Starting.All.Over.Again

It's starting all over again . . . applications for 2012 craft fairs. The winner for the first application package of 2012: The Bluemont Fair, to be held 9/15-16 in Bluemont, VA. One of my favorites and a terrific family fair. The crafters offer a wide variety of home-made wares, lots of kids and adult activities. And, the music is a treat. Mark your calendars now. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Ludwig

Happy Birthday Ludwig von Beethoven.

(And a special thanks to Jim and Kathy Strey.)

Days of Reckoning

The "quality control" sledge hammer has been busy singing its song . . . yielding nine buckets of shards for the dumpster. These were unsellable/ungivable pots (S-cracks, cracks in rims, platters that warped, glaze defects, cups with elephant ear handles, etc). The collection had been accumulating over the past two or so years. The first time I did this, it was very difficult. Somehow, you wanted to keep everything. But deciding to sell my pottery made me raise my standards and expectations for finished pieces -- they all have my name on them. So, I see this now as a necessary part of the craft, one that is part of moving forward. I've also become better at intercepting "bad" pots at an earlier stage where the clay can be reclaimed, rather than firing items I know will not meet my standards for sale.

Besides, now that the shelves are almost bare, I can make more pots. Watch for future posts.

A Trio of Coiled-built Vases

Here is the collection of vases made during my handbuilding class with Alfredo Ratinoff at the Smithsonian Institution. All construction is by coils. Decoration is by engobes. Once fired to cone 04. The blue/white vase is made from Little Loafers stoneware from Highwater Clays; the other two are made from Standard 104 earthenware clay w/grog.

Not having done much (any) serious coil-building before, I am pretty satisfied with the results. I particularly like the texture and feel of the fired surfaces. I am undecided about whether or not to put a wax or other finish to the outsides. Until I decide, I'll enjoy them as they are.

Coils Coils Coils

I'm currently taking a handbuilding course from Alfredo Ratinoff at the Smithsonian Institution. The focus of the course is coils. No slabs or extruder -- the staples of most of my handbuilt work. Just coils. Coils was not one of my strong points (or interest points, for that matter) before the course, but it seems to have connected. Coil building is a relatively slow process -- something I've found I like.

Here is the first piece I've made. A coil-constructed vase made from low fire terra cotta clay and decorated with Alfredo's engobes. I am leaving the surface plain; no wax or other finish. The feel of engobes reminds me of old pottery and that seems to fit the form and the decoration.

I've got a couple more being fired this week and will post pictures when they are done.

Hoff the Harmonica Case Man

You meet the most interesting people at craft fairs. Yesterday, while slogging through the morning rain and cold at Art on the Avenue, I met Hoff the Harmonica Case Man -- wearing several custom made harmonic cases (including harmonicas)and carrying a duffle bag with several others (including an awesome functional case made from Legos). Hoff commissions artists to make custom harmonica cases for his collection. His video explains it all -- click on the title to link to the video. Anyhow, the challenge seemed to good to pass up and I accepted the harmonica. Cases to follow.

New leaves

One of my favorite items is made from hosta leaves growing in our yard. Usually, I just glaze the leaves -- celadon, clear, amber tyler, and goldenrod. These represent a change in approach -- using colored slips and underglazes to add more interest (I hope) and color. Because these are made using real leaves as the pattern/texture, they are quite seasonal -- so I make a large group at a sitting. Okay, for this week, a large group was about 100. Lots of fairs and events coming up and one needs to be prepared. These are in drying stage; then on to bisque firing and glazing. Then, to a local craft fair near you!