
Monday, November 30, 2009
Dueling NC Wood Kilns

Best stop on the TRAC TOUR

Anyone headed out on the TRAC TOUR this weekend be sure to stop by the BEST STUDIO ever!
John Britt's Studio will have :
Joy Tanner; http://joytannerpottery.blogspot.com/
Will Baker; http://williambakerpottery.com/blog/tag/soda-fired-pottery/
Susan Feagan _ no explaination necessary!
and Rodney Hopkins; https://www.folkschool.org/index.php?section=instructor_detail&instructor_id=123
We will have home made chocolate truffles, cider and other assorted goodies as well as throwing demos and more!
Don't waste your time going to other studios! Hit the best first and if you have time...well......maybe check out some other Penland Potters:
http://penlandpottery.com/pages/home.php
Throwing to a Pointer
Cotton Fields

I have never really seen a cotton field in person...but this plant is really amazing.
John Britt
Marbled Godwit
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Eggs from Happy Hens
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wheel Throwing
It is by our own, EMILY REASON!!!
Looks like a great book Emily and you should be really proud of your achievement!
ROCK ON GIRL!
Blown to Pieces

(Now, I am not talking about a bisque explosion which occurs around 200 - 400 F and is prevented by a long warm up which drives out the water.)
The possibilities are that the pot has absorbed some water during reglazing or just from a highly humid environment and since most stoneware pottery has at least a 1 -3 % absorption, the trapped water heating up causes the explosion.
Another possibility, the pot has been fired several times and going through quartz inversion around 1063F, too fast will cause the pot to explode. This can be with pots that have thick walls, or uneven walls. Or even including the possibility that during multiple refirings, cristobalite is created (above 2100F), and that is part of the cause, as it goes through cristobalite inversion around 500 F.
The conclusion is inconclusive.
The problem with this phenomenon is that it is intermittent. It happens once in a while and not every time. The exasperating thing is that when it happens it can ruin a whole kiln load.
Does anyone have a better design to test this? I would like to be able to make it happen to prove one way or another.
Thanks,
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Holiday Clay Club
C'mon! Everyone do it! I left last year's party sad that I hand't brought a cup to exchange. Also, bring an old tool you never use to swap out!
See you soon!
William Baker Online Sale
Stop by the ETSY SHOP to view about 30 pieces I’ve held onto for your online purchasing pleasure.
Etsy Buy Handmade williambaker |
The Etsy Shop is a convenient way to purchase these items safely online, you can even make a little wish list and pass it on to those who need to know what you really want for the holidays.
If you’re in the Western North Carolina area in the coming weeks, check here for a list of other events where you can find me and my work.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Best Craft Show in Western NC, possibly, the world!
Photos soon to come...
Best Craft Gallery in Western NC
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Peach Bloom Opening
The Mother Load!
http://www.claystore.alfred.edu/rawmats-all-frames.htm
It is the Raw Materials Course from Alfred.
Also look at : http://www.claystore.alfred.edu/rawmats-all-frames.htm
With recipes and project descriptions!
UNBELIEVABLE!
johnbrittpottery@gmail.com
REAL THROWING
Watch this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMX9PXPtv1Q&feature=related
John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pottery Paparazzi

How different RIO affects glaze

Looking for a cone 6 reduction White

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
lighting assemblage
Does anyone know of someone in the NW North Carolina mountains who might be a connect on this? Many thanks. Gluckin
Monday, November 16, 2009
Glaze and Materials Weekend
Free Insulation
Jim Sockwell has some free 15" insulation rated at R-19.
Call if you want it:
828-329-9807
John Britt
johnbrittpottery@gmail.com
Marshall Handmade Market- This Saturday!
Been working on these porcelain and earthenware ornaments for the Marshall Handmade Market. Come check it out!
http://sites.google.com/site/marshallhandmademarket/home
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Cone 6 Claybody
20 Grolleg
10 Tile #6
20 XX Saggar
20 Kentucky Stoneware
10 Hawthorne Bond
14 Kona F-4
6 Talc
John Britt
johnbrittpottery@gmail.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Akira Satake at Crimson Laurel Gallery

Akira will feature three distinct styles of pottery. Yakishime refers to pottery that is fired without any applied glaze. Natural ash glaze builds up on the pottery during wood firing and creates a number of wood-fired pottery effects. Kohiki is modeled after Korean Yi Dynasty ceramics and typically refers to an iron-rich clay body with white slip and then finished with a translucent glaze. Yuuyaku refers to glazed ceramic pieces and Akria uses Kakl, a persimmon or red iron glaze, Shino, a feldspar glaze originally developed in Japan and Celadon, a glaze which is white with hints of green and blue originally developed in China. Akira was born in Osaka, Japan has been living in the U.S. since 1983 In 2003 he relocated to Swannanoa, North Carolina, where he built a Japanese Kyushu-style oil kiln and a wood-fired kiln. For Akira the act of creation is a collaboration between himself, the clay and the fire. Akira has been influenced by natural events such as undulations in sand that has been moved by wind and rock formations as well as the crackle and patina of the weathered walls of ancient structures.

John Lara
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
EnergyXchange is accepting applications for the Executive Director position. This is a salaried position and the job description can be found at:
http://www.energyxchange.org/about/staff/the-energyxchange-story
*** Only electronic submittals will be reviewed! ***
Application Process:
1. Send all information to: jobs@energyxchange.org
2. Documents required: Letter of interest, 3 Professional references, Resume
3. First round applications must be received by December 4, 2009.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Clay Club Meeting OFFICIALLY Cancelled
November Clay Club

I just got back from visiting my mom and am wiped out.
Another thought would be to have it at the Pizzart in Spruce Pine and just all get pizzas and yap?
John Britt
Christmas Cactus
Friday, November 6, 2009
Clay Club November 11, 2009
Yes we will have a meeting Nov. 11, 2009. I had talked to Crimson Laurel about a slide show on Korea but have to confirm it.
If not, I will think of something,.... unless anyone else has any idesa?
John
Shows & Clay Club
Sooooo, is Clay Club happening next week? Bueller?.......Bueller?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"It's all in the Details"

Cheryl Goins, the owner and potter of Pottery 101 renovated a historic building in downtown Salisbury where she set up a clay studio for classes and created a beautiful gallery for pottery. You can see more about the details of the renovation at her blog here.
Baltimore Clayworks Winterfest 2009
Baltimore Clayworks is gearing up for their 15th Annual Winterfest Exhibition and some of our fellow NC potters were invited to participate. Emily Reason, Joy Tanner, and Ben Carter (all past Resident Artists of the Odyssey Center, might I add), are some of those invited to be in this great show. Each potter was asked to send a nice collection of pots for the show...the opening reception is November 14. The show will be posted online very soon, and runs through December 30. Until then, you can check out the show's details on their website here.
WNC Pottery Festival

Will Baker and I (Joy Tanner) will be exhibiting our pots at the WNC Pottery Festival this Saturday November 7 in Dillsboro, NC. Come check it out! Here's the link to the festival site.
Marshall Handmade Market
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all in a cozy holiday atmosphere. Check it out the website . Buy local craft!
Kyle's next few weeks...
November 11. 30 X 5. Iowa City, Iowa.
AKAR Gallery. 30 potters showing 5 pieces each. I'll be one of those potters showing some great pots at this incredible gallery. AKAR is known for their amazing online gallery and shopping experience.
www.akardesign.com

November 14-15. Studio Stroll. Asheville, NC.
Clayspace Co-op Studio & Gallery. Twice a year, every second weekend in June and November, Asheville’s River Arts District opens to the public for two days of festivities known as the STUDIO STROLL. This year more than 110 artists are participating!
www.riverartsdistrict.com
November 20. Two Fine Folk. Seneca, SC.
Blue Ridge Arts Center. Two person exhibition with woodcut printmaker, Kent Ambler.
www.blueridgeartscenter.com
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Exhibitions
I have a piece in each of these exhibitions.
Blessings & Innovations
Dennis & Helene Dennis Museum
Beth Tzedec Synagogue
1700 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontari0
Canada M5P 3K3
September 18, 2009 through December 31, 2009
Objects of Virtue
Bedford Gallery
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010
Opening Reception
December 2, 2009
6pm to 8pm
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
UPS S*@#KS !!!
Every other package I send via UPS arrives to it's destination with some form of damage. I refuse to take responsibility. Part of my job description after all, is "professional packager." I spend a great deal of time and money to abide by packing guidelines.
My other qualm is, where the hell can I ship things? Oh Spruce Pine Batch, how I miss thee.... UPS store? Paalease! My packages can't even fit through the door (that's what he said)! I can drive out to the UPS "hub," but make sure you don't show up there during their 4 HOUR lunch break. Yeah, they close from 11:30-3:30. My only remaining option is to pay $4 per package to have the UPS man pick up the package. What's another $4 on a $50 box to ship? It's my lunch from down the street damn it! (rather, across the river). I may be cheap, but I feel a little better now. Thanks for listening.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Joyce Kilmer
It has some of the only remaining old growth trees in NC.
Sewing Machine- For Sale
Pizzart in Spruce Pine
Jen and Chad have purchased the Pizzart -Beer and Pizza store in Spruce Pine. So please go there and buy pizza and beer. Let's help them make this a go!
And if you are a craftsperson in the area, then you know Katey Schultz, who is one of the most prolific crafts writer on earth and I am sure that you have read her articles in Ceramics Monthly, Art and Perception, etc.
http://thewritinglife2.blogspot.com/2009/07/fiction-craft-notes-on-separation.html
She had written an article on about every craftsperson in the area so.....you guys should go to the Pizzart and buy pizza and then give Katey a huge tip a she is leaving for a residency soon and she will need cash !
This is no joke!
Go give Katey a big tip!!!
John Britt