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March 5, 2018RakuDavid

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David Todd

otterpottery

74 Johnson Avenue
Markerville, Alberta -
Phone 403-638-5177
Oops! My hand was too big for the greenware mug an Oops! My hand was too big for the greenware mug and the wall of the cup broke. Suddenly, they became candle holders. An accident can trigger a new way to think about what to make. Join us for #Sundre #potteryclasses starting the week of July 9th. For the summer classes are available afternoons and evenings. Visit http://www.potteryclasses.page for details. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #art #wheelthrowing #ceramics
#potteryclasses in #Sundre are starting up the wee #potteryclasses in #Sundre are starting up the week of November 5th. To enroll go to http://www.otterpottery.com/pottery-classes/ . This teapot is out of the last wood firing. We reached 2228 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of the wood used burnt very hot but gave little of the desired ash deposits. Next time I could blow wood ashes into the fire to amp up the runs. Still a lovely pot. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #woodfiredpottery #lessons #arts #woodfired #teapot
When people start to learn pottery, you start simp When people start to learn pottery, you start simple then progress to more difficult. Pinch pots come first, then slab building, coil assembling and then on the wheel. Working on a wheel uses a lot of the techniques you started with. The #potteryclasses I offer here in Sundre, start with pinch pots. It is a good place to start to see when you squeeze clay, how you do it affects the direction it moves. While people are struggling with making a vase I work along with them to show how to not end up with a bowl. I connected two demonstration pinch vases quickly and created this ogre’s head. People discover that pinching clay in a controlled way is not at a kindergarten level – but maybe a grade 5!! I have pottery classes here in Sundre starting July 1st. There will also be some classes aimed as a day camp for kids. Book Early! #Sundre #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #potteryclasses #sculpture
With the #potteryclasses here in Sundre being 6 we With the #potteryclasses here in Sundre being 6 weeks in length, undoubtly Klohe will help you with your work creations. She is an excellent gauge of the size of the pottery being made. She often tests many pieces. Nothing worse than a bowl that is too small. She will coach you along with your work.
Pottery classes are just about finished for the ye Pottery classes are just about finished for the year. After many years of making pottery and giving lessons, I have my own teaching method. Everyone got to make a cup or bowl on their first night trying the wheel. Some made several vases. It is wonderful to see everyone so happy and excited about the success of their first go at the wheel. Join us for #potteryclasses in #Sundre. Visit http://www.potteryclasses.page for details. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #arts #Christmas #raku #newyears #2019
Here in Alberta, agriculture is an important part Here in Alberta, agriculture is an important part of our economy. As the seasons change, the fields are worked with ploughs, harrows and fertilizing vehicles. The long flowing lines of tracks break up the flat fields and reveal the contours of the land. The textured surface on the cylinder gives long fluid lines for your eyes to flow over. The variable raku glaze moves details forward or back. It is more sculpture than pottery. Join us for #potteryclasses in #Sundre. Visit http://www.potteryclasses.page for details. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #arts #Christmas #raku #newyears #farming #sculpture
For pet memorials, a ceramic coaster with your pet For pet memorials, a ceramic coaster with your pet’s paw imprint can be made for resting on the table or placing on a wall. Also, a picture of a paw print can be added to the side of an urn or memorial vase. #Sundre #potteryclasses #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #handbuiltpottery #lessons #arts #slabbuiltpottery #urn #memorial
The kiln was unloaded today. It is just like Chris The kiln was unloaded today. It is just like Christmas pulling out the new creations from the kiln. It was a successful firing of the “Pick a mug and glaze it” evening in Sundre last Thursday. The women’s group from #Innisfail have many mugs to show for their evening of fun. Also, a platter made by a student from the 6-week #pottery course. Join in on one of the #potteryclasses here in #Sundre. Great fun for anyone. #Olds #Carstairs #Didsbury #Bowden #RedDeer
A favorite raku dish where there so much happening A favorite raku dish where there so much happening in a small space.The #potteryclasses here in #Sundre still have room for students. Everyone is welcome. Sundre #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #Raku
The #Sundre #potteryclasses will be starting the w The #Sundre #potteryclasses will be starting the week of September 10th. Everyone is welcome. Limited seats available - book now! Sundre #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #sundreclayart #ceramica #raku #lessons #art #rakufired
I have several mugs ready for the upcoming Father’s Day gift giving. Of course, every dad deserves a great handmade mug and there are plenty to choose from. You can find one that fit’s his size of hand, is his favorite color or the right size for his preferred beverage. Even a different size of handle can turn a mug into his favorite mug. The perfect gift that just fits him. #Sundre #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #potteryclasses #sculpture
Here are more of the mugs that came out of the lat Here are more of the mugs that came out of the latest kiln firing. What great results!! If you are interested in the pottery classes here in Sundre I have some starting July 1st. Book Early! #Sundre #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #potteryclasses
These are cups from the recent wood and electric f These are cups from the recent wood and electric firings. You can never have too many mugs – and they make the perfect gift. We make mugs in the #potteryclasses in #Sundre. There are exclusive mug making courses available. Once you use a handmade mug you wonder why you used an assembly line mug for so long. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #woodfiredpottery #lessons #arts #woodfired #mug #cup
I have been a rafting guide for many years. A very I have been a rafting guide for many years. A very sharp contrast to working with clay and offering #potteryclasses in #Sundre. I had noticed a large terracotta deposit on the south side of the river that I wanted to investigate. I had to leave my truck on the north shore and a helper (Jaze) and I loaded up 3 inflatable kayaks. One had about 8 pails and a shovel, Jaze paddled one and finally myself in my own kayak. It was easy to get across the river with a rope towing the nearly empty kayak and we soon got to the clay deposit. We filled all the 5-gallon pails with this wet, sticky clay, about 1100 lbs. Loading the empty kayak and trying to head off to the other shore took a lot of pushing and pulling. It was heavy, but we made it and here is a pot fired from that clay. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #clay
Unfortunately, the #potteryclasses here in #Sundre Unfortunately, the #potteryclasses here in #Sundre does not demonstrate barrel firing. This example of a barrel fired urn has been enhanced by wrapping steel wool around the pot, adding salt (ice melt) and poppy seeds. Another wrapping of aluminium foil holds these additions against the clay. During firing, these ingredients smoked or fumed, and that stained the clay. After the firing, the charred bits and residue were wiped off the pot. There is no glaze on barrel fired work. This technique doesn’t get hot enough to melt a glaze. They are permanently stained. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #barrelfiredpottery
These are some pots made from the riverside clay I These are some pots made from the riverside clay I had to kayak to get. The clay had very few foreign particles in it. I plopped it on the wheel and I could throw it as is. It was easy to throw these vases. I had to pick out very few small rocks or twigs. Somethings I left in the clay to give it more character once fired. It was fun to throw with so many unknowns and the final results were great. Unfortunately, the #potteryclasses here in #Sundre does not use this type of clay for instruction. Pottery classes start next week. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #earthenware #terracotta #canadaday #lessons #art
In the last posting, did you notice the wave shape In the last posting, did you notice the wave shaped shadow cast by the sculpture. Therefore, both of these pieces were also wave shaped. A little something to hang back about and not point out right away. These pieces of wall art are about textures. The leather frames the work. It looks and feels so different from the craggy canyons and hills of the landscapes of these pieces. This is a raku type of clay, but I wanted to fire it in a low temperature barrel fire. They both were placed in a barrel full of wood chips, bark, saw dust, pine cones and roots. The wood was lit to burned in the barrel all night. These two pieces were discovered hidden amongst the ashes and incombustibles.
Some more pots made from the riverside earthen war Some more pots made from the riverside earthen ware clay. The foreign particles in it were mainly grass/weeds and the odd pebble probably placed there when the river was high. It is a very nice clay to throw. I threw these three pieces and then tried different glazes on them - these fit very good. Even the tricky crawling glaze. On another piece the glaze was a bad fit and it cracked the pot. Unfortunately, the #potteryclasses here in #Sundre do not use this type of clay. Space is available in the pottery classes. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #earthenware #terracotta #lessons #art #redclay
We had some good weather and got a raku firing don We had some good weather and got a raku firing done. It is always exciting to get a very quickly finish pot. Instant gratification. Be ready for unexpected surfaces, colors and of course – lots of fire! For the #potteryclasses in #Sundre I don’t teach raku. You can’t predict the amount of wind here. We have #giftcertificates available for the Pottery classes after #Xmas Visit http://www.potteryclasses.page for details. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #arts #Christmas #raku
A set of 3 nesting bowls with the Northern Lights A set of 3 nesting bowls with the Northern Lights and a starry sky. A panoramic view of the lights dancing around the rim. There will be #Sundre #potteryclasses starting the week of May 27th. I have changed one class to making pottery using molds with one class on the wheel. Still 6 lessons. We have space available for every evening 7 to 10 pm if you would like to come and have some fun creating. Mid-Day classes will be available starting in July. Visit http://www.potteryclasses.page for details. #Olds #Didsbury #Carstairs #Innisfail #Bowden #Reddeer #Calgary #pottery #handmade #art #wheelthrowing #ceramics #potteryglazes #slipcasting
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