Slowly but surely

It has been a while since an update. So here goes...

I continue to make pots as time allows, but work at the newspaper has picked up lately. That, coupled with the thought that maybe a touch of flu (or dare I say, swine flu) may have hit us, has kept me from throwing as much as I'd like to. Usually I will get home and not have any energy to even sit at the wheel. The desire is definitely there, but I can't seem to resist the draw of the sofa when I get home.

A bisque load went into the kiln tonight, including mugs, some covered containers, a large bowl, large vase, and a hodge-podge of other pots. Hopefully it will all turn out fine and ready to glaze over the weekend. I have run out of raku clay, much to my distress, but I have 50 lbs. of earthen red clay standing by. It will be interesting to go back to that clay body and see if it handles any differently than before.

I will be setting up as a craft vendor on October 2nd and 3rd in Laurens for Squealin' on the Square, a two-day BBQ contest/event. If I remember correctly, it has drawn upwards of 12,000 people over the two days in previous years. So hopefully some folks will be interested in handmade pots.

Hopefully I will have more pictures to post right before Squealin', so stay tuned.

More August Pottery

August Pottery

Garlic Pot

More April Pottery

April Pottery

More work coming soon

It has been pretty busy around here. With work and other things going on, I don't have as much time to throw as I might like. But I have gotten through 50 lbs. of earthen red clay and have finished with 25 lbs. of the raku clay. I like the raku...it has a good feel between my fingers while throwing and for some reason, I seem to be able to make the pieces lighter. Maybe it is just getting back into it with the practice.
Today I made the plunge and bought four glazes in 5 gallon buckets for dipping. I am pretty excited to see what the colors look like on both the earthen red and raku. I am also getting close to glaze fire the first raku pieces. They should turn out a bit different than the earthen red because of the lack of iron in the clay body.
I have been making some different forms, including a few vases (rounder shapes), some garlic jars, a couple of mixing bowls (one with a handle and a pouring spout), and some assorted others.
Pieces are now available in Laurens at both The Village Cup and The Artist's Coop.