Clayspace Co-op Kiln Building Event!

Boo-yaa! Another Clayspace Co-op event is coming up and this one could involve you! This summer, Josh Copus and Eric Knoche, members of the Clayspace Co-op, are leading a three week kiln-building workshop in Marshall, NC. The best part? It's free. Two kilns, three weeks, eight participants. Again, it's free. There are some details you should know, and there is an application process. There is detailed information about the workshop and the application process at www.clayspace.org/kilnbuildingworkshop. Also, there's a blog! Go to www.carolinakilnbuild.blogspot.com/ to read a few great posts about kilns and kiln building.

Postcard that was distributed at NCECA

Stack of kiln brick waiting to be put to use

Learn by doing. Intentions are everything. With our thoughts we make the world.

Firing results and PICTURES!!!

First of all, you may have noticed that I don't post unless I have pictures to share. That's just how I roll.

Well, the firing went very well. Pretty even heat overall and pretty pots. I think I only had two pots that I can't sell = awesome. This little kiln of mine is producing some amazing surfaces, both on the flashing slips and on the raw clay. And I'm really diggin' the combination of both on one pot. My tile 6 slip is got some incredible crackin' goin' on. Let's just say I'm happy with the firing.

I unloaded the kiln this afternoon, took the pots to my studio, The Clayspace Co-op, and cleaned and priced them. My local gallery, American Folk Art Gallery, is coming by the studio in the morning to by some pots from me wholesale. She gets pick of the litter of this kiln load. Just in time. I'm headed to NCECA on wednesday. How conveeeenient. So check out the pics already....

Back Stack

Front Stack

Cones from left to right: 7, 9, 10, 11

various forms and decoration

Combination of raw clay and slipped surface

100% Tile 6 and 2% bentonite, applied somewhat thick by pouring

Firing the Kiln

I finished loading the kiln last night around midnight. I'm a little under the weather and loading was zero fun. My son, Coleman, brought me home a special gift from daycare in the form of a cold. Yuck. Anyway, my wife, Carrie, worked all day yesterday and had some things to do in the evening, so I got a late start loading. Well, I got everything in, except a large bottle. I was loading it into the kiln and wacked it on the roof. Greenware doesn't respond well to wacks. Sucks, cause that was a nice one. Oh well, I've learned not to get to attached to pots. Below is a couple pics of the back and front stack. I'm firing now and will be done late night. I'll try and post results. This kiln load will be unloaded Monday and much of it will be given to my local gallery on Tuesday, then off to NCECA on Wednesday. Busy, busy, busy!

Back Stack

Front Stack

Clayspace Field Trip!

New brochure :: Outside :: Unfolds into a poster

New brochure :: Inside

So, I'm finally making it to NCECA after several years of missing out. I haven't attended the conference since it was in Charlotte, NC. Was that 2001? Anyway, this year the conference is being held in Phoenix. I fly out with Eric Knoche and Josh Copus on Wednesday morning out of Charlotte. We are very excited! We're calling it a "Clayspace Fieldtrip." I just designed and printed 5000 brochures that explains Clayspace and highlight each member. We'll be passing these out to folks throughout the week. If you'd like one, email me your address at carpenterpottery at bellsouth dot net.

I'm also participating in a large exhibition in Phoenix's Icehouse Gallery at NCECA. It's called "Phoenix Rising." There are 18 artists in the show, both well known and less known (me). CERF has sponsered the show. Each artist donated a special piece for silent auction to benefit CERF. For those attending NCECA, the Icehouse Gallery is on Shuttle Stop #1 and there's an opening reception Friday night. I have around 15 pieces in the show. We had to fill 3600 sq. ft. See you there.

Phoenix Rising :: Postcard Image