Bruce Ciske Pottery

Starting.All.Over.Again

2012-01-26T11:05:00.003-05:00

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

2011-12-16T22:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Ludwig von Beethoven.

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

Days of Reckoning

2011-12-10T18:20:00.003-05:00

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

2011-12-08T14:03:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-30T20:32:00.005-05:00

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

2011-10-02T09:45:00.004-04:00

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

2011-09-16T20:11:00.003-04:00

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!

Small Trays Out of Kiln

2011-09-16T20:04:00.002-04:00

Just finished unloading a kilnful of small trays. Very pleased with the glaze results -- especially the combination of Bill Vangilder Teal and Robert Busch Nutmeg and the combination of Nutmeg and Bill Vangilder Rust. Some of these will be headed to the Bluemont Fair this weekend -- a terrific family fair with lots to do and see for kids of all ages. More -- including a larger tray -- are waxed and awaiting glaze and firing.

Pottery now on sale at A Show of Hands, Alexandria, VA

2011-08-24T17:02:00.003-04:00

You can now find a selection of pottery for sale at A Show of Hands in the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria, VA. Drop in and take a look at all of the wonderful locally hand-made craft and art items they offer for sale.

Upcoming Craft Fairs

2011-08-24T16:59:00.002-04:00

I've updated the list of Craft Fairs and Shows where I'll be selling pottery. A couple of new locations this year -- the Lovettsville, VA, Oktoberfest (in September, of course), and Art on the Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. Check out the events -- several are family fairs with lots to do and see for kids of all ages.

Pottery Available in Old Town Alexandria

2011-02-25T17:53:00.002-05:00

Next time you are strolling through Old Town Alexandria, take a few minutes to stop by Elder Crafters where I now have a selection of pottery for sale. And, while you are at it, check out the rag dolls from Dolls by Mary. Isn't it grand being an elder -- your own special place to display your hand-made crafts for sale.

Thank you for a Wonderful Year

2010-12-19T17:46:00.002-05:00

The last craft fair for 2010 is done . . . a nice day at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA. It has been a busy year: 17 craft fairs. All told, I had 202 sales involving 394 items. That's a fair amount of clay.

Thank you very much to those who purchased an item from me. Even after selling my pottery for three years now, I am still humbled when someone selects one of my items to buy.

A short holiday break -- then on to planning for 2011. I started to make a "wavy" tray late in the year; I see those becoming a staple for 2011. I also want to explore some new shapes and forms both on the wheel and in handbuilding.

Upcoming Holiday Craft Fairs and Events

2010-11-20T19:50:00.002-05:00

Today was a wonderful (as usual) Holiday Shop at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church. Terrific weather, lots of shoppers, and a well organized event. Even participated in the traditional post-Shop "sunset viewing" from the church's patio -- they have been closing the shop with a sunset viewing for each of the past 49 years. Today's was an exceptional sunset.

Here is a list of upcoming craft fairs and events:

12/4 -- South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton, VA,22079. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

12/10 -- Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA,22101. Hours are 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

12/11 -- Gar-Field High School Orchestra Booster's Holiday Craft Show, Gar-Field High School, 14000 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge, VA, 22192. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

12/18 -- T.C. Williams High School Holiday Craft Fair, T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA. Hours 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hope to see you there!!!

Something Beautiful

2010-07-23T09:46:00.004-04:00

I've always wondered what people who buy my pottery actually use it for. So, I was pleased when a customer sent me this photo of an extruded teapot and bowl that are being used for vases. Even better is the name she gave the photo. Thanks Karen.

"Steve Tool" Pots out of glaze firing

2010-02-15T16:04:00.003-05:00

Here are some of the pots textured with the "Steve Tool" that have come out of glaze firing.

New platters (or what I did during Snowmageddon besides shovel)

2010-02-09T15:11:00.003-05:00

In between shovelling episodes, managed to create some new platters/trays. Tried earlier to do some wheel throwing, but the garage temperatures were too cold and my fingers just did not cooperate. So, back to slabs. Clay is Standard 266. With more snow in the forecast, maybe a few more platters.

Virginia is for . . . Shovellers!!!

2010-02-07T12:23:00.003-05:00

Here are some pix from the storm they are calling "Snowmaggeddon". We had about two feet. . . problem is you quickly run out of places to pile the snow. We shovelled four times -- once Friday, twice Saturday, and this morning -- to keep up with the storm. The thought of trying to shovel two feet or more of snow after the storm was over was more than I wanted to tackle. Chalk it up to lessons from childhood days in Wisconsin. The snow was wet and heavy and I'm afraid the trees and shrubs took the brunt of the storm. We'll have to see what damage occured, but I've already seen some snapped and broken limbs. Overall, we were fortunate . . . no loss of power, plenty of food and warmth, and the street has already been plowed!!!

More "Steve" pots on the way

2010-02-03T10:08:00.007-05:00

A few more pots textured with the "Steve Tool". I added a colored slip (porcelein claybody and water run through the blender until smooth and creamy, then Mason stains added) to the thrown cylinder before applying the "Steve Tool". I'll glaze these in clear. The bisque-ware is building up, need to move on to glazing.

"Steve" pots are coming . . .

2010-01-30T14:36:00.006-05:00

I've been working with the "Steve Tool" to make textured pots. Here are a couple of pictures of pots through the bisque firing process; the bottom photo is two pots sitting on top of each other. A few more are at the studio (Creative Clay) in the bisque kiln; others are on the shelf drying. For some of hte later pots, I used a colored porcelein slip to create bands that were then textured. These will be glazed and fired in an electric kiln, ^6. I also plan to make some for firing at ^10 -- either gas reduction or salt firing. Hopefully I've not jinxed these pots by showing them before they are done. My first pottery instructor told us not to fall in love with a pot until after it is glazed and fired -- very good advice.

The "Steve Tool" is made by Steve Graber. It is really fun to play with and create interesting surfaces. I have one of the "originals" with the texture gears made of wood. The claybody is Highwater Little Loafers.

Recent Work

2010-01-30T13:47:00.004-05:00

Here are photos of some recent work . . . things have been a bit slow lately, mostly due to the kitchen renovation crew taking over my workspace in the garage for most of November and December. The kitchen is now completed and I've regained space to work and fire.

Getting Going

2009-12-20T14:11:00.001-05:00

Looking out the window at the 14+ inches of snow that fell yesterday. Quite a sight. Looks like it will still be around for Christmas . . . a real treat for the Washington, D.C. area.

Friday was the last show for the year. Since August, I participated in 13 craft fairs around Northern Virginia. Now, it's time to replenish stocks, work on new ideas, and get ready for next year.

Probably the most frequent question I got from customers and others stopping by at fairs was "Do you have a website?" So, here it is -- the Bruce Ciske Pottery website. I hope to keep it current with pictures of new pottery and whatever else comes to mind.