Marian Williams, Author at Marian Williams Pottery

Tom Turner

Do I get crushes? You bet! Especially when I see a copper red! Tom Turner is my lastest crush.

Recently, I saw Tom Turner on Facebook -here is his link- Click here.

Tom is a long-time potter and quite the expert on porcelain as you can see from his video on YouTube:

Copper Red Glazes - Oxidation-Tom Turner — Tom Turner – Copper Red in Oxidation –Source

Tom Turner - Oxidation Glazes- Copper Red — Tom Turner – Oxidation Glazes- Copper Red –Source

What I saw amazed me and intrigued me! Copper Reds in Electric?

Tom says about these photos above: “From the retro (collection), a chemically reduced copper red oxblood fired in an electric kiln, no atmospheric reduction, all in the glaze.”

He does proper gas kiln cone 10 copper red reduction as well, but these are amazing! Gotta love those copper reds!

And gotta love Tom Turner!

Peace out! Lovelies

Marian

Paul McCoy: Ceramist, Professor, Director

Amazing Potters Inspiration

Recently I was fortunate enough to get to visit my alma mater, Baylor University, and speak with Paul McCoy.

Paul McCoy has been at Baylor for 28 years and wears many “hats” there! He’s Professor of Art, Ceramist-in-Residence, and the Director-Allbritton Art Institute – and then he fires kilns, talks to people like me, is involved in a gillion other things, and then acquires the Harding Black Collection!!!! Wow! I truly appreciated that he took the time to meet with me, show me his work and the Harding Black Collection.

Baylor University, Harding Black Collection, pottery, ceramics, — This is only a fraction of the Harding Black Collection housed at Baylor University.

My main focus on the visit was to see the Harding Black Collection (that post is coming and it was amazing!), but meeting Paul McCoy, seeing his work and the studios at Baylor was an added bonus!

Paul showed me around the campus, bought my lunch at the Baylor Faculty Dining Room, and talked to me for hours – I’m so lucky! What an amazing teacher, man, and philanthropist.

He’s one of those guys that is obviously loved by his students and the university as everywhere we went, – students, other professors, and friends stopped to say ‘hello’ – to a guy that they all obviously revered and loved.

Paul’s work and studio are fantastic! His glaze work, vessels, creativity and craftmanship are all amazing. Here are some photos of what I got to see! (Click on each photo to get a larger version.)

Paul McCoy’s Studio and Work

Work by Paul McCoy

Paul McCoy in his studio at Baylor University.

Vessels by Paul McCoy

Bottles by Paul McCoy

Pots by Paul McCoy

Close up of vessel by Paul McCoy

Plate by Paul McCoy

Cups by Paul McCoy

Ceramic Work by Paul McCoy

Cups by Paul McCoy

Work by Paul McCoy

Tools in Paul McCoy’s Studio – Baylor University

Large plates by Paul McCoy

Paul McCoy’s Kick Wheel in his studio at Baylor University.

The facilities at Baylor are wonderful! – a great deal better than when I took ceramic classes from Hilda Smith in the basement of the old Carroll Science Building!

Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Building, Baylor University, Paul McCoy, Harding Black Collection

Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Building at Baylor University

Wheels in Pottery Studio at Baylor University.

Pottery Studio at Baylor University

glaze test tiles

Salt firing kiln.

pottery, Paul McCoy, Baylor University, wood firing kiln

More wood!

Gas kilns at Baylor University

Side stoking doors on woodfiring kiln.

Wood for the woodfiring at Baylor University.

Wood ready for the woodfire kiln.

Kiln doors

Kilns.

Kiln wall

Backside of building – art building at Baylor University

If you are looking for more information about Paul McCoy, check out these links:

St. Alban’s Mission Market

Flye School

I have to say that although Paul McCoy is an excellent ceramist. and he is obviously a fantastic professor, one of his great achievements while at Baylor would have to be the acquisition of the Harding Black Collection. It is a treasure!

STAY TUNED FOR THAT POST!

Well done, Paul McCoy!

Peace out my potter sisters and brothers,

Marian

Shino Glazes! How To Make Your Pots Look Marvelous!

Firing Glazes Glazes and Glazing shinos Woodfiring

Love shino? Want yours to behave erratically? Trap carbon?

Here’s a couple of pieces I’ve done that did get good carbon trapping!

Shino, carbon trapping — Shino – sprayed over leaf with teal.

Wood firing coming up soon – so have to think in terms of shino and carbon trapping!

Fire away!

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House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller

The House of Clay in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Like Going Home!

Glazes Musings Studio and Equipment Workshops

I met Judith Wagenseller while attending Baylor University – yonks ago! – and we have remained and become the best of friends. Funny…when I was in college I really didn’t realize that her parents owned and ran The House of Clay, a shop that catered to china painters, potters, and all of those between. I took my first pottery class in college and that is where my LOVE AFFAIR with clay began, but Judith was not part of that class.

Gary Huntoon-Marian Haile Williams-Judith Wagenseller-Kerrville, Texas — Workshop taught by Gary Huntoon in Kerrville, Texas. Judith Wagenseller and I attended the class.

We did not really become CLAY SISTERS! until 1990 when I returned from Alaska and asked Judith to attend a workshop with me in Kerrville, Texas. Click here for a post about that! Concerning the pic above: Judith is in the red shirt on the right and, YES, I did have shorts on under that shirt! Geez Louise! What was I thinking! Anyway, we had WAY TOO MUCH FUN! and laughed our heads off as one lady was making a seat and formed it to her butt!!! Too funny!

We have managed to stay good friends through the years as our girls are close in age.

Liz Williams and Melody Black - looking gorgeous! — Liz Williams and Melody Wagenseller Black – looking gorgeous! and Yum!

Every summer a group of us would gather in Oklahoma City at the House of Clay for “Clay Camp” as we liked to call it. It was a great time for Perfect Margaritas at Pearl’s, group therapy through laughter and talk and we even did a little pottery!

Clay Camp-House of Clay — Clay Sisters at Clay Camp- Fran Ferrell, Hattie Wagenseller, Melissa Vanoy, Judith Wagenseller, Sue Haile, Marian Williams, Suzi Swinfornd and Barbie!

Judith has continued to run the House of Clay for many years and it is a great success and provides clay, tools, supplies, workshops, classes and pretty much anything related to ceramics to the Oklahoma City area.

My daughter, Liz Williams, and I recently drove to OKC to see the crew and we had a great time! The House of Clay becomes a family meeting point and I truly felt like I had come home!

We also had to make sure that Melody knew she was loved by us as she was facing chemotherapy the next week. Here is hoping for the best and fastest recovery ever, Melody!

One of the things that I love about the House of Clay is how on top of everything they are! The bisque ware for painting is awesome!

The latest in tools!

The latest in Cone 6 glazes! Check out these beauties! (Click on each pic to get a larger pic).

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller-Cone 6 glazes

Cone 6 Glaze Samples

Cone 6 Glaze Sample

Cone 6 Glaze sample

Cone 6 Glaze Sample

They have fun and a great attitude!

Are wonderful with customers!

Provide great facilities for classes!

Classes are also offered at the House of Clay - love those Creative Industry wheels! — Classes are also offered at the House of Clay – love those Creative Industry wheels!

Offer classes! and have great teachers!

Marvin teaches a pottery class at the House of Clay and was doing a raku workshop the evening that I was there. — Marvin Embree teaches a pottery class at the House of Clay and was doing a raku workshop the evening that I was there.

Customers buying pieces for the raku class.

And she has a great assistant with an ingenious clay lifter device – see the video here:

The Clay Lifter is a device designed and crafted by Clayton Reece. It’s purpose is to alleviate the difficulty and back strain of lifting 50# boxes of clay. If interested in this device, contact Clayton Reece at ClaytonReece145@gmail.com or through the House of Clay.

All in all, it is a wonderful ceramics shop! If you are in the area, check them out. Facebook them as well!

Here is their website: House of Clay

But for me, it’s going to see that friend. You know the one that makes you laugh and that you love to be with no matter what you are doing!

Love to my clay sisters, one and all!

How To Make Mugs All The Same Size!

Creation How To's Mugs Studio and Equipment Tools Tools and Equipment Tutorials

I received an order for 18 mugs. Geez! Shouldn’t be a hard ask! But I NEVER make anything the same twice! I used to…so they want more…damn!

Anyway, after taking Malcolm Greenwood’s class, I now know how to get mugs consistently the same size with little pain! Firstly, you need to use the same amount of clay – Check out the previous post on how to determine how much clay you need for various pots – Click Here!

Tombo, pottery, malcolm greenwood, pottery tools — Tombo in a bowl.

Then you need a measurement device. The Tombo, originally created and used in Japan, is the niftiest tool ever! And I made my own, thanks to Malcolm’s class! All you need is a little bamboo, a drill and a wooden skewer- all set!

Tombo-Malcolm Greenwood-pottery — Malcolm Greenwood – demonstrating how to make a tomb.

tombo-malcolm greenwood-pottery tools — Cutting the bamboo for the tomb.

Easy Peasy! Mine wasn’t as pretty as his, but worked well all the same! Give it a go!

Happy Potting!

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French Butter Keeper

Creation Tutorials

French Butter Keepers - Bisqued — French Butter Keepers – Bisqued

French Butter Keepers-Glaze-Stoney Matt Blue

Butter! Is there anything better?! Australia and New Zealand, I my humble opinion, have taken butter and dairy products, in general, to a whole new level! They are awesome!

I used to make French Butter Keepers/Bells eons ago and had kind of forgotten about them. But I’ve decided to let them “resurface” into my pottery inventory as they are always good sellers!

A French Butter Bell works to keep your butter fresh and soft without the need of refrigeration! Wonderful for all us butter-lovers out there!

Here is how it works!

If you would like to find out a bit more about the French Butter Keeper/Bell, here is a link explaining all about the French Butter Bell.

I prefer a design with NO knob on the lid as it sits nicer on the table. Here are some excellent examples.

French Butter Keeper - Cascadia Stoneware — French Butter Keeper – Cascadia Stoneware

French Butter Keeper - Page Pottery — French Butter Keeper – Page Pottery

French Butter Keeper - Amy Manson Pottery — French Butter Keeper – Amy Manson Pottery

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers

How To Figure Out How Much Clay You Need ….

Creation How To's Projects Tutorials

I generally “guess” how much clay I need to make a mug, bowl, or plate. But as I’m trying to become a better potter and more productively consistent in my work, I decided that I needed to figure out a way to get the right amount of clay before starting! What a novel idea!

Anywho…found this great website page that gives the weights of clay needed for making various pots! Most helpful!

Have a look HERE at Lakeside Pottery. They have heaps of other great stuff too!

No.	Finished Item After Firing *	Clay’s weight lbs./oz.	Height inches **	Width inches **
1	6 oz. coffee mug	10 oz.	3.0	3.0
2	8 oz. coffee mug	14 oz.	5.0	3.0
3	14 oz. beer mug	1 lb. 5 oz.	7.0	3.5
4	Saucer	13 oz.	1.0	5.5
5	Large dinner plate	4 lb.	1.25	11.5
6	Medium dinner plate	3 lb.	1.0	10.0
7	Side plate	2 lb. 3 oz.	1.0	8.0
8	Bread and butter plate	1 lb. 5 oz.	.75	6.5
9	Large bowl	5 lb. 12 oz.	6.0	12.0
10	Medium bowl	4 lb.	4.5	10.0
11	Small bowl	1 lb. 6 oz.	3.0	6.0
12	Large mixing bowl	4 lb.	4.5	10.0
13	4 quart casserole	5 lb. 12 oz.	8.0	12.0
14	2 quart casserole	4 lb.	4.5	8.5
15	1 quart casserole	2 lb. 3 oz.	4.0	6.5
16	cream pitcher	14 oz.	5.0	3.0
17	1 pint pitcher	1 lb. 8 oz.	6.5	4.0
18	4 pint pitcher	5 lb. 12 oz.	14.0	6.0
19	Large teapot	4 lb. 6 oz.	8.0	8.0
20	Medium teapot	3 lb. 6 oz.	6.0	6.0
21	Small teapot	2 lb. 3 oz.	4.5	5.0
22	1 liter wine decanter	4 lb. 6 oz.	12.0	6.0
23	Small wine decanter	2 lb. 11 oz.	8.0	5.0
24	Large storage jar	5 lb.	12.0	5.0
25	Medium storage jar	3 lb. 6 oz.	10.0	4.0

* “Finished Item” assumes Clay’s total shrinkage is 11-12%

** Height and width are to be measured on the freshly thrown pot.

(as seen on website)

Weigh away, clayers!

Glaze Firing Results – There Is A Silver Lining!

Cone 10 Firings Firing Glazes Glazes and Glazing Results Top Slid

I really like to think that clouds have silver linings, but when I peeked in the kiln and saw the horrible dripping of copper red glaze off of 30 mugs, I threw a fit (literally!).

Opening the kiln - it was apparent that there was alot of dripping! — Opening the kiln – it was apparent that there was alot of dripping!

It’s embarrassing. That’s why I don’t actually like for anyone to be around when I first open the kiln. Opening the kiln is sort of a ritual. It is very personal with me. ANY comments from by-standers can be taken offensively – even if they were not meant to be so by the offender. So it is best that I’m alone when I open the kiln.

The red glaze just ran off the white base glaze! But I did get reds!

The results were ridiculous! I know better! But I did get good reduction and great reds!

But…..

There was a silver lining!

Copper Red with Rutile Blue - sprayed. — Copper Red with Rutile Blue – sprayed.

After all the horrors of the stupid application mistakes that I had made:

Mixing new glazes batches of tried and true glazes
Mixing and using totally new glazes
Trying new combinations
Trying new application techniques

A jewel – a success – emerged! Copper Red (2 different recipes) sprayed one on top of the other) and Rutile Blue sprayed over wax on PB103 clay. Simple. Why has this taken me so freakin’ long! Now to replicate!

So what did I do with all those mugs? You got it! Binned them!

In the bin- no refiring or saving was possible! Best to start again!

The great news is that it is just clay. Just glaze. Just time.

It isn’t cancer or death or anything life threatening.

So I must quit my bitching, be thankful for my life and all the good things! Like Ronnie and Sam and Liz (who I will see soon!! in Texas!)!

My firing buddies! Ronnie, my husband, and Samantha Scout wait patiently for me to finish firing the kiln. I think it has something to do with hunger and cooking!

Peace out!

Marian

Gary Hambleton

Amazing Potters Copper Reds Glazes Inspiration

Thanks so much to Anna of Anna’s Ceramics for clueing me into this Gary’s work!

Gary Hambleton, of Western Australia, is a master potter and his glaze work is unbelievable!

I am absolutely transfixed by his glazes – on his masterfully created clay works!! Wow!

I’m so jealous of his copper reds, chuns, and the overlaps! This is what I aspire to!

So there isn’t much out there on the web about Gary Hambleton except his Facebook page. You can see more of Gary’s work on his Facebook Page.

So I did what any good facebooker would do, I DM’d him and asked for his bio. He graciously emailed me back and this is what he said:

Gary Hambleton Studio Potter

Born in London UK 1958 and immigrated to Australia in 1973

“I started at Courtland’s pottery in 1974 where I was taught by Barry and Grenville Courtland. Courtland’s produced a large range of Terracotta Garden Pottery in its earlier years and salt glazed stoneware early last century. A family business with skills past down over the last 160 years in Australia. I was lucky to get my training there!.

In 1979 I started work at Austware pottery making stoneware being paid by the piece “piece work” until September 1985 when I was asked to be the resident potter at the Old Cheese Factory in Balingup. Over the next three years developing my own style of work. I built The Old Stables Pottery “My own pottery” in 1989 where I made a wide range of domestic stoneware and one off pieces until 2004, when I sold up and moved to Nepal to live with my wife Tara and son James. In Nepal I spent time working with potters in remote villages learning how pots have been made with primitive technology for thousands of years, “Amazing”.

On one of our trips back to Australia I spent a summer working at Happs Pottery. In 2010 I moved back to Australia with two more kids Jason and Isha to start again.

I now am working from a small studio at home in Bunbury.

“Inspiration” comes easily from a rich history of form, texture and colour, and from just about every culture on earth plus a love and passion for what I do. After all these years I am still like a little kid at Christmas waiting to see the results and surprised from the next kiln load.

I love my work and hope you do to!”

And we DO love your work!! And I want to hear more about your time in Nepal – so interesting!

I’m requesting a glaze/throwing workshop! Are you in?! He has said “yes” if the situation is right!

So, go check out his FB page, like him, and see more of his totally WOW!! work!

Jealousy Yours,

Marian

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Why Aren’t Potters Credited In Magazine Photos?

Amazing Potters Inspiration Musings Top Slid

I was recently reading the Australian Gourmet Traveler magazine, when I noticed that the bowls used in an article were those of Malcolm Greenwood’s, potter extraordinaire of Sydney.

When I asked him if they were indeed his bowls, he said, “Yes, they are my bowls!! no doubt there was no mention of the maker. Rockpool is using my plates and bowls for all of their mains now,”

That is so true! Why don’t they credit the artist of the pottery in the photo? Often times, it will say, “Props property of food stylist” or some such, but they SHOULD have to give credit to the potter for the plate or bowl which the food sits upon!

Here are some examples of his work! Fabulous!

In a previous blog post, I talked about the “slow food” movement and the resultant effect should also be the “slow pottery” movement.

By the way, congrats to Malcolm Greenwood! That is so awesome that your pots are so gorgeous and that they are being used in a famous restaurant!

For more information on Malcolm Greenwood’s work, check out his website by clicking HERE.

Here is a great blog post on Malcolm and his work.

This is also a great article about Malcolm’s work with a cafe and his innovative design of functional pottery.

Another great web article about Malcolm is HERE,

I recently attended a workshop that he did at the Gold Coast Potters Association (see blog post about that here) and it was fantastic! Learned so much and my pottery is improving based on techniques that he taught!

We are talking about him doing a workshop here at my studio! So if you are interested in attending, be sure to let me know as places will be limited.

Peace out!

Marian

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