Posts Categorized: News

Faithful readers will recall that the pots that these birds sat on had ‘issues’ so I had one of my better ideas and asked Frank to put his considerable wood turning skills to work. He did a superb job and we are both excited to see if we can push this collaboration further. He used… Read more »

3 Lonely Lids I had a slip problem on the bases of these three lids but I plan to ask a wood turner friend to make new ones….might be even cooler than clay? They only stand about 4 ” high.This firing was the ‘cleanest’ to date…fewest seconds ever and the fewest needing refiring. If it… Read more »

With the first day of 95 degree temperatures upon us I am hiding in the A/C and numbing my brain with too much photography/computer time. Here are some of the smaller pieces from the firing. There are still mediums and larges to come! Of course, you should click on the images to enlarge them. It’s… Read more »

 Last evening was the lottery drawing for our annual “Patron Show”fundraiser at Libertytown. 53 pieces were donated and 53 tickets were sold at the start of the month. With the help of all our staff and a couple of very young assistants we drew ticket stubs from a pot. That ticket holder then chose any… Read more »

detail I’m moving on to my photo studio now to record these babies but I always hope that a camera could catch the richness of glazes out in the sunlight. I have close to 40 bird pieces altogether so stay tuned. Ivan –  detail

First Chamber…10 lbs. salt So many things could have been taken as omens these past few days…the license plate I showed you last or the Chinese fortune cookie that lacked a fortune of any kind. It might have been the huge turkey vultures that roosted atop the chimney while I mowed the grass below. It… Read more »

Firing # 10 is complete, but who will be my 200th follower?  The firing was as smooth as it could be and all we can hope for is that the time will pass quickly ’til Sundays’ unloading. I was following this car on the way to the firing. Always looking for favorable signs of good… Read more »

We finished bricking up the doors about 6pm this evening. I have been promising myself that I would not begin this firing already worn out and by moving everything back a day I think I’ve done it! I will light the fire 24 hours from now and I hope to be at my best.  Jason… Read more »

Jason here is demonstrating the newest food fad around these parts…tired of cold, day old pizza? Suffer no more, just break out the weed burner and let ‘er rip! Another handy lesson learned from the Slipware Kids… Safety Tip: tuck in those trouser legs!

First Chamber I normally enjoy the 3 dimensional puzzle that loading a kiln presents, but ol’ # 10 is wearing me out. I have close to 50 birds of various sizes and shapes and they fit together a lot differently than my functional work. They are also a lot bigger so I’m ignoring some of… Read more »

Our beautiful springtime weather continues, a perfect time to be turning one’s mind to packing a kiln and the river of fire that is soon to come.  I added a few extra days to my loading schedule to account for bird decorating/glazing…just not nearly enough. I’ve been waxing, slipping, waxing, glazing and often waxing and… Read more »

I’m still struggling to find my focus since the wave of visitors and events that have filled the last month. It finally caught up to me yesterday and I didn’t quite make it through to the end of our reception in the gallery last night. I then went home and slept for 11 hours! None… Read more »

Regular readers here at DFSP know about my week long visit with the British Invaders. Since their departure it seems that some strange sort of levee has burst and visitors are pouring through! The next future Finnegan potter?     My great and oldest friend Henry (from high school days) and his daughter Corey came next for a… Read more »

Although completely unrelated, you must click on the photo below and read and enjoy!  Riverby Books is a fantastic used bookstore here in the ‘Burg and Paul Cymrot writes the best things I get to read. His ‘whiteboard’ comments are legendary.   Tomorrow morning at least a dozen LibertyTown artists will be selling everything from… Read more »

It’s hard to believe that a week has gone by since H & D finished up their workshop at LibertyTown. We packed so much into one week that it’s hard to digest. I’m sure that their heads must be ready to explode!     I met the gang (Ang included) in Cape Cod as their first… Read more »

I just returned from a misty-eyed parting with our dear friends from across the big pond. Kevin Crowe kindly provided a wonderful meeting place and warm hospitality for the hand-off. The ol’ slipware couple and Ang are in the capable hands of Ron Philbeck now, making their way to the heart of North Carolina clay… Read more »

I apologize for the lack of updates , but we’ve been keeping very busy and have often been far from the land of the internet…a poor excuse for four bloggers, but there you are. I’ll do some catching up next week.  The weather has been glorious and the company delightful. Now, on to the workshop!

In case you just crawled out from under a rock you should know that these two charming British potters will be in residence at LibertyTown Arts Workshop in Fredericksburg, Virginia next weekend. Fredericksburg is just one hour south of washington, DC and we still have space available. The weekend package cost $150.00 which includes a… Read more »

Life has been overfull lately, what with gallery openings, beekeeping, and workshop preparations, but I’m still squeezing out a few pots when I can. I’m feeling a little desperate to get enough made for a May firing. I’ve been thinking of candlesticks for a while. Here’s my first try.

We took this first hive apart right to the last ‘super’ where we found the queen! For most of the past 35 years or so I would often quip that I had no hobbies…making pots is what I would choose to do most days even if I didn’t make my living by it.  Then I… Read more »

Our 5th annual “FOOD SHOW” opened Friday night to wide acclaim.,We always open the show with an “Art made from Food” competition and the entries this year were delightful to behold…and to consume! After the judging is complete, the eating commences! Most things don’t last long. Thanks to all who entered. Start thinking of next… Read more »

Just as we were getting used to spring-like weather, winter has returned for another visit. I don’t really mind…if spring arrives early here it means summer can’t be far behind…the dreaded season of heat and humidity. 

This is about 14″ wide. I’ve got a few proto-types for a bird bowl in the studio but this is the first one that I’ve finished. I know that there is an awesome idea here, and this is just fine, but I think I have to increase the scale to really make it work. I’ve… Read more »

Just a couple of weeks until “The British Invasion” gets underway with the arrival of Doug and Hannah in Boston. Doug was hoping to ship some of his local clay over but I’m hoping that this beautiful ocher clay will do the trick.  I’m sending some to Hollis, Doug, and I think you might like… Read more »

I’ll never be a great big pot maker but it’s thrilling to take ’em on! 10 -15 lb. planters…still to be slipped and combed. I have, from time to time, played with ‘chattering’ on the surface of my pots.  I like any decorating that involves the wheel going ’round and ’round. Traditionally the ‘divots’ would… Read more »