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.

2nd Kiln Opening Video Preview

Hey Everyone! We're gearing up for this weekend and we wanted to provide a little preview of the beautiful wares that Joseph made this go-around.

Check it out:

Almost There…

The kiln fired beautifully. Everyone put in their all, and we finished on time without a hitch.

Firing a kiln must be similar to sailing a ship: if the captain is not certain of the destination and the means to get there, all will be lost. Thankfully, that didn’t happen and Joseph was the ultimate leader.

We unloaded last weekend and the pots are G...O…R…G…E…O…U…S... gorgeous. Because we cannot wait to share them with you, we are including a bit of a teaser in this blog.

Stay tuned next week for a video preview, up close and personal, of the pots. At this opening, we will also have available some holiday ornaments, ranging in shape from snowmen to stars to little dogs. ALSO…As a special gift, the first six customers in line will receive a mug, the number on the mug corresponding with their place in line. Hope to see you on Dec 4th and 5th!

Last pots of 2010

 

So, this is it.  It’s crunch time.  Joseph’s been in the pottery non-stop the past few weeks just trying to get everything made that is on our laundry list of things we would like to have available at our Holiday Opening (Dec 4th and 5th, don’t forget!). 

This round, Joseph made some really sweet little teapots.  Come check them out, because they are truly adorable.

He also made a couple boards worth of pitchers, and more than a few boards of lidded jars.  Pitchers will come in two sizes, and jars will range in size from small to large.

New this cycle, just for the holidays, we made ornaments.  And, I do really mean we this time (as VP of the pottery, I don’t really get my hands dirty very often).   You will find a range of ornaments for your holiday tree, including camels, reindeer, snowmen, chickens, angels, stars, a lion or two, and schnauzers (seriously!). 

Finally, Joseph wrapped up his production cycle by cranking out a plethora of mugs.  We should have plenty for everyone.  And….for those that show up early on saturday, we have made, especially for you, commemorative mugs for the first 6 customers.  They are playfully decorated with the digits 1 through 6. 

 

 

This weekend, he has been busy cleaning up around the kiln with the help of our good friend Dale Hall.  He has been a devoted laborer here at the pottery and I know that Joseph is grateful for the additional help around the place.  The kiln is clean, shelves and posts have been prepped, and the pots are ready.  The firing schedule is made up, posted up on the fridge.  Loading starts tomorrow and ends on wednesday, with the first sign of flame in the kiln on thursday.  Temperature, and anticipation, will only build from there….

 

Finally, our good friend Daniel Johnston held a very special kiln opening, where he made 100 big pots.  It was incredible to pull up early and see a very substantial line, selling out of pots before we could even pick out one we liked.  Congratulations to Daniel, Kate, and John for a stellar feat!

And it just so happened that a flock of current and previous Mark Hewitt apprentices were at the event. 

Pictured, with date of apprenticeship at Hewitt Pottery: John Vigland, current apprentice for Daniel Johnston; Seth Guzovksy 2010-Present; Brad Lail 2010-Present; Daniel Johnston 1997-2001; Carol Hewitt; Joseph Sand 2006-2009; Alex Matisse 2008-2009; Matt Jones Fall 1999; and Eric Smith 2000-2002.