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| Robin's teapot |
by MaryAnn Carroll
For those of you who have been following for awhile, you will know that my husband Bill is a Wood-fire Potter. He built his own kiln a few years ago and after many firings, he continues to try to learn from each experience and make the next one better. This very involved type of creating requires stoking the wood kiln every 1-5 minutes. He loves it. I love what comes out of it :o) Not only does he stay at the kiln for up to 18 hours (it is smaller than the average wood-fire kiln so firing time is shorter than most), he cuts and splits the wood, stacks it, teaches workshops and also teaches full-time in the Syracuse City School District as a middle school art teacher. During his last workshop for the Syracuse Ceramics Guild, we had the pleasure of getting to know some new friends Robin and Ryan. Robin is in the guild and Ryan is her significant other. Ryan loves photography and spent the weekend taking pictures. He's putting together a youtube video for Bill. They spent both days last weekend loading and firing the kiln with Bill. I say "day," but Bill didn't come to bed until 1 am Monday.
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| Ryan and Robin |
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| Getting ready to load... |
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| Loaded, bricked up and the firing in progress... |
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Break time...
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| One of Bill's many bowls... |
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| Robin's wood-fired peace ornaments... |
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| Robin's vase |
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| My beads.... |
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| Close-up.... This is the beauty of wood-firing. That is ash melted into the glaze. |
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| Another view... |
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| Turquoise glaze... |
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| Up close.... |
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| Gorgeous! |
Both Bill and I are having a 20% off sale. Today we will be in a small show for the afternoon. I don't typically do shows, but this one is small and our local bead shop is hosting it. Once that is over, we'll have more to list throughout the week.
Bill's shop: http://splitfirepottery.etsy.com
Bill's website: http://splitfirepottery.com
My shop: http://artisanbeadsplus.etsy.com
My website: http://artisanbeadsplus.com
As always.....
Thank-you for supporting those who create handmade with handmade.....
Bill's shop: http://splitfirepottery.etsy.com
Bill's website: http://splitfirepottery.com
My shop: http://artisanbeadsplus.etsy.com
My website: http://artisanbeadsplus.com
As always.....
Thank-you for supporting those who create handmade with handmade.....
16 comments:
It all looks so wonderful! I'm jealous actually because I'm not sure there is anyplace around here I could do a wood firing.
There is actually a wood-fire kiln map that was put together. Maybe you might be near one and don't know it :o) Here is the address http://sidestoke.com/worldmap.html
MaryAnn
What a joy it must be each time you open the kiln and see all the lovely pottery and beads! I would be in heaven!!!
I love wood fire work. Those beads are amazing.
I am also jealous that I could not possibly do a wood firing by my house. My neighbors are used to my barbeque smoking, but I don't think i could get away with a huge kiln smoking in the yard, they know even i am not that bad of a cook.
Love everyone's pieces! I would totally have been squealing when it was opened lol. Your beads are gorgeous...I don't think I've ever seen wood-fired beads before, but they're awesome!
Oh, I'm so glad you posted this! I love wood fired kilns. When I used to stay in NC quite frequently, I was priveleged to see the firing of a large bee hive wood firing. I remember the flames shooting out the top at different times for the different heats. I think their particular firing took around 36 hours (I could be wrong though) It was so fascinating and beautiful. I would love to apprentice to something like that!!!!
LOL, Diane.... We can burn since we live on 15 acres and only have 2 neighbors with the same amount of land. Thanks to everyone for the nice comments :o)
Barbara.... it probably was 36 hours. Bill's is small and doesn't take as long to get to temperature. He's hoping to retire soon and do this full time. His biggest weakness is staying consistent with listing...... I'm on him all the time about it because he does well when he lists regularly.
I think you spelled Bill's link wrong - it won't go through. Love you guys' wood fired stuff!
I think you spelled Bill's link wrong - it won't go through. Love you guys' wood fired stuff!
Whoops! I'll fix it! I added an extra i. Thanks!
i absolutely love when you share pics from these firings - i love process shots... if the first view makes me gasp from afar, i can only imagine what it is like in person - but then, that is the addicting part of art/craft making, is it not?
Wishing I lived closer because that looks like so much fun...
Spectacular!! thanks so much for sharing!!
I'll have to check out the link you posted! Thanks!
Gorgeous work, as always!!!!!!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE all of Bills pots and vases!!
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