Clean Bottoms

When you want to clean and smooth your bottoms try these 3M Industrial Strength Surface Conditioning pads (120M). You can also get them in a 12" size. I just put the velcro on a bat and off I go.

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Destroying Angel

Amazing variety of shrooms:

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita_bisporigera.html

John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Mushroom Central

Yo, If you like mushrooms take a bike ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway,

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Golden Fake Ash cone 6

Here is a nice cone 6 Fake Ash recipe:

Golden Fake Ash cone 6

28.0 Redart

24.5 Dolomite

21.0 Ball Clay

10.0 Gerstley Borate

9.5 Strontium Carbaonate

5.0 Bone Ash

2.0 Lithium Carbarbonate

Enjoy,

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Got Apples?

John Britt


www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Cup Show at the Design Gallery

If you like CUPS, don't miss the "Colloquy of Cups" show at the Design Gallery which runs from October 3 - November 7th, 2008.

The opening is Octover 17 from 5 - 7 p.m. For more information contact:

The Design Gallery

7 South Main Street

BurnsvilleNC, 28714

828-678-9869

thedesigngallery@verizon.net

Here is a list of participants:

Becky Plummer, John Britt, Matt Kelleher, Lindsay Rogers, Emily Reason, Michael Kline,Josh Copus, Cynthia Bringle, Mark Tomzak, John Ranjsmeier, Tom Turner, Liz Summerfield, Judy Duff, Jon Ellenbogen, Jane Peiser, Leah Leitson, Kathy Triplett, Karen Newgard, Tom Spleth, Becca Floyd, Nick Joerling, Suze Lindsay, Kent McLaughlin, Gay Smith, Jenny Lou Sherbourne, Linda McFarling, Shoko Teruyama, and Jerilyn Virden

Should be good!

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

I Like Dirt

More about dirt.

Did you say Wiener?

Did you say Oscar Meyer Wiener? That reminds me that the Clay Club will be All-American food with a bonfire on October 10, 2008 from 6:30 p.m - 8:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and bring a bowl for the Bowl Exchange.

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

To treadle, or not to treadle...

Actually, that's not REALLY my question. My question is: How many of you out there use a treadle wheel? If so, do you have any wheel design advice? I am working on a plan with a friend of mine to build a treadle wheel. I know the basics but was wondering if anyone has a wheel made with specific materials/design elements that they love. Or, better yet, are there design elements that you find yourself wishing that you had? Thanks so much everyone!

-Lindsay

lindsay@rogerspottery.com.

Yet another Wiener! I mean, winner!

Another Clay Clubber was a winner this weekend. Our own Will Baker a.k.a. Will-Baker-the-bum-shaker, a.k.a. Will-Baker-the-risk-taker, a.k.a. Will-Baker-the-deal-breaker.......(now you come up with one, it's fun!) won BEST of SHOW at Art in Autumn in Weaverville this past Saturday!!!! Yay Will, congratulations! Represent!

Used wheel for sale?..... Anyone?

By any chance, do any of you clay clubbers got a variable speed wheel sitting around that you don't use and would like to sell to my furutre studiomate? Anyone..Anyone?
Also.... I'd like to remind everyone about my previous post that I have kiln brick for sale........ anyone?......anyone?

Way to GO Lindsay Rogers

Oh the glare of the flair at this booth. I managed to get a picture of Lindsay Rogers and her ribbons this afternoon at the Creekwalk Arts Festival. Pottery RULES! Lindsay ROCKS!

Guess Who?

Guess whose booth this is and win a fabulous prize.

John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

THE GLUCK

Drop by Lisa's Booth and see her wonderful work. This is her first craft show!

John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Creek Walk

Don't forget to hit the Bakersville Creek Walk tomorrow.
Meet some wonderful folks like Tracy and Lisa (a.k.a. The Gluck).
John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Spruce Pine Potters Market

I have started another blog. Here is the address. Check it out.

Kiln Brick For Sale!

Good Deals only a short drive away (in Marshall)
IFB's Seconds in good condition 3"x4.5"x9":
2500 degree 60 bricks @ $2.24/ brick
2800 degree 60 bricks @ $2.80/ brick
and
Medium Duty Hard Brick 234 @ $1.62/ brick
or take 'em all for $681.48
Prices are not inflated, just trying to make money back spent on brick and freight.
I also have Greenpatch mortor.
Interested? Email Emily - reasonpots@hotmail.com

Mamo Matte

Mamo Matte Cone 10 Reduction


25 Custer Feldspar
25 F-4 Feldspar
20 Dolomite
15 Calcined Kaolin
10 Kaolin
5 Whiting


Orangestone clay body, with cousous added as burnout material, and reed handle.





John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Fiber Facts

Question for anyone who has a fiber kiln or fiber door on their kiln- how thick is your fiber- what rating is it? What temp are you firing to?
I have 2" of Durablanket (2600 degrees) on the hot face then 1" of Isofrax (2300). This is on the door only. For anoyone who might know, is this substantial enough for cone 10?
Thanks very much!

Mix Baby Mix

This Paoli mixer was originally purchased by Tyrone and Julie Larson in 1968 in Bandana, NC. They have since moved to Weaverville/Woodfin and sold it to me. Now it's back in Mitchell Co. Full circle!
The operator of the forklift was swift at his work, a little too swift for us. He couldn't even bear to look! Thanks to the human forklift here on the Snow Creek end, David Ross, Micah Cain, Terry Gess, Naomi Dalglish, Michael Hunt. You guys were awesome to help. Thanks also to Kyle Carpenter for his logistics expertise on the front end of the job.

Zombie Caterpillars

You think pottery is a hard business?

Have you seen what these wasps do to caterpillars?

According to New Scientist: "Zombie caterpillars controlled by voodoo wasps" - The parasitoid wasp Glyptapanteles lays its eggs, about 80 at a time, in young geometrid caterpillars. The eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the caterpillar's body fluids. When they are fully developed, they eat through the caterpillar's skin, attach themselves to a nearby branch or leaf and wrap themselves up in a cocoon.

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/dn14053-zombie-caterpillars-controlled-by-voodoo-wasps.html?feedId=online-news_rss20

John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

It's in the details

Couldn't resist showing you the lovely door details

Latch
Peep & Hinge

Caster/ Support

Kiln done.... mostly. Check out the Door!

The kiln door was designed and built by local Marshall welder, Chuck Gaa. He did a fine job, paying special attention to detail around peep holes and made the latches and hinges completely adjustable.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this kiln possible

Rob Pullyen, LeAnne Ash, Tommy Frank, Molly Flannigan, Matt Rosone, Ben Walters, Katie Keyes, Ed Caskey, Chuck Gaa, and last, but certainly not least a GREAT BIG thanks to John Britt for all his guidance, use of tools and encouragement. Y'all rock and I am so greatful.

End Time

Strangely enough, as soon as John Ferlazzo saw this bucket of money, he agreed to be the treasurer!

That is the first sign of the end of Clay Club. Now we will need an auditor and an accounting firm.

I guess Emily is back as President....

John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Home Grown Tomatoes

Did I mention that the pizza had John Ferlazzo's home grown tomatoes and basil in the sauce?

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Damn I'm Good!

Mark Peters and Pat watch a video of Mark in his better days! Mark says "Damn I'm good!"

Had a great Clay Club "Meeting" where we ate outstanding Italian food and had a cup exchange. We planned next month's meeting and had other administrative business which I will discuss later.

All I can say is : "Don't ever miss Clay Club you little bitches!"

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Why Cone?

I'm curious- for those of you who cone your clay before centering, why do you do it? How many times do you do it?

Oil Spot Recipe

Here is a nice Oil Spot glaze combo:





Put two to three coats of the Bailey's Oil Spot on first and then one to two coats of the Chinese Crackle white glaze on top. Fire in full oxidation. This cup was fired in electric to cone 10 but gas oxidation works well too.



Bailey’s Oil Spot
Oxidation Cone 10/11
25.51 Custer Feldspar
35.71 NC-4 (Soda Feldspar)
15.30 EPK Kaolin
5.10 Talc
5.10 Dolomite
5.10 Ferro Frit 3110
8.16 Silica

6.00 Red Iron Oxide



CHINESE CRACKLE
Cone 10/11
83.00 Custer Feldspar
8.00 Silica
9.00 Whiting

10.00 Zircopax

John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Fall is on the way!

Fall is on the way kids.

Don't forget to bring your cup to the meeting tomorrow,

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/htm

Whose Volvo?

Yo,

Does anyone know the previous owner of this beauty?

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

No Mug for Me :(

Dear Clay Clubbers,

If any of yous are making a trip to Asheville this week, please let me know reasonpots@hotmail.com. I'm way bummed to be missing the meeting with the cup exchange, and i'd love to send one up, even though I can't be there. So, if anyone is down here before the meeting, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Bummed Clubber- Emily

Clay Club has been tagged!

You are it, Clay Club. You have officially been "tagged" in the blog world. I was tagged from some other fellow artist bloggers, which means I must play along and tag others myself. So someone from Clay Club has to play along...the rules and information about this game are at my post here:

http://joytannerpottery.blogspot.com/2008/09/im-it.html

Re: September Meeting

Just a reminder that the Clay Club will meet on Wednesday September 10 @ 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at John Ferlazzo's .

The theme is Cup Exchange so bring one!

Let me know if you need directions or info. The food is Italian and we will hopefully have a bonfire and cider.

Just in time for Fall!

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Praise the lord!

Here is an image of one of our long time members by Micah Sherrill.

Next step - a bobble head doll??

John Britt

www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Piedmont Pottery Problems

I saw this "headline" on my email client, AT&T (Bellsouth). Looks like Seagrove has gotten some national attention regarding pottery festival feuds. WTF? Here it is....

Pottery feud divides NC town of Seagrove
Published: 9/4/08, 11:25 AM EDTBy MARTHA WAGGONERSEAGROVE, N.C. (AP) -

Among the endless allegations of thievery, financial subterfuge and conspiracy, there is only this certainty: North Carolinians take their pottery seriously.
And that's about all outspoken potter Don Hudson can say without throwing himself further into a deepening dispute among the noted artisans living in an area of central North Carolina rich in natural clay, where pottery has flourished for more than 250 years.
The dispute has resulted in two pottery festivals in Seagrove scheduled for the same November weekend. One is new this year, the other has been held for the last 26.
The divide, and all the confusing reasons for a fight over pottery, can appear ridiculous to outsiders. But it's venomous for those involved, resulting in ugly propaganda, reports of a gunshot fired at one shop and allegations of assault. Attempts to settle it have gotten nowhere.

story continues at http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?bfromind=7815&eeid=6075524&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne

Hello. This is Micah Cain and I am one of the new ceramic residents at the EnergyXchange. I really appreciate the invitation to join the blog. Right now i am still getting settled into the studio and becoming familiar with the area and have visited a few studios. There are some really great people and artists in these "hills". I would also like to offer my ceramic services if anyone is interested in having a little extra help around. If anyone knows someone who might be in need of an extra hand just let me know. Pretty much an aspect of the ceramic process is game. I have included an image of one of my pieces and if i had an image of myself i would include that as well.
Thank you and i hope to talk to many of you soon.