pottery

Proud to be a Mountain Folk

Posted on by pincupottery

I LOVE THE WESTERN CAROLINA MOUNTAINS!

Folks have lived in these mountains for centuries.  Some locals here in Bryson City can trace their families way back – part of this county (Swain)  is in the Cherokee nation, which means some folks here trace their family back before America was colonized.  With such a long history, there are many stories of people that have lived here.  Two wonderful ladies, Doreyl Ammons Cain and Amy Ammons Garza, want to make sure those stories are told and heard.  Their podcast, Stories of Mountain Folk, contains short interviews with folks that live in the mountains of Western North Carolina – folks that are traditional mountain folk and new mountain transplants.  Everyone that lives in these mountains has a story  – and if their story contributes to the art, culture and place of Western North Carolina, Doreyl and Amy are out to catch that spirit – their story.    I am proud to have been asked to be one of the Mountain Folk and proud that my husband, Jeff, was also interviewed about his banjo making.

Stop and have a listen to my interview and stories of other mountain folk, including my husband,  Jeff Delfield.  Each is just 1/2 hour long and pretty enjoyable!  Before I come on, here an interview with Jenny Johnson of the Swain Center for the Arts, too.  There are plenty of artful and crafty things happening in Swain County, my hometown!

Learn more about Amy and Doreyl’s mission to Catch the Spirit of Appalachia.

Pottery Shop Shopping – Gracious Fanatics

Posted on by pincupottery

I wanted to post this fabulous, short documentary, called “Gracious Fanatics: The Passion for Pottery in North Carolina,” on the ‘Kiln Opening’ phenomenon.    For those of you unaware, there are some potters out there (I am not one of them….yet!) that experience a horde of shoppers at their publicized ‘kiln opening’ events.  These are not your ordinary shoppers – these are Black Friday style shoppers:

They camp out the night before to be first in line, push their way in when the open bell rings, grab everything in site along with coveted pieces and just plain go bezerk to get some really great pots.

I have witnessed this first hand once in Athens, Georgia at Ron Meyers and Michael Simon’s annual sale event (sadly, this one no longer takes place).  I got there before the police tape was cut; and when it was there was a mad rush to the pots.  Before I could turn around and look at my second pot, most were already gone.  Around the building were picnic blankets set up and folks hovering over their booty, deciding what they really want to purchase and trading pots with other shoppers.  It was unreal!  I did end up with some nice little pots, but I was both appalled and amazed at the frenzy at which people enthusiastically ran to purchase handmade pottery!

 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this trip to Mark Hewitt’s Kiln Opening as much as I did:  http://www.folkstreams.net/film,254

And don’t forget to check out his link and look at his wonderful pottery!  Mark is a phenomenal potter in the North Carolina tradition.

 

Oh – and I might as well take the time to let you know that I will be hosting my Annual Open House event on April 29th.  Stay tuned for details!!!

THROWING KIDS in WNC!

Posted on by pincupottery

Just Scheduled:
Children’s Wheel-Throwing Classes this winter!

Choose Thursday or Friday after school (3:30-5 pm) or Saturday morning (10 am – noon) for a 2-hour per week class. Four weeks will get your kids started in making pottery on the potter’s wheel.
Everything is included – tools, clay, glaze, firing costs….

$11.25 per hour = $90 per 4-week class
Can’t beat that!
Class size is limited to 6 students, so call to register ASAP!
Limited class size = lots of individual attention.

Give your children some fun time to learn a skill/craft that will give them confidence and build strength and hand-eye coordination.

Call 488-0480 to register.