potters?

[potterhenry]

Man, no potters here? I'm talking about throwing on the wheel etc. not slip pottery...I have been making pots since 1998...a nice hobby..and dishes to boot....

[NCLee]

Not a potter, but it's something I've always wanted to learn. Live in the wrong part of NC to have much of an opportunity for that.

There's something magical about seeing skilled fingers turn a lump of clay into a useful object. Similar to seeing the color transformation of glazes after firing.

Lee

[J R Adams]

N C,

If you want to learn about potting go down to Ashboro and see some of my Auman cousins. They can tell you a whole lot about working clay.

JR

[NCLee]

JR, sadly, it's too far a commute for what I'd be looking for. That's developing a hands-on working experience with a mentor. Over the years I've picked up a bit of the basics and even done a bit with clay without a wheel.

At one time, we had a ceramics shop nearby. They sold slip greenware and would also fire pieces created by others for a reasonable fee. Their location is now another national fast food joint. :(

If I'm ever headed in that direction, I'll PM to get more info, as I still have the interest in learning more and seeing what others are capable of creating. It's amazing what a lump of clay can become in the hands of an artist on a wheel.

Lee

[claygirl]

Potterhenry,

Hello, I'm pretty far away, but would be happy to chat with you about pottery. Feel free and very welcome to go to my site at www.shegarenterprises.com (http://www.shegarenterprises.com)

I'd like to take a moment to tell you a little bit about my experiences with the pottery world.

I am currently getting my studio (with the wonderful help of my husband, Oldie) to set up for a little production.

I am a long time slip casting ceramicist and instructor in that field, - originally from IL, then spending almost 5 years in Colorado Springs, where I continued teaching, and employment with the 100 year old Pottery Van Briggle Art Pottery as an etcher and spray grazer. That was a wonderful learning experience, along with being enrolled in wheel throwing classes, and being active in two or three different co-ops there.

We moved here to the MO Ozarks, where I have found only potters that require quite a little traveling distance to take an active part in being involved with them, so sadly to say, had not kept up with it for past few years.

Recently, we have added a new kiln that will allow me to fire stoneware and also a raku kiln. I have a Brent CXC wheel with a 1 horse motor that will also reverse the wheel head.

Oldie has built a wet room and also revamped the kiln room to accomodate the stoneware kiln to go with the two other bisque kilns, (one large and one smaller one).

I am just beginning to throw a little a get back into the swing of things, and it is taking time to get back up to speed as to where I left off after 5 years of doing it on a daily basis.

Just got to jump in and get with it. We've got the clay here, and lots of chemicals to play with making our own glazes, which will require lots and lots of test firing.

I also love raku firing and plan to horsehair and saggar fire.

I hope you'll visit our website to take a look at some of my past work.

I'd love to discuss pottery techniques with you.

Best of luck to you!

Claygirl

[Middle Sister]

I'd like to say I'm a potter, but that would be a stretch. Because I'm near a university (and used to teach there), I have access to a clay studio whose instructor is most generous with his space and expertise. I minored in art in my undergraduate program; that was my introduction to clay, almost 40 years ago. Loved it then, love it now. Besides being therapeutic, throwing addresses my attention deficit, since it requires a full range of tasks, clay body selection and preparation, throwing, finishing, bisqueing, glazing (a career in itself!), and firing. The hardest thing, though, is deciding whether to give it away or find a spot for it!

What do you do? Got photos?