Primitive pottery

DIY Primitive Pottery Firing: Today, ceramics are all around you. The bowls and plates that food is served on, the inside of electronics that I am typing with and you are reading on, and toilets where the contents of those bowls and plates are returned. But have you ever t…

Success! I fired my "homemade" clay-(see my previous post for directions to dig and screen your own clay)- in my little backyard fireplace. I learned so much and it was really fun so I plan to do it again soon. Besides, I've got 15 lbs of clay to play with. If you try this, BE SAFE. Two of the pots exploded- not a project for kids without close adult supervision, and safe practices- protective clothing, face gear, tongs, gloves- you get the picture. My initial feelings after reading a few…

From filmmaker Steve Olpin comes a short documentary (a 'documentary poem') called Earth and Fire, about artist and primitive potter Kelly Magleby.

DIY Primitive Pottery Firing: Today, ceramics are all around you. The bowls and plates that food is served on, the inside of electronics that I am typing with and you are reading on, and toilets where the contents of those bowls and plates are returned. But have you ever t…

What was the pottery used for?

The knowledge of how to transform mud into pottery signifies a major leap forward for prehistoric cultures, and until the development of metal cooking pots, ceramic pottery was the pinnacle of cooking technology. Clay pots are lighter than soapstone and easier to transport. They also heat up faster than stone vessels and can be made in much larger sizes than stone vessels (e.g. big enough to feed a village from one pot). To make your own clay pot, likely smaller than the village sized pot…

The definitive guide to open, outdoor pottery firing without a kiln. Step by step instructions with photos showing this ancient process.

Primitive Pottery Wood Firing Updraft Kiln: Every summer I spend two weeks 'off grid' in a cabin by a lake in Jura, France. Last year I finally realized that beneath the first layer of grey mud we have to tread on to reach deep water, the more compact layer is in fact white clay. This summe…

Sold at auction Anasazi Black-on-white Pottery Pitcher for sale in auction. Auction Number 3005B, Lot Number 322. Bid on similar items for sale at auction