Finishing Up

I'm pretty close to being done with all the pots. Today I spent finishing up the pieces I've been working on for the past few days. I had so much in progress and I would work on a few elements to them at a time, keeping them wrapped well in plastic. Once I was done texturing and adding all the parts, I then dipped each of them in flashing slips. I use about 5 different soda slips that are loaded into the kiln by range of soda dispersement from the fire face to the back side of the kiln. The kiln being crossdraft, can bring about a wide range of soda from the firebox through to the chimney side, so I've been learning the best places for certain slips and clays. All of these pots will go into the last bisque firing in a few days.

Tomorrow I can get started in on glazing, which is ahead of schedule, actually. My chugging along in the studio has paid off and now I'll have more days to finish the glazing instead of having to cram it into only a few days. I'm not planning to load the kiln until next Monday or Tuesday.

I got some fun mail today. I received my complimentary copy of the Lark book, "500 Plates and Chargers". I had an image of my Bark Plates selected for the publication. I've been thumbing through and noticing the extremely wide range of contemporary plates that are happening out there!

Gettin Dirty

It's starting to get dirty around the studio with the flurry of making pots this last week. I couldn't even see the pots in the mirror. Although I said I try not to be a machine, I feel like I have been lately. I always get behind this last week before a firing and sometimes find myself working 16 hour days in the studio, and 7 days a week to get everything done. I always say next time I'm going to plan better, but no matter what happens, I always seem to be rushing that last week of making, and then rushing the glazing. I do hope that one day I can balance my time better in the studio and work more efficiently so that there is built in time for relaxing....yes...relaxing, I think I know what that is.

I finished more tumblers and mugs with the new foot treatment, this time using a different ripple carving. I think this pattern is much more active looking with the fluid panels, than with the straight panels I once used. It's exciting having these small changes now carrying on to other forms.



I'm firing another bisque kiln tomorrow and have a couple more days to finish up everything, and get the last bisque firing in while I move on to glazing.

A Fresh View

I've made this texture on my pots for a while and then realized it probably subconsciously came from all the tall grasses in the meadows out here. I've been experimenting with various textures on the creamer and sugar sets today.



Times that I need a breath of fresh air, I often walk up the nearby hillside scattered with daisies and the powerful scents of honeysuckle. It's such a refreshing perspective from up there above the rolling hills. It's so nice to look out in 360 degrees and not see gas stations, grocery stores, cars and hot pavement. The mountain peak in the background is Roan Mountain to the east. My walk ended with an interruption of our usual summertime rumbling thunder and lightning, which only amounted to a tease for rain.

Collections and Thoughts

I have these collections of natural objects I've found that I arrange in bark plates or in bowls in the studio. I'm particularly fascinated with seed pods. These pictured here are some in the studio that I often look at. I enjoy the textures created by the pockets made by the seed, as well as the repetition in line. Driving around the nearby farm and mountain areas, I enjoy looking at garden beds and the beauty in the repetition of lines and rows. More later on this thought...


Today I threw a lot of creamer and sugar sets and some small jars. I have a lot of other pots to work on throughout the week as I throw the last few forms. (more mugs, tumblers, and small vases.) Next week I have to cut myself off from making wet work and start glazing. It's always hard to stop throwing at this point because I'm in the groove at the wheel, where the clay is flowing into shape with my hands. It's honestly not always flowing like that! I'm probably going to have to cut things off the list that I won't have time to finish. I do this pretty much every time, because I knowingly bite off more than I can chew, so to speak. I'll create huge throwing lists that are ever growing during the cycle of making pots. I normally end up with plenty of bisqueware for loading, and that way I can edit out the pots that aren't so good. I fired the first bisque kiln today, and usually fire 3 loads to have enough to fill the soda kiln. Sometimes I'll fire 4 and then I have plenty of pots of various heights and slips to choose between for loading.

Lately, I've been starting to think about the upcoming loading and firing. The last soda firing I did I was anxious to get as many pots in as I could. Half of the pots that came out of that firing were already promised to wholesale orders, so in my determination to have enough leftover pots for my own shows, I stacked the kiln too tightly. It resulted in the pots being very dry and the flashing wasn't as vibrant as previous soda firings. There was just too much mass in there to aid in dispersing the soda vapor. So, this time I'm going to do the best I can to not stack as tight as I have grown apt to do. I also have made a few more things in porcelain and different slips that I can strategically place in certain areas to help increase my odds of getting good flashing and soda throughout the kiln.

It was a good lesson to learn, despite not getting the best firing out of it. Sometimes you have to go way overboard to learn where you should backup to. I have to remind myself that I am not a machine and my purpose as a potter is to create handmade objects that are unique and possess an unmatchable energy; pots that speak of myself and my observations.

Ahh...Fresh Clay

I really love the clean fresh line on the clay from the trimming tool and the rib. It's nice when you have a good trimming day. I finished these bowls up the other day and was busy yesterday working at Linda McFarling's studio helping her prepare for a workshop she's teaching. Today I'll be back in the studio, throwing new pots and finishing things already thrown that are under plastic.

I'm firing the kiln in early July so I have a lot to finish in this next week. Tomorrow I'm headed off to Knoxville for the evening for my nephews 3 year old birthday bash. I'll swing back through Asheville on Monday to get some clay at Highwater. I've been recycling my clay all along for a while and thought I had enough for this cycle. Now am in a crunch and am getting low for the next couple of weeks. There won't be enough time to reclaim clay and get it dry in time for use, so I'll have to buy some to make the last pots.

If you're in the area soon, you should go up to Roan Mountain. Right now the azaleas and rhododendron are in full bloom. The Roan is my favorite place to go hiking; a scenic stretch of the Appalachian Trail that skirts the Tennessee and North Carolina border. It welcomes beautiful views while walking along tall grassy balds. Hopefully next week I'll get up there to capture some pictures. I like to go around 7 or 8 at night when the sun is setting. I love the light at that time of night. This is a view from Round Bald, near Roan Mountain, that Will took last fall.


Have a great weekend!

Moving On

Here are the finished teapots. I actually am not too happy with this batch...I think I only like the last one on the right. The 3 on the left will have a reed handle over the top that I will attach after the firing. Even though I know I like the smaller size of teapot, this time I threw these just a 1/2 pound bigger and maybe that's why they seem awkward to me. I like a more pronounced form with a smaller foot that really makes your eye move around the form.

I threw a lot of cups today and am finishing up these new bowls that have a light slip texture inside. Now I'm trying this new indented foot on everything I guess, to see how far I can push it. I like these squared bowls, maybe next time I'll divide the space into 3 though. I thought I could carve in those areas too...so many possibilities.


porcelain slip texture made with mesh drawer liner

Tea Time

Today I worked intently on assembling all the parts to my teapots after trimming them yesterday. I did some carving and texturing, and then added all the parts: knobs, keys, lid tabs, spouts, and handles. Teapots are so much detail packed into a little piece. So many parts have to come together to make a complete whole, which is a great challenge that I enjoy. My teapots are really for one person and their tea. I tried to increase the scale once, but it lost the intimacy that the smaller size had. I'll show the finished results tomorrow and we'll see if there's any really good ones in the batch. I only am working on 6 and I feel like I threw these so long ago last week, so I'm ready to not have them under plastic anymore.

The weather today was amazing. If I could record the feeling of the soft air then I would have shared it with you. I only allowed myself a few minutes of it, as the teapots were begging my attention. I did, however, enjoy my first fresh salad from my garden tonight, with some early lettuce and fresh herbs.

Small Start

The tour turned out to be slow as far as a people count goes. On Sunday I had more visitors to my hummingbird feeder than visitors to see my pots! I had set myself up for that, though, living out on the far western side of the tour, and it being the first time I have done the tour out here. But the small handful of people that did venture out here made some nice purchases. I actually really enjoyed being able to be in my own element selling my pots for once, rather than being crammed into a 10 x 10 booth like at a craft fair. Often those times are spent twiddling my thumbs in between customers, and displaying the "on" face whenever someone walks in. I find it hard to do retail shows for various reasons, one being that I like to be actively busy doing things, often thinking of all the things I could be getting done without sitting there. Another part is that it is hard for me to always open up around complete strangers and I feel that they may not always get the full effect of me and the work that I create. Maybe that doesn't matter, because maybe the work alone should speak for itself. But this weekend, it was so much more relaxed and peaceful. People could see my studio, the landscape in which I live, and get a real sense of why I am the way I am, and why it is that I make pots. Sometimes it just takes one person who gets you and the intent of your work that is worth a million. It really helps me continue on. Overall, I think it was good to be in it out here, you have to start somewhere. I at least was able to get work done in the studio during the tour. I finished some bowls and carved and slipped the tumblers.





I made the carved panel on these tumblers like the pitchers I did earlier, with a fluid moving panel and indentions in the foot area. This was the first batch of tumblers I threw and only about 4 of them seem right to me, but I have several more batches to make in the next couple of weeks. I have a hard time getting this form exactly perfect each time, so each one will vary slightly around the curved areas. Now I'm throwing in a new equation, I'm using porcelain for these, so I'm trying to adjust to this new clay, too.

Sneak peek

Thought I'd do some advertising for Mr. Will Baker. We unloaded the kiln last night and pulled out these winners I couldn't help but show you. Go by his studio this weekend for the Toe River Studio Tour and you can pick out a few! I just love these! I have one at home, do you?




These pots off the top shelf are bare clay, straight out of Highwater Clays bag, no flashing slip, the jar on the left is bare Moon white, and the other pots are bare Loafer's Glory. Will's getting some pretty nice flashing out of that Roan Mountain kiln.


He was able to squeeze in this line of mugs of mine in his firing, too. I'm pretty happy with them!

We're headed tonight to the opening reception for the studio tour in Spruce Pine from 5-8pm. You can get a map to our studios at the link. The studio tour and sale is all day Saturday and Sunday 10- 5 pm! Come take a scenic drive out to my studio and Will's, it should be a great weekend!

Throwing Day

Here's a shot from today's throwing, some tumblers and bowls. The teapots from yesterday are still setting up, so I'm cranking out pots to work on in the meantime. I'll probably get the teapots trimmed tomorrow and I'll start on carving the tumblers. I'm trying the new carved panel idea on the tumblers, too, like the pitchers I was working on earlier. It'll be good to try it out on a smaller scale to see if it works. There's my dog, Amber, always keeping me company, passed out on the floor.

It's all in the details

Today I threw some teapot bodies. I like to make several at a time and work on them all at once, adding each part to all of them at the same time. They take me a while to finish with all the carving and various parts, but they are my favorite thing to make. Linda loaned me this mirror that I placed in front of my wheel. I had never used one throwing before, but it really is helpful to glance up and see the form without having to bend over so much. I also took on another great tip from Linda, last winter, and elevated my wheel up off the ground and raised my stool. I end up not having to lean over as much, which I think will help my back in the long run of throwing. It took a while to get used to and I thought I couldn't throw for a while, but now I don't even think about it.

So these two fired teapots I've been holding onto, and now are going beneath a scrutinizing eye in the studio. I'm sticking to this same form, but always am trying to achieve a full, vibrant pot! I hope the handle will be fuller next time, although some of them I put reed handles on. My newest addition from last firing, was the little keys on the lid on the front of the pot, which is on the teapot on the right. My knobs are purposely directional. I like the high point of the knob pointing away from the spout, which makes the form feel more complete and balanced. By putting the key on my teapot now, people will know which way I intend for the lid and knob to sit. I like having the power to decide that! This is a picky detail, but, it's all in the details!

Bark Basket awaiting flashing slip on the outside

Baskets

Wood Stoking and Ice Cream

I know I shouldn't complain about the heat, living here in the mountains, knowing most of my family lives in the deep South, but goodness, it has been pretty hot here these days. I think it's been affecting my work in the studio, or maybe that's just a good excuse. We were lucky to get an afternoon shower today, though.

I had some good friends stop through this weekend, Cassie Ryalls and Ann Bartges, other clay artists that were residents with me at Odyssey. Cassie will be moving back here very soon! She has been pursuing a post baccalaureate program in the clay department at the University of Florida.

The other part of my weekend I found myself succumbed to the gentle crackles of a wood kiln. Will was firing his wood kiln and I helped him out with the preheat, some stoking today, and more importantly, with some of my mom's famous ice cream pie. You can't wood fire without ice cream!


It was pretty hot around the firebox, and this huge spider gained our constant attention as we were either eyeing the pyrometer for the kiln temperature, or the spiders' latest whereabouts.
I normally hang around for his whole firing, but had to reluctantly tear myself away to get back home to get some work done. I knew Bobo would be there to carry on through part of the night, aka Captain Conepack, the other significant member to the Roan Mountain Ramblers, or North Mitchell Stokers. This is Shane Mickey, for those of you who don't know. We all end up running around Will's kiln in the middle of the night tossing wood in, checking cones, and rambling about things. It's funny, I feel like I'm missing out on something when I'm not around to see the outcome, but I had to tell myself, yes, Joy, wood will still burn when the kiln is 2300 degrees Fahrenheit, the cones will drop, the soda will get in, and it will finish off in the wee hours of the morning as the birds are cheerily awakening to their next day on Roan Mountain.

Off Center

the daisies are in

Today I got a little bit of work done in the studio, started some medium sized square bark tiles which are upside down. Also, finished a new triangular shaped vase that sort of arose from my earlier experiment with the carving panels and ridges. I think it might be going somewhere. It works well on a form that is very shapely. But maybe the ridges need to be bigger, they'll probably shrink to nothing in the firing and look too timid.

Freshly slipped pot in my favorite woven texture. Don't you just love fresh slipped pots?

I wasn't getting anywhere at the wheel today...my thoughts have been all cluttered up, so unfortunately throwing wasn't the right thing. I feel like I need to throw piles and piles of pots, since my next firing is only one month off. Anyhow, I think I had a small case of cabin fever, so I took off to my closest grocery store, 20 minutes away, in the town of Burnsville. I also mailed a pile of my show postcards off to announce the upcoming TRAC studio tour, and the July Southern Highland Fair, which is about a little over a month away. Then I stopped into Troy's to get some more sugar snap pea seeds since mine aren't having any success in the garden. I also couldn't resist some small plants of cleome and verbena. If you've not been to Troy's garden center, then by all means go, if not for the plants, then the local color! It is a great combination of order and disorder, thriving plants and not so thriving plants. I meandered through the mazes of hot steamy greenhouses and somehow felt better amongst all the possibilities of new growth. I spoke with Troy himself who gave me some insights into sugar snaps. Sometimes I just wish I could be a full time gardener, having a life of nurturing plants. But I just don't need another thing that I'm trying to make a living at!

New Opening

Well, it's official, I'm open for business! I've got the showroom out on the front porch and I hung the signs today. I'm now listed on one of the local Craft Artists maps, so I thought I'd start bringing traffic out to see the good things on Bad Creek Road.



I'll be in the Toe River Studio Tour, which is coming up, June 14 and 15, 10 - 5 pm. Check out the studio tour here.



Come stop by! You can call ahead to see if I'm around, or otherwise just come out and feel free to browse! For directions to my showroom you can print out a map at my website on the events page, here.