Whistle Creek: Running on Empty

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Running on Empty

Every now and then the lightning fast red carpet glamor of being a potter/blogger catches up with me and I start running low on interesting topics that do not piss off half my readers.While I ruminate on a future post that you might like, you can look at this instead.

First, a short ride on the braggin' wagon. I was big fish in a small show at the Middletown Art center.I know some of you have seen this jug before, but it didn't have a blue ribbon to pose with last time

Next is my once a year, nothing else to write about back up embarrassing video. Every time I sing, people say I should take my act on the road. Actually, they say I should get out of town but that's almost the same thing isn't it? I am just trying to make everyone happy. Some of you will be happy when this starts, all of you will be happy when it stops.Sorry about the fumbling at both ends. I cut those out but the editing didn't upload with the video for some reason. Probably operator error. Well, here goes.

7 comments:

Tracey BroomeJune 14, 2012 at 9:51 AM
Is there a video here? My iPad is blank in that space??
I'll be back when I find my laptop. Congrats on that pretty blue ribbon. Isn't it fun to see your work recognized!?
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Dennis AllenJune 14, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Yes Tracy there is a video that works from this end but your version probably sounds better.I'll double check it.
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Michèle HastingsJune 14, 2012 at 2:27 PM
hurray for blue ribbons! it's a great looking jug, I really like that glaze.

I can see the video on my end... and enjoyed the music while writing my comment. (and I really did enjoy it)
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Tracey BroomeJune 14, 2012 at 3:23 PM
Got it on my laptop! I love when you do these, very nice!!!!
My ipad clearly doesn't like video :(
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MesnicJune 14, 2012 at 7:41 PM
nice jug and i enjoyed the video.
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PamJune 15, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Awesome jug! And I had no idea you could sing! KUDOS!
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Dennis AllenJune 15, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Thanks everyone. Pam, I had no idea I could sing either. I think the jury is still out on that one.
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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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