Open House

Great news? Up in Smoke Pottery's 1st open house of 2009 is scheduled and confirmed. It will be at the Elements of Art Gallery in Cedar Falls, IA on March 20th. If you are in the area that night stop by and say hi. Their web address is http://www.elementportraits.com/, the link to the gallery portion is on the lower right side of the home page.

Check back soon for more information.

Black ware tests

Well, here are a couple of the "black ware" tests. It took me a little longer than expected to get pics taken. Both of these have been "smoked" to achieve the color, there is no glaze!
Traditionally the pieces are buried in manure and dirt once the fire got going. the carbon would be trapped in the pores of the clay sealing it and making it water proof. historical samples have been found all over the world dating back 1000's of years.
We stumbled on it by accident following the instructions from a web site for another "naked" look. I'm not sure if I goofed up, or the instructions were not accurate. I am enjoying the contrast between the high sheen areas and the areas that are more matte. Feel free to send and comments or questions.