Snowy Day and Chowda....

What does one do on a snowy day trapped at home? Being a potter who father always said, "you turn money into dirt....where upon I proceed to turn dirt into money....but make chowda bowls.
Maine is a great place for chowda and what a better thing to make on a day like this (so far we have about 12" of snow) than to anticipate hot piping chowda in one of my lovely chowda bowls. I made 42 of them today and tomorrow they will be ready for handles.

After messing around in the studio I came in the house and made chocolate chip cookies. The cookies are on a plate I made in the late 70s. That's 1970s....can't believe I have been making pottery for over 30 years!!!! And I am so young!!!! LOL
The plate the cookies are on is made from chocolate stoneware, how fitting. The glaze is Albany Slip, a natural glaze that used to be mined in Albany, NY. The mines have been closed and paved over and there hasn't been any real Albany Slip to purchase since the 80s. I found a bucket recently that I have and will soon be glazing some special addition pieces with this wonderful natural glaze this spring. I add a colorant to it to bring out the texture of the glaze. Will post a picture of the plate without the cookies once they are all eaten. With my sweet tooth of a husband it won't be long.

Enjoy the warmth of your home and I will show the finished chowda mugs in a couple weeks when they are ready for hot soups!!!!!

Cone 5

A while back my niece asked me what the heck “cone 5” was on my Facebook status.

Cones are used in the firing process of making pottery. They measure the level of heat absorption to ensure proper firing and finished product. Kilns are not fired just to a certain temperature, but also to a specific cone level, or, heat absorption. Pyrometric cones are made from approximately 100 carefully controlled compositions and correspond (by number) to bend once a certain level of heat absorption is reached. The higher the cone’s number, the higher the level of heat absorption the cone is composed to measure. Starting at 10 (highest level), cones range down to 1 and then continue sequentially on: 01, 02, 03, etc. Each cone number is unique and measures within 30 degree temperature range.

Once my kiln is loaded and ready for firing, I place the cones throughout the kiln to ensure even heating. During firing I check the cones to see if they have started to bend. Cones look not unlike a gnome’s hat. Prior to heating they are bent to an 8 degree angle. As heat is absorbed, they begin to bend. Since the final temperature is most affected by the rate of temperature increase over the last 300 –400 degrees, it is imperative to keep a close watch on the cones. In a perfect firing, the cone will bend to a 90 degree angle.

Usually, I use “cone 5”. Below is an example of cones post firing.

Typically, I use sets of 3 cones. The triad of cones number in succession; if firing to cone 5, I would use a cone 4 and a cone 6 as well as the 5 to best measure the level of heat absorption. Once cone 4 begins to bend, I know I will need to begin shutting down the kiln.

Cones, cones, cones!

Earth, Air, Water, Fire

These are the ingredients of pots and human beings alike,
And each formula contains also the element of chance
Do not seek perfection in pots or people
For your search will go unrewarded, and you will miss knowing many good pots and many good people!!!! Author unknown

I found this poem while searching through my computer files for something else. A nice way to start my day.

January

It may be January, below freezing temps, but I have been combing through the show applications, deciding which to apply for, looking for new places. I can get overwhelming having to plan one's year in January. Man all I want to do in July and August is float. I certainly hope we have a nice hot summer again this year. Well maybe not quite as hot, hardly enjoyed the kayak...but did float and float and float.

Outside of show applications I have been making my pottery. Fired the kiln today and will unload tomorrow afternoon. Then the painting begins.
I'll be painting and glazing all week. Hope to have all done and glaze fire Saturday or Sunday.
Going to put the music up loud, dance and paint and dance and paint. Eat some lunch and dance and paint again......

December 29, 2010

2010 is just about over. A few more days and a new year begins. I am do looking forward to another hot summer. Especially since I received this wonderful floating cooler as a gift this holiday season. Imagine, my float docked at the floating station, cooler in tow bobbing along with me. Frosty beverages and lunch inside. Oh, the dreaming will soon be here......if time goes by as quickly as it has been. Hey, should go quicker as they say, whoever they are, that the older one gets the faster time goes. Bring it on summer!!!

This has been quite a year. In a month's time, Jan 29, 2011 I will have been 1 year out from my brain surgery. I was scratching my head, in the area where I was opened up and it still a bit numb. My hair has grown long enough in that area to put in a pony tail again. The only evidence of my medical adventure is the hearing loss and numbness. Otherwise one could not even tell. My facial expressions are even and one would not know from looking at me.

I hope to get a big chunk of the medial bills paid this coming year. Have to keep the potter's wheel spinning and the orders coming in. I also hope to take a long deserved vacation this year. A drive to Florida may be in order. We'll see.

So, look for a blow out sale sometime in Jan or Feb. Maybe March, depending when I can get it together. I am looking at doing it over a friends. A more central location.

Well, off to the ole spinning and throwing and making of pottery.

Relax....

The dishes are done. The tree is still up but will most likely take the ornaments off tomorrow while the "big storm" is raging here in Litchfield.
Suppose to get up to 14" or so. Will be nice to hang out, drink tea, and not get dressed.
Had a wonderful time with family and one more holiday party with parents, brothers, sister's nieces and nephew's this weekend.

Enjoy!!!

Once again we are in downtown Hallowell, Maine with our Holiday Pottery Shop
136 Water St. Hallowell
For More information call 207 582-7985

There are about 10 potters showing, a couple of photographers, a weaver and 2 jewelers!!!

We are open every day from 10-6 and Dec 24 from 10-2.
We are discussing on opening up after Christmas, and will hopefully know soon!!!!