Peering into the top opening of the kiln

Get your mind out of the gutter, of course I meant a kiln firing! I realized this afternoon that I don't think I have ever posted a photograph of the interior of one of my kiln firings. I liked this shot as it caught the licking flame on the right side of the opening.

Kiln loaded up with bisque ware

There was also some molten salt action this afternoon after salting. This is not the first time this has happened but it is the first time I have had my camera on hand. Do not worry though, no brush fires, and it was contained. It actually cooled quite quickly and made a tinkling sound as it cooled and cracked!

Molten salt action

Molten salt action

I am gearing up for the Triad Pottery Festival show this coming Sunday and to get some more things on Etsy! I should be unloading the kiln on Friday, so I will post the results!

Bramble Ridge Orchard's orchards!

Or, Kentucky for those who did not catch the vernacular! Last weekend I had the pleasure of returning to Bramble Ridge Orchard in Mount Sterling, Kentucky for their Apple Butter Days. Bramble Ridge Orchard supported my pottery when I was just getting started at Berea. Cindy and Terry, who own the orchard, are wonderful people and supportive of my work and the arts in general.  

The weather was fantastic, so I set my pottery up without the tent. I also could not stay through the afternoon as I had to leave for a wedding, so that made breaking things down a little easier. It was so nice to see familiar faces and to meet people who had been buying my pottery for years at the Orchard.

My display

Inside of their barn there was fresh apple butter being made. The smell was unbelievably delicious, and the product was wonderfully tasty!

Making apple butter

If you missed the Apple Butter Days and are in the Mount Sterling area, be sure to stop by Bramble Ridge Orchard to see the new inventory of pottery I left for sale!

Courtesy, Antiques and the Arts

"Warrented to be Ston Ware" was scrawled across the side of a large piece of pottery which I had the pleasure of seeing this past weekend in Tennessee.  I had the chance to visit the Museum of East Tennessee in Knoxville where they have an exhibition entitled "Tennessee Turned: Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee, 1800-1900." I was unable to take photos inside of the exhibition, but want to share some photos from an article by Antiques and the Arts. On many of the earthenware pieces, and some of the stoneware pieces were these amazing, gargantuan handles which I was particularly enamored with.

Courtesy, Antiques and the Arts

The manganese on the earthenware pieces was very glittery, which made me wonder whether there is a high percentage of mica in the manganese, or whether there is another mineral which creates that look. The stoneware pieces were not only beautiful, but some of them were jaw-dropping. Particularly, the water coolers fascinated me including this piece made by T.W. Craven and Co., a branch of the Cravens from North Carolina who relocated to Tennessee.

The Germanic pieces with lush decorations certainly had my eye and it was love at first sight.

These pieces reminded me a lot of New York and Connecticut pieces, so I am intrigued to learn more about the history of these potters. I was told that Carole Wahler, who curated the exhibition, is working on an exhibition companion to be published at the end of the month.  In the meantime, I might have to start writing "Warrented to be Ston Ware" on the sides of some pieces!
This is a great video from Antiques and the Arts highlighting other pieces from the exhibition. Enjoy!