Whistle Creek: Pottery, Pottery

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Pottery, Pottery

Ok, Mesnic seemed disappointed that he found something akin to music on the blog and didn't get to see pottery pictures so here are quick shots of the cone 6 pots that I unloaded yesterday.If you make it to the end, I have included plans for a power polisher to make those lids whisper instead of grate on your nerves when you put them on your casseroles.

Sometimes when you put a lid on a pot, the harsh scraping sound can make your teeth hurt.I used to wear out my wrists putting valve grinding compound or rubbing compound on rims and lids and twisting them back and forth to get that smooth whisper when the lid rubs on the rim.This morning I got a better idea, just apply your compound, set the casserole on a foam trimming bat, lightly hold the lid still and let 'er spin. Works great!

6 comments:

Tracey BroomeAugust 2, 2012 at 8:49 AM
Dennis, I really like your pots, they are simple and honest without all the trappings of "surface decoration" that so many are doing now. I wish more people would make pots like this!!! All the decaling and scraffitoing is boggling my mind :)
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Dennis AllenAugust 2, 2012 at 8:53 AM
Thanks Tracey. That's the whole idea traditional country pots for modern use.
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cookingwithgasAugust 2, 2012 at 5:23 PM
I second that- and I enjoyed the music!
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MesnicAugust 3, 2012 at 8:44 AM
the music is always nice but you lured me in with the kiln opening title and I really do enjoy looking at your work :)
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Michèle HastingsAugust 3, 2012 at 10:48 PM
great tip! i have always used soft scrub and did the turning back and forth thingy. Thanks for sharing a great idea.
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Connie LoyetDecember 30, 2014 at 10:47 PM
I would be interested in buying one of the items shown on this page (assuming I can afford it!) Is there a way I can talk to the artist and/or buy one of these items on line? Contact me via Facebook please.
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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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