Covert Potter Spotted In Nature

Enjoying a cup of tea?  Yes, look closely at the end of this clip and you will see a Covert Potter enjoying a morning cup of tea.  In a handmade cup! Enjoy handmade functional pottery anywhere!

ART From The Ashes ~ INSPIRE

Being a mostly functional potter, I really enjoy the nudge to just be creative and explore through clay. I usually do this when I wood fire. I have no set objects that I make for the anagama kiln. I start to play and see where I end up. I wish the firings were more frequent, so that I could push things farther in the process...

And then an other Art from the Ashes exhibit comes along.  Last exhibit I made two large hanging wall tiles. I had tried this before with horrible results: cracking in the bisque firing. I changed scale and the clay and made more. This time it worked so close to perfect. The tiles had small boxes to put artifacts from the Deukmejian Wilderness Park burn site. I chose wood, metal, bone and glass. I really enjoyed making.

The founder of AFTA, Joy, told me during the last show that she hoped to do another truly highlight all the talents of the AFTA artist. I was on it and got a few pod pieces into the wood kiln. The closed thrown forms fired amazingly well. I have inset copper flashing and glass into them. 

The thrill of the up coming “Inspire” show, is that we also get to exhibit non-AFTA themed work.

I went back to my wall tiles for one piece. I made a series of tiles based on my love of trees. I once again changed the scale. They are smaller: 6.5”x6.5”x1.5” I carved trees, branches, leaves and bark. I use oxides on the carved areas and glazed on a reserved area. I tried to invoke, sky, sun, night, snow and life with the glazes I chose. I’m really happy with the results.

I also included into the selection process some of my wood fired leaf bowls. And to round it all out, a tea set.  I’d like the viewing public to get a fell for all of my pots, and maybe a bit of me.

~Sally Anne Stahl

Xiem Clay Center Fall Sale

Handmade Bowls, Homemade Ice Cream & Toy Trains

It's summer time and with the first heat wave of the season, we have been trying to figure out ways to cool off. What better way than ICE CREAM! A childhood favorite that must be indulged. We are pairing hand-made ice cream bowls with the home-made delights of the lovely Valerie Campbell who is opening her home ...and churning the maker for us! Come join us...Sunday August 22nd from 12 to 4 at 917 Alma St, Glendale, Ca. 91202.  Pre-order and save!!  tickets are $17.50 in advance, $20.00 at the door.  Just click HERE!
Lots of great flavors and toppings! Pick a bowl, handmade by a Covert Potter, enjoy some ice cream then take the bowl with you!

What are the flavors you ask?... We have all chosen one for Valerie to make;
Lavender Sorbet
Mexican Chocolate
Rum Raisin Vanilla
Pistachio
Watermelon Sorbet
Very Berry Strawberry
Margarita Sorbet