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Out with the old, in with the new…Kiln!
I remember the first kiln I bought.
It propelled me into an exciting passion (read ::addiction::) and side adventure that would soon consume more and more of my time and give me more and more success and satisfaction.
It was spring in 2013, and I emailed this girl who was posting online locally, asking if anyone had pottery wheels they’d consider selling or getting rid of. This is how I met my clay buddy, Sarah. I emailed her, just in case she came across extras. We talked, and soon we both wound up driving to a house on the other side of town. We wound up at a garage with some seriously old equipment, and someone’s homemade wheel. I spotted the kiln, an older Paragon kiln, which was in rough shape, looked old, and I assured them that it may cost a lot more to repair it than to purchase. To my excitement, they offered me a modest price and my new clay buddy and I were on our way, with a new kiln and wheel.
Our adventures occurred again, this time taking to Bowling Green and to Campbellsville, Kentucky. First, in Bowling Green, we stopped 
by a middle-aged woman’s house, who was moving soon. Not only did she have a kiln for sale, but offered me canning jars, extra witness cones, a fondue pot to melt sculpting mold material, and several other goodies. I shared some of the spoils with Sarah, and lauded in our treasures from the day.
Then it was off to Campbellsville, where we picked up three Shimpo brand pottery wheels from a Tim Horton’s camp for kids. They had an incredible kiln I was hoping they’d sell, but they kept it for the kids to paint bisqued tiles. We packed the car up.
Then it was time to head home. We even stopped at a little junk-tique store on the way back. I saw some cool typography on a sign, but that was about it. 
Oh, and we may or may not have ran out of gas on the way home. May or may not. (unbeknownst to me, you can actually go another 20 miles even after the “Fuel Low” light comes on and the digital speedometer says “0” miles until empty hits.
Fast forward, I’ve used these two kilns and that homemade wheel from that garage ever since. I’ve added a few bins for packaging materials and other needed goods and supplies have started to build up.
Then, I decided to pull the trigger. I had a good last year, an incredible first artshow and display, and several custom orders were coming in. I wanted to up my game, get production more cost effective, and larger volume all-around. So, I decided to purchase a new kiln.
A visit to Mid South Ceramics (my local distributor) and committing of few of my firstborns later, I purchased a new Skutt 1027. It’s getting ready as we speak for its maiden “voyage” (first firing), and I couldn’t be happier.
What a great feeling it is when you dig down deep and pull from your pockets what it takes to fuel a passion, invest in yourself, your business, and increase your opportunities to do more.
Porter Flea No More.
This is why I throw clay, because throwing people is frowned upon.
“If we have too many of a certain type of vendor, that increased market competition puts each of those merchants at a disadvantage and it may leave customers dissatisfied with the overall market diversity.”
Not what you said to me personally last year! You only wanted one. This year there’s more potters / ceramicists, and honestly you just have no clue how to run a show. And diversity? Biggest joke ever PF.
“the selections come down to quality and originality of the work, presentation of the product, what we believe will be most attractive to the demographic we cater to”
It must be all the same style. Stuff frumpy hipster girls like. Unless you wear sharp geometric jewelry, drink out of mason jars, and subsribe to Kinfolk, and love teal chevron, you didn’t get in.
Sit like a Professional.
ONE OF THESE
Is a professional potters chair, the other one is not.
I’ve sat on those buckets for almost two and a half years now. O haven’t minded one bit. They get the job done just fine.
I first saw this on GoodElephant.com, where I love to read about Mea Rhee–a potter who has been an incredible inspiration to me. Her students got her this, apparently its the Lexus of potter’s stools.
I recently did an order and decided that instead of investing in new materials, I wanted to invest into equipment. The slab roller, the extruder, and some other high-end goodies are going to have to wait. I’ve been saving for a kiln, but this guy was a good next purchase for sure. It takes pressure off your hips and displaces it accordingly. Plus, there’s levers to adjust it up-down, and tilt. Everyone loves levers.
I finally decided to go pro and get this. Why? Because I decided I’m a professional potter. Do I feel like one? Not always. But do I train and do all the things a professional potter does? Yessir.
Somewhere along the way, I began to train like a potter. Work like a potter. Make products like a potter. Start a business like a potter. Learn like a potter.
So, I’m going to say I’m a professional potter–or, at least sit in a professional potters chair until I become one.
Setting Up
This weekend, my parents came down to visit. And what better thing to do with your dad, than install a 220 line, by splitting the oven-range line into its own box!
After a trip to Home Depot (and then Lowe’s for the wire with HD didn’t have), we measures thrice, shut off power, split the line, installed a box, stripped lots of heavy wires, and ran and installed a new 220 box. Apparently there’s lots of shapes your 220 plug can be. Outs, its the a straight top, and two angled bottom plugs. Mines, the highest amperage plug, 40 amps. Our line is rated up to 60 amps, so no running the oven while I’m firing!
Apparently, it depends on your amperage. Most kilns say “Don’t change your plug,” but as long as it can handle the amperage, and your box is suited accordingly, change those plugs away! Overprotect, don’t underamp.
My kilns are a Cress, and a Paragon. Don’t get too excited though–mine are older than me probably, and got each one for $100. So far, we’ve invested $200 into kilns and $150 into wiring, making my current up-start total equalling $250.
Check out the space! I’m hoping to add a wedging table on top of the cement divider, as well as some actual furniture (non-kiln) to make the space by the fireplace a man-cave–dividing the basement into both a studio space AND a man-cave, but that’s another project. You can clearly see the separate areas.
I’m looking for:
- a woodstove
- carpet tiles
- and an old washtub-style sink.
That’s most of it for now. Check it out!
I Love This Glaze!
If you know me, I love the color orange. So much so, that as a child, I even turned orange and earned the nickname “pumkinpuss” for a short time. Well, nothing much has changed. Except, I don’t get called pumkinpuss…
In setting up my own studio, I’ve been thinking about what my first glazes are going to be. Should I just get one, and learn the kiln first? Should I make a whole bunch of really basic forms just to learn how to throw better?
Well, regardless, I’ve decided that I’m going to use glazes that I like, and do batches–to explore thin applications, thicker applications, and how the kiln reacts with my work.
I came across Amaco’s Potter’s Choice Glazes. And I have to say, that I’m in love–with all of them. Its absolutely going to be the hardest thing to figure out which ones I want to use first!
So, naturally, I gravitate towards one specific one–you guessed it–the orangey one. Called Albany Slip Brown, its a creamsicle-style glazes, that breaks cream-colored over edges, and is an absolute dream. Do I want a whole set of dinner ware? No. Do I want to make awesome stuff and slather it on there? Yes, yes please.
Best Sellers
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Roly Poly Stoneware Pitcher
$85.00 – $92.00
01
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Summer Berry Bowl
$48.00
02
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the Eleanor™ Pitcher
$150.00
03
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Hall + Oats N’ Honey
$32.00 – $36.00
04
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the Percy Mug
$46.80 $46.80
05
What folks say
I got two lovely pieces from Bungalow Potter and really love ’em! BP has some really beautiful items–and I really enjoy the website. My mug and bowl in my casa have added some much needed color. LOVE IT!
I Picked up this beautiful little pitcher from Stæven Lewis Frey of Bungalow Potter last week. Oh my word. It has brightened my whole house. Pictures don’t do it justice. So impressed with the weight and quality. It’s beauty blesses me daily. In fact, I wanted one of everything….every piece I saw in Staeven’s studio was purely lovely. Handmade may cost more, but you get what you pay for.
I used to not like pottery. It was pretentious, and not practical. I feel like I’ve discovered pottery all over again–that’s practical, humble, and I can use it every day and not feel like I have to manage a hedge fund to have it either.
I own some pottery from Bungalow Potter! I came upon this business online, now I cant stop purchasing things! It makes such a great unique gift that lasts a lifetime and there are SO many choices too. It is all handmade from beginning to end. The customer service is very personal, straight from the artist himself. He is quick to respond to questions and very friendly.
Being friends with Stæven already, I always was asking for lessons–but couldn’t believe it when I actually had one. It was unbelievable. I had no clue what I was doing, but made pieces out of clay–I’d never thought I could. It was more like therapy–or playing–than work!
I came to make a mug for a birthday, and ended up making three pieces! Stæven made it easy to understand each stage, making everything fun and never overwhelming–walking me through every stage, and letting me express my ideas–helping me get there. AND I love my pieces!
Katie W.Katie W.
