtful and so inspiring to me.  His pots really spoke to me.  I love the forms, the birds, the glazes, as well as the patterning and texture.  

If you don't know who Sunshine Cobb is then you have been living under a rock for a few years.  It was so nice to finally meet her in person and to see her make pots and speak about her life and what influences her work.  Sunshine has a confidence and humor that appeals to me.  She is focused in her career and willing to put in the hard work it takes to be a successful potter.  

That's it for now.  Look for more posts about all this soon.