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!