Timely Letter & Not So Timely Blowout

Coincidentally, we received an invitation to our friend's Susan and John's wedding next month. On the envelope was this beautifully written calligraphy. Since I was thinking about brushwork and sketchbooks, I thought I would share this with you. It made we want to write this blog with a pen and ink.

Meanwhile back in the old shop...What not to do with your big torch! I was tired. It was late. No one was hurt.

This a great tool for getting a jump on your bisque firing! But I would recommend throwing the pot first.


And for those who like triangles, this view through the trusses of the new shop.


Have a great Wednesday.

Brush Sketch

Ron has posted some pages from his sketch book, which are always great. I got to thinking that I don't really keep a sketch book but, rather, keep a log of pots I'm making, sizes, weights, etc. Before I do my decorating I make some brush sketches like this one either on tracing/vellum or newsprint. This particular drawing ended up on the 'fridge next to the stove one day and I haven't moved it, hence spaghetti sauce spatter. (my apologies)


I've never been able to keep a sketchbook like Ron's. I've always had trouble drawing pots or patterns with a pencil/pen. I tend to "sketch" my pots on the wheel, and my patterns evolve on the pots as well. I always envy those with good sketchbooks...

The Apprentice: Confessional

Alex has written a great post on his blog "Notes from an Apprenticeship" that I think you would enjoy reading. It's introspective, frank, and goes to the heart of being a potter.

Last Burn for Alex at Jones Pottery

shadow of smoke on the Jones Pottery

We all headed over to see Matt Jones and crew on Big Sandy Mush Road this evening. They were wrapping up the two day firing of that beast of a kiln. Below is a picture of Matt side stoking the kiln in the last hour.


The picture below gives you a sense of the size of this kiln. Matt stands about as tall as me at 6'3" .

Of course the kids wanted to hang out where the action was, at least until the candy bars and potato chips ran out. That's Matt and Christine's kids Linden on the far left, and Sarah Frances next. Then my girls Evelyn and Lillian sitting on one of the remaining piles of pine slabs.

Below Alex Matisse is loading up salt on planks to be stoked. This will be the last time he will do this for Matt. He's headed for Kutaya, Turkey and Pittsboro, NC, respectfully.

side doors after a stoke in the front of the kiln

Video: Plate Rim Treatment

Some may think it a little 'cheesy' but this is how I cut the rims of my plates. The cheese cutter is one I bought at the grocery store and took the depth cutter off and and exchanged the wire with a stainless braided wire. The braided wired is very fine and makes it easier to cut. I always cut the foot of the plate first and then cut the rim. You may notice at the beginning that the plate is still pretty floppy. If you try to cut the foot ring after the rim of the plate it will crack. You will only notice the cracks after it is fired. The pressure you exert on the foot ring to trim "spreads" or compromises the rim.As in many of these pottery processes, timing is everything.

At the end of this short video are a few examples of these fired plates. I hope you enjoy it.