tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145074872011-12-12T22:32:46.153-06:00Words of action and thoughts from the potter in the woods of southern Wisconsin.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.comBlogger241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-76775090897851668542011-12-12T22:32:00.001-06:002011-12-12T22:32:46.161-06:00

I've moved! I am now working out of Bethel Horizons as a volunteer organizer. My studio space is mostly set up, and I plan on throwing some mugs on Wednesday. This is a new opportunity for Elemental Pottery. Expect great things! Stay tuned...

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-63981097167426769262010-03-12T16:40:00.000-06:002010-03-12T16:41:38.743-06:00

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-51457850881527486132009-02-11T00:00:00.002-06:002009-02-11T00:07:59.618-06:00

Someone just got in touch with me and expressed interest in buying some wholesale stuff for a new store in Brodhead - the Harvest Moon. Pretty exciting, especially since the Artisans on the Square will be shutting down for good soon. I was planning on cleaning and sanding my pots this week from the firing I did in December, but before I put them up on Etsy, she will have first dibs. I'm all about

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-38020359498922743662009-01-16T20:04:00.001-06:002009-01-16T20:05:25.369-06:00

I have opened an etsy store, and I have to say I'm liking it. Hope you guys do too:http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6438250

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-46538126682619490272008-05-01T13:08:00.001-05:002008-05-01T13:08:41.465-05:00

Hi, everyone. Just to let you all know, I am getting ready for the first firing of the year. Right now, I am planning on lighting the kiln tomorrow, and finishing sometime Saturday the 3rd. If you would like to come by anytime during the weekend, please let us know.So far, our show schedule is small, as I will be trying to get into more galleries this year. The first show will be at the Cambridge

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-20564386470426365132007-05-04T12:04:00.000-05:002007-05-04T12:15:51.765-05:00

The stuff is out of the kiln, and looks great. The ash coverage is excellent, and I got some nice, deep browns, and warm flashing. Needless to say, I'm pretty happy. Here are some pictures. Sorry I didn't have time to make the layout a little better, but I think the pictures are all you need anyway:April 2007 firingEnjoy. Comments are neat.

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-88649254677700695202007-04-30T15:16:00.000-05:002008-12-09T18:20:28.236-06:00

After 40 hours, we finished the first firing of the year. I peeked in the kiln this morning (36 hours later and it was still 500*) and the color looks promising. I will post pictures of the work after I open it tomorrow or Wednesday. Until then, here are some pictures of the loading and firing:The door is almost bricked up:Wood - cut and ready:I used some good bourbon for my lighting ritual:I

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1146161083131988342006-04-27T13:03:00.000-05:002006-04-27T13:04:43.146-05:00

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1141018526893871582006-02-26T23:20:00.000-06:002006-02-26T23:37:13.213-06:00

This winter has been hectic. I haven't been able to throw as much as I would have wanted, but what I have thrown, I am pleased with. This vase is about 19 inches tall, and was made in two parts. I also made a paddle which I have been experimenting with. I used it to create the texture you can see.Also, I have been making planters which I am hoping to be able to market to greenhouses in the area,

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1127836169138539972005-09-27T10:28:00.000-05:002005-09-27T10:49:29.146-05:00

This past weekend went well. About 50 people came through on Saturday, but only six came through on Sunday. It was raining all day, and the Packer game was on. Overall, I call it a success.On Saturday, a neighbor came by with her son and daughter, and a bucket of clay that the little girl had dug from a creek bank in Monroe. The mother said, "She needs to talk to someone about clay." I let her

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1127795465024424362005-09-26T23:19:00.000-05:002005-09-26T23:31:05.033-05:00

My excitement when I opened the kiln was short-lived. When I got the front stacks unloaded, I found that most of the back was bloated badly. Pretty frustrating. I'm not sure why it happened, either. I may have not burned the carbon and/or the sulfur out completely, or I overfired. If anyone has expertise, please take a look and tell me what you think.I did get some really nice stuff out of the

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1127794558006803982005-09-26T22:36:00.000-05:002005-09-26T23:17:17.203-05:00

I tested some glazes in my kiln this firing:Shaner Turquoise Oribe (from Sam Hoffman's June/July/August 2005 Ceramic Monthly article):Strontium Carbonate ... 9Talc ... 4Whiting ... 19Custer Feldspar ... 28EPK ... 3Silica ... 37___100%Add: Copper Carbonate 3% Bentonite 2%Euan Craig/Lee Love/my variation Oribe (from a ClayCraft post July 13, 2005):Feldspar, NC-4 (Soda) ... 6Nepheline

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1127156351588470952005-09-19T14:01:00.000-05:002005-09-19T13:59:11.650-05:00

We fired the kiln again this past weekend. It is still cooling down, but we should be able to open it tomorrow evening. All are welcome to come to the opening and feel the still warm pots. I just peaked in and things look good. Many thanks to those who came and helped.I picked up the new sign for Elemental Pottery today, just in time for the 14 South Artist Tour this weekend. Saturday and Sunday

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1127149032853482602005-09-19T11:51:00.000-05:002005-09-19T11:59:29.460-05:00

This is from the Brodhead Independent Register, Sept. 14, 2005. Click on the picture for a larger version.

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1126500811050745612005-09-11T23:38:00.000-05:002005-09-11T23:53:31.056-05:00

I put together the second firebox cover today. These should make closing up the kiln much easier. Hopefully the heat isn't too much for the cement. I also pulled out the grate bars, cleaned them up, and moved the better ones toward the back. I still have to get more wood, cut it, load the kiln, and brick the door before Friday. No problem!Here's a picture of the glazed pots. Most of these are for

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1126238868317504732005-09-08T22:55:00.000-05:002005-09-08T23:07:48.330-05:00

I rearranged the greenhouse this week so I have a little more space to work. I will use this space mainly for storage, but will glaze in here, and in the cooler months, I may move the wheel out and throw here, too.A week from now I should be ready to fire again. Wish me luck!

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1125689087765460572005-09-02T14:14:00.000-05:002005-09-02T14:24:47.776-05:00

My Mom found this book in her church basement and gave it to me for my birthday. I have no idea what it says, but the pictures/plates are beautiful. There are 25 color plates and 12 black and white plates and there is a hand-stitched book included, all in a box with bone clasps. If anyone knows what this is or can translate it, leave a comment or email me. I can scan more pages if need be.Click

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1125688367328585582005-09-02T14:09:00.000-05:002005-09-02T14:13:51.333-05:00

Here are some scans of The Complete Potter's Companion (revised ed.) - Tony Birk. Click on the picture and then click the arrows to go through the four pages.

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1125626322822664502005-09-01T20:30:00.000-05:002005-09-01T20:58:42.826-05:00

I think I have enough pottery thrown to fill the kiln now. I threw some small cups today just to fill in the spaces and to do some test glazes on. Maybe one of the oribe glazes I've been thinking about.This past weekend I helped Tony Winchester pack up his stuff. He is moving back to Iowa to be closer to his family. He gave me a bunch of stuff, including buckets, bricks, kiln shelf chunks, an old

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1124462508866800502005-08-19T09:27:00.000-05:002005-08-19T09:41:48.873-05:00

This past weekend went well. Click on the picture to see more.I finally got most of my glaze materials from Laguna this week. Yesterday, I picked up two loads of wood from Sugar River Hardwoods, and today (my birthday) I'm pretty sore. I didn't realize how much work I was doing until I was done.Well, before I can enjoy my delicious carrot cake, I have some work to do.

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1123908003325123522005-08-12T23:26:00.000-05:002005-08-19T12:57:46.460-05:00

I'll be demonstrating at the Brodhead Covered Bridge Days tomorrow from 9am to about 1pm in front of the Artisans on the Square gallery. Then, it's back home to unload the wheel and load up the pottery and tent for the Tallman Art Festival. I've never even been to the Tallman House, so we will see how it goes.I spent the day trimming plates and putting handles on mugs today. I want to throw

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1123442170693509842005-08-07T14:07:00.000-05:002005-08-07T14:18:31.400-05:00

Well, the kiln has been fired, and was mostly a success. There were some problems - stalling, no draft, exploding pots, exhaustion - but we got through it. I have pictures up for all to see:Firing:Results:I need to make some changes for the next firing, and hopefully it doesn't take 34 hours again, but all-in-all I am happy.

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1122353810122942762005-07-25T23:17:00.000-05:002005-09-01T21:06:01.530-05:00

Everything for my first firing is in the mail! I ordered my pyrometer and thermocouple from Omega Engineering and my posts and cones from Laguna last week. My shelves finally came last week too, so, unless something happens (knock on wood) the firing is still scheduled for the 29th through the 30th.This picture shows one of the vases I made for this firing, and a little of what my small studio

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14507487.post-1121441161405367632005-07-15T10:09:00.000-05:002005-07-21T00:19:40.293-05:00

I received by BFA in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design from Dana College in 2001. While there I took two semesters of ceramics with Tom Hubbel and fell in love with the process of turning earth into form and beauty. After pursuing a career in Graphic Design, I decided a desk job wasn't for me. I needed to express my ideas in more active, "hands-on" ways. I took a job as a letterpress printer

Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04112655222825522426noreply@blogger.com0