2016-12-10 - Saturday - Holiday Sale

Saturday was the Goneaway Pottery Holiday Sale. Becky, Ju-Ian, Judith, and Elaine joined me for a chilly day in the garage. When we started, it was 24 F and only went up to 44 F for the high. We ran the propane heater, but it couldn't warm up the whole garage, so we spent some time gathered around the heater.

We had a steady stream of customers all day and good fellowship, snacks, and music.

My setup.

Ju-Ian, Judith, and Elaine.

The ever-popular snack table.

My friend Edson took this photo of me.

While we were having the sale, Stephanie was doing the Girls on the Run 5k with kids from her school. She's a coach for the program this year and we're very proud of her. Karen went with her and snapped this photo.

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2016-05-24 - Tuesday - The Monkees!

Tuesday night a bunch of us went to see the Monkees' 50th anniversary tour. Becky and Susan got tickets for some great seats. The only Monkees on this tour are Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork but they put on a great show, covering many of the group's hits. They did such a good job that it was easy to close your eyes and be right back in the 60's during the performance. Since Davy Jones passed away in 2012 there was video of him singing some of his ballads while the guys sang along. Mike Nesmith only shows up occasionally and he didn't on Tuesday.

They did an excellent job especially considering that Micky is 71 and Peter is 74. Bravo!

Here's a couple of snippets of their songs just to give you an idea of how good they were.

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2016-05-23 - Monday - Going Away Party

Monday we had a going away party for Kim Marcadis. It was a nice covered dish affair. We had a good turnout and lots of fun.

We are all going to miss Kim a bunch. She's a really good friend and she also does so much for everyone at Clayworks and the guild, she's going to leave some large holes when she leaves.

We all wish Kim and Terry the very best in their next adventures.

Great turnout.

Madame Anita was reading cards.

Kim and her beau, Terry seeing the future.

Herb is getting some insight while
Kim and Becky are up to something.

We made kiln gods for Kim's next firing.

Kim and Terry.

The crew.

All too soon, the sun set on our fun.

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2016-05-01 - Sunday - Creamer Sets and Kiln Firing

Sunday I was at Clayworks learning to fire the gas kiln. Kim was teaching me and Becky how to fire it. Since we only have to check it every hour or so, I had a chance to make some work between adjustments.

I have decided to re-introduce some functional items into my work. To that end I started making some creamer sets and syrup warmers. Let's see where this takes me.

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2016-04-19 - Tuesday - Hostas

I have tried for more than 16 years to grow hostas in the ground at our house. No matter where I plant them they falter and slowly die over 2 or 3 seasons.

Several years ago my dear friend Becky gave me a saucer-shaped pot full of young hostas. They are the only ones I have not been able to kill. If you look closely you can see the saucer these plants live in, but it's pretty tough since they are so happy they overflow it.

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2015-08-08 - Saturday - Fire kiln

Saturday we fired the kiln all day. Since it's a matter of checking it every hour or so, it left us free to do other things while it fired. We worked on repairing a wheel, measuring out some glaze materials, and I threw some pots. (I know, go figure.)

Kim and I started off with some Bojangle's biscuits and a cup of tea. Later, Becky and I had a nice lunch of falafel wraps from La Shish Kabob.

It was a good day.

Always good luck to drink from a Doug Blythe mug on firing day.

9:00 am.

10:15 am

6:00 pm

8:15 pm
Final soak.

Butter dishes and platters.

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2014-01-18 Saturday - Akira Satake workshop

On Saturday and Sunday I attended the Akira Satake workshop at Clayworks.  It was a fun, informative workshop with a wonderful teacher.  He gave us lots of invaluable information and kept us laughing along the way.

On Saturday night Akira played a concert for us on his banjo as he is also a very talented musician.  When Becky told her husband Fred that Akira was going to play for us, Fred said we should hold the concert at their studio, Concentrix Music and Sound.  We all settled into Studio 1 and were treated to Akira's playing.

After the concert we went to Ben Thanh for a late supper.

I also got to sit next to fellow blogger Linda Starr for two days.  It was great actually talking to her in person.

My thanks to Akira, Clayworks, and Fred and Becky Story for a great weekend.

Getting warmed up.

Putting a handle on a teapot.

Lunchtime!

Akira warming up while Fred adjusts the mic.

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2013-11-25 - Monday - Raku night

Monday night we did an end-of-session raku firing.  Well, I just drank a beer and helped as I had nothing to fire yet.  Kim, Becky, and I will do another firing on Friday.  Raku firing on Black Friday has a nice ring to it.

The one in the front is Greg's and the back one is Chuck's.  They both came through the trial by fire wonderfully.

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October 3 - Thursday - Kiln opening and raku firing

Thursday night Kim, Becky, and I did a raku firing and I collected pots that came out of the gas kiln earlier that day.  While all that was going on, Rob was doing a barrel firing.  Busy night.

I was very pleased with my pots from both firings.  You can see more of them here.

Cone 10 gas kiln pots.

Closeup of face pot.

Raku and barrel firings.

Raku pots.

Kim, Becky, and Rob labeling postcards for the upcoming
Clayworks fundraiser,
An Evening of Earth & Fire

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February 12 - Tuesday kiln and plant stakes

Tuesday terra4m got together to make plant stakes for our upcoming Spring Sale (shameless plug:  Sunday, April 14, 2013).  Becky and Kim were firing a gas kiln so while waiting for it to finish we made our stakes.  It was good to be back together in the studio as it has been a while.

Becky, Kim, Chris, and Elaine.

I was obviously thinking of my yard when I  made my stakes...

I really liked the look of these stamps standing on end.

I think it's the depth and the random grouping.

The back pressure from the kiln peephole.

Becky checking the bottom peep.

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August 13 - Monday kiln loading

Monday I went to Clayworks to help load the gas kiln.  I tried to get some last minute glazing done before the load, but I messed up and got wax on the pots where I didn't want it so I put them back on the shelf to re-bisque fired.  I just wasn't meant to have anything in that kiln I guess.

Becky, Kimberly, and I loaded the kiln.  It was a fairly tight pack, but it would have been better if we had more small work.  We got most of the pots in and Greg came in to double check it and start it up.

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August 11 - Saturday showtime!

Saturday was our Artful Affair and we had a great turnout of old friends and new acquaintances.  It was a fun evening and some of our work found good homes.  As usual, the evening was a bit of a blur.  It was a long night since we had to dismantle and remove all our stuff after it was over, but good friends make it easier to deal with.

Elaine.

Eric's 1940's sitar.

My terra4m buds, Kim, Becky, and Elaine
with Gigi in the background..

Eric with his 1960's sitar.

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June 14 - Betty's birthday

Thursday we celebrated our friend Betty's 90th birthday at Clayworks with a surprise party at the potluck lunch.  There was a great turnout and everyone had their fill of delicious food with some leftovers that don't stand a chance.

These lunches are nice way to catch up with friends you may not have seen for a while.  For instance I am usually rattling around the studio at night but some folks only come during the day.  Special occasions like this bring us together for a little while.  There are always lots of hugs to share.

After lunch I found Mr. Herb Cohen quietly working in the back of the studio.  I was told he was going to be there working occasionally and it was a pleasure to visit with him for a moment.  It's an honor to have him in our studio and I can't wait to see what he makes.

I love the fact that Betty and Herb have been able to pursue their creative passions for so many years and I'm glad they're doing at Clayworks.

The birthday girl in plaid.

We had a great turnout.

Becky got her hair cut short!
I think it looks great.

Mr. Herb Cohen.

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