In My Store

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Some Potters I Admire Greatly

In my final blog until next time, I'd like to provide links to the work of potters' work I admire in a big way:

Michael Coffee (Shy Rabbit) - Etsy Store - Website - Facebook - Blog
Dan Norton (GetClayByDan) - Facebook - Website
Jim McDowell - (The Black Potter) - Website
James Watkins - Flickr Images - CV - Book:  A Meditation of Fire - Book:  Alternative Kilns and Firing
Roger Holmes - Lubbock, TX - LHUCA Clay Studio Mgr.
Wendell Warman-Adams - Website

Well, that's all she wrote for now.  I'll gather a list of other potters' and artists' work I admire in another post.

New Etsy Mud Team Website And Other EMT Muddiness

The etsy mud team (EMT) has been working on the new website since this time last year.  It's been well worth the wait considering the results.  There are tweaks and things still going on, but I'm most empassioned by the color scheme.  I'm the type to consider color then functionality in a new car so, yes, I noticed the color scheme in the new site first.  Please visit our new website:  The Etsy Mud Team.

The EMT, in an effort to interact with more crafters and especially more Mudders (including those not EMT members), the powers that be have created a forum for all sorts of muddi (is that a word?) adventures which includes non-team members.  So, if you wanna get in on the "highjinks"  and rub elbows with the muddiest of muddies and their many other crafter friends, please pop in to the thread and drop a line or two.  EMT Open Etsy Thread.

The EMT also has a relief effort going for the Survivors of the Mashiko Community affected by the recent earthquake in Japan.  This community is near and dear to many potters as it's the town in which kilns and other memorabilia of Hamada have been housed and shown for many years.  The members of the Mashiko Community have lost their livelihoods in many cases and definitely homes and food sources.  Please visit The EMT "Store" Site for more information and to see the donated items up for sale.  The items on the favorites list are those donated items for sale with proceeds going entirely to the relief effort.  Here's the thread specifically for the donation effort to the Mashiko Community.  If you're interested in contributing please visit the thread and any convos can be sent to the EMT "Store" Site for addition to the effort.

The upcoming EMT Donut Challenge is on.  Please stop by to visit the entries submitted so far.  Voting runs 4/11/2011 12:01:00 AM to 4/17/2011 11:59:00 PM.

Well, I believe that's all in the world of the EMT.  I think.  Well, there's a niggling feeling in teh back of my mind I've forgotten something.

Of course, I've gotta put in a plug for treasuries I've done.  Here's the list of all the treasuries I've done.

I've an idea forming with influence from this subject:  Takaezu Bells

Two (Or More) Demos You Should View

I'm a fan of YouTube demo vids.  Here are a few I think should be on your list if you're a potter:

Morris Pottery Slip Trailing - Website - Etsy Store
Charan's Slip Trailing Tool - Charan Slip Trailing - Blog - Etsy Store
Bill Van Gilder On Making and Attaching Lugs - Website

My Facebook - You've Got My Blog Since You're Here - My Twitter

Well, that's all for this post.

Did You Hear What Nate Said? (and other stories)

I was surprised the other day when watching the Nate Berkus show by a segment featuring an Etsy Seller.  The show date was 3/22/11 and here's the link to the details.  The etsy seller was Todd Manring Designs.  The one bit of information that sticks out in my mind was the criticism of the sellers photos.  It was suggested to the seller the background should be less busy.  The reason given was that most people viewing the item are not able to place it in the setting in which they hope to use it if it's in a busy or "artsy fartsy" [my phrase] setting.  I've been toying with the possibility of using a few props in the background of my photos (mostly in the thinking stage).  But, I can also see how they may have a point about keeping the background simple so the viewer has an easier time placing the item in the setting (mentally) in which they intend to use it.  Now that I've resolved the issue (to my satisfaction) with my photos, I will probly stick with a grey background for a while.  I like the fabric background as it lends texture (if you will) to the image without getting busy.  I think my next move is to experiment with various fabric types and such to see which works best.  There doesn't seem to be a link to the video of the segment (I'm not finding it) which is too bad as it's better to view the source of my comments here in order to form your own opinion.

I think my plan of attack for upcoming glazing efforts is to stick with the glazes I know work well and glaze multiple items with those glazes as I work towards building my inventory.  There's really no reason to continue having disasterous results when a little common sense should rule.  I'm in the throws (no pun intended) of making mugs for those promised and for my shop.  I'm enjoying seeing the improvement in my technique each time I do a series in a specific form.  Also, my next projects are one, to learn to throw items that are similar in size and shape; second, to do some slip trailing; three, to make stacking jars.

Well, that's all for this post.  As always I hope to post more often, but, that is not always an option in view of my schedule.

Treasuries galore . . . .

I'm in these recent treasuries: 

                   

There are more treasuries by thebarefootpotteress.