Tag Archives: Dairy Barn

Raku Class

I taught a Raku class recently and as usual I learned a lot.  But first I had to refurbish my Raku kiln.  I’ve had this kiln since the mid 80’s? and the last time I used it I burned too much gas.  So I ordered a new kiln blanket, and relined the original kiln right on top of the old liner.  The blanket is made of spun kaolin fibers and create a fabulous heat barrier in a tiny space.  

 

the blanket can be cut to size with scissors

 

 

 

 

After piecing together some scraps on the bottom of the kiln and using high temperature wire to secure the seam it was time to apply heat!

 

 

 

 

It was a beautiful morning when I set up the kiln.  I used some soft brick stacked two high to hold the kiln shelf.  In Raku firing the pieces are usually fired one at a time so the shelf is pretty small.  A round shaped kiln is also a plus as it directs the flame around the piece keeping the temperature more even.  A small gas tank is attached and we are ready to fire!

 

 

 

 

As students arrive and glaze their pieces we get a rhythm going, preheating the next pot on top of the kiln helps to move things along as the piece is already hot when I restart the kiln.  Each firing takes 15- 30 min.

 

 

 

 

Some of the finished ware.

 

Some of my finished ware available in my store.

Christmas Craft Fairs, where to find my work.

You can find my work year round at the Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio and Nelsonville Emporium, Nelsonville, Ohio.  I’m always online just click on store in the upper left corner to go to my etsy shop.  There’s no need to register with etsy to shop, they have introduced guest checkout.

This year I’ll be doing two craft fairs, kicking things off on black Friday in Covington Kentucky at the Ohio Designer Craftsman Winterfair!

I’ll be doing the Dairy Barn Holiday Bazaar the following weekend. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

exhibitions 2017

Four of my slumped glass and clay sculptures will be on display this winter.  “Off Course” seen above and below will be in the Athens Voices show that starts in Athens Ohio on Jan 13.

click the link below to see where it will sail off to next…

http://dairybarn.org/exhibits/current-exhibitions/athens-voices-usa-2017/

 

Three more sculptures  will be in the Ohio University Multicultural Center Gallery in Baker Center as part of the Women of Appalachia Project.  I’ll be helping to hang the show with several other artists, this is one of the perks, getting to know other artists in a relaxed space where we all work together to put on a show.  And quite a show it is, funny, thoughtful, personal, evocative, and poetic!   The opening reception is on Feb 3 from 5-8pm.  click on the link below for more info

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.womenofappalachia.com/

migrating fish

My Silica Based Life Form Fish have really been getting around.  This one just came home from the Zanesville Museum of Art’s 70th Ohio Exhibition.

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The Fish below just landed at the Dairy Barn in Athens Ohio and will travel to Athens West Virginia and Athens Georgia over the next year as part of the Athens Voices Show  Upcoming Exhibitions | Dairy Barn

Silica Based Life Form Fish

Silica Based Life Form
Fish

Five more of my slumped glass sculptures will be moving from Parkersburg West Virginia to Athens Ohio as part of the Women of Appalachia Show

Women of Appalachia | Their Stories & Their Art Exhibition

In the Eye of the Storm

In the Eye of the Storm

Silica Based Life Form Flower

Silica Based Life Form
Flower

DSC_3203 DSC_5105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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There’s an opening at the Dairy Barn January 16, 2015 from 5-7 pm and a reception for the Women of Appalachia Exhibit at the Multicultural Center in Athens Ohio March 13, 2015.

All of these sculptures are for sale if you live close enough we can negotiate the shipping charges.

 

 

Where to find my work

My pottery and photo note cards are currently sold in 3 shops and 2 online shops.  If you see something online and want to know what other colors or sizes are available contact me.

The three physical shops are as follows

The Dairy Barn;  8000 Dairy Lane;  Athens, OH  45701   website<The Dairy Barn Arts Center>

Hyacinth Bean Florist; 540 W Union St; Athens, OH  45701  website<Athens Florist | Athens OH Flower Shop | HYACINTH BEAN FLORIST>

Nelsonville Emporium; 31 Public Square;  Nelsonville, OH  45764  website<Nelsonville Pottery & Arts>

My two online shops are through this website and on etsy at < Hand made clay for home & garden. Photos/note by CMcDonoughDesigns>

and of course you can always take a ride in the country and visit the studio where you will get the best price, a beverage, lots of stories and more!

I also enter juried art shows and currently two of my slumped glass pieces are on display in Athens, WV as part of the Athens Voices traveling exhibit. Photos below.

In the Eye of the Storm

In the Eye of the Storm

Silica Based Life Form Flower

Silica Based Life Form
Flower