Holiday Kiln Opening Preview

Well, Joseph has done it again; he has exceeded his expectations and produced some spectacular beauties. It truly has been our best firing, yet. Right now, we're 4 for 4!

Here is a sneak peak to wet your appetites (for turkey and stuffing and...pottery!):

Save the Date and other Noteworthy events

It has been too long since we have written an update here, but, unfortunately, this post will only contain the skimmings of events to come, not of the juicy details of days that have come and gone. That will be for a later date, after we get a few of the big festivities out of our hair....

Summer 2011 Video Preview: First Impressions

Upon our first glimpse into the kiln after the new wood-fired glaze kiln took its maiden voyage, we were stunned, perplexed, and pleased all at the same time. Some of the glazes were a complete flop and needed a new firing technique, some showed a glimmer of hope and promise, and others looked fantastic (and those surfaces and textures, we subsequently realized, were difficult to replicate). The pieces shown in the following video and still shots are a result of diligence, some serious sweat equity, and a tiny ounce of insanity.

The Bold & the Beautiful

Joseph has fired this new kiln twice now.  The first firing, we got a minute glimpse into the possibilities that could spring forth from the tiny beast.

This second round, the beast breathed fire, and produced some absolute gems.  We were ecstatic once the door was un-bricked; the belly of the kiln revealed sights unseen at Joseph Sand Pottery.  Temperatures of the actual pots were hovering around 180 degrees so gloves were a must.  We couldn’t resist the temptation to dive into this treasure trove.  Before I clutter this all up with words, what you’ve really been waiting for follows:

View Full Album

We’ll keep you posted as we continue to fire this new kiln.  A preview video will be coming soon.

See you

July 16th

(11am to 6pm, with lunch from 11:30 to 2!)

A teaser

Well, firing one of four has been completed, and, WOW!, some interesting and gorgeous results came forth from the little beast of a wood kiln. Because this is a test kiln, everything in this first one was an experiment. Joseph tried a lot of glazes on an array of shapes and sizes; some turned out, some failed miserably. But, that's how it goes sometimes.

Here's a sneak peak of some of my favorite surfaces. Enjoy!

The Next Kiln Opening: A most festive occasion…

Save The Date!

Photo courtesy of Dennis Pearman 

One day only

Kiln Opening and

Joseph’s Birthday Party

Come join us:

Saturday, July 16th from 11:00am to 6pm

Joseph will be debuting some really exciting, never before seen test glazes created in his newly-built wood kiln (smaller than the other, yes, but no less substantial).  Thanks to the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro for the grant that made it all happen!

Lunch will be served from 11:30 until 2, and will include fresh, high-quality goodness from Fresh Cuts Butcher & Seafood in Asheboro: Burgers with all the fixins, beans, slaw, chili AND something sweet to top it all off!

The quantity of pottery will be very limited, so come early and come ready to eat.

We’ll see you then!

Spring breathes life

Here in central North Carolina, we are blessed with a wondrous bounty of beauty in spring.  The senescence of winter forced all of us to hunker down, ride out the chill, and contemplate what color t-shirt we will wear once the temperature is just barely above the freezing point.  Now that we have finally packed up our winter belongings for another year (don't forget to put cedar wood in that tub to keep the moths away!), the world has come to life. 

For the first 25 years of my life, I was the most fortunate member of my immediate family in that I was not branded upon birth to be cursed by allergies to many things wonderful, some that are not. 

A Glimpse at the inventory…

Up for your viewing pleasure is our preview video showing the shiniest pots we have ever produced.

Spring Kiln Opening

April 9th from 9am to 5pm

and

April 10th from Noon to 5pm

See you then!

www.jsspottery.com

 

Best Firing Yet

Thanks to all who contributed their services to this last kiln firing. We had the greatest results come out of the kiln that we have seen to date. They truly are spectacular.

Thanks goes out to….

Lennie Maynor and Levi Mahan for doing the heavy lifting.

Smudge for providing snacks.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Pearman

Brenda Hornsby-Heindl for rocking the front chamber. She is now the official “Anagama Mama."

Lucy for providing a welcome break and a quick snuggle.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Pearman

Dave York and Trish Welsh for their steady hands and loyal service.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Pearman

Ms. Amy from Jersey for her enthusiasm and eagerness to jump in (good luck on the AT, Amy!). And to Dave Stumpfle and Santiago Ramirez for their tireless efforts to fire the beastly kiln at ungodly times of the night.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the shiniest pots we have ever produced.

View Full Album

13 days and counting until the Spring Kiln Opening. Don’t forget to put it on your calendar! Get it while it’s hot!

Photo courtesy of Dennis Pearman

Spring Kiln Opening 2011

Wow, has it really been that long since we last posted? Spring daffodils and crocuses (croci? What is the plural of crocus, anyways?) are up and ready to soak up the joyful sun and rain.

Another kiln firing is upon us, and we're ready!

April 9th from 9am to 5pm
April 10th from 12 noon to 5pm

We will have lots of flatware this time, planters with coasters, and big pots. And plenty of mugs, bowls, vases and jars.

Please stay tuned. The actual firing of the kiln is fast approaching, so we will have plenty of photos and a sneak preview video to come soon.

Year of the Show

2011 is the Year of the Show. We have a generous amount planned, and we're looking forward to all of them.

Coming up shortly is the High Point Market: April 2nd through 7th. We will be situated in the Suites at Market Square building. http://www.highpointmarket.org/

May 21st we will be at the Old Salem Pottery Fair. The fair is held in conjunction with the Art in Clay: Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware exhibition in the Old Salem district. More info can be found here: http://www.oldsalem.org/programs-and-activities

In September, we will be at the Mint Museum's Pottery Invitational in Charlotte. It's happening on saturday, the 11th from 10am to 4 pm. For more info click Here

October is the annual Asheboro Fall Festival sponsored by the Randolph Arts Guild, which we thoroughly enjoy doing, probably because we are setup very near the booth that has waffles and bratwurst: Fall Festival Info

Somewhere in there, we need to take a vacation and also have another kiln opening. It's a full set-list, but I honestly can't imagine it any other way! Love what you do; do what you love.