Wood Firing Workshop

 

Join me for a wood firing workshop in picturesque Lanesboro Minnesota.  We'll be glazing, loading and firing a bourry box wood-fired kiln over the weekend of May 25 - 27 and unloading the following Saturday, June 2. 

It's an excellent opportunity to try this dynamic firing method and enjoy the company of other potters at a quiet, beautiful location in SE Minnesota.  

For more information about the workhop and how to register -  CLICK HERE

Wood firing video

Several months ago, the public television station in southern Minnesota (KSMQ) came over to film a firing of my wood kiln for their series Off 90.  It was a very fun experience and the episode they filmed aired this past weekend.  Today, the episode was also posted on YouTube, so now I can share it with everybody.  

Probably the weirdest part was to hear my voice on TV and I was very grateful that I didn't make too many funny faces during the throwing demonstration and while loading the kiln.  I usually am making some ridiculous face, sticking my tongue out or something like that.  But not too much of that.  

The entire experience was a lot of fun, and it's wonderful to finally see the completed project. 

Seasons of Sunflowers

Continuing on my "Things that Bring Joy" theme.  Here are somethings this year that brought me seasons of joy.  Three seasons to be exact. 


We planted two 10' wide strips of sunflowers on each side of our driveway and watching these sunflowers through the year has been a great source of joy. 


In the summer they are bright, cheery faces that greet me every time we drive by.

In the fall, they feed hundreds of goldfinches.  It was great fun to sit quietly near the fading flowers to watch the goldfinches pop in to feast on the seeds.

And most recently, in the winter, the dried but still standing sunflower stocks and flowers provide an interesting contract in the snowy landscape. 

I can't wait to see them again next summer.

What brings joy?

Like so many others, the week between Christmas and New Year's is a time when I like to look back at the year, reflect and focus on the upcoming year.  One of the things I've really thought about this past year are the things that bring me joy. It's often in very small ways, but still they bring a smile to my face or joy to my heart. Today, I'd like to share some photos of one of the places that bring me joy. 

My husband and I own 40 acres in a small farming community of Lanesboro, Minnesota.  When it was purchased, there was nothing on the property but a well that hadn't been used in decades.  Since that time, we've had a driveway built, brought power into the site, constructed a small building to operate as my studio with a sleeping loft above, established a "yard", constructed a kiln shed and had a bourry box kiln built there. 

While this was all a great deal of work, it brings me so much joy when I look back to where we started and how the site has changed.  In addition to the sense of accomplishment in making this site "ours", the quiet, peaceful nature of the areas hills and valleys brings me even greater joy.  

We love the place it has become and the peace we feel when we are there. 

What brings you joy?

Finally...

had some studio time today.  It felt great to get back in the swing of it and get some dirt under my nails.  My clay is really wet and I ended up cutting and weighing out all the clay I'd need for the day and letting it sit out to dry while going to visit my Mom.  After a couple hours (about as long as I can take due to her dementia) I came home to clay that was just about the right consistency for throwing.  After making several medium size bowl shapes, I made a large platter.  

While using a rib to lay down the rim, the rib started to chatter and created this awesome texture on the rim.  Not exactly something I was going for, but I think it will look really interesting when the piece is glazed. 

Have a Merry Christmas everybody!!

Happy Holidays

The snowy winter wonderland outside the studio begged to be photographed.  I took a long walk stopping to photograph the snowy details that caught my eye.


Happy Holidays!!

A Little Reminder

Just a little reminder to all of you Minnesota blog followers...

My Holiday Open House and Sale is this weekend,  running Friday, December 2nd (4pm - 9pm) and December 3rd (10am - 6pm) with lots of pottery and handmade soaps, body butters and bath fizzies for your holiday and hostess gift needs.  The location information is in the right side bar.  One open house attendee will win this bottle of Cannon River Winery Nouveau and the wine bottle coaster shown below. 

According to French folklore, drinking a Nouveau in the year it was made will bring good luck in the upcoming year.  Who couldn't use a bottle of good luck??

Also coming up the following weekend, I'll be participating in the Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival in Mankato.  It's a fantastic event with lots of amazing artists as well as wine tasting presented by Morgan Creek Winery and chocolates at each artists booth. 

Hope to see you at one of these events.

(Did I mention the wine and chocolates??? Why wouldn't you attend for free wine and chocolate?)