Category: The Pottery Dailies

  • Zero Sales

    Zero Sales

    On defining the goals of what counts as the reward. Today I was able to sleep in after two challenging days at the apper factory. It felt nice to relax a little after working both the pots and my work … Read the rest

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  • The Artist Collective

    The Artist Collective

    On rainy days at the fair, the first sales, and staying focused among the buy and sell.ย  After the Abington Show in Clarks Summit, PA, I took the pots to Harford, PA, for the start of the fair with the … Read the rest

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  • Thirty-Six Hours

    Thirty-Six Hours

    On loading kilns after a night shift and planning for the worst. All the pots seemed to be fired out in time. After a full night shift, it was time to load the updraft gas kiln and start the little … Read the rest

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  • Firing in the Rain

    Firing in the Rain

    On firing in rainstorms with the Olympic Updraft 2831G I was able to get all the raku vases, cups, and bowls dried enough to fire. I loaded them all into the updraft kilns and started warming them up. As I … Read the rest

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  • Making Mistakes

    Making Mistakes

    On catching mistakes early, error-embracing, and practicing.ย  I was putting on the last few handles for some mugs last night and discovered that things were not going well and that maybe I should go to bed rather than mess up … Read the rest

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  • Night Shifts

    Night Shifts

    Being somewhat tired after work, I came home and went right to bed. I think I got up a little early to flip all the pots before leaving for work again for another twelve-hour night on nights. The weather has … Read the rest

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  • Wandering Off the Trail

    Wandering Off the Trail

    Thoughts on distraction and back again. Somehow I got lost in some dark wood. I lost track of time and reading, and here I am somewhat behind on work for the fall shows, a few custom orders, and the end … Read the rest

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  • Dad’s Stories

    Dad’s Stories

    On reading, family, and storytelling. It was a nice day being with my dad. He went back to work part time after the passing of my mother. My Dad was a farmer, did logging, foundry work, then finished another 30 … Read the rest

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  • Wood Kiln Firing Safety Checklist

    Wood Kiln Firing Safety Checklist

    On kiln safety, tired stokers, and the things that matter more than cone packs. I have been spending a great deal of time thinking about kiln safety lately. Part of that comes from rebuilding my own Bourry box kiln, Ana. … Read the rest

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  • Even Odysseus Sat Down

    Even Odysseus Sat Down

    On suffering, storytelling, and the danger of looking back too long. It would not do any good to complain about all my suffering on the kiln build. One should not write about themselves, maybe. However, I do suppose it is … Read the rest

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