Yesterday’s first annual 50th Firing Kiln Opening was a great success!  We had a nice crowd the whole day and everyone seemed to enjoy the 3 firing demos that I did.   I’ve attached images of the 50th fired piece, along with one of the last piece I fired to accomodate those who missed the 50th firing demo.  This was a re-fire of one of the pieces from the event and I think it turned out even better than before.

My sales were tops and thanks to all who purchased one of my pieces during the 6 hour event!  Also thanks to my wonderful wife, Lynn for all of her assistance.  In addition many thanks to Lynn’s Ikebana mentor, Terri Todd and her students for their gorgeous flower arrangements.  And special thanks to Katie Graham, my studio assistant for helping with the sales and wrapping.  Also, Carl Kojis and Sister J/Janet Coats, my neighbors and friends made an invaluable contribution helping with traffic control and parking.  Finally, special thanks to Joe Vogler for designing and printing the art print/poster commemorating the event.

The 50th fired piece was won by David and Ellen McDonald of Biltmore Lakes, NC.  Congratulations to them! The green piece is the 50th fired one, the red one is the re-fired piece.

So, now I have a week to catch up on paperwork, etc. and then we’re off to a beach near Charleston for some R&R.  For those of you in the Raleigh area, I have a show at ArtSource Gallery, North Hills opening September 18.  I’ll also be exhibiting new work at the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, October 16-18 in Asheville; the Weaverville Art Safari, November 1 & 2 at my studio; and the Carolina Designer Craftsmen exhibition in Raleigh, Thanksgiving weekend.

Aint life great!

Hope to see you soon, Steve

It’s hard to believe, but I’m down to the last 4 firings before the 50th Firing Kiln Opening on Saturday. I’ll get done a little early, but that’s OK because there’s plenty to do to get ready: buy bags and bubble wrap, take photos, label everything, outfit my studio to show the work, grade the road (thank God for this rain to settle the dust and make grading possible), buy odds ‘n ends, etc. I’ll be doing 2 firings on Saturday: one starting 11-noon and the second starting about 2. Please come early–you don’t have to be present to win the 50th fired piece. I really have some nice work–some new forms and glazes! It should be great fun. I’ll try to post photos tomorrow or Thursday. See you Saturday! Steve

Wow! What a weekend–not only did I fire 4 pieces, I also dried apples and helped with canning tomato soup! Plus, I washed all of the main level windows, inside and out and their screens. And, my wonderful neighbor, Joe Voger helped design a poster that commemorates this event. I’m taking orders for the poster, which is shown below. They will be printed with archival ink on archival paper–one at a time. They’re 13×19 inches and will cost $15.  If you want one, please let me know ASAP by making your desires known in the “comment” box below.

I’m also going to let my readers vote on which style pot that I auction. More on that tomorrow.

I want to reiterate that you don’t have to be present to win the drawing. I strongly encourage you to come early (closer to 11), because I live on a hill and room becomes an issue. If everyone comes nearer 5, it will create a space problem. I’ll probably fire the 49th piece starting at 11 on Saturday, which means it ‘ll be coming out at about noon. Early arrivals will also be able to see the 50th piece glazed and ready to go. Please COME EARLY!

4 firings today with mixed results.  Actually, two are still cooling down in the reduction can.  It was a long day, as I had unexpected visitors in the morning, then joined good friends and collectors of my work–Charlie Ward and Bill Watson for lunch.  We celebrated Lynn’s recent birthday, which took place when Charlie and Bill were vacationing in Canada.  I plan on 4 firings tomorrow and more over the weekend.  I’m looking forward to a scheduled massage late Saturday afternoon.  Boy will that feel good.  No pixs today, as all of my effort went into firing.

Completed 4 firings yesterday, with excellent success.  Also, had visitors–the Giardinos from the Raleigh area and 5 of their friends.  I tried to discourage them from buying anything (ha), but one of their guest, Elaine Spanier purchased a beautiful piece that I had fired on Monday.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to do 4 or 5 firings today, but have to make it to Spinning class at 5:30, as my body needs some exercise.  The attached photo is from the first firing yesterday.

I’m back from my workshop, which was great fun for me.  The students were eager beavers, just what a teacher always dreams of.  They laughed a lot on Saturday during my lecture–it’s always terrific being around happy folks!  I even sold 3 pieces, which is ultimate compliment that your work is appreciated. Bill Capshaw has developed a great raku program at the Oak Ridge Art Center.  They have 3 permanent kilns at the center and many of the students have their own at home.  Five more kilns were brought to the workshop, so we had 8 going all day Sunday! I only was able to fire 2 pieces. Actually, this was pretty good considering how much was going on in such a short period of time. I’m back to work in my studio–got 3 firings done yesterday–one of which was a re-fire.  Hopefully, I’ll get at least 4 firings in today.  More later, possibly with some pictures.

Today was a 6, maybe 7 out of 10, firing day–that’s the way it goes sometimes.  The new landscape bowl form was pretty outstanding, however.  I guess I’ve been watching the Olympics too much.  BTW, aren’t they great!  Once every 4 years we get to see this spectacle.  I love it!

The pieces attached are from yesterday.  I love both pieces.  The ovoid is the one I fired 3 times.

Katie  Graham, my assistant comes tomorrow–Yea!  She does a lot of prep work on the pieces, which makes the whole process go much more smoothly, especially when the August 30 deadline is rapidly approaching!  I’d originally planned to fire one piece before leaving tomorrow to teach, but see now that was a bit ambitious.  Katie and I need to work on mixing some glazes for the workshop and I still need to pack up.  I’m taking some of this new work for the students to see.  I’ll let you know there feedback (unless it sucks, then I’ll just skip it).

No blog this weekend—I’ll be back on Monday.

I’m firing the 5th firing right now, so will make this brief.  This is the second re-fire of a halo opal pot and I’m hoping the third time is the charm.  First firing was a platter with stained glass and glass rods and it is spectacular!  Also fired another landscape globe.  I was able to get some nighttime photos of the one in the kiln right now.  Here’s one for your enjoyment.  I missed my pilates class today, but made it to the cycling/spinning class–lots of energy!  More tomorrow.

Another gorgeous day for firing–cool and clear!  The first firing was an experiment with the halo opal glaze:  I applied the glaze thinner than usual, hoping for good reds.  Results were a beautiful red and gold pot.  The 2nd and 3rd firings were both exploring the new landscape look, also with very positive results.  The day was somewhat interrupted by a necessary trip into Asheville.  First stop was FedEx to drop off a piece for an invitational show at Augusta State University in Augusta, GA.  Then on to Staples to drop off copies of my booklet for printing:  I’m traveling to Oak Ridge, TN this Friday to teach a weekend workshop at the Art Center there.

I usually try to get a piece glazed and ready to go for first thing the next day, but didn’t have time today. I’m still aiming for 3 firings tomorrow, but I also plan to make my 4:30 pilates class, followed by an hour of Spinning/Cycling.  The question is, when am I going to have time to get some photographs taken?

A big thank you to Lambeth Marshall, Ada Dudenhoeffer and Diane O’Malley for their positive encouragement. Diane and Claudette Holt were the students who gave me inspiration to use stained glass and glass rods with my pottery.  It all happened several years ago at a week long workshop at John C. Campbell, when these two brought a bag of marbles and crystals and wanted to melt them in their pots.  It was a great learning experience for them and me too!  I always aim to learn something from my students:  I wonder what it will be this weekend?

Great raku firing day today here in the western North Carolina mountains:  Bright blue skies, very slight breeze and temps in the high 70s.  I did 4 firings, one of which was a re-fire of a halo opal piece.  Both halo opal glazed pieces were spectacular with reds and golds.  The second of these was pretty good after the first firing, but I thought I try it again.  Thank goodness I followed my hunch, as the second firing turned out much better.  The third one was further exploration of a new look for me and I’m encouraged by the results.  The color theme of the day was red as it turned out.  For those of you who are not familiar with how this firing process works, serendipity is the key word, for one never knows for sure how the pieces will look.  Hopefully, I’ll have images of these on this site and at Obaloo sometime this week.  Ain’t life great!

ps.  If you have time, I’d love to here comments.  Thanks.