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Summer Kiln Opening, Blog move and Baby News!

Joseph and I are expecting our first child!  Crazy news, right?  Yep, but a huge blessing, too. Not much to report except that I'm almost 17 weeks along and we'll be finding out if our little one is a boy or a girl on August 16th.

For our next kiln opening, we're doing something special and revealing the gender of our little Sand-ling by providing the appropriately colored treats.  Come join us and help us celebrate!

August 18th from 9am to 5pm

&

August 19th from Noon to 5pm

Also, our blog is moving to our new website: www.josephsandpottery.com.  Check it out!

Solo Show

Joseph's work will be featured in a solo show at the Randolph Arts Guild: Sara Smith Self Gallery in Asheboro during the month of July.  The show runs from July 5th through July 26th.

Opening reception will be held Tuesday, July 10th from 5:30 - 7:30pm.

Please join us!

Preview for Spring Kiln Opening

Spring has sprung and what a beautiful backdrop we have been provided with for our spring kiln opening.  Overall, we are pleased with what we have to offer, with a few new items that may knock your socks off (don't worry, all socks can be collected as you check out!).  Joseph has created some really lovely wall pockets, perfect for that sweet bouquet, gobs and gobs of juice cups (with a Mint Julep?!?  I don't mind if I do), as well as a sizable troop of bud vases.  Also, there are two new glazes that he played with that are quite lovely; a matte blue chun and a rich brown-red celadon.

Please take a look-see at the beautiful pots and the debut of our new gallery space.  Better yet, come see us in person!  Also, the lovely, talented Brenda Hornsby-Heindle of Liberty Stoneware will be showcasing her fine wares just next door in the workshop.

Spring 2012 Kiln Opening

Saturday, May 5th from 9am to 5pm

Sunday, May 6th from Noon to 5pm

Saturday, May 12th from 9am to 5pm

Sunday, May 13th (Mother's Day!) from Noon to 5pm

Time for the Spring Kiln Opening!

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Recently overheard on the street...

Betty: What are you doing for Mother's Day?
Sally: Well, I don't know.  The kids are coming into town, but usually after everybody has eaten lunch, we're pretty bored and everybody just sits in front of that darn TV set.
Betty:  Well, I'll tell you what!  My husband and kids are treating me to a ride out in the country to go to Joseph Sand's kiln opening.  In fact, we're going to go during the first opening weekend and on Mother's Day weekend so I can be sure to get what I want!
Sally: My, that sounds swell, Betty!  I'm going to be sure that we're there, too.  I don't want to miss out!
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The spring kiln opening is just about upon us, so mark this on your calendar:

May 5th - 9am to 5 pm

May 6th - Noon to 5pm

&

May 12th - 9am to 5pm

May 13th - Noon to 5pm

Joseph has been really inspired by the works of potters past and has put that energy and focus into a sizable troop of stoneware jugs.

There will also be a fine selection of vases, short and tall....

An, apparently, infinite number of jars, short and squat, or...

Large and elegant.

There is sure to be a size, shape, and color for everyone!

We will also be featuring the works of guest potter, Brenda Hornsby-Heindl of Liberty Stoneware.  She writes a wonderful blog and is a wealth of knowledge on early kilns and kiln furniture.

We're expanding!

For those of you who have attended our kiln openings, you have seen that our gallery has always been a rustic, hodgepodge of a setup in the workshop.  It's been kind of like having relatives come to visit a few times a year and they get to stay in your bedroom, forcing you to sleep on the couch.  Your room needs to be cleaned up, or at least the piles of junk pushed under the bed and into the closet, before it is considered presentable.  We've decided that is about time we add on so that the finished pots no longer have to share a space with the unfinished, disposing of any jealousy or hidden resentment.  The finished pots are getting a space worthy of their beauty.

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