Sue Pariseau Pottery

Rope Look?

2012-02-12T19:44:00.001-06:00

Been having some fun with simple thumb dents on the bottom of some baking dishes this weekend. It sort of makes a rope like look around the base. These bakers will be wood fired so the simple texture around the base won't distract from the magic the fire creates on the pieces.

In addition to the bakers, I've got about a dozen salt and peppers on drying boards and a bisque running. It was a fun and productive weekend.

What's New

2012-02-08T18:59:00.000-06:00

There's been lots of activity here, but not a lot that's new. Winter in Minnesota (even though it's been an incredibly mild one) usually involves lots of catching up on activities that get put off while the weather is nice. The past two weeks, we've gone to the movie theater twice and done dinner with friends numerous times. We never get to do much of that during the summer with sales, firings and other outdoor activities taking priority.

Along with all our socializing, I've been spending more time in the studio. Throw, throw, throw, trim, trim, trim, bisque and stack in a storage tub for upcoming firings this spring and summer. For the past few years I've been trying to make most of my work for summer shows during the winter so I can feel less stressed during the summers. So far, it's been pretty successful and I'm planning to stick with it.

Hope your winter is going well and you too are able to spend some time catching up before busy spring and summer months.

Be well.

Wood Firing Workshop

2012-01-28T21:45:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-10T19:04:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-28T06:05:00.000-06:00

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?

2011-12-26T09:56:00.003-06:00

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...

2011-12-22T17:46:00.003-06:00

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

2011-12-17T10:17:00.000-06:00

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

2011-12-01T15:31:00.000-06:00

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?)

Yah!!

2011-11-16T18:16:00.001-06:00

I got home today to find the postal carrier had delivered a box of pottery from the soda fire workshop I attended a couple weeks ago with Lori Watts of Fine Mess Pottery. It was so exciting to see how they all turned out!!! Here are several photos.

The two dotted mugs have Bauer Orange Flashing slip on them. Love that color. Thanks Lori for the great time and gorgeous pots.

Fall Floral Arrangements

2011-11-14T18:29:00.001-06:00

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine retired after 30 years at her job. Her work group chipped in and got her a vase from me and this gorgeous fall floral arrangement. I love how the flowers really bring out the toasty colors of the vase.

Congratulations on your retirement Sheryl!!

Etsy Mug Swap

2011-11-05T18:26:00.001-05:00

Every fall the Etsy Mud team has a Mug Swap. It's such a fantastic opportunity to get a mug from another member of the team in exchange for sending one of my mugs to someone. You never know who's mug you're getting until it shows up at your door.

This year, I receive a mug from fellow Minnesota clay artists Denise and Paul Morris. Love the mug and it's woodland theme.

Tonight, I'll be having a very special cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt out of this awesome mug. Thanks Denise & Paul!!

In Retrospect...

2011-10-30T21:41:00.001-05:00

that enormous sea salt caramel mocha I had earlier this evening while driving from Maine to Boston may have been a mistake. Even the little bit of caffeine in it is more than I needed just a few hours before heading to bed. Oh well... it was delicious and will give me a little extra time tonight to visit a bit over a margarita, watch The Good Wife and write this blog post.

I'm heading home tomorrow, but I've had a great time visiting friends and meeting some new friends while joining Lori Watts of Fine Mess Pottery for a firing of her soda kiln.

Besides the fun of working with some new people, it was a great opportunity to try some different slips and glazes in a very different firing environment than I usually work with. Here are a few of the pieces I'd glazed for this firing.

Late in the day yesterday, we finished loading the kiln and Lori started the fire early today.

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait a while until I receive the pots back in the mail before I know how they turned out.

Anybody know why the last photo doesn't post oriented correctly?? The file is the right way, but when inserted into blogger it gets changed.

Pottery Adventure

2011-10-28T17:55:00.000-05:00

This weekend I'm having a little potteryadventure. I'm in Augusta Maine to visit fellow potter/blogger LoriWatts of Fine Mess Pottery and joining her for a firing of her sodakiln.

Now, I know I could find a soda firing to participate in back home, butwhat could be more fun than meeting someone you've connected withonline and satisfy your inner gypsy's need for a little travel.

Today, I spent doing a little exploration of the area and shopping in a nearby historic village of Hallowell along the Kennebec River. It was a beautiful, sunny, cool day.

Tomorrow we'll glaze our pieces and they are forecasting a big snow storm here to start later tomorrow night. Bring it on...this Minnesota girl isn't afraid of a snow storm.

My Roadie Has Been Busy

2011-10-16T19:29:00.001-05:00

The last couple weekends my Roadie has been busy cutting wood for winter or spring firings. We bought several bundles of small slab wood from the local mill. They burn great and are conveniently delivered to just a couple hundred feet from the kiln.

It's important to wear your personal protective gear when using a chain saw... especially if your wife has a camera and you know she'll be posting the photos on her blog.

We (a term used loosely as I don't really do any of the cutting) cut the bundles while they are still banded. Two cuts to make each slab into three pieces that are the perfect length for the kilns firebox. Once it's all cut, we (I do however actually do this part) stack the wood on pallets so they can be easily moved when needed for firing.

We've got about 9 pallets cut now which should last through three firing. Now I just need to get some pots done so we can burn all that wood.

OH MY!!! 200TH POST!

2011-10-10T07:10:00.000-05:00

It's my 200th post.

Yah!! Happy Blog Milestone!! Let's celebrate by taking the day off and having fun. Have a nice cold adult beverage on the deck and raise a glass (or bottle) to the next 100 blog posts.

I appreciate your comments and interest in my sometimes pottery and sometimes "look at the stupid thing I did now" blog. I hope you keep coming back and sharing with me.

Be well.

What I learned from my last kiln firing

2011-10-07T16:00:00.000-05:00

With my kiln being fairly new, I've been changing a little something each firing to try to find a firing process and schedule that works the best for me and my work. The first firing was... well, it was the first firing. So kinda set the baseline. The second firing we did a stronger reduction around 1350* and then again when we bricked up. That firing had a great deal more reduction color changes in the glazes (not necessarily in a positive way) and more ash than the first firing.

So now in firing #3, we did a little less reduction than firing #2 and fired for an additional couple hours. The pieces didn't have as much ash on them as the previous two firings, but also didn't have the same unwanted reduction effects.

Here are a few things I learned from this firing:

Sawdust has the amazing ability to get in all kinds of places it doesn't belong. When you first realize sawdust has gotten into one of those places, stop everything and remove it. The fight to get the 50 degrees back the kiln dropped while you're cleaning out your sports bra is well worth it compared to the irritation the "girls" experience if you leave the sawdust. (I know, too much info!)
It doesn't matter if the weather is great (July firing had 100+ degree heat index when we were reaching top temp) - the last few hours are still tiring.
I'm still not really getting the result I'd hoped for from the Laura's Turquoise glaze so I think that will be abandon for future firings. Always need to re-evaluate glaze, what works well, what doesn't and what you don't need to deal with anymore.
Unloading is still like Christmas.
You can't have enough little kiln fillers like pendants and buttons.
It's fun having visitors during the firing, but if I actually had a couple beers with them, I'd not be able to stay awake to fire. Tough decision.

I'm sure there is so much more I could add to the list, the key point is I did manage to learn something.

The next firing is anticipated to be Thanksgiving weekend and I'm thinking of trying a shorter firing like maybe 18 hours. Start around 6am and close up at 2am the following morning. I can hardly wait!!

Photos of Favorites

2011-09-27T19:58:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from our wood fire.

Dotted Bowl

Check out that color - it's almost metallic looking

Slip Decorated Bowl

Textured Handled Bowl

Pendants

Square Dish

Trio of Ewers

September 2011 Wood Firing

2011-09-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

Two weekends ago we fired the wood kiln. And because the kiln is at our rural SE Minnesota farm (nearly two hours away from our weekday home) we didn't get to unload until the following weekend. Having two studio spaces can be fun, but it usually means lots of patience and driving.

This load had 122 pieces plus some small pendants and buttons (they don't really count because they just fit in the nooks and crannies between larger pieces). The above photo is about 1/2 the pieces getting ready to be glazed. Most of these pieces are glazed on the inside only to allow the wood ash to do its magic on the outsides.

Early in the firing when everything is just starting to get hot, but ash is floating through the kiln on the flames, you can see the ash being deposited on pieces closest to the firebox. It looks like dust collecting until it gets hot enough to melt.

We had several visitors during this firing which always makes the time spent stoking go a little faster. The Kolnberger family visited on Saturday evening. Sydney enjoyed sitting in the glow of the firebox and absorbing some of the heat rolling out.

During the firing and again during the unloading, we had cameramen from KSMQ's Off 90 program here shooting video for a potential segment on their story telling program about people, places and events off I90. During the firing they were using a big TV camera, I think I accidentially splashed glaze on it a few times. For the unloading, they used a smaller SLR-like camera and it was easier to forget the camera was there.

I haven't gotten to really sort through and photograph the pieces that came out of that firing, but here is one of my favorites. Hopefully, I'll get through things soon and have another post of just photos.

Be well everybody!!

September Kiln Firing

2011-09-19T20:03:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we fired the kiln for the third time. It was the longest of the three firings, so it will be interesting to see how differently things will come out. I'm glad I'll be spending the rest of the week nearly two hours away from the kiln so I'm not tempted to peek inside while it's cooling. Unloading will be next weekend. Can't wait!!!

One of my favorite things during firings is the quiet during the night stoking shift. Check out this sunrise I got to see. Normally I'd have slept right through this, but what a great bonus to being up all night.

But then the shower and 12 hours of sleep after we finished up felt pretty goood too.

Northfield Riverfront Art Festival 2011

2011-09-10T19:34:00.000-05:00

We had a great time at the Northfield Riverfront Art Festival today. The weather was warm, but cooler than most of the rest of our summer shows and definitely much less humid. And it was fun to catch up with many of the other amazing artists who participate in the Festival.

This is the 50th anniversary event and there were people out enjoying the weather today. Hope we have an equally great day tomorrow.

Be well.

Iron Pour

2011-08-14T18:20:00.012-05:00

I've been meaning to write about this for a few weeks now and never seemed to get it done (just part of a long list. Well now I am...

Back in July, the Lanesboro Art Center sponsored an Iron Pour thanks to a Legacy grant and the expertise of Karl Unnasch. I was fortunate to be able to participate in the Iron Pour and here are some photos of the event and the piece I made. Originally, I'd hoped to make something to be the counter weight for my kiln door, but to simplify the event, they had pre-made mold blanks to a standard 6" round size. Not big enough for the kiln door but I still wanted to participate.

First we carved our design in molds made from sand and resin.

A couple days later, everyone's molds were placed in Sylvan Park around the furnace that would melt the scrap iron to become our plaques.

When the iron was melted, it was drained from the furnace into a bucket like thing with handles on both sides. Two people carried the molten iron to a line of mold and poured the iron from the bucket into the hole in the top of the molds. The entire process is super hot, they have to wear heavy protective equipment to prevent burns and to top it off it was in the mid-90s that day.

A day later the pieces had cooled enough to be opened up. They look a little rough with sand stuck to them and sharp edges. That is quickly fixed with a wire brush to remove the sand and a grinder to smooth the edges.

Last, they are polished with stove oil so they don't rust.

Here's my finished piece. Clearly, I'm not very talent when it comes to carving, but the event was so much fun. I sure hope they have this event again next year.

Favorites

2011-08-03T19:50:00.000-05:00

In the first firing of my kiln in April, I had a few oblong vases I'd made that needed a little bead or pendant as a decoration. I decided to make a few pendants to go in the second firing to use for this purpose. On a whole they turned out very nice. Since I only need three for the oblong vases, I think I'll make a couple necklaces out of the others. This one is my favorite - I like the speckled look.

They make great fillers in the kiln so I'm thinking I may make several more and some buttons for my next firing. The ones above are just bare B-Clay, but I think a nice Oribe would look great too.

Farewell to a Favorite

2011-08-03T17:22:00.009-05:00

This past weekend at the Owatonna Festival of the Arts, I said farewell to this beautiful bottle. It was one of my favorite pieces from the first firing of the wood kiln. But it found a great new home and an owner that really loved it. She saw it on while shopping on Saturday and then came back for it on Sunday. She said the piece spoke to her and I know what she means. It spoke to me the minute I took it out of the kiln back in April.

Has anything spoken to you like that? What was it?

Feeling caught up

2011-08-02T19:30:00.003-05:00

This past month, I've had a couple shows which usually leave me feeling very behind in just about every aspect of my life. They reduce my pottery inventory and take several days of time attending the events, which then contributes to the collection of messes, laundry and those types of things at home.

Lately, however, sales at shows have been a little slower so my inventory hasn't dropped as quickly as it has in the past. Sad from a profit standpoint, but it also reduces my sense of always being behind.

So... while I patiently wait for the economy to turn around and sales to pick up again, I'll be here enjoying feeling a little more caught up. Probably won't jump into cleaning up messes or laundry though. Don't want to go over board. :-)

Be well.

Cannon Falls Wine & Art Festival

2011-07-16T20:38:00.009-05:00

The first day of the Cannon Falls Wine and Art Festival is behind us and we're looking forward to another fun day tomorrow. It was hot and humid, but we were fortunate our booth was shaded by a tree most of the day and there was a nice breeze.

The guys pouring wine at the Crow River Winery booth were kind enough to provide some empty bottles to use in my display. I've made wine bottle coasters for individual bottles for quite a while, but I really wanted to make a few of these oblong pieces to hold a few bottles thinking it would be nice for those hosting parties. I like it. The guys at Crow River Winery also provide a sample of their Honeycrisp Apple and Cranberry wine. It was delicious (is that a word that can be used to describe a wine?)

After the last couple firings, I have a nice collection of mugs. I always seem to be shore on mugs in my inventory, it was very nice to start a show with a good inventory including many different sizes and shapes.

See ya there tomorrow?

Kiln Firing Video

2011-07-11T19:27:00.006-05:00

One of the guest who joined us last week for the second firing of the wood kiln shot this video. In addition to firing the kiln we made about 28 pizzas in the wood fired cob oven and the video covers both topics. We had some great food and a great time with fantastic friends. Thanks for join us everybody. And thanks for the video Bill!

Click here to watch the video.

Different Results

2011-07-10T20:13:00.012-05:00

The second firing of my wood kiln occurred the weekend of July 2 & 3. While the first firing had several different clay bodies and glazes, this time I just firing a couple of my favorites clay bodies from the first firing and a couple less glazes. To experience this firing with us we had lots of wonderful friends join us for the final few hours of the firing. Most hadn't seen a kiln like this in action and were amazed at the workings, not to mention the heat coming off it on a July day.

The results of this firing were so different from the first, its hard to believe the clays, glazes and kiln are the same. The duration of this firing was also about the same as the first, around 24 hours but many other aspects of the firing were different. We put the kiln through a period of heavy reduction in this firing which definitely made some glazes react differently. All the green celadon was a copper red instead - not a bad look, but different. We also spend a little more time stirring the ashes a bit to get more ash moving through the kiln making the pieces from B clay much lighter on the outside than the toasty color they'd been in the first firing.

All in all there were many wonderful pieces in this firing and we learned a lot again. Plus we got to share this process with our friends. They've heard us talk so much about the kiln (picture that commercial with the older couple sitting on their couch talking about another family that always talks about their boat - it's probably a lot the same) and seeing it is much better than any explanation.

Thanks for joining us everybody. We really enjoy your company and friendship.

Next week

2011-06-26T18:44:00.006-05:00

With a wood fire scheduled for next weekend, today was really the last day I could throw anything to be included in that firing. I know... always waiting until the last minute. Have you been talking to my husband?!?

Anyway, in addition to several medium size bowls, cups and wine bottle coasters, I threw a few large pieces today. Not sure if they'll be dry in time to bisque before the firing, but I've got my fingers crossed. I could really use a little help from the weather - NO MORE RAIN!!! Please

The bowl below doesn't look that big in the photo but it's about 16 inches across. I always need at least one big bowl in my inventory.

The plan is to run a bisque kiln on Wednesday, unload on Thursday, start glazing on Friday and load the kiln and start a fire mid-day Saturday (which really means sometime before midnight - right?).

Interested in checking out a wood firing? If you can make it to SE Minnesota near Lanesboro, you're welcome to stop by.

Be well.

Upcoming Weekend Sales

2011-06-14T19:06:00.007-05:00

This weekend is the start to my outdoor sale season. While it's a lot of work getting ready, setting up and tearing down, but I enjoy these sales very much. Saturday, June 18th finds us at Zumbrota's Art In East Park which is a small sale but very well attended. It pairs well with Lanesboro's Art in The Park on Sunday, June 19th. I've been in both these sales for several years, so part of the fun is seeing several return shoppers. But my absolute favorite part of the weekend is the wonderful homemade pie at Lanesboro's Art in the Park.

In case you hadn't noticed, the list of my scheduled shows the for the year is in the right side bar here. Check it out and I hope you'll be able to join me at one of these great shows.

Have a great Father's Day weekend. Be well.

Long time no blog...

2011-06-07T20:29:00.005-05:00

What can I say - sometimes time gets away from me. I think I read somewhere recently, that's one of the ways to know you're really enjoying what you're doing. Well, I must be having a blast, because I've completely forgotten about posting some of the new creations from the studio. BAD BLOGGER!

With the arrival of spring, I've started the time of year characterized by very little time in my home studio and more time spent at the farm studio. Here are a few oblong pieces I made a week ago at the farm. They've been drying slowly so as not to develop any cracks. We'll see how that plan worked after they've been bisqued. These are about 15" - 16" long. One has a ruffled rim, while the other has a split rim. They are fun to make.

This past weekend, I made several bottles and vases with slip stripes down the sides. I'm getting ready for a second firing of the wood kiln the weekend before July 4th and I'm hoping to have more of these made for that firing. Also in the background of the vase are a few oblong vases with a stamped decoration on the front.

Well, there you have it - that's what I've been up to. Hope you're having a great spring and I'll try to not be so lost in the studio I don't keep in touch.

Be well.

A Little Texture

2011-05-30T20:07:00.005-05:00

The extra day this holiday weekend was great for getting some extra pottery done and enjoying a nice weekend at the farm studio. Among other things there are a couple dozen mugs on drying boards with a little bit of texture around the base. No two are alike and some of the textures worked better than others. It's all part of the learning to try many different tools and stamps to see which achieve the look you seek. I think the simplest may be my favorite - the mug below was textured with a piece of dowel.

I'm hoping to put them through the next woodfire (targeting July 4th weekend) - can't wait to see how they turn out.

Have a great week.

Throwin', throwin', throwin'

2011-05-16T21:16:00.007-05:00

That's what I've been up to lately. Recently I've had a few custom orders to get done and that's what I've been working on. The things I threw this weekend weren't drying very quickly after a couple rainy days. So, on Sunday when it was finally sunny with moderate temps, I took a time away from the studio to spend a little time in the woods looking for some morel mushrooms.

I didn't find any morels since ground foliage is mid-calf high making it nearly impossible to see them, but I did find some other fun things. Here are a few -

Not morels, but cool looking anyway

Jack in the Pulpit

Wild violets blooming

Tour Review

2011-05-06T20:38:00.006-05:00

Last weekend at the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour we had great traffic even through the weather was less than cooperative. In addition to tour visitors, several neighbors stopped by to take the opportunity to visit the wonderfully restored stone school house we were using as our display space for the weekend. The Highland Store and Cafe provided fabulous treats for our visitors and breakfast for Kevin and I. We are so grateful for everyone who stopped to visit us last weekend and for the priceless Bluff Country gem of the Highland Store.

Thanks everybody visiting us at the Grubtown School during the tour... hope we see you again next year.

Be well.

Post Tour

2011-05-04T21:04:00.008-05:00

Even though the weather was less than perfect, we had good traffic all weekend. Many pots have found their way to new homes, we had great food and met lots of new people. Thanks to everyone who stopped out to visit over the weekend and a special thank you to the Highland Store for doing such a fine job feeding our visitors. Thanks Vicky!!

April 2011 Wood Firing

2011-04-18T09:21:00.014-05:00

As many of you may have read here earlier, we built a wood kiln last summer that until just recently had not yet been fired. Last week, we finally got that first firing in and this past weekend it was unloaded. All told, there were five different clay bodies and 11 glazes. This is a more photos, less words post, so... without further word clutter. Here are the pics.

Kiln loaded ready to brick up and fire

Building ash in the ash pit

Kiln in a reduction atmosphere

We reached just over 2300 degrees with cone 11 down on the top of kiln, cone 10 bent on the bottom

Post firing, ready to be unloaded

Kiln load of about 150 pieces unloaded and ready for inspection

A few of my favorite pieces

Slacker

2011-04-15T07:43:00.003-05:00

I've been having some computer problems of late and haven't had an opportunity to write anything about my wood firing last weekend. But I've also felt that it would be a better post if I had some photos of the pieces that came out of the firing. As excited as I was to have the first firing behind us, I'm even more excited to be able to open in tomorrow and see all the treasures inside. Next post - photos of pots and some of the firing.

Just For Fun

2011-03-30T19:36:00.013-05:00

Check out this "Life List" by way of Lori Buff of Future Relic Gallery. Bold are things I have done. This is just for fun. Copy and paste and put it on your blog. Highlight what you've done and change the things you've not to a normal font. Hope you enjoy!

Started your own blog

Slept under the stars

Played in a band

Visited Hawaii

Watched a meteor shower

Given more than you can afford to charity

Been to Disneyland (I think Disneyworld counts too)

Climbed a mountain

Held a praying mantis

Sang a solo

Bungee jumped

Visited Paris

Watched a lightning storm at sea

Taught yourself an art from scratch

Adopted a child

Had food poisoning

Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

Grown your own vegetables

Seen the Mona Lisa in France

Slept on an overnight train

Had a pillow fight

Hitch hiked

Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (not at my current job though!!)

Built a snow fort

Held a lamb

Gone skinny dipping

Run a Marathon

Ridden in a gondola in Venice

Seen a total eclipse

Watched a sunrise or sunset

Hit a home run

Been on a cruise

Seen Niagara Falls in person

Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

Seen an Amish community (spend lots of time in an Amish community)

Taught yourself a new language

Had enough money to be truly satisfied

Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

Gone rock climbing

Seen Michelangelos David

Sung karaoke

Seen Old Geyser erupt

Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

Visited Africa (Morocco is in Africa right?)

Walked on a beach by moonlight

Been transported in an ambulance

Had your portrait painted

Gone deep sea fishing

Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

Kissed in the rain

Played in the mud

Gone to a drive-in theater

Been in a movie

Visited the Great Wall of China

Started a business

Taken a martial arts class 5

Visited Russia

Served at a soup kitchen

Sold Girl Scout Cookies

Gone whale watching

Got flowers for no reason

Donated blood, platelets or plasma - I try, but they don't want my blood

Gone sky diving

Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

Bounced a check

Flown in a helicopter

Saved a favorite childhood toy - I was the oldest kid of 6, all my toys became the younger kids toys

Visited the Lincoln Memorial

Eaten Caviar

Pieced a quilt

Stood in Times Square, on New Year's Eve

Toured the Everglades

Been fired from a job

Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

Broken a bone

Been on a speeding motorcycle

Seen the Grand Canyon in person

Published a book

Visited the Vatican

Bought a brand new car

Walked in Jerusalem

Had your picture in the newspaper

Read the entire Bible

Visited the White House

Killed and prepared an animal for eating

Had chickenpox

Saved someone’s life

Sat on a jury

Met someone famous

Joined a book club

Lost a loved one

Had a baby

Seen the Alamo in person

Swam in the Great Salt Lake

Been involved in a law suit

Owned a cell phone

Been stung by a bee - more times than I can count

Read a book in one day

Not much surprising there, but still a fun little exercize. Be well.

New Neighbors

2011-03-30T19:26:00.007-05:00

A pair of bald eagles are nesting in a tree behind the house. Kinda of cool and fun to watch them fly across the swamp carrying sticks to build their nest.

2011-03-27T19:54:00.005-05:00

Today I took advantage of the sunshine and our long deck railings to wash up some bisque and help the waxed feet, rims and designs dry. These pieces will be glazed over the next week to be fired in the first firing of the wood kiln built last summer. Flashing slip will be applied to some and then all will be glazed and packed to take to the farm for the firing. They look kind of boring right now, but soon they'll be sporting coats of shino, tenmoku and celadon soon.

Sunshine

2011-03-23T16:57:00.006-05:00

Since there was an extreme lack of sunshine here in Minnesota today, I had to peek in the cooling kiln to get a glimpse of something bright. This large yellow bowl is the closest thing to sunshine I'm gonna see today. And its still warm enough to feel like sunshine (probably should have been a little more patient before unloading).

Happenings

2011-03-22T19:17:00.008-05:00

With our record snow fall of the past winter melting and the rain we've been getting lately, the stream and wetland behind the house have really been rising and filling up. We can't normally see water from the house, but today, it's just a couple hundred feet away. With more rain and snow due the next couple days, I hope it doesn't come up much higher.

On the pottery front, I unloaded another glaze load today. A while back I'd mentioned changing my clay body and hoping to focus on more colors in my cone 6 work. The lighter, smoother clay body works really well for texturing pieces. And the brighter colors break well over the texture. Here's the rim of a large bowl glazed in the deep grass green glaze.

The photo below is a close up of the grass green and bright sky blue glaze combination I've used on a rectangle platter. I love how the blue on the green give it a watery look.

Also in this kiln load was several mixing bowls, yarn bowls and mugs. So far I'm liking the clay body change and the brighter colors.

Have a great week.

New Pots

2011-03-20T14:59:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I took advantage of the great spring weather to get several kiln loads of pots glazed and ready to be fired. I like to sort through the bisqued pots I have and separate them by what glaze I'd like to use on them. Then I glaze many pots of the same color before moving on to the next. This process allows me to make best use of my time and glazes since I don't have to go back and forth from one glaze to the next repeated. It also helps make for more efficient kiln loading. With so many pieces ready, I never find myself with a small space left on a shelf with nothing the right size to put there.

Here are some of the pieces in the glaze load I unloaded this afternoon. The green bowl in the center, low of the photo turned out very nice.

Well - time to reload and get another batch going.

Have a great week.

Planning

2011-03-13T17:07:00.011-05:00

After a few hours of throwing new pots this weekend, I've got a dozen berry bowls, 8 yarn bowls, three large bowls and a dozen mugs on drying boards. I think I've got one more weekend (maybe more, but I'm not counting on it) of throwing left before I begin the glazing and firing marathon to be ready for the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour in late April.

Additionally, the first firing of the wood kiln constructed last summer will be the weekend of April 8th. Being the planner that I am (sarcasm!!) I'm working to have everything ready for that as well. It's so hard to think of everything I'm going to need for this first firing. I'm sure I'll forget something and there we'll be hours away from any supplies needed. Here's what I've thought of so far, all you wood fire gurus out there take a look and see what's missing.

I've got:

hundreds of glazed pots
shelves
pyrometer
wadding for the shelves
different wadding for the pots
several cords of dry wood, split and stacked
help

It's much too short a list, there must be dozens of things missing. I'd appreciate any help you can send my way.

Have a great week.

Quiet Studio

2011-03-06T19:28:00.005-06:00

Last weekend my studio helper Snuffles the wonder mutt moved to a new home (actually my daughter moved to a new home and took Snuffles with). So this weekend I was able to work in the studio without Snuffles' constant demands for my attention. It was nice to not worry about her nudging my hands to be petted while I was finishing a rim or jumping up on the wheel work table when I didn't give the attention she was seeking.

But, there was also no one there to talk to - it was just me talking to myself (which it was before, but it didn't seem so weird when the mutt was there). When a great song came on the Ipod and I started dancing, no one was there to dance with me - again, just me dancing (and hoping there were no secret cameras around).

On the plus side, I didn't find a single shredded sponge laying about and no one made off with my piece of chamois when I wasn't looking.

Enjoy your new home Snuffles (and Gabby and Will) and your B-clay free coat.

Stones Throw Gallery

2011-02-26T17:30:00.005-06:00

I had a great visit today with Patty and Mona at Stones Throw Gallery in St. Peter when I was dropping off these sample place settings. The place settings will be offered as made to order items. Stones Throw Gallery offers a wonderful collection of local artists in a gorgeous old Queen Ann home along Highway 169. I'm am flattered to be among the artists represented by Stones Throw and hope you have an opportunity to check the gallery out.

Have a great weekend.

New Sales Venue

2011-02-23T19:49:00.006-06:00

I delivered these yarn bowls and several mugs to BeeLighted Fiber and Gifts in Zumbrota, Minnesota. It's an awesome fiber shop offering gorgeous wools and other fibers for knitters, felters and other fiber artists. Visiting the shop is a visual and tactile treat with a rainbow of fiber colors and textures. Stop in and check out all the fabulous fibers this shop has to offer.

I'm lovin' it

2011-02-21T18:41:00.008-06:00

Well, maybe not all of it. But definitely some of it.

After our second day of snow and a sort of frustrating day at work, I arrived home to a kiln that was cool enough to unload (it's a little unusual for me to wait that long). This load had several sample place setting that will be going to Stones Throw Gallery in St. Peter. The yellow one was a little disappointing, but the other three look great. The yellow glaze looks great on a white clay, but on the buff colored clay this place setting is made from it isn't as appealing to me.

There were also several mugs in this load. A few weeks ago, I showed these mugs after they'd been thrown and I was putting the slip stripes on them. The green one is gorgeous (except for the part where the glaze ran onto the shelf). You can still see the slip is white compared to the buff of the mug body. The one on the right is Iron Red with Sky Blue on the upper portion. It's great too, but if you remember, I was going to try to bring more color into my cone 6 work rather than my typical earthy tones.

What do you think?

Pre-Spring Glazing

2011-02-20T08:49:00.011-06:00

I don't usually do much glazing until Spring, but I have some custom work that needs to get done. But yesterday, I glazed up everything that has a new home awaiting and I hope to fire them yet today. My normal process gets almost an entire years worth of sale inventory thrown and bisqued by late March. Then I start glazing enough to start my sales season and the rest of the summer, I just glaze as needed. April days in Minnesota are great for glazing lots of pots and letting them dry in the sun on the deck railing.

This process helps relieve some production pressure during the summer. I can still throw things as I'd like, but don't have to hurry to get things made and fired for the next show. Since I also work full time, I often don't have enough time between summer shows to accomplish much.

In the past I've used lots of brown/rust/red iron based glazes on my cone 6 work. Now that I've got my new woodfired kiln built, I'm thinking of filling my earthy brown pottery needs with pots from there and bringing more colors into my cone 6 firings. In the photo at the top of the post, the plates are a wonderful buttery yellow with green drizzled across and wine bottle coaster in the upper center of the photo is green with a medium blue drizzled across it. Well, that's what I'm thinking right now anyway... I can always change my mind. Right?

New cups

2011-02-06T20:10:00.007-06:00

Last weekend I mentioned I'd made some mugs in a new design. I hadn't put handles on yet so I didn't photograph them. Well, they've gotten handles and I spent some time yesterday adding decorative details. Several received these slip stripes and others were stamped on the lower section. Now I can hardly wait to see how they look glazed.

Have a great week.

Lots of color

2011-02-05T09:21:00.007-06:00

Knitting and crocheting have been making quite a comeback the last few years and with that, so has a popular pottery item called yarn bowls. They are a handy bowl with a slit or hole in the side to string yarn through to keep the ball of yarn from rolling around and getting away from you while you work. I've had a number people inquire if I made them and at the time I didn't. After several questions, though I thought I should give it a try. Here's the first batch out - they are very colorful.

They've been fun to make and I think I'll be making more. Have a great weekend!

Kiln Misfire

2011-01-31T18:24:00.003-06:00

Yesterday during a glaze fire, my kiln decided it couldn't make it to the programmed temperature in a suitable amount of time. I've had this problem before when the kiln has been overloaded, but that wasn't the case with this load. At least I don't think so. According to the troubleshooting guide, one of the potential causes is worn or broken elements.

So this afternoon when everything was cooled enough to handle I unloaded the pots which all look good and don't appear to be under fired (the kiln controller says it shut down about 20 degrees shy of the programmed temp). I fired the kiln up empty and took it to 700 degrees to see if the elements were all working. And they appear to be all glowing. The middle section looks to be a little brighter than the upper section but it's still intact anyway.

Guess I'll have go do more trouble shooting. Have a great evening.

Half done "to do list"

2011-01-30T20:26:00.007-06:00

I had a pretty long "to do" list this weekend and made good progress, but it's still only half done. When I'm writing it, I know I've got a longer list than can be accomplished on a weekend, but if I put everything down, sometimes I can find things that fit together better than if I have to rely on my memory (never a good thing).

Yesterday, Kevin and I took a trip down to Harmony Minnesota to drop off a custom order and stop at our farm near Lanesboro. It was a great day for a drive and the snow at the farm was very pretty. It was a good thing we stopped to check everything out, because the door of the studio was open a couple inches for who knows how long. The heat is set at about 40 degrees, but I'm sure it was running 24/7 for quite some time.

Since a friend is opening a new fiber studio, I've got yarn bowls running in a glaze fire today. This is my first run at that very popular item so I hope they turn out well. After getting all my glazing done, I threw some new mug shapes (I'll show those later after they've gotten handles) and then put some time in at the slab roller making a couple platters.

Have a great week everybody!!

And the winner is...

2011-01-27T17:28:00.004-06:00

Today is my 3rd Blog Anniversary. And to celebrate, I'm giving this wonderful black and green mug to... Sharon Overland. Congratulations Sharon.

Thanks so much to everyone who follows my blog, Facebook, visited my Etsy shop and left comments on my giveaway blog post. It was so much fun to see who was visiting and the comments they left.

Be well.

Bisque ware

2011-01-21T19:13:00.008-06:00

Bisque ware has been accumulating. Numerous tubs are full and have been stored away and the newest kiln loads are somewhat precariously stacked on this shelf before they find there way to a storage tub. Much of what has been produced so far this winter is for a couple wood firings I hope to do in the kiln built last summer. Click here to see the kiln.

The rest will be glazed and fired with cone 6 glazes and used to restock my inventory for upcoming shows and replenish shop inventories.

Today I've got another bisque load running tonight and will need to get this shelf organized before I can unload this new kiln load or the entire shelf might topple.

Have a great weekend.

p.s. Don't forget to to enter my blog anniversary giveaway. Click here for details.

Snow Stats

2011-01-13T19:18:00.017-06:00

The first day of snow for the season

Last night on the local news they said we've had snow 33 of the last 40 days. Wow!! More snow fell again today and there is snow in the forecast again for tomorrow. Now it is Minnesota and we're pretty familiar with snow days. But this is getting a little old.

Earlier in the week fellow potter bloggers at Whynot Pottery in North Carolina were commenting on the snow they've been receiving in the south.

"but what is it about snow that is so distracting? Do people who live with this all the time just move along and don't stop in wonder and amazement. Here in the south we want to get out the board games, put on the kettle, get out the needle point and sit by the fire. We can wait for it all to be gone."

I hadn't really thought about how ambivalent we are to the beautiful white stuff. We get up in the morning and brush snow off our car so we can drive to work. Clean it off again to go out to lunch and again to drive home from work. Ultimately, it becomes something we hardly think about.

Snow days in Whynot, North Carolina sound like a lot more fun than snow days here. Maybe I'll have to work on that.

Don't forget to enter my blog anniversary giveaway. Click here to find out how you can enter. The drawing will take place January 27th.

Enjoy your snow everybody!!

Blog Anniversary Giveaway

2011-01-07T15:35:00.002-06:00

January, 2011 marks my third anniversary blogging. It sure doesn't seem that long, but it's been a very enjoyable activity. In honor of that anniversary, I'm hosting a giveaway event where the winner will receive this glossy black and green mug (highly recommended for hot chocolate on a cold winter night).

Here's how it works - you basically have four opportunities to enter.

1. Visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment here on this blog post about your favorite item in the shop.

2. Become a follower of my blog (existing followers are automatically entered). In the right sidebar or at the very top of this page, you'll find a button that says "Follow". Leave a comment on this post indicated you've become a follower.

3. "Like" my Sue Pariseau Pottery Facebook page (again existing Facebook followers are automatically entered). Leave a comment on this post indicating you've "liked" my page.

4. Post on your blog or Facebook about the giveaway and put the link in the comments of this post to receive an additional entry.

On January 27th, the winner will be drawn and posted in my blog. That's it - simple huh?

Good luck.

Studio Assistance

2010-12-31T16:57:00.006-06:00

Snuffles the wonder mutt was very helpful in the studio today. There is enough clay on her to think she was an active participant in pottery making, but her role was mainly nudging my clay covered hands to pet her while I tried to make some things. A little gray hair on her, but mostly B Clay.

I did actually get a few things thrown, including several bottomless pieces that have been made into oblongs and will later have a slab bottom and handles attached. Oblong pieces are always fun to make.

Now - I've got to go give my studio assistant a little treat for being so much "help" today.

Have a great New Year's Eve everybody!

Upcoming Event

2010-12-28T16:29:00.002-06:00

January, 2011 is my three year blog anniversary. At the risk of being like a teenager and celebrating the anniversary of every event, I'm going to be holding a Blog Anniversary giveaway.

Watch for more details after the January 1st.

Deep Sigh

2010-12-22T19:34:00.008-06:00

I must admit to breathing a huge sigh of relief today after delivering my last custom order for the year. This nice collection of garlic keepers came out of the kiln this morning and were quickly delivered to the shop to be picked up. We celebrated this annual milestone by having an adult beverage and going out to dinner. Woo hoo!!!!

With that being completed, I hope to take the next couple weeks off before getting into a new cycle of throwing, trimming, firing, glazing and re-firing. About 80% of what I produce each year is thrown from January to March. I stockpile tubs of bisque pieces which I rely on during the summer when I'd rather be doing summer things. It's just a process that works well for me.

Then poof - before you know it, it's Spring. The Bluff Country Studio Art Tour is upon us and my busy season begin.

Have a Merry Christmas everybody.

Alternative Gift Registry

2010-12-19T09:38:00.007-06:00

Some of you might be familiar with this website, but for those of you who aren't, I'd like to tell a little about a site I've become familiar with this past year - Alternative Gift Registry.org

Decades ago when I first got married, everybody registered at the local department store for all the china, crystal, flatware and household items they wanted and needed to set up their new household. Back then, people were much younger when they married and frequently had not lived anywhere but their parents homes before getting married. Well... fast forward several decades (wow, am I old or what??).

More people are getting married older after living on their own for quite some time. They've got all the household items they need and in many cases each spouse has a full household. This is where Alternative Gift Registry come in. Their focus is on allowing people to register for the things they really want, need and value rather than yet another toaster or blender and in doing so encouraging people to be more environmentally and socially conscious.

Operated by The Center for a New American Dream, they help people live the American dream, but in a way that ensures a livable planet for current and future generations. Their message isn’t about deprivation. It’s about getting more of what really matters—more time, more nature, more fairness, and more fun.

As an Etsy seller, I've come to enjoy this site, because it allows people to register for anything, including my items on Etsy. Gone are the days of having to register just for the things the local department store carries. It's ideal for anyone interested in local or handmade items.

So, if you're getting married, expecting a baby or having some other gift receiving event, check out Alternative Gift Registry to set up a unique registry for the event.

Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival

2010-12-11T10:06:00.005-06:00

The 8th Annual Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival began yesterday in Mankato. It's one of the few indoor shows I do each year so it provides an opportunity to display things differently and decorate a bit differently for the holiday season.

The weather certainly is not helping since a snowstorm has settled over the area dropping several inches of snow over the freezing rain that started last night. Up to 12" are supposed to fall by the time this storm is over and the wind is supposed to pick up blowing the fresh snow over the flat prairies that surround this area. Rather than driving the 60 miles back home each night, we've opted to get a room in the hotel adjacent to the Mankato Civic Center where the show is being held.

This show has lots of fun artists attending, live music throughout the day and wine sampling. The snowfall may reduce the buyers attending the show today, but at least there we'll have some fun.

Well - the show starts in half an hour so I suppose we should make the short skyway trek to the venue.

Be well.

Bad Blogger

2010-12-01T06:55:00.009-06:00

I've been a very bad blogger lately. It's been several weeks since my last post and I need to just jump back in or I'll keep putting it off.

This weekend I'll be at a really fun show/sale in Mankato called the Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival. The show has some fabulous art by dozens of even more fabulous local and regional artists. In addition to art available for any price range and age, they have live music through out each day by various vocal and instrumental artists. Each artists booth offers chocolates to nibble on while you browse and Morgan Creek Winery is available offering samplings of some of their finest wines.

It's an awesome event and I hope you can take some time away from your pre-holiday preparations to see some of the amazing locally made works the artists have to offer. See you there.

Addition to my Cupboard

2010-11-18T16:53:00.003-06:00

I purchased this awesome tumbler from Joy Tanner recently. She always does interesting carving on her pieces before putting them through a wood/soda firing. It will work great for milk at dinner tonight.

Relaxing

2010-11-13T20:26:00.005-06:00

We received about 8 inches of snow today so it felt like a good evening to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in my favorite Colleen Riley mug. I picked this one up a few weeks ago during the South Central Minnesota Art Tour.

I got most of my to-do list done today with the exception of shoveling the driveway. I'm hoping it will all melt tomorrow. Tomorrow's got a much shorter list so if need be I can add cleaning the driveway (still hoping it all melts!!)

Now - back to my hot chocolate. Have a great evening.

Good Morning

2010-11-13T07:44:00.010-06:00

The Upper Midwest woke up this morning to a beautiful covering of snow. It's a little late here in Minnesota for our first snow, but we've had some unseasonable warm weather in it's stead and I'm all for that too. But a snowy, dark day is an excellent day to spend in the studio.

I started the morning by unloading a glaze load from the kiln. This load included several bowls, wine bottle coasters, butter keepers and a couple mugs for a custom order. Since I'll be spending a week in Rome with my kids, I'm trying to get some things done for my sale (The Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival in Mankato) in December.

Also on the agenda for today is throwing more wine bottle coasters, mugs and miscellaneous pieces, mixing a small batch of Nuka and Amber Celadon, and mixing up the clay for wadding for a yet unscheduled woodfiring. Closer to the firing, I'll mix in the organic matter, but for now I'll just mix up the clays so that part will be ready. That's just one more thing checked off my list of things to do before firing. The pots are made, my old glazes have been checked and tested, new glazes made, wadding for shelves and pots will get done today - one step at a time.

Have a great weekend.

Art Tour Blog Feature

2010-11-05T20:46:00.014-05:00

I'm the featured artist on the Bluff Country Studio Art Tour Blog. Click here to read the interview (must have been feeling a little chatty when I was writing the answers).

The 2011 Bluff Country Studio Art Tour will be held April 29 - May 1, 2011 and I can be found at the quaint stone school house called Grubtown School on Co Rd 12 southeast of Lanesboro. Check out the brochure and save the date on your calendar. I'd love to see you there.

:-(

2010-11-01T18:34:00.007-05:00

With a Minnesota winter arriving any day now, I needed to give up some of my studio space so it could go back to being the middle stall of our garage. Stupid winter!!

Just yesterday this space was taken up with glaze buckets and a work table covered with glaze drips and glazed pots.

I'm sure I'll appreciate getting into a warm truck when it's cold and snowy, but it was so nice to have the extra space to spread my mess out a bit. OK - bring on the snow... I'm ready.

Some days are like that

2010-10-31T13:32:00.008-05:00

Happy Halloween everybody.

It's been a bit since my last post. With a sale coming up next weekend, I've been busy getting the last few loads through the kiln to make sure I have an adequate inventory for the sale.

A couple hours ago, I unloaded the last kiln load to find some amazing pieces and this...

The colors are awesome, but a little more fluid than I'd anticipated. Looks like I'll be spending some time with a hammer and chisel before my next firing. Sure am glad I'd put on a fresh coat of kiln wash earlier in the week, at least the chunks should come off pretty easily without taking much of the shelf with it.

It's a glaze combo that is a little more reliable on horizontal surfaces giving this pie plate a glassy depth.

Here's a close-up of the Sky Blue glaze over the Metallic Green.

Now if I could master the right thickness on vertical pieces I'd really be pleased with the combination.

Have a great week.

EMT Mug Swap

2010-10-24T12:55:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I received this great mug from Stacy Shepanek as part of the Etsy Mud Team mug swap. It's a nice size and fits my hand wonderfully. The cheery little bird watching me enjoy my hot chocolate last night was an extra pleasure.

Thanks Stacy!!

Photos from the Woodfire

2010-10-21T21:32:00.015-05:00

An awesome group of potters

And below are a few photos of some of the pieces I had in the firing to test glazes for possible use in future firing.

Squared plate with Penn State Shino and Reitz Satin Matt Blue

Oblong vase made from Continental Clay's B-Clay with Green Celadon glaze inside.

Cup from Continental Clay's Soda Clay with Shaner Oribe glaze.

Woodfire with Friends

2010-10-14T19:30:00.012-05:00

Last Sunday, I joined an amazing group of potters doing a woodfire at friends Donovan and Colleen's studio. I put a couple pots in their firing to test some glazes I'd like to use in future wood firings. Last night the first chamber was being held at cone 10 while the the soda chamber was stoked to bring it up to temp.

When we were leaving last night I snapped this photo of the flames from the chimney and the moon.

The Oven in Operation

2010-10-11T20:04:00.011-05:00

After several weekends of construction, the cob oven was finally dry and ready to be used. We built a fire inside and once the oven was hot, baked four personal sized pizzas and three loaves of bread.

The first pizza was done is about two minutes and tasted wonderful.

The first loaf of bread was a bit overdone on the outside and underdone on the inside. But the next two loaves were just right.

Now that the first baking is behind us, I'm really looking forward to our next pizza and bread bake next weekend.

New Sales Venue

2010-10-08T07:34:00.005-05:00

Today I'm taking some pottery to a new sales venue in Superior Wisconsin called Lu. My past focus has been in SE Minnesota as that's where I spend most of my time, but it's time to start branching out beyond my beautiful little corner of the State. Please stop in and check out Lu when you're near Superior.

Have a great weekend.

Mud Oven - Part 3

2010-09-27T19:03:00.010-05:00

We're in the home stretch with the construction of this mud oven. Lots of times all the steps we've done over the past few weekends could have been done over a couple days, but since we're only around on weekends, we've had to space the steps out a bit.
Last weekend, the previous two layers of mud applied over the sand dome form were dry enough for Kevin to remove the sand and the dome would still retain it's shape.

After the sand was removed we applied one more layer of mud mixed with straw to the entire dome and started a small fire inside to help it dry a little more. Kevin assured me it was a task that could be done without getting one's hands dirty. What's the fun of working with mud and not getting your hands in it?

Kevin spent a little time carving a door from a large piece of oak . When baking in the oven, you keep a fire going for a couple hours to heat up the mud and bricks, then remove the fire and use a door to keep the heat while you bake for a couple hours.

The entire oven was still fairly wet so we couldn't really cook anything since it would not hold heat well. Hopefully, we'll be baking/cooking the weekend of October 10th. I'm sure looking forward to some pizza and a couple loaves of bread.

I'd Like You To Meet...

2010-09-23T07:34:00.012-05:00

As many of you know, my daughter Gabby, is a tattoo artist in St. Paul, Minnesota. She completed her 18 month apprenticeship a few months ago and is now a full fledged tattoo artist. Tattoo artists all have interesting stories about the people who visit their shop and the tattoos they have done. Gabby has started a blog where she can share some of these stories as well as some inside explanations of the process and industry. Click here to visit her blog.

Gabby has always been a very talented artist so becoming a tattoo artist was really about learning to do the tattoo part. Many people who become tattoo artists don't have the art background she had and not only need to learn tattooing, but also have to learn art skills.

Mud Oven - part 2

2010-09-22T18:23:00.011-05:00

This past weekend, my husband put the next layer of mud on the oven. I wasn't able to be around, so there are quite a few less photos, but he was busy with the mud so I guess that's OK.

First he cut the door area out of the first layer of mud he'd applied a couple weeks ago. It's very important to keep the door to a certain proportion to the size of the oven.

Next, the door needed to be shaped and softened. Would you believe an empty beer can was the perfect tool to smooth the inside curve of the door opening? Unfortunately, all our beer cans were full and one (just one??) needed to be emptied to be used.

Then it was time for the next layer of mud. This layer was a combination of clay, crushed insulating fire brick and straw. It is a little thinner than the first layer, but will be covered with yet another layer in the coming week or two.

As a related project, we're looking for a 10" or less peel to get things in and out of the oven door. We might need to make something appropriate if we can't locate one. And of course by "we", I mean Kevin. Anybody have any suggestions?

Check back again to read about the final mud layer and eventually, our first baking.

Be well.

Look... a distraction!

2010-09-19T13:51:00.008-05:00

While not-so-patiently waiting for the kiln to cool and the things I threw yesterday to be ready to trim, I've used my time to prepare some photos to list things in my Etsy shop. Editing photos is kind of a tedious task for me, but it's a necessity in the online world.

This particular container was also just listed in my Etsy shop today. I love how the blue and green combine. The leaf sprig is a little hard to see, but it is a fun addition to the piece.

Have a great week everybody!

Re-do

2010-09-18T08:52:00.009-05:00

What they're supposed to look like

Earlier this week, I had several custom pieces in the kiln for a glaze fire. Wouldn't you know -- I had a kiln failure during the slow cool which is essential to create the deep Iron Red colors these pieces were supposed to have. Now the pieces that came out weren't ruined by any means, but they certainly didn't match the other pieces of this custom order out of earlier firings.

What this firing looked like

So... today will be spent making replacement pieces for the order and determining a cause of the failure. It appears the kiln just wasn't cooling at the rate it was programmed, so it shutdown. Maybe just too tightly loaded. I've got some test pieces (aka weird, random pieces I had laying around) firing now to see if the failure is repeated.

Hopefully, all goes well with this firing and I can get the new pieces made and out the door to the very patient couple who ordered them.

Keep you fingers crossed.

How exciting?

2010-09-14T15:35:00.001-05:00

Several months ago, I was interviewed about how I utilize the Internet to operate, grow and expand my business. Here is the online version of the article in The Crafts Report.

It is very interesting to read how other crafters use the Internet as well.

If anyone happens to have the printed version of this article, I'd love to see that. I think there are photos also included in that version.

Have a great week.

My Last Summer Show

2010-09-13T10:32:00.013-05:00

We had great weather at the Northfield Riverfront Arts Festival for our last show of the summer. It was just beautiful all weekend -- a little chilly in the shade in the morning, but that quickly gave way to a sunny, breezy, 70 degrees.

A couple times we had some pretty good wind gusts, one of which blew a plate off the shelf and onto the pavement. This caused a collective "oh" from everyone who heard it. Unfortunately, that wasn't the first broken pot of the day as I'd dropped a bowl while setting up earlier in the day. It made for a nice green and blue collection of shards to become future mosaic art.

After packing up at the end of the show many of the artists met on the patio to have an adult beverage and compare notes before heading our separate ways. It's great to be able to spend a little time sharing our successes, disappointments and funny stories at the end of a sale and the beverage is a bonus.

I left my camera unattended for just a second and look at the scary photo I found when I was downloading the sale photos.

Hope you all have a great week.

Riverfront Art Festival

2010-09-09T20:06:00.008-05:00

I'm patiently waiting for the last glaze load from the kiln before packing things up for the Riverfront Art Festival this weekend in Northfield. It's always a great event with good traffic and lots a wonderful artists. This event is held in conjunction with Northfield's Defeat of Jesse James Days.

My booth can be found on the east side of the river, just north of Water Street. If you have some free time stop down, visit and check out all the wonderful art. Take a little extra time and watch the re-enactment of the bank robbery or parade.

A Pottery Topic

2010-09-08T18:04:00.006-05:00

The last couple posts have been about other project and not about pottery, so I felt it was time to return to the primary topic on this blog.

I spent a little time working on some medium sized cylinder shapes out of B-Clay from Continental Clay this weekend. I'm still a few (or maybe a hundred) pots short of what I need to fire the wood kiln up for the first time so now I'm short a few less. In the past I've wood fired using a Buff Stoneware clay from Continental, but there are several other choices now I'd like to experiment with.

So far I've got a couple dozen pieces out of Buff Stoneware and maybe a hundred out of B-Clay. I also purchased 50lbs. of Tableware Stoneware and Soda Clay to add to the experiment. I'm hoping to have some pieces of each in the first firing to see what speaks to me.

Compared to the mid-range stoneware I usually use, the B-Clay is awesome to work with. It's so smooth and easy on the hands. Even the Buff is a joy to work with by comparison. I'll maybe have to give serious thought to a full scale switch of clay body.

Be well.

Mud Oven Progress

2010-09-06T19:34:00.021-05:00

Over this long weekend, we spent a little time relaxing and visiting with friends which was really great. We also took advantage of the extra day off work to begin work on our latest project at the farm/studio - a mud oven (sometimes called a cob oven). My husband bakes amazing breads and is looking forward to baking in this primitive oven.

Kevin actually began the project last weekend by building a base for the oven. The base is on casters so we can move it around the kiln shed and tuck it out of the way while it's not in use.

With the base completed, this weekend we began with construction of the oven by soaking a hundred pounds of clay shavings left over from trimming my pottery in buckets of water to rehydrate the clay to be used in the inner layer of the oven.

Once the clay was ready, we spread a layer of sand to level the next layer of insulating fire bricks. On top of the insulating fire bricks, we placed a layer of fire brick

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Next, a dome of sand is placed on top of the fire bricks to create a mold for the oven shape

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On a tarp we mixed sand with the mud (clay) we moistened earlier.

A four inch layer of the sand/clay mixture is pressed over the sand mold.

And that's where the weekend ended. This layer on the oven will dry slowly for a while. Next it will receive a layer of clay and insulating material and followed by a third layer of clay. Check back in a couple weeks for the next segment of construction.

Long Weekend

2010-09-03T15:35:00.000-05:00

We almost always seem to have some sort of project to accomplish over the weekend and this long holiday weekend is no different. On our list of things to get done this summer after the wood kiln construction was construction of a mud oven. We wanted this mud oven to be in the kiln shed and on casters so it can be moved around and tucked out of the way while the kiln is in use. The photo above is the base for the mud oven.

On top of this will be a layers of leveling sand, insulating fire brick, and high temp brick to create the floor of the oven. Once those are in place, a dome of sand will be molded on top of the floor. Several layers of clay and other insulting material will be spread over the dome of sand to create an igloo shaped outer layer. Once the clay is set up enough to hold it's shape, the sand is removed.

This oven will be perfect for the wonderful breads Kevin bakes as well as pizza or anything else we want to bake.

Photos of the next phase of oven construction will be posted as I have Internet access, maybe over the weekend but more than likely Monday.

Have a great holiday weekend.

Here's a pottery photo just justify calling this a pottery blog.

Baby Steps

2010-08-28T21:15:00.002-05:00

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

2010-08-26T21:49:00.005-05:00

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

2010-08-14T17:55:00.011-05:00

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

2010-08-08T20:52:00.004-05:00

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

2010-08-06T06:31:00.002-05:00

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

2010-08-01T19:06:00.005-05:00

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

2010-08-01T14:27:00.012-05:00

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.

Kiln construction

2010-07-24T13:53:00.004-05:00

I haven't blogged in a while because I've been away from the internet at our farm/studio in SE Minnesota. There's lots going on there right now. Donovan Palmquist and his crew (Al & Judah) are building a wood fired kiln for me. Very exciting!

I've been watching the progress for several days, photographing every few minutes and today decided it would be good to get out of the way for a while so I'm attending the Lanesboro Iron Pour. Very cool. Photos of both the kiln and the iron pour to follow when I'm able to upload photos from the camera.

Kiln Progress

2010-07-20T13:28:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, the bricks for my new kiln were delivered. Yah!!!! Later this week construction of the kiln will begin. Bigger YAH!!!!!

We rented a forklift to unload the bricks and fortunately, the rental place delivered a large one than we needed, but didn't charge us for the upgrade. We took advantage of the larger lift to upright our old wind mill that had been down since we had some well work completed. Yah! It still need some work, but for now it is standing and that's a big, difficult step. Amazingly, the grape vines that had been growing on it previously made it through all the moving and are still hanging there.

Between all the delivery trucks and watching Kevin play in the forklift I couldn't help but admire these little lilies blooming in my garden. The colors are amazing.

I'll post more kiln pictures as I can. This is so exciting!

Colleen & Donovan's Kiln Opening

2010-07-09T06:13:00.011-05:00

Kevin and I had a great time last night at Colleen Riley and Donovan Palmquist's kiln opening. After a 54 hour firing last weekend, they opened the kiln to unload hundreds of great pieces by several fantastic artists.

There was a lot of ooohhing and aaahhing as still too hot to touch pieces were unloaded, inspected and admired.

In this photo Donovan is admiring a piece he just unloaded from the first chamber of the kiln.

Their kiln has two ware chambers. In the first chamber, the flames passing through the chamber on their way through the kiln deposit wood ash on the pottery creating wonderful patterns, surfaces and toasty colors. The second chamber is a soda chamber where a combination of soda ingredients are placed in the chamber at peak temperature. These ingredients vaporize and interact with the clay and glazes to create gorgeous flashing, blushes and glassy surfaces. Here's a peek at the soda chamber before unloading.

It sounds like Donovan is planning to start construction on my kiln in the near future. I've done some wood firing in the past, but fairly infrequently and on a small scale. I'm looking forward to construction of a wood fired kiln at the farm/studio and creating a body of work that is very different from what I've been doing recently. I'm sure I'll still do plenty of Cone 6 oxidation work yet, but it will be wonderful to have this additional resource for a different earthy feeling pot. So... another opportunity to practice my patience. Yah!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2010-07-05T16:06:00.006-05:00

The long weekend started out great. Friday evening I had half my drying boards already full and the rest got filled on Saturday. Saturday was another beautiful day and by mid-day, all drying boards and shelves were full. The excess was spilling over to the countertops and other tables.

Sunday morning it started raining and hasn't let up yet. I did manage to get most things to dry enough to trim, but that's as far as that went.

At one point, the rain rolling off the roof was so hard, it broke the new hollyhock plant that was just starting to bloom next to the studio entry. It still looked so pretty, but with a bent stem, I don't think it will last long.

Kevin had more than 40 bare root trees to plant, so he ended up doing much of the planting in the rain. It doesn't look like he's having fun.

Now hopefully, it will quit raining and all my leather hard pots will be able to dry so they can be fired and ready for my upcoming show in Cannon Falls, July 17 & 18th.

Be well.

Black & Green

2010-06-24T21:19:00.006-05:00

In April just before the Bluff Country Art Tour I started making pieces in a new glaze combination. Nearly every piece I had in the black and green combination sold during the tour. This past weekend I had a small batch of new pieces in this combination and sold out of them too. So I got to work early this week glazing another kiln load of pieces with the gorgeous glossy combination. This evening I unloaded the kiln and really liked what I found. I imagine many of these will also be gone after the Eagan Art Festival this weekend..

I should have problems like that all the time. :-)

Finally Feeling Caught Up

2010-06-23T20:03:00.010-05:00

We've had so much going on lately, I was feeling a little behind with everything. Today, I'm working really hard to get caught up and one of the things I wanted to share was some photos from this past weekend. The weekend was filled with lots of activity. Here's just a sampling:

We had sales in Zumbrota on Saturday and Lanesboro on Sunday. While there was some threatening weather floating around the area both days, we didn't see any rain during sale hours.

On Sunday morning I was up early to catch the gorgeous sunrise. I tried to go back to sleep, after taking the photo, but it wasn't happening.

On Monday we delivered this bright, cheery pie plate to the Highland Store and picked some berries for jelly.

And what sale weekend wouldn't be complete without a roadie nap. My roadie works very hard to help me at sales. His only reward for all this hard work is a roadie nap and pie.

There now I can consider myself caught up and ready for the next big weekend. This coming weekend we'll be at a sale in Eagan. Come on out and see us.

Fresh Outta The Kiln

2010-06-14T20:44:00.003-05:00

I unloaded these fun canisters from the kiln this morning. I can't decide which is my favorite, though I'm probably leaning toward the one front and center, Iron Red and Beige. Which one strikes your fancy?

Patience

2010-06-13T16:57:00.008-05:00

First off, what do you think of the new look for the blog? I'm not sure I'm done with the revisions, but for now, I need to look at it for a bit and decide if I want to make the look a little different.

With sales the next couple weekends, I've been pushing pretty hard to get the last couple kiln loads done to boost my inventory to cover three sales in 10 days. My second glaze load of the weekend is cooling and looks like it has about 500 degrees to go before I can think about opening. (I could, and many times have opened up at this temp to see how things came out, but I'm trying really hard to be patient and let things slow cool.)

In the meantime, I'm doing a little web browsing on pottery workshops this summer (a little late, I know). A friend mentioned she was heading to a pottery workshop and it reminded me I haven't been to anything like that in nearly two years. So it's about time to find something that can stimulate my creative self. Workshops are such a wonderful way to really get you to think about applying the skills you already have in a different way.

Anybody have any good suggestions for workshops later this summer? Let me know - I'll travel just about anywhere.

Let's see, the kiln has dropped about 20 degrees since I started writing this, so I just need to kill how much more time before I can unload??? Hmmm... this could be a long evening.

Have a great week everybody.