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books about potter's lives

updated fri 14 dec 01

 

Phyllis Tilton on thu 13 dec 01


Another book: The Invisible Core, A Potter's Life and Thoughts by Marguerite Wildenhain. She also has another book: Pottery: Form and Expression. Both should be available from Steve Branfman at the Potter's Shop.

Phyllis Tilton

Daisypet1@yahoo.com



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Ed Atkeson on thu 13 dec 01


PT>>> Another book: The Invisible Core, A Potter's Life and Thoughts by
Marguerite Wildenhain. She also has another book: Pottery: Form and
Expression. Both should be available from Steve Branfman at the Potter's Shop.
--------------------------------
Thanks Phyllis, and Ron, Paul, Snail, Don, Cindy, and Jocelyn for all
the leads! This is a great list.

I have one other question, Is it possible to have a gas or wood kiln in
the backyard of a suburban house? 1/3 acre lot on the corner with no
real close neighbors. I'm wondering about smoke and fumes which may be
objectionable -- is there a lot? How about Raku? Do we have to move to
the country?

thanks again,
Ed Atkeson
Albany, NY

potterybydai on thu 13 dec 01


Ed asked: "How about Raku? Do we have to move to
> the country?"
We live on a 1/3 acre lot in the city, and we do raku all the time in our
backyard. Using shredded paper for reduction reduces the amount of smoke
emitted (straw, etc. gives copious amounts compared to paper). Some tips to
ensure friendly neighborhood relations:
- Make sure you neighbors know what you're doing (i.e. you're not out there
at midnight practicing witchcraft). Maybe even invite them over to watch
the magic of raku; give them a little token of the event, like a simple
little fluted tealight candle saucer or something.
- Make sure the fire department knows what you're doing, and that you are
an expert at it. This way, if some passerby reports a "fire" in your yard,
the fire dept. won't be rushing out to douse you (and probably charge you a
fee for a nuisance call). We had the fire inspector come at our request; he
wanted our big propane tank moved to a slightly different spot, and that was
it. We explained the process to him, adding that the amount of smoke would
be similar to steaks on a backyard BBQ, and that we always had a "live"
garden hose at hand; he was satisfied.
I've no experience with wood or gas kilns in the city (or elsewhere),but I'm
sure you'll hear from people in those situations. A lot will depend on your
city's pollution laws, I think.
Good luck!
Dai in Kelowna, BC, where we have SNOW, and our rotten son just called from
the mountain, where he's enjoying a day's skiing. Yes, he just called to
give us a snow report!

"Life is what happens while we're continuously planning what
our futures will be..... and before we know it, it's over."

vince pitelka on thu 13 dec 01


For those who have not read it, the Potter's Shop still has copies of the
Mud Pie Dilemma (about Tom Coleman when he was a struggling potter in
Oregon, before the days of Geil kilnloads of perfect Vegas Red) for an
incredibly low sale price. Call or email Steve Branfman at the Potter's
Shop for information - sbranfpots@aol.com - The Potter's Shop -
781/449-7687, Fax - 781-449-9098. While you're at it, remember that the
Potter's Shop is having their annual holiday sale, with a significant
discount on almost all their books. They have virtually every English
language ceramics book currently in print.
Best wishes -
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/