Monday, November 10, 2008

October 2008 Digger Mountain Anagama Firing

We fired Jay Widmer's Digger Mountain anagama kiln near Alsea, Oregon, October 24-26, 2008 and opened and unloaded the kiln Octover 31. This was another really nice firing from this kiln. We emphasized side-stoking the kiln with more wood than usual using more maple and wet alder in both the side-stokes and front stokes than in past firings. The result was more ash and color throughout the kiln and much more ash and color behind the stoke alley. There also appeared to be much more irridescence on the pots. Due to the more aggressive side-stoking we stalled the kiln near the end of the firing by blocking the mouse ports for the side-stoke alley. Once we cleared those the kiln took off. As a consequence we fired a little longer than usual to make sure we held the kiln at a high enough temperature at the end of the firing -- it was well worth it when opened the kiln and unloaded one beautiful piece after another! See my website at tedernstpottery.com to see more pictures of the firing. Once I get some pictures taken of the individual pots I'll post them on my website.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Wildfire Pottery Showcase in Bend, Oregon

This weekend, November 8th and 9th, I will be participating in the Wildfire Pottery Showcase 2008 show in Bend, Oregon at the Seven Peaks School (19660 Mountaineer Way -- off of Mt. Washington Drive). This is the 4th annual show and sale presented by the Clay Guild of the Cascades. The show and sale features over 25 Oregon clay artists and includes demonstrations and kid's clay area. I will be doing a demnostration on Sunday morning from 10:30-11:30. If you are in the Bend area stop by and say Hi!