Yunomi cone 6 electric

Starting to like this cone 6 electric business.  

Yunomi, John Britt, 4" x 3" x 3",  Frost cone 6 porcelain clay with Newman Terra Sigillata and Matt Black #2 glaze, electric cone 6 fast fire.

Plastic Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHf7TD4qwjk

Alex Matisse - Free Talk at the Bascom in Highlands

A Sunday Event for the Whole Family

Alexander Matisse, great grandson of Henri Matisse, is our guest speaker.

Free admission, coffee and dessert.

Please bring your family and friends to enjoy!

For more information, please call 828.526.4949.

The Bascom

323 Franklin Road

Highlands, NC 28741

828-526-4949

www.thebascom.org

2014 NC Mineral & Gem Show In Spruce Pine NC- next week!

When: Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3rd. The doors open to the public Thursday, Friday, & Saturday morning at 10:00 am until 6:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm until 5:00 pm.

Where: The Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center located at 12121 Hwy 226 S.
The Festival is in the former Food Lion building.

Admission: Adults $3. Children under 10 get in free. Thursday is Senior Citizens Day and their admission is $1. Sunday is Mitchell County Day and admission for residents is $1.

The NC Mineral & Gem Festival will be at the Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center in the former Food Lion building this year. We have been very fortunate to have the Pinebridge Center facility in our community to hold the Festival at for the past couple of decades. However, with it not being available this year, Food Lion was willing to step up and provide the space needed for the Festival to continue. In addition, individuals and businesses throughout the area have pitched in to make sure that this Festival continues to be an event that the community as a whole can take pride in.


We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from around the country to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils, and more. The Festival will feature gem, jewelry, and mineral dealers from across the county showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry, or a special crystal display for your home, the 2014 NC Mineral & Gem Festival is for you!

Ceramic Materials Science Primer With Frank Bosco

Frank's Slide Presentation on Tuesday, July 29 at 1pm is FREE and open to the public. Please join us!

The 6-Day Workshop begins Monday. Click here to register. 

Student Discount available. Use coupon code "student150".

Yellow Mushroom

Septic Tank Selfie

The quote of the day: "That is the problem with the those old maps". Heard from the inspector after a day of two days of digging where the tank was supposed to be!

This is my selfie with large rock in my hole or as in Cool Hand Luke- " What is your rock doing in my hole Luke"?

More precisely: What is your dirt doing in Boss Kean's ditch?  ....or later....What is your dirt doing in my yard?  

These are unanswerable questions that plague us all!

Cheryl Craigie,Rhonda Gouge and Kathy Kuhne at the High Cove Music Festival in Bakersville NC (Off Rebel's Creek)

Here is a video for Rhonda Gouge and Roan Mountain Rain playing last year at the Old Courthouse in Bakersville NC.

They are playing on Saturday 5:00 - ?  at :

The High Cove Music Festival

1215 Rebels Creek Road Bakersville, NC 28705

with Laura Blackley and Passerine:

More information:
http://www.reverbnation.com/show/13771551

Mushroom

Found a weird one under the deck ...not much water there!

Old Man of the Woods

Two Part time Positions at TRAC (Toe River Arts Council) in Spruce Pine, NC

Two P-T positions open at TRAC. Sales Associate-Burnsville (incl Saturdays) and housekeeping/maintenance SP/BN. 

Federal low-income program. 55+. 

Call 682.7215 or email toeriverarts@gmail.com.

Soul of Man with Kathy Kuhne and Rhonda Gouge and Cheryl Craigie

Here is a video for Rhonda Gouge and Roan Mountain Rain playing last year at the Old Courthouse in Bakersville NC.

They are playing on Saturday 5:00 - ?  at :

The High Cove Music Festival

1215 Rebels Creek Road Bakersville, NC 28705

with Laura Blackley and Passerine:

More information:
http://www.reverbnation.com/show/13771551

Garth Clark lecture at Penland

If you missed Garth Clark in Asheville last week, here's another chance to hear him. He'll be talking at Penland this Sunday, July 27. From the Penland blog:

Writer, historian, critic, and gallerist Garth Clark will speak at Penland School of Crafts on Sunday, July 27, at 8:15 PM. Clark is spending several weeks at Penland as this year’s Andrew Glasgow Writing Resident. He will speak about the recent explosion of ceramic activity in the fine arts and offer other thoughts about issues in contemporary craft. The lecture takes place in the Northlight building, and it is free and open to the public.

More here: http://penland.org/blog/2014/07/garth-clark-at-penland/

Need a Craft Booth....deal of the month!! Spruce Pine NC

TOO LATE SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD 

Yo Kids.....

Nathan Blank is a metal artist in Spruce Pine and he is moving and wants to sell his "booth". I haven't seen it but if I know Nathan then it is top notch!  Check out his work:

http://nathan-blank.com/home.html

He is selling it for $50 ---that is less than the cost of the paint he used!!!

You may have to customize it for your booth /work but ....this is a deal!
TOO LATE SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD TOO LATE SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD TOO LATE SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD TOO LATE SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD 
Call him asap....xxxxxx

Music at High Cove NC (Near Spruce Pine and Bakersville NC)

If you are around Bakersville/Spruce Pine NC area and have time.... come on by Saturday to see Cheryl Craigie playing guitar with Rhonda Gouge and Kathy Kuhne. It should be fun.

Here is Cheryl's post:

My band Rhonda Gouge and Roan Mountain Rain is playing on Saturday night. Here are the details. Hope you can make it.

You're invited to the High Cove Music Festival on Saturday, July 26. 

Starts with open mic and potluck at 5, then featured performers at 7 pm. 

Featuring Laura Blackley, Rhonda Gouge and Roan Mountain Rain, and Passerine. Rain or shine at Firefly Lodge. $10 suggested donation. High Cove is located at 1215 Rebels Creek Road, off NC 80 North, 3.5 miles north of US19E. 

Highcove.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/show/13771551

Directions:

http://highcove.com/where-is-high-cove/

Flowers and Bees

Black Jackets, and Yellow Jackets on Angelica

Come To Leicester 2014 Pottery Studio Tour August 16 & 17

August 16 & 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ninth annual "Come to Leicester" studio tour will be held from 10am to 6pm on Saturday August 16 and Sunday August 17. This year the free self-guided tour will feature the work of twenty potters. Local and invited potters will open their studios located, throughout scenic Leicester, North Carolina, just outside Asheville for the two day event showcasing a variety of fine works in clay.

"This year's tour will focus on pottery, a true heritage craft in our state. Styles from wood-fired functional stoneware to whimsical figurative pieces will be represented in the works of prominate potters." says tour chairman Doc Welty.

Join us on this free, self-guided studio tour. Featuring the works of twenty local and invited ceramic artists on a studio tour of five locations throughout Leicester, North Carolina.

​More info and artist information on the Come To Leicester website (and on facebook and twitter, too.)

Bascom Center for Visual Arts Glaze Class 2014

Here is a photo of our great class at the Bascom 2014. One day left!

Studio Furniture for Sale

Beefy Shelf, 2"x4" & MDF construction
6' tall x 38" wide x 25" deep
$40

Ikea Desk
46"l x 23"d x 29"h
$25

Located in Marshall
email reasonpots@gmail.com

Looking for Help with Studio Chores and Odd Jobs?

I'm posting this for my incoming assistant, Sarah Holt. Jump on it now! Thanks from Gay.

Hi!  

My name is Sarah Holt, and I will be moving to the Penland area at the end of August to assist with Gay Smith, and I am looking for work to support myself during that time.  I have over 10 years of clay experience, and I can mix glazes, mix clay, process reclaim, clean your studio, help with chopping/stacking wood, scrape kiln shelves, put in a shift on a wood firing, do yard/garden work, clean/prep rental properties. I'm good with dogs, and can do dog/house sitting.  I am also a good cook, so if you want someone to make the nibbles for a studio open house, I can do that too!  I can provide local references, and I have my own transportation.

I will be available starting after Labor Day weekend.

You can contact me via email at:   prometheusmoth@gmail.com

Clearance Sale

Stop by Marshall High Studios #109, now thru July 26 for crazy good deals on handmade pottery by Emily Reason.  Everything must GO!

Tibetan Potters Present at Odyssey this Wednesday, 3-5pm

FREE BRICK!!!!!!!! Burnsville NC

I have about 50 to 75 ea. - 3" 3000 degree Used insulating firebrick to give away to anyone who will come and get them. I will also throw in some half hd hardbricks for kiln furniture. Know anyone who would be interested?

Call Michael Rutkowski 1-828-675-9745

John Dix Workshop Sept. 8-14, 2014 Brevard NC

One spot available!!!!!!!
This will be a week long workshop with John Dix, a fantastic potter that has lived and worked in Japan for 25 years. John held a very successful workshop here with me in 2010. During this workshop, we will fire both the Train and Anagama kilns. There will be 12 participants and each will bring pots to fire, we will load and fire the kilns and have demonstrations by John. He will share his experiences, firing techniques, and his approach to making really amazing pots. The workshop will take place from September 8 – 14, 2014.

The cost for this workshop will be $700 per participant and will include the workshop and several meals. We have secured nearby lodging that will be available for a nominal charge and camping on the property will be available at no charge. You can see John's work on his website, www.johndix.com.

Contact Judy Duff

Jduff@citcom.net

Ceramic Quiz 11

Name 5 sources of iron oxide used in glazes.

1.__________________________
2.__________________________
3.__________________________
4._________________________
5._________________________

Ceramic Quiz 10

What is a good source of Phosphorus Oxide in glazes?

1. __________________________________

2. __________________________________

Ceramic Quiz 9

Name the two main sources of Boron in glazes:

1.__________________________________

2.________________________________

Ceramic Quiz 8

Name the main source of Strontium oxide in glazes.

1. ______________________________

Ceramic Quiz 7

Name the main source of barium oxide in glazes.

1.______________________________________

Ceramic Quiz 6

Name three main sources of magnesium oxide in glazes.

1_______________________________

2.______________________________

3._______________________________

NIXI Tibetan Potters from Shangri-la China in Bakersville NC

Yo Potters:

Lisa Clague will be hosting the Tibetan potters in Bakersville NC at her studio  Tuesday July 15, 2014 from 7 - 9:00 p.m.

It is FREE and open to the Public.  

Clay Club Report

Had a really great time at Clay Club last night!

I want to thank Silvia and Andy for having us and showing us what they are doing with the Crimson Laurel Gallery and telling us about themselves.

It was great to see all the potters. Here are some images.

I don't have anything planned for August 13th Clay Club or any other months so if you have something you want to do or a place that will host us - let me know . Otherwise I may try to do a Demopollosa at my studio?!


 Oh, super kick-ass pot luck!  Amazing cooks in the Clay Club!

Clay club tonight

Yo,

Clay Club tonight!

Crimson Laurel 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Kilns Shelves FREE (warped and used in salt kiln) Bakersville NC

Free to a Good Home
I have fourteen silicon carbide kiln shelves -- 14 inch x 20 inch. They are well worn and quite warped from many firings in my salt kiln.They are FREE to anyone who will also take a hefty pile of angle iron (enough to build the frame for a kiln...!)

Call me at  828 467 0166 -- pick it all up on your way to Clay Club at Crimson Laurel Gallery.

Terry Gess Pottery
Bakersville

Cool Mushroom

ORANGE

ORANGE

Ceramic Quiz 5

Name three types of Opacifiers:

1_______________________________


2_______________________________



3_______________________________

Ceramic Quiz 4

What is the most common source of calcium oxide in glazes?

Ceramic Quiz 3

What is the most common potash feldspar?



What is the most common soda feldspar?



What is the most common lithium feldspar?

FREE slide lecture at Odyssey ClayWorks

MELISA CADELL is presenting a slide lecture tomorrow, TUESDAY, July 8 at 1:00 pm FREE and open to the public. Please join us!

Quiz 2

 Of these Kaolins what is the most common one used in glazes?        



Helmar

Avery

Grolleg

Tile 6 or #6 - Tile

Velva cast

D B Float

Glomax LL(Calcined Kaolin)

Kaopaque 20

Kaolex D-6

Peerless

Diamond

Standard

Super Standard

Sovergein

EPK (Edgar Plastic Kaolin) 

Ajax P

Gunheath

Snobright

Pioneer PAF

Kingsley

Delta

Saphire

Barnet Clay

McNamee

Snowcal 707

Snowcal 40

Preparation for Quiz 1

Hey all you potters coming to the Bascom glaze class July 14-18, 2014. Thought we could get started a bit early with some questions on materials.  I will put the answer in the comments.

1. Of these BALL CLAYS, which is the one most commonly used in glazes?


US Ball Clays:


Tennessee #1(SPG #1), #5 and #10

C&C (HC)

XX Saggar

Old Hickory #5

Bandy Black

Black Charm

Coppen Light

CP #7

OM-4

Dresden

Bell Dark Ball

Gleason

K &T Special

Jackson

KTS 2

KY Special

M&D

NP Blend Ball

Sledge

Spinks Blend

Aventurine Glazes

Only $2.99 for the article for two days and then $4.99.

http://johnbrittpottery.com/shop/

Tibetan Potters at Odyssey Asheville NC July 16, 2014

Steve Lloyd Memorial July 18th, 2014 Ariel Gallery Asheville, NC

Becky Lloyd and the members of Ariel Gallery will be hosting a celebration of the life of Steve Lloyd

on Friday, July 18th from 6 - 8 PM.

The gallery is located at 19 Biltmore Ave. in Asheville. Please go to the Facebook page "A Gathering for Steve" to respond.

Aventurine Glazes (How to Article)

Yo potters,

I have just put a new Article on my Etsy site which is an ebook (PDF) discussing Aventurine Glazes and how to get them.  

It is entitled "All that Glitters is not Goldstone: Aventurine Glazes: Tiger's Eye, Goldstone and Various Glitter glazes" copyright 2014

https://www.etsy.com/listing/195176875/all-that-glitters-is-not-goldstone

It is only $2.99 for the first 2 days and then $4.99.  Buy now and save!!

Zanesville Prize -Ceramic Show!!

Click here for details:  Zanesville Prize

DVD: Understanding Glazes (How to test, tweet and perfect your glazes)

Understanding Glazes: How to Test,Tweek, and Perfect your Glazes- John Britt

Another Leopard Moth---hard to miss this month!

More Black And White Moths

Purple and Yellow

Wet Purple Velvet

Book Review in Ceramics Review

Hey, I  got a book review in the months Ceramic Review for the book "George Ohr: The Greatest Art Potter on Earth: