Woodland Pottery Workshop Aug. 4th and 5th

Friends, I am thrilled to share with you the first step down what feels like the "right path" for me.

I'm pleased to announce the very first workshop to be held right here under the poplar and pine.

Join me for a basic introduction to woodland pottery.

Aug. 4th - 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Aug. 5th - 9:00am to 1:00pm

class fee $40.

You may remember that this past fall I attended a class on woodland pottery, and how much I enjoyed it.  I really loved learning the history of, and how the Ojibwe people in this area constructed and used this pottery.   right from the earth.  Now we'll get the chance to make one of these beautifully functional vessels right here in my back yard.

We will lean how to dig clay, harvest tempering agents, construct a clay vessel, and fire it in my fire pit.  Nancy Foster will be on hand to walk us through the gathering of the clay, building of our pieces, and showing us how to add surface details using natural materials.   I will be demonstrating how to fire the pots on the second day of the workshop.  Ideally we would wait a week for the pots to dry before firing, but due to time constraints, and to make it easier for folks traveling from out of town, I've opted to have the firing the next day.

We'll dig in the dirt, and sit by the fire, and chat.  It's going to be great fun.  Light refreshments and snacks will be served both days of the workshop.  There will probably be a nature walk or two as well, and maybe if we're lucky the mushrooms will be popping out in the woods.  (I'll have the bug spray on the ready)

Read more details and secure your spot HERE.

If you'd like to pay by check, or if you have any questions, please contact me at lilfishstudios@gmail.com

I'm really looking forward to a fun weekend with new friends.  The chickens and ducks are pretty excited too and would love it if you'd help spread the word.  If you could share on facebook, tweet it, or tell your neighbor, we'd all really appreciate it.

Thanks all!  Let's have some fun!

wood(stove) fired pottery

I was staring out the window the other day, looking at the fire pit in the backyard and thinking about how I'd like to get some pottery fired before it got too cold out.  The woodstove plinked in the background, chugging away on this chilly day.  The plinking means the fire is especially hot and the plink, plink, plinks, eventually got my attention.  I turned around and looked at my woodstove in a new way.  (cue the romantic music)

Some of the clay beads I made were dry and ready to be fired so I figured I'd just pop one or two in the stove and see what happened.  They popped like popcorn.  Hmm.  Um, that's not what I wanted.  Not to be deterred, I took a couple more and let them warm up above the fire for an hour before I placed them in the stove.  This time I put them away from the direct flame and built a fire on top of them.  A few hours later after the fire had died down I pulled out two fired beads.  Hooray!

I was so excited I had to try again, this time putting in more beads, and the smallest of my little pinch pots.  I was a little nervous about the pot, thinking that if it were to explode and break the glass on the stove, my husband would find my shenanigans far from amusing.

Once again I let the pieces warm up before carefully placing them in the stove.  I built a good hot fire over them, and continued to add wood while this batch fired.  A few hours later I dug the pot, beads, and a few small pieces from the ashes.

I don't know how hot my woodstove gets so I can't say for certain, but the beads didn't soften when left in water so I'm going to call them bisque-fired.  The black parts aren't soot, they're reduction marks from the firing process and are permanent.  I love them!  I made these as stringing beads for my daughter but now I don't know.  I might like to string them and wear them.

I decided to use the tiny pinch pot as a planter for one of my succulent cuttings.

I think I'll fire the rest of the pinch pots out in the fire pit, but there's a good chance there will be more beads in the woodstove soon.  Plink, plink, plink...

Have a good and warm weekend everyone.