Friday
03/27/09 VIDEO: North Dakota Flood 2009
Wish I were there to help with the flood preparations. My thoughts are with all of you sandbagging day & night, fighting not only water but also sore muscles that can't keep working forever.
You've done what you can, our prayers are behind you. It's ND - those who's efforts weren't enough will have our help when it's over.
Tuesday
03/24/09 Flood at the Clay Station? (PICS)
So, it's spring in North Dakota and it's time for our second or third 100-year-flood in only a decade. lol. I'm in a new house this year, so a little unsure of what to expect in my basement.
From what neighbors have told me, between the old cistern below the basement floor and the submersible sump pump in it, I should only have to worry about a little water that seeps over/through the walls. As of last night, there's some water seeping in behind the wood paneling on the walls near a window, but since the basement isn't a finished living space, let 'er weep!
My "Clay Station" is being set up down there in the basement. Thankfully, clay is a messy thing anyway and I'm not too worried! I just lifted a rug off the floor, stacked the laundry tubs and it should be good to go.
Fargo and other communities along the Red River (of the North) are in the middle of another frenzy to fill sandbags. Thank God for the students who go out to help...they're a huge chunk of the workforce. One county has 85% of its roads under water. Schools have closed because of lift station issues, and those that are open have opted not to send out buses on these flooded roads.
And we're supposed to get snow tonight! lol. Really, ND is NOT for the faint of heart, is it?
I've posted a couple pics I had taken of the Sheyenne River in Lisbon near the dam in 1997, the last Big Flood. In one you can see the ice around a tree after the water level dropped. Some of you might remember national coverage of the flooding in Grand Forks, ND that year.
For those of you fighting with flooding, I wish you the best and take comfort from a community that rallies around each other in times of need.
From what neighbors have told me, between the old cistern below the basement floor and the submersible sump pump in it, I should only have to worry about a little water that seeps over/through the walls. As of last night, there's some water seeping in behind the wood paneling on the walls near a window, but since the basement isn't a finished living space, let 'er weep!
My "Clay Station" is being set up down there in the basement. Thankfully, clay is a messy thing anyway and I'm not too worried! I just lifted a rug off the floor, stacked the laundry tubs and it should be good to go.
Fargo and other communities along the Red River (of the North) are in the middle of another frenzy to fill sandbags. Thank God for the students who go out to help...they're a huge chunk of the workforce. One county has 85% of its roads under water. Schools have closed because of lift station issues, and those that are open have opted not to send out buses on these flooded roads.
And we're supposed to get snow tonight! lol. Really, ND is NOT for the faint of heart, is it?
I've posted a couple pics I had taken of the Sheyenne River in Lisbon near the dam in 1997, the last Big Flood. In one you can see the ice around a tree after the water level dropped. Some of you might remember national coverage of the flooding in Grand Forks, ND that year.
For those of you fighting with flooding, I wish you the best and take comfort from a community that rallies around each other in times of need.
Monday
03/23/09 LINK: Great Newsletter & Free Gifts
I really am loving Ceramic Arts Daily more and more. Usually when I've subscribed to a newsletter, no matter the topic, I've been disappointed....
Not the case with Ceramic Arts Daily's emailed newsletter. It's short, it has purdy pictures for days I don't wanna read, and whether I follow links or not it keeps my head in clay each day!
When you subscribe, they now offer several free book downloads. At the time of this post, I've only looked through the 7 Pottery Projects download, but I have to say I plan to try all seven projects! Below is a list of the offered downloads:
~ Buyers Guide to Ceramic Supplies and Materials
~ Emerging Ceramic Artists to Watch
~ 2008 Workshop Handbook
~ 7 Great Pottery Projects
~ 33 Tried and True Ceramic Glaze Recipes
~ Ceramic Arts Handbook
If you'd like to subscribe, click this link: www.ceramicartsdaily.org
Not the case with Ceramic Arts Daily's emailed newsletter. It's short, it has purdy pictures for days I don't wanna read, and whether I follow links or not it keeps my head in clay each day!
When you subscribe, they now offer several free book downloads. At the time of this post, I've only looked through the 7 Pottery Projects download, but I have to say I plan to try all seven projects! Below is a list of the offered downloads:
~ Buyers Guide to Ceramic Supplies and Materials
~ Emerging Ceramic Artists to Watch
~ 2008 Workshop Handbook
~ 7 Great Pottery Projects
~ 33 Tried and True Ceramic Glaze Recipes
~ Ceramic Arts Handbook
If you'd like to subscribe, click this link: www.ceramicartsdaily.org
Wednesday
03/18/09 The VCSU Ceramics Lab
I thought everyone might like to see the area in which I'm fortunate enough to play in clay.
The ceramics lab is located on the campus of Valley City State University in ND, where I once attended classes. Jerrel Holm is the ceramics instructor, and I have to say I was amazed at how clean and orderly the place is.
I've missed the studio! The first time I walked in after 10 yrs away, I realized how much I loved even the SMELL of the place! Mmmm...dussst. lol.
The ceramics lab is located on the campus of Valley City State University in ND, where I once attended classes. Jerrel Holm is the ceramics instructor, and I have to say I was amazed at how clean and orderly the place is.
I've missed the studio! The first time I walked in after 10 yrs away, I realized how much I loved even the SMELL of the place! Mmmm...dussst. lol.
- The Wheel-Throwing Area. So far, I've still got a few of the wheels to check out. lol. Each is different, ya know! One of these nights I'd like to try one of the two kickwheels, too - I've never used one.
- The Work Tables. There are four 8-foot tables and a long bank of shelves along the back wall. One of the two sinks is also located in this area, as well as the instructor's dry erase board and A/V screen.
- The Glaze Room. This room is where the color lives! lol. Each 5 gallon bucket contains glazes for reduction firins. There are bins and shelves for the various minerals and compounds used in the glaze recipes. Basically, you end up with runny mud. In the kiln, the crystals in this "mud" melt to form something like glass. You've heard that glass is made from "sand", right? Similar idea.
- The Electric Kilns. I hope to become better acquainted with these one day. lol. So far, I haven't had much to do with the technical end of how my pots turn out, but I'd love to learn. I believe Jerrel fires these to Cone 6. There is a larger brick kiln in the back room that I believe we used to fire to Cone 10....don't quote me on that, though!
Tuesday
03/17/09 LINK: Health Ins. Through Potters Council
Ok, so not sure that this counts as a "fun" link, but it could be useful to anyone who wants to take pottery from hobby to career.
http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/feature/featuredetail/2009-02/pchealthinsurance.aspx
http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/feature/featuredetail/2009-02/pchealthinsurance.aspx
Sunday
03/15/09 VIDEO: Thrown/Handbuilt Baker & Lid
Laura Ross
So, I'm diggin' the functional stuff I think. This is a link to video of someone making a large rectangular "baker" (casserole?) with a domed lid. Partially thrown, partially handbuilt.
I liked the way she made the slab lid, and the details she showed on keeping the lid tight.
Friday
03/13/09 Red Clay, Big Pots, & Underwear
Oooo...Friday the 13th! Nothing had better happen to my pots sitting all lonely in the studio 25 miles away!
I threw a "big" vase last night around midnight. (Shush, I didn't get in there until 9:30!) It's the biggest piece I've ever done, I think. It's also red clay - another first!
Beforehand, I had gone shopping for my store (When don't I, right? lol.) Lately I can't seem to get out of a place without buying something for playing in clay. Last night this compulsion brought home:
(1) Herb Mincer - the handled thing with multiple rotary wheels? Yeah, all I saw was something to engrave the outside of a pot!
(1) Glass Iced Tea Dispenser with Spout - I saw this "recipe" for Magic Water that's supposed to be great for attaching clay to clay...and it just happened to make a gallon!
(4) 4ft Fluorescent Bulbs - the workspace in the basement would be dark otherwise.
(1) Dustpan & Sweep - I'm working with dirt. Need I say more?
(1) Dollar Bin Table Cloth - Hey! I can move another small ugly table into the gallery area at the store!
(1) Set of Dollar Bin Scrubbies - I now have so many I will never have a rough pot again.
You get the idea. No store is safe!!! lol I'm guessing if I went into...say Victoria's Secret... there would even be a gorgeous clay-colored ensemble that I just had to have for those days you just wanna sit at the wheel in your underwear.
...There's no picture for that!
I threw a "big" vase last night around midnight. (Shush, I didn't get in there until 9:30!) It's the biggest piece I've ever done, I think. It's also red clay - another first!
Beforehand, I had gone shopping for my store (When don't I, right? lol.) Lately I can't seem to get out of a place without buying something for playing in clay. Last night this compulsion brought home:(1) Herb Mincer - the handled thing with multiple rotary wheels? Yeah, all I saw was something to engrave the outside of a pot!
(1) Glass Iced Tea Dispenser with Spout - I saw this "recipe" for Magic Water that's supposed to be great for attaching clay to clay...and it just happened to make a gallon!
(4) 4ft Fluorescent Bulbs - the workspace in the basement would be dark otherwise.
(1) Dustpan & Sweep - I'm working with dirt. Need I say more?
(1) Dollar Bin Table Cloth - Hey! I can move another small ugly table into the gallery area at the store!
(1) Set of Dollar Bin Scrubbies - I now have so many I will never have a rough pot again.
You get the idea. No store is safe!!! lol I'm guessing if I went into...say Victoria's Secret... there would even be a gorgeous clay-colored ensemble that I just had to have for those days you just wanna sit at the wheel in your underwear.
...There's no picture for that!
Tuesday
03/10/09 The Blizzard Stomp
Alrighty! I knew it was gonna be a nasty storm when a meteorologist friend mentioned "Armageddon on Tuesday" in his Facebook status. I've also been predicting it for months. It's my birthday tomorrow - it always storms the week of my birthday! lol.
But this is ridiculous. I know the Post Office has that splendid motto (you know how it goes), but when the higher-ups make us postal employees go out in a currently-raging blizzard where the snow is 3 feet deep in front of your door...THAT'S RIDICULOUS.
And the funny thing is, there isn't even any mail today. They just want the P.O. box barcodes scanned and sent in on time. The postmaster in Hope went in the ditch trying to get to her post in a 4x4!
I walked so I wouldn't get stuck. Snow almost to your knees the whole way with ice under your feet is an interesting walk. On the way I saw a couple using one 4x4 to pull their other 4x4 out of the snow....in-town...IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET! lol.
I think we need a new, more realistic motto. At least for P.O.s in the upper midwest! Come on, everyone already knows it's a freaking tundra up here...pretty sure the Postmaster General himself would say "You went to work? What's wrong with you?"
So, here I sit in the store. It's closed. There's no mail. Just waitin' to hear from the postmaster in nearby Hope. I figured I'd get confirmation that my scans went through because there is NO WAY I'm making this trek a second time! lol.
STAY HOME, EVERYONE!!!!! :-P
But this is ridiculous. I know the Post Office has that splendid motto (you know how it goes), but when the higher-ups make us postal employees go out in a currently-raging blizzard where the snow is 3 feet deep in front of your door...THAT'S RIDICULOUS.
And the funny thing is, there isn't even any mail today. They just want the P.O. box barcodes scanned and sent in on time. The postmaster in Hope went in the ditch trying to get to her post in a 4x4!
I walked so I wouldn't get stuck. Snow almost to your knees the whole way with ice under your feet is an interesting walk. On the way I saw a couple using one 4x4 to pull their other 4x4 out of the snow....in-town...IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET! lol.
I think we need a new, more realistic motto. At least for P.O.s in the upper midwest! Come on, everyone already knows it's a freaking tundra up here...pretty sure the Postmaster General himself would say "You went to work? What's wrong with you?"
So, here I sit in the store. It's closed. There's no mail. Just waitin' to hear from the postmaster in nearby Hope. I figured I'd get confirmation that my scans went through because there is NO WAY I'm making this trek a second time! lol.
STAY HOME, EVERYONE!!!!! :-P
Friday
03/06/09 First In-Progress Pieces
Ok! So I took pics for everyone to see a few of the pieces I've been working on. The images are fuzzy - time for a new camera! (Preferably a Canon Powershot S2 IS, thank you very much!!!)
It may be awhile before they're finished. The studio is getting rid of the "old" glazes and using all new, so I think in the first test firing of those new glazes I'll just put in a few sample tiles.
Unless I can't wait that long and just hope for "happy accidents"! lol.
It may be awhile before they're finished. The studio is getting rid of the "old" glazes and using all new, so I think in the first test firing of those new glazes I'll just put in a few sample tiles.
Unless I can't wait that long and just hope for "happy accidents"! lol.
Wednesday
03/04/09 Playin' in Mud Again!
I'm very excited to announce that I will finally be doing pottery again! I will be working in the VCSU pottery lab this semester as an alumnus auditing the ceramics courses.
For ten years I've been looking forward to this! Yay!
If anyone knows of any used pottery equipment, let me know, as that's my next goal. Let's hope it doesn't take ANOTHER 10 years!
For ten years I've been looking forward to this! Yay!
If anyone knows of any used pottery equipment, let me know, as that's my next goal. Let's hope it doesn't take ANOTHER 10 years!
Tuesday
03/03/09 VIDEO: Dowel Pots
Hey...ever used increasing sizes of dowels to "throw" a pot when handbuilding? I could sit at Ceramic Arts Daily searching videos allllll day!
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