June firing and setting the record straight

We were happy with the firing.
 A few bumps, but compared to the last firing in the small gas kiln, Ms. B, this one in our big boy kiln was much better.
Mark wasted no niceties on the turns up and just cranked the kiln up at a pretty quick pace and the glazes responded very well.
A look in at the front stack.
 

a peek into the middle stack.

And the teapots- not glued to the shelf.
Thank goodness we were both getting teapot shy.
They are too much work for the loss we were getting.
I might even go back to making some cruets.

And let me say this.
We did not start the pottery while we lived in the teepee.
It would take a move to Va, and a move to NC, 2 kids, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, goats and sheep before we added pottery to the mix.
It has been 30 years since we opened in October of 1982.
Sorry to disappoint.
We did live in a teepee, but it was a life time ago.
It was fun and you would have to stop in and bring wine to get the stories.

Later!
M

Sweet smells of summer

I'm here recovering from a busy weekend with a lot going on.
The Open House was really nice with a steady stream of folks coming down.
Even Sunday had some real highlights.
Monday we saw a few folks but mainly we were sleep walking through the studio trying to gear our brains back to glazing.
We did load up Mark's big bottles and managed a long,slow bisque. It is always a worry when you are bisque firing big boys. We did a preheat of 5 hours the day before and then programed the kiln for the long fire, about 12 hours. I did not breath until they were unloaded this morning.
Oh, yea that step is done.
Mark has the rest plus 3 big vases preheating today.
It will be another long bisque with fingers crossed.

While getting ready for the open house I was in and out of our local Slowe's store to buy some plants.
It has been awhile since I grew or bought flowers and discovering their "mark down" area was too much to pass up.I found many plants that just wanted some love, good dirt and water. They are working away in planters now.
Then I spotted a small gardenia and it was all over.I had to have this one even at the full price of 6.00, a splurge on my part but this should grow and give me many years of sweet flowers.
We dug a good hole on Sunday and put her in the ground only to find her undug the next morning....
Darn critters.
I replanted and then circled the plant with bricks to keep her safe from said critters.

I guess the sweet smell and soft dirt were too much for whoever was wandering through the yard.

I also bought this plant that was about half dead and put it in a planter. It has a sweet yellow flower but in my haste to be tidy I tossed out the tag. It has been blooming everynight and then the flower last about a day before it gives up. Now, is this a night blooming plant? Does anyone know what it is?

If not I guess it will give me an excuse to go back and buy more plants.
Really I had better get on some tomatoes plants soon.
Maybe some eggplant as well.

Those pots for glaze are calling more pictures of pots soon.
Cheers!
M

Kicking off the weekend with a little fun

Mark and I kicked off the weekend last night by hosting a beer tasting party at our place last night.
There are a couple of really nice guys, Joel McClosky and Andrew Deming ,who have been on the path of beer making and that path is taking them to actually opening a beer tasting room in the Asheboro area. They are in the process of looking for space now in or around the downtown area.
They approached the local potters to help them in their Kickstarter program  by having us make beer mugs for them to use. Mark and I are happy to be a part of this new adventure and kicked off with a tasting party last night so that potters who were interested could taste the product.

I have planned to get some pictures and was too busy tasting and enjoying one of those nights outside with good food, great beer and good conversation.
For the most part I liked just about all the beers I tasted . The first Potter's Clay was my favorite and some of the others grew on me. All in all they have a very good start to a what I am sure will be a successful business.
We hope to see them all again.
Plus how could I not have a soft spot for another Joel?

While Mark and I were cleaning up and getting ready Mark noticed that something had been in the utility room that is attached to the carport. In the past we have had possums get in our buildings and they can make a mess. I figured it was just a baby one and we could leave the door open for it to leave. Later Mark went in for something and then noticed this head looking at him.
(Gary- do not read or look I know how you feel about these lizards with no legs!)
I hear Mark calling me in a voice that tells me it is no possum but something else and I have to come see.
Do I want to?
Well, noway out now.
Here is the animal and yes he did grab it and pull it out of some pipe...ewwww....

  This snake was the biggest we have had around the house for awhile.
At least 5 foot.
Don't ask me where he is now.
I don't want to know.
This is about the size that got in the house a few years back.
 We have since put different doors on the house and that seems to have stopped them from getting in.
Really, we don't keep these things in the house if we can help it.

Kiln Opening:
Cookies are made, pots are unloaded just come on out for a southern minute.
Tom what time will you be here?!
Cheers,
M