Pincu Pottery is on Facebook!

Hey there! If you are a Facebook user, it is time to become a FAN OF PINCU POTTERY!

Join the ranks and hear about what is happening @ Pincu Pottery.

Friday Night Goes to Pot, a group class, was a HIT last night.  Three generations of beautiful ladies came to have some muddy fun.    Pictures are up on the Pincu Pottery Facebook page.

Here is a sample photo from the evening:

3 generations join Pincu Pottery for Friday Goes to Pot!

3 generations join Pincu Pottery for Friday Goes to Pot!

Manabigama Part 1

Southwestern Community College, here at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has begun to build their Manabigama wood kiln!

The shed has been up for some time, but the weather has not cooperated – especially at night when class meets.

Our first hurdle has been met – our slab is not level which means the concrete block that supports the chamber is not level. Our firebox turned out to be off and so the final cap block for the base will not allow for our row 12 brick to create a flush kiln floor.

SCC team checks the level

Britt is cleaning up, others check level and discuss

Before that, we were cruising along with concrete block and firebrick. Goldart and water make the mud to stick the bricks together.

Begin Manabigama - firebox

Firebox started for Manabigama kiln

Joe Frank McKee is our captain. Hopefully with him in charge, we will have a beautifully firing kiln that lasts and lasts and lasts. We are hoping to make this a wood/soda kiln.

While some bricked and bricked, Scott began mapping out the arch form. He is a carpenter and so will create the form. He also will help us level the kiln by making forms for pouring concrete. The concrete will level the kiln floor. Softbrick and firebrick will go on top to make the inside kiln floor.

Scott mapping arch form

Scott mapping arch form

So far, we have 3 electric kilns, one updraft gas kiln, one raku kiln and 2 test kilns (electric). Not too shabby for a community college!

Classes starting soon!

The Heritage Arts Institute at Southwestern Community College is about to begin a new set of classes – starting September 14.

I will be teaching a glaze & clay calculation class – all about materials needed to make clay objects.  This will truly be an ‘academic’ type class, complete with a required text, “Clay and Glazes for the Potter,” by Daniel Rhodes.  I love glaze mixing – it reminds me of cooking, my other love – so this should be a good class.

I will also be teaching the Intermediate Wheel class, History of Ceramics and Low Fire Ceramics.   Check my history page for links to ceramic history sites.

Joe Frank McKee will also be teaching.  This time, Joe Frank teaches handbuilding!   Also on his plate is a Joined Vessels class.  That should be a good one.

Doug Hubbs will also be teaching his usual Beginning Potters Wheel.

Don’t miss out!  Click on the link to register or find out more about times classes meet, etc.!

Some student work:

Marvine's butter dish

Marvine's butter dish

Beth's first teapot

Beth's first teapot