Not for the faint of heart… or those who hate the twirling teacups at Great America.
But this video is pretty amazing thanks to the folks at Colossal online.
Simple enough… camera attached to the wheel… so it’s wheelthrowing a bottle from
the clay’s point-of-view! Hang on tight while we go for a spin!!!

As seen on Colossal…
Watching a ceramist work at a potter’s wheel is a mesmerizing and nearly meditative process as the wet clay slowly morphs into shape, spinning so quickly it loses definition almost completely. Eric Landon from Tortus Copenhagen was curious to see what things might look like from the clay’s perspective and mounted a camera to the edge of a potter’s wheel as he worked on a vase. It’s fascinating to see the world become a blur while the clay and wheel remains in sharp focus.

Click here for the fast-spinning, mesmerizing, wheelthrowing video!!!
And here’s a few “still-life” sneak peeks for those who don’t like to spin…

For more great videos and so much more… click here to visit Colossal online.

Look what came in the mail the other day… WHOO-HOO!!!

The BEST pottery weekend get-away of the year!!! Mark your calendars now.
Friday, May 6th… Saturday, May 7th.. and Sunday, May 8th, 2016.

It’s always over Mother’s Day Weekend in the St. Croix Valley area just north of Minneapolis. There are seven pottery studio locations in the area. Each with a host potter and a collection of talented friends. 57 potters in total. So many pots. So much fun!!!

It’s always a great time to drive around, visit all of the studios and chat with the artists. I’ve become friends with a few of them over the years. And always end up coming home with more pottery than I had planned on buying. How can I be expected to stop when there is incredible work everywhere you stop?!!! Unfortunately, I’m not one of the “chosen” potters invited to the Tour… dare to dream, right??? I’m thinking “write-in-campaign” ???

NEW THIS YEAR!!! So excited that one of my favorite potters is joining the tour this year as one of the Visiting Artists. I’ve admired Julia’s work for many years… and attended three of he workshops!!! Not quite a pottery stalker, but close.

For more about the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, click here.
For more about Julia Galloway’s work, click here.

Homemade brownies on an a handmade plate.
Stamped, soda-fired and baked. Yummy!!!

Looking for a nice handmade Valentine’s Gift for that special someone?…
Here’s a quick glance of the ten mugs going up for sale next
Saturday, January 30th at Noon CST.

The photos here are for a little “window shopping” before the sale actually goes LIVE on my Facebook pottery page next Saturday. You can leave Comments here, but the only Comments that really matter are the ones next Saturday on Facebook that “claim” your mug! It’s going to be first come, first served… snag a great mug as soon as you can NEXT Saturday!!!

Each mug will be $50 which includes handling & shipping.
(contiguous US only please.)

Mug #A – stamped & soda-fired stoneware with a temoku glaze liner.

Mug #B – stamped & soda-fired stoneware, orange flashing slip with a temoku glaze liner.

Mug #C – stamped & soda-fired B-clay, Nichols Blue flashing slip with a temoku glaze liner.

Mug #D – stamped & soda-fired stoneware with a temoku glaze liner & slight hints of green.

Mug #E – stamped & soda-fired B-clay, green glaze accents with a Shino glaze liner.

Mug #F – stamped & soda-fired porcelain with a temoku glaze liner.

Mug #G – stamped & soda-fired stoneware with a temoku glaze liner.

Mug #H – stamped & soda-fired stoneware, temoku glaze liner and drippy green glaze accents

Mug #I – stamped & soda-fired stoneware with a temoku glaze liner.

Mug #J – stamped porcelain cone 6 oxidation glaze.

Remember… these ten mugs go on sale NEXT Saturday, January 30th at Noon CST.
Click here for my Facebook pottery page. Click FOLLOW and get ready for next Saturday!

A lot of people commented that they missed out on the last online mug sale
back in early December 2015. So I thought it might be a good idea to do another one…
this time, in time for Valentine’s Day Gifts!!!

So the plan is much like the last online sale…
I will post photos of all the mugs here on my blog. Both sides of each mug for comparison.
Then next Saturday, January 30th at Noon CST, I will post the “official” Photo Album on my Facebook pottery page. Once posted on Facebook, it’s gonna be a first come, first served race to the end. The first person to post a Comment on a photo in the Facebook Photo Album with “claim” their prize.

Feel free to post comments here on the mugs, but keep in mind that
ONLY the first person to Comment on Facebook will get the mug!
Good luck!!!

Click here to go to my pottery Facebook page.
Be sure to click LIKE so you’re ready for the big sale next Saturday!

A few people have mentioned that they missed the St. Nick’s Day Online Sale
back in December. So I’m thinking that it might be time for ANOTHER online mug sale!!!
I’m thinking that a handmade mug might be the perfect gift for your special Valentine?!
More details to come…

Fire When Ready Pottery : Voted #1 Pottery Blog for 2015.

So excited to be chosen again this year as the Top Pottery Blog… again!!!
I was honored last year in the Number One position as well… yeah me!
Special Thanks to Clay Blog Review and Pottery Making Info online for the honor.
They’ve been following my blog, and thankfully linking to my posts throughout the year.
A hundred and nineteen times apparently!!! It’s so exciting to part of a wonderful ceramic community that is so willing to share such wonderful stories, photos and useful information.

Click here to see the rest of the list for some other Top Pottery Blogs for 2015.
There’s a LOT of great information out there… stories, photos, pottery & more!!!

Thanks again to Clay Blog Review and Pottery Making Info.
And here’s to another year of sharing… let’s all keep it up.

Kickin’ off a New Year of Mugshot Mondays…
with a quick flashback to the “500 Cups” book by Lark Books.

I was so excited as it was the first time my pottery was published in a book.
So crazy to see you mug prominently displayed on Page 265.
And I’ve been addicted to making mugs ever since!!!

Here’s a great time-lapse video of a very large pot from start to finish. From throwing the base, building it up layer by layer, a coating of slip and then some pretty impressive carving. I love to watch people working. And apparently these large, beautifully decorated pots are the hallmark of North Carolina potter Kate Johnston. Her work looks incredible… might just “need” to make the trip down to Seagrove soon for all of its pottery riches!!!

And a quick side-note to my students…
We will NOT be using blow torches in class!!! Just sayin’…

Click here for the video on Facebook.
And click HERE to see more works by Kate Johnston of Seagrove, North Carolina.

And done… for now anyways. I’m sure there is still some glazing to come?!