Whistle Creek: Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thanksgiving

Blondie knows what she is thankful for !!! Fifteen pounds is a lot of dog treats.

I know what I'm thankful for too. I have a ton of treats : A wife who has put up with me for 38 years in a row, 2 kids who are successful and not living in our attic, relatively good health, healthy relatives, that we worked hard and spent reasonably so we could retire early, that the cars start and the new furnace works, friends old and new. The list continues. I am also very happy that the internet has allowed me to visit with all of you and that you stop by to visit from time to time. I am very grateful to the people who stop by the shows I do and take a little Whistle Creek Pottery home with them. The Prior Buyers Club has grown this year and I appreciate every member. What are you thankful for?

8 comments:

smartcatNovember 28, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Thankful that I have so many clay bloggers across the world.

A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
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June PerryNovember 28, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Dennis. My thankful list is pretty long, but most thankful for a great family and wonderful old and new friends, the loving pets sent to make the journey easier and a long life full of growth opportunities, amazing travels and life experiences and for all the laughter and tears of joy along the way.
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Linda StarrNovember 28, 2013 at 1:47 PM
have a good one, I too have a long list too much to put into a list. so glad to have met you via the net, I especially love your out of the norm humor.
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Michèle HastingsNovember 28, 2013 at 6:58 PM
I am thankful that technology has allowed me to meet and learn from so many people, and you are definitely in that group! I am thankful for my wonderful and successful girl Danielle, and the rest of my crazy family and friends. Life isn't always easy but sure is an interesting adventure.
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jffolliesNovember 29, 2013 at 6:52 AM
You and the other blogs I enjoy are on the list of the many things I have been blessed to have and enjoy year after year.
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Tracey BroomeNovember 29, 2013 at 8:46 AM
My Thankful list is so long you would fall asleep reading it! One thing on the list is definitely the friends I have made through our blogs. Peace and happiness wishes to your family!!!
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Dennis AllenNovember 30, 2013 at 6:21 AM
Thanks everyone .Sending the love right back at you.
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smokieclennellDecember 2, 2013 at 6:21 PM
Hey Dude: Try gravy on those dog biscuits. t
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Why Whistle Creek

Whistle Creek is near the area where my ancestors settled in East Tennessee. It is about 6 miles west of I-75 and 8 miles south of Jellico.At various times the land was claimed by England, France, Spain, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky,Tennessee, the Union,the Confederacy, and the Cherokee.My family was there around 1800 and possibly before.My brothers and I still own the top of the mountain and it is still very rough country. I named my studio Whistle Creek in memory of the Allens who scraped their living from the earth and managed to keep it for two hundred years.

Bricks,Bricks, Bricks

I have two loads of kiln brick at home and one more to go. Weather permitting I will get some help from my newly retired brother and haul the rest home next week. I'm still early in the planning stages for the kiln. I haven't decided yet whether to make the firebox perpendicular to the arch a la John Theis managama and groundhog kilns or to place it parallel to the axis of the arch. I do know that with #2 three inch arch brick It will be a 3"6" sprung arch on top of low walls with a sunken firebox. If i can find a saw that will cut 41/2" I can rip some of the arch brick to fill in the ends of the courses and use the arch brick on edge to make 9" thick walls. Any input appreciated.

The Pitcher and the Nun

Yesterday a couple of sweet elderly ladies came into my booth and fell in love with the pitcher from the last woodfiring. (See last Blog entry) They said they wanted to give it as a wedding gift, then they said the fatal words-" Do you take Mastercard? " I replied-" No, but I want this piece to go to a good home and I believe that if I send it home with you, you will send me a check." They agreed and we exchanged info. It turned out they were nuns.Instead of mailing me a check, they brought back a check and some homemade candy a couple of hours later.It was nice to make the sale, but even nicer to send out a little faith in mankind and have a good deed returned.

Ohio Slip

More Spring Fair Prep....

Today was spent loading a bisque kiln with pots I have been throwing the last few weeks.They are made with a really nice red clay that a friend sold me when I couldn't get earthen red at Highwater. I should be able to glaze Monday and fire the whole load again next week. This is the only clay that I fire in the electric kilns but it gives a look that a lot of people like and I can fire economically. This plus pots on hand and pots I have been glazing for the gas kiln should be plenty for spring fair so now I can concentrate on the booth.

Spring Fair

The main project of the week was to try to finish throwing a batch of red clay that I have been working on so I can get the pots fired and glazed for the big Spring Fair sale that the Clay Alliance is holding on May 2. This is the big annual sales event for the club and I am very happly to be included this year but I do feel a little pressure to up my game and have a booth that doesn't look like a yard sale. Once I get the pots fired, I will have to spend some time focusing on display space and building some nice shelving. The sale is 11 to 4 at the corner of Madison and Woodburn ( DeSales Corner) Just take 71 to Edwards rd., Edwards to Madison, Right on Madison and you will be there in a few minutes. You will have a great time and get to meet 40 of the best potters and ceramicists in the region. More info at http://www.clayalliance.org/.

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