Baby Steps

We take things one step at a time here, always moving forward, but never at a speedy pace. Over a month ago, the kiln was built. Next we need wood and pots to fill it. The pots are coming, but I've had a lot on my plate lately and I'm not getting them done as quickly as I'd like.

Kevin's been working with my wood guy, Ryan to get some wood stacked. So... when I finally get the pots done and we can get everybody there who needs to be there, we'll have the wood we need.

Handles

I've notice that I tend to always use my Brandon Phillips mugs out of the cupboards first. The wide handles feel great in my hand. So when making my own mugs lately, I've focused on making much wider handles than I've made in the past. And I really like the results.



Our styles are very different, but I really like the adaptation of the wider handle on mugs. There are a couple dozen mugs on drying boards and hopefully, I'll have a couple dozen more after this weekend.

My To-Do List

All in all, I had a very productive weekend getting many things checked off my To-Do List.

• Bottoms and sprig put on a collection of oblong vases - CHECK
• Handles on mugs, batter bowls and baking dishes - CHECK
• Glazing bisqueware - CHECK
• Running a load of glazeware in the kiln - CHECK
• Unload glaze load and reload for a bisque fire - CHECK
• Buy groceries for my family - CHECK
• Go see my daughter's artwork at the county fair (three blue ribbons and one red) - CHECK

Here is part of a custom order from the glaze load I unloaded today. The nice couple that ordered these place settings and mugs are getting married next weekend. A couple more pieces from this gift registry need to be fired yet and after that the entire order will be sent off to Sarah & Aaron.

Good Day In The Studio

I know I've had a good day in the studio when I've got mud from head to toe.



Artigras in Rochester is coming up in a couple weeks and I've got lots of newly thrown pieces on drying boards today. Oblong vases, mugs and berry bowls have been selling well, so I made a couple boards of each as well as some hanging tiles and an oblong platter. A bisque kiln is ready to unload and then I've got lots of glazing to get done. No rest for the wicked I guess.

Lanesboro Local - part 2

Apparently things have been going really well at the Lanesboro Local. Originally, I only dropped off nine items, but in less that two weeks, they've sold all but three. So, I'll be dropping off some more inventory this weekend.

I'd decided to take functional, very utilitarian items there and it seems that may be a good compliment to some of the other items they have in the Local and sets them apart from some of the items from other Lanesboro shops. What ever the reason, I'm pleased with how things are going there and love having my pottery in a shop that showcases all our local business have to offer.

Lanesboro Local

In addition to my new kiln excitement, I'm excited to announce that my pottery can now be found at Lanesboro Local. Lanesboro Local offers an outstanding selection of items from local growers, producers and artisans. Stop in and check it out.

Kiln Construction Photo Series

Where do I even begin???

Over the past two week period we've been having a small bourry box kiln built at the farm/studio. The crew here to do the construction was very knowledgeable and did an excellent job with the construction and explaining the construction process.

While I'd have preferred to post several progress reports and focus on specific aspects of the construction, I was without Internet access most of the time. So instead, here is one long post with many pictures from the construction. Thanks so much to Donovan Palmquist and his crew, Judah and Al for building this wonderful kiln and putting up with the rainiest two weeks of July I've seen. (Maybe that's an exaggeration, but it sure seemed like we had rain constantly)

Now, I move on to the next step of finishing up enough pots and getting wood cut for the first firing. I'll have to fit that in between making some of my Cone 6 oxidation work for upcoming shows. So... first firing may be a month or so out yet.