Pottery Wheels

Pottery Wheels and which one to purchase? Hummmm I thought it would be the Pacifica and I was almost ready to purchase but than I came accross some posts regarding the Shimpo VL Whisper and so I had to take alook at that one.New! VL-WhisperShimpo’s latest design shares the same direct drive components and super quiet 1/2 HP brushless DC motor introduced on the RK-Whisper. Combined with a sturdy tri-pod frame, built-in table, remote foot pedal and adjustable legs, the VL-Whisper is perfect for professionals and students alike. The VL-Whisper’s legs can be set for a wheelhead height ranging from 18”-21” – or – they can be removed for tabletop operation with a wheelhead height ht of 11” from table surface. Includes Shimpo’s newly designed 2-piece splash pan. At http://www.baileypottery.com/

They have it on sale with free shipping for 818.00 which is the best price I can find. I called our local clay shop, http://www.milehiceramics.com/ ,and even thos they ADVERTISE try to match or beat internet pricing, well they coudln’t even come close. They wanted 860.00 plus tax which puts it at 921.00 something and no shipping. Hummmmm I am doing the MATH ………

Mexican Architect LOUIS BARRAGAN

In 1980, Louis won the Pritzker Prize for architecture. This is an considered architecture’s Nobel Prize. Barragan’s complete acceptance speech and photos of his work.
Luis Barragán, 1902-1988, was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. His training and schooling was in engineering, but he taught himself architectural skills. In the 1920’s, he traveled extensively in France and Spain, and later in 1931, lived in Paris for a time, attending Le Corbusier’s lectures. His travels since then extended to Morocco in 1951. His architectural practice was in Guadalajara from 1927 until 1936 when he moved to Mexico City and remained until his death. His travels stimulated an interest in the native architecture of North Africa and the Mediterranean, which he related to construction in his own country.

His work has been called minimalist, but it is nonetheless sumptuous in color and texture. Pure planes, be they walls of stucco, adobe, timber, or even water, are his compositional elements, all interacting with Nature.

Barragán called himself a landscape architect, writing in Contemporary Architects, published by St. Martins Press, “I believe that architects should design gardens to be used, as much as the houses they build, to develop a sense of beauty and the taste and inclination toward the fine arts and other spiritual values.” And further, “Any work of architecture which does not express serenity is a mistake.”

Because of his interest in horses, he designed many stables, fountains and water troughs that manifest many of these same qualities.

Serenity. Serenity is the great and true antidote against anguish and fear, and today, more than ever, it is the architect’s duty to make of it a permanent guest in the home, no matter how sumptuous or how humble. Throughout my work I have always strived to achieve serenity, but one must be on guard not to destroy it by the use of an indiscriminate palette.

As he closed his remarks, he spoke of “The Art of Seeing. It is essential to an architect to know how to see: I mean, to see in such a way that the vision is not overpowered by rational analysis.”

Hummm ,again eye opening don’t you think?………………

Changing times!

It’s amazing to me how change happens…….I don’t think I am ever prepared for it…even tho I know it happens all the time. When I am in the middle of change, I often wonder what it will be like when I get to the other side of Change? I often wonder about the people that are left behind when change happens and the decisions they made and how those decisions will affect them in the future. Similar to what comes around goes around……Life is really a CIRCLE and sometimes in Life you can see it come FULL CIRCLE.

I am a problem solver in work, pottery, horses and Life. I believe that there are REWARDS in solving problems so that is why I do it and I accept change as it comes or part of the process.

“Life rewards you for the problems you solve”. A quote I had on my fridge to remind me of what I needed to do when things weren’t working out quite right. At that time solving the issues in my life I believed would reward me with the health, happiness and income I desired, it was true. And has been true for my life……….

There is a saying or prayer, if you will….. they call it the Serenity Prayer……

“Oh God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.” Reinhold Niebuhr

It’s funny how a little prayer can have so much impact on so many people’s LIVES. Don’t you think?

The meaning of Serenity… Again a word that is misunderstood, that most folks take to mean a quiet, unruffled, calm, undisturbed, tranquil condition in the circumstances of life about us. In truth what it really means is Presence of Mind in the Here and Now, viewing the Reality of whatever conditions and circumstances that may be occurring … Not fighting Reality with illusions of how things should or should not be.

Hummmmm I did not know that… I thought serenity ment, what most folks believe, to be peaceful and tranquil. However, I have come to know that Serenity really means viewing the reality of whatever the conditions and circumstances that may be occurring….CHANGE!

Eye opening don’t you think?……………………..

Wheel thrown Bowl

My first request for a REALLY large bowl to be used to hold pasta for big family get togethers or left on the table as a decorations with fruit,etc.

The folks wanting this bowl are looking for colors that are greens,blues,and tans. They wanted it to be about 16 inches wide but now there’s a slight problem I am having with that. This bat and wheel are 14inches. and the studio where I throw is using a Thomas Stewart wheel so the splash pan is permanet and can not be removed. This problem was actually helpful to me as a potter looking to buy a wheel.

I like to throw rather LARGE functional pottery and I will need a splash pan that can be removed to work on a pot once I have gone beyond the 14 inches of the wheel head and bat. Otherwise I will be limited by the splash pan like here.

This bowl is already Bought and Sold if it makes through the BISQUE fire and GLAZING!

Pottery wheel

So I need to begin looking at purchasing a wheel. From everyone I’ve talked with they said buy NEW since a used one maybe off or damaged,etc. I am looking into both the pacifica and Brent. I have found the best deal so far on the pacifica. I’ve been told to buy UP alittle more than I think I will need so I can grow into it a bit so the 400 looks like it might work. And thougths on wheels would be greatly appreciated!

Pacifica GT 400 Pottery Wheel is all the potters wheel that most potters need. The GT 400 developes over one-half horsepower. Splash Pan is included. UPS ground delivery in now FREE* anywhere in the continental U.S.A. These wheels retail for $895. This pottery wheel is an outstanding value!Order on-line now or call toll free: 1 (877) 625-7687
GT400 FREE SHIPPINGRegular price: $717.00Sale price: $717.00

SOOOOOooooo EXCITED!

Today was a great day! I sold my first MUG and pottery piece online to a lovely Woman in MA! WHOO HOOO! That is amazing when that happens! I hope she loves it when it gets to her via UPS!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5531484

And I have a flicker account where someone wrote and I qoute ” NICE AFFECT!” on my dinner plate.

So it’s a Great Day!

It’s FRIDAY NIGHT PIZZA!

Mtn Stone Clay Bisque fired and than HIGH FIRED. When it gets too much food on it just place it in oven during the cleaning and it will all burn off! It not very smelly either! Don’t recommend soap just water to clean during firings.

The Pizza well that’s easy: Pillsbury dough already made in Grocery store, Pizza sauce, topings ( Blk olives,mushrooms,tomatoes,artichokes, turkey pep.,CHEESE). And you have a yummy dinner!

Round Bowl with AMAZING GLAZE

Same Glaze (Rolling Green and Purple Icing) but different affect on the inside and rim of this bowl.

I love the affect on the side. I put it on alittle too thick so it ran beyond the finished bottom but still BEAUTIFUL!

Almost PERFECT Glazed pot!

ALMOST perfect glaze. Rolling Green and Purple icing combine to create this on both Hearthstone clay body and Mtn Stone Clay Body. I have been working for 2 months to create this affect on the pottery and I’m not sure I can recreate it. WOW huh! I love it!