Updates...

Well, it been over a month, just a little to keep you informed of our progress. Our son's hockey is winding down, so now there is more time for clay! I have our new clay body done and have nearly gone through the 1st shipment. It is AWESOME!!! It throws great, takes abuse and torture of stretching it out, I have successfully saggar fired it, and raku'd it with no problems. I even took a piece at approx 1000 F, and threw it into the snowbank, and it survived no cracks. I cannot wait to get into the pasture to the pits. I have several other tests lined up including Cone 5-6 stoneware, salt firing, soda firing, and a wood firing. Can't wait to see the results.

We are also remodeling/creating a new studio. The wheel will be moved in the laundry area in our basement, since we moved the washer and dryer out last year. I will have water nearby, no more dripping slop all over the basement as I walk to the sink. I am adding a lot more shelves for drying and storage. and a new work counter. I am looking forward to the increase of space. Currently I only have room for about 10 pieces to dry on the bats, so I throw 10 and I am done for the day, or at least several hours.

I am also attempting to give lessons on the wheel. I have a couple a students starting in the next couple weeks and several others on a waiting list. So if you are interested shoot me an email. I will have more time ( i think) in the months to come. This summer I could be in the studio just about every night with a student or two.

We are also applying for shows for the summer, we are staying with 4-6 shows, about the same as last year, we will let you know when the details are finalized.

Recent firings

Although it is January and it is cold in South Dakota, I was able to fire a couple pieces. Here are a couple of them. One is a recent Stoneware load. Chad & Kiesha

Piper Custom Framing

Just to start the year off, one of our local galleries that allows us to present our wares just started a blog. www.pipercustomframingandfineartgallery.blogspot.com Up in Smoke pottery is doing a seminar at our kids school tomorrow, it should be a great time. It is the same pinch pot pottery lesson Kiesha did all summer at the public library and was asked to do it again! Also this year, we have decided to open our studio/basement to lessons, and have worked out our spiel for the pit firing seminar tentatively scheduled for June. If you are in the area or are interested shoot us an email. I did do a saggar firing and a stoneware firing over the past couple weeks. I may post pics when I get time. Its time to buckle down and throw pots for the summer shows, but I will try to update as I get them. Thanks for checking out our blog.

Merry Christmas

As the Holiday comes to a close, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New year. Here in South Dakota we are have fun in the snow I believe we had 11-15 inches over the past couple days and about the same to come in the next couple days. Roads are closed, no travel advised. Snow plows have parked except for emergency situations where they go out in front of the responders. Rescuers have gotten out their snowmobiles for both in town and out of town. I shoveled twice today, my wife twice and we had it snow blown once. Anyway, thanks for a great year, and hope to see you next year!

Chad & Kiesha

Holiday Show/Sale

Up in Smoke Pottery just returned from Worthington, MN dropping off a few pieces for their annual Holiday Show/Sale at the Nobles County Art Center. The show opening is Sunday December 6th from 1-4 in the afternoon. (weather dependent) If you are in the area, be sure to check it out.

Piper Custom Framing

Just delivered a load of new pieces to Piper Custom Framing, Jon and Beth do a great job down there. If you are in the area check it out. Or you can order online from them as well. Just click on their link on the left.

Made in South Dakota

Up in Smoke Pottery is now available online through Made in South Dakota. It is part of the State's Tourism department. The site itself has lots of interesting and unique South Dakota made products. Here is the link to my store, I do offer free shipping at this time.

www.upinsmokepottery.madeinsouthdakota.com

I also am putting a link in the links category.

Firing Results

Here are some of the results from recent firings. Couple from the Pit at the beginning of the month and on Wednesday we did a quick "burn ring" pit. It is a hybrid of a pit and barrel firing. If the weather cooperates we will try to do a couple more of those firings also I will need to test my new clay body. If you have any questions/comments let me know.

November firing pics

Here are a couple photos of the firing we did couple weekends ago. We forgot the camera on firing day, so we didn't get any before shots. Once I get them all cleaned up and waxed I will post a couple more photos.

November firing results

Well we did it. We ended up firing on Sunday afternoon. Started by digging a new pit. We eliminated the dung, salt logs, and saggars in this firing. We played with increasing the ratio of bananas, also played with baking soda vs salt. We also had several other "test" in this pit. Luckily we are just firing for a little stock so we did not need a big turnout. The baking soda did not produce or facilitate the colors as the salt did. The bananas did not do as they had in the past. The stoneware did not handle the firing as well as it had in the past. We will add the dung and salt logs back into the mix next spring. We have a few finishable pieces which I will post some of the pics later this week. On the bright side, the new pit design worked wonderfully, burned evenly and created a even bed of ash for the pots to finish in. We had a chance to bury pit #2 so it can return to the prairie landscape. And best of all the cows stayed away this time!