As I put away the clay tools and pick up the brushes I wish I had about 3 or 4 weeks of potting. What took me so long to get warmed up?

Finishing up some small plates that may have 2 B raw glazed w/ the short time before the firing to dry.The light rain doesn't help but the new grass loves it.

Introducing the eBat™

the eBat™ clearing the treadle wheel

the eBat™ underbelly

I love using the treadle wheel to cut feet on plates, bowls, etc. It's relaxing to hear the clip clop of the treadle and I get to sit down for a change. Plus it's very easy to stop to make adjustments. But when I have big plates or bowl I always have to use the Shimpo Scream™ without the splash pan and clay trimmings fly everywhere!

:-0

Now I have just the thing! The eBat™! Tonight a moment of iClarity™ took me to the next level. Now there's the super duper eBat™!
[eBat™ because names with the e or i in front of them look cool. ™ because I just learned the keystroke for "™"] The new Kline Pottery eBat™ will accommodate up to 18"platter or bowl.
Order yours today!
Maybe I will start a specialty tool business!

Maybe not.

Midnight Special

follow this pitcher

Just wanted to update every one of you about the pitcher that we have high hopes for. I put the handle on after supper and here it is. So far so good, although I need to make a lot more of these handles to master them. They still seem a little thin.

I need to make a lot more pottery, but I'm afraid I have to step away...from....the....wheel...can't...let...go...must...paint...pots......
good night!

A Pitcher

a separate "cap" is thrown and attached to the neck

the cap after throwing onto the neck

the spout after ribbing the neck with a wooden tool.

Here is one of the more successful pitchers of the day. Maybe because I was taking pictures of it as I made it? Hmmm. The neck is an area of this pot that's hard for me to get right. So, instead of fighting it, I have been throwing a little cap that gets attached to the neck, giving more room for the handle to be attached later.

Thought you'd like to follow this one through the making, painting, firing. I'll try to keep it in your lens. Dinnertime!

Coffee Break vol. 19

Here's a sweet little cup I'm having my afternoon coffee in. Kyle gave this to me this morning! Lucky me! The painting on this cup is amazing. [Wait till this guy starts painting vines! He'll be unstoppable!] Another nice feature of this handless cup is the nice weight of the clay. The pot has great balance and is evenly thrown, and it feels fine with my hot coffee. The salt slip surface is very soft and the painting is very fine. Those of you who know Kyle's work know that he's a master with the brush. You can see some of his pots here. The tassels of the painted grass have a very fine sgraffito that gives a different type of detail to the pattern.

Thanks Kyle. I'll pick a nice pot out of this firing for you. Back to work!

Visitors!

Kyle Carpenter and his son, Coleman

in the studio

Had a great little visit with Kyle and his son, Coleman! The gentle rain made way for a beautiful sunny morning and I got to drive Coleman's remote control Hummer! If you don't about Kyle's beautiful work check it out here. Kyle also had some info on the kilns being built this summer in Marshall, NC. Check out this blog about Josh and Eric's kiln building project!

I'll get to these platters after lunch!
back to work.

Welcome

I wanted to welcome any folks who are coming from the Ferrin Gallery announcement!

Welcome!

Here is a brief tour of my shop as it appears today:

the steps leading to the shop

Charba snake and leaves from the citrus tree

[Happy birthday Aaron!]


clay drying in humps on the wedging table

music station

coffee station

electric kiln station

But you are asking, "where are the pots!"
Click on this link or this one.

I post to this blog frequently, so check back, or better yet, become a fan by clicking on the "follow" button on the sidebar! When you subscribe, blogger will tell you when there is fresh stuff to consume. Yum.

The Best Laid Plans

Right about now I go through a brief moment of regret while I go over the make list and seeing the pots/ideas that didn't get made. Right about yesterday is when everything had to be made in order to be dry enough to be bisque fired and/or glazed for the loading. And at the end of every session I blur that "last wet day" date and spin out a few quick one's. Today will be one of those cheating days, trying to make those pitchers I didn't make yet, and the last minute tumblers!
Meanwhile, I really need to get the painting station set up to get started with my brush.
Of course I will let you know how it's going throughout the day.

Scale

four pound cup

Scale and proportion don't always translate like you would want. Maybe visually this 'cup' seems right, but the handle seems way too big. [compare to the size of the banding wheel to the cup] Of course, after it's dry enough to pick up safely, I'll know better abut the feel.