GUIDE POTTERY ONLINE

Pueblo Pottery - Early Native Americans and the Development of Pottery

2011-03-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

Pottery making has been a significant development in the lives of all ancient societies, Native American people of the American Southwest being no exception. As small bands of individuals grew into communities, survival needs changed, and pottery enabled these people to flourish.

Prior to the development of pottery making, the basic tool kits of the nomadic people consisted of knapped arrowheads and basketry, both used for hunting and food gathering. Early baskets were pitch lined for water carrying and cooking. The migration of small bands determined what items could be carried. If the item wasn't easily transported, there was no place for it in their lifestyle.

There are various theories of how pottery actually came about. One being that pottery was brought from Mexico on the ancient routes that existed at that time. Not only artifacts were traded, but also ideas were traded, and the origins of pottery making in the Southwest might have developed along these routes. In addition, it is theorized that pottery making began in nomadic communities. It is believed that baskets were lined with mud in order to hold liquids. These mud lined baskets were set near campfires which would have baked the clay into hardened containers. This process evolved into the making of clay vessels.

Pottery making also developed as a result in the lifestyle changes of the nomadic southwest people. The ancient bands learned to cultivate plants as a food source, and this development of agriculture tied the people to land parcels, thereby stabilizing their societies geographically and allowing them to change their nomadic ways. As small communities grew, there arose needs for water jars and food storage containers, and pottery filled these requirements.

The initial pueblo pottery that was created consisted of plain fired clay with various forms being determined by the everyday needs of the people. Forms were mainly jars and canteens to hold water, large storage containers to hold surplus foodstuffs, and small figural objects for ceremonial rituals. As time progressed, painted surfaces found their way into the pottery making process which spread throughout the Four Corners region. The distinctive black on white pottery can be found in all Anasazi cultures. Later, multi-colored or polychrome pottery evolved into the forms and colors used by the Native Americans of contemporary times.

Antique Chinese Pottery: Go for the Authentic Creations

2011-01-06T17:46:00.000-08:00

People all over the world take pleasure and delight from collecting antique Chinese pottery. This is probably because of the fine detail and delicateness found in the world of pottery. Pottery or porcelain was initially established in China during 4000 B.C. in the period of Neolithic. Until the coming of 17th century, Portuguese started sending items to Europe and its demand far surpassed the supply. Europeans, inexperienced with how Chinese designed porcelain out of clay and china stone were keen for the out of the interesting porcelain.

Buying antique Chinese pottery or porcelain can be made in various ways. A lot of avid collectors of this item look for estate sales or auctions. These give great antique items that have been passed over the previous generations of a particular family. Yet, professionals who are knowledgeable about the market price of these pieces typically conduct these, thus still you cannot find a lot of bargains. Antique shops are actually great then again; professional antique experts often run these. Estate sales, auctions, or online antique stores are good places to search for and familiarize with antique Chinese pottery. You juts have to be cautious of scams and pieces that have imperfections. This commonly lowers the resale cost.

As with the other porcelains aside from antique Chinese pottery, one must be alert that counterfeits exist. Being able to determine fake pieces can save heartbreak and time. The suitable things to do is personally run after the items and get to know the characteristics of each porcelain that you wish to collect. One helpful thing to make the search easier is to be focused on particular types of antique Chinese pottery. You can be particular whether you wish to have the pieces from the Dynasty of Ming, Han or Tang.

Chinese emperors before often ordered the pottery production and would mark the pieces with its royal approval seal, also labeled as their reign mark. Some of these reign marks are far atypical than others. Watch for the pieces which were not generally manufactured during the era stated.

You can find this kind of information online at the local library. Then, it was very common for the similar person who painted the piece to place a mark on its bottom. Resemblances toward its strokes could discern a true or fake item. if you shop online, be careful of blurred photos. They may be done on purpose to warp the look enough to fool the buyers. Some would put dirt on pieces to appear freshly dug up. Be fully aware of the different tricks individuals use. Antique Chinese pottery is a fantastic way of collecting beautiful items besides learning about China's history and culture. Start a fantastic hobby today and make sure to get the real one.

Ceramic Pottery - Unique and Classy Home Decor

2010-12-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

Ceramic pottery is the art of forming or creating something out of clay and this has been around for thousands of years now and the industry still exists until today. The process includes molding the clay and using extreme heat and then it will be decorated by glazing or applying a glossy coating or enamel. Today, handmade pottery is basically to create beautiful artworks that are perfect to be used as home decorations.

During the early times, people already used ceramic pottery to make their home look more elegant and classy. Decorative ceramic plates and vases are some of the most popular types of pottery used as home decor. But even though we are now living in the modern age, you can still find ceramic pottery that you can use to add a touch of class and style to your home. You can browse our collection of ceramic pottery and you will surely appreciate the timeless beauty that each piece exudes.

Our ceramic products are made by great and talented artists from Amalfi Coastal region in Italy so you can be sure that you'll find only the finest kind of pottery in our store. Our ceramic pottery products were created using our artists' skills, creativity, and many years of experience to assure that our customers will be completely satisfied with our products. These ceramic pottery products would be perfect to be used as decorations for any room in your home. Your friends and relatives would surely notice and appreciate these beautiful artworks because these are beautiful.

You can find different forms of ceramic's in our store and some of the most commonly purchased are pots, lamps, plates, and vases or big jars that can also double as an umbrella stand. If you want your porcelain pottery and your home to look unique that it will surely be remembered by your guests, this is also the place to find such pieces of art. We offer items with unique designs and styles that you will never find anywhere else.

You can use these products to decorate your room or your home or you could give them as gifts to someone who is close to your heart. These products are perfect to show someone your appreciation or gratitude. You can give these to someone who already has a collection of ceramic pottery or you could also give these to encourage a person to start collecting beautiful treasures like ceramic pottery. These products will definitely bring out and enhance the artistic side of any person and will transform your simple home into a place that will show your sophisticated taste and elegant sense of style.

Collecting Native American Pottery

2010-12-15T18:48:00.000-08:00

Native American pottery is fun to collect. There are so many different pueblos, and each one has its own style of pottery. While collecting the pottery, you are also learning a lot about Native American art and culture.

This form of art has been practiced for thousands of years. Yet it is constantly improving as modern artists are experimenting with new techniques and designs. You can purchase antique pottery or modern versions, and each has its pros and cons. Of course, the older pottery is much more expensive, if it is in good condition, because of the value as an antique. But the newer pottery can be just as beautiful or even more so. It is important to collect what you like and can afford.

The first thing you should do is visit some websites and look at photos of Native American pottery. When you see enough good quality pottery, you will train your eye to recognize what is good. Be sure to read some books on the subject as well.

If you can visit New Mexico or Arizona, be sure to visit some of the pueblos where the pottery is made. Often the pueblo will have a cultural center where they display works of the local artists, along with a lot of information about their history and crafts. This will help you get a feel for the pottery as well.

You can purchase pottery at these cultural centers, but you might be better off buying the pottery directly from the artist. For sure, you should not buy the pottery at the expensive shops in the tourist areas of Santa Fe or Albuquerque. It will be marked up a great deal there.

You can also purchase pueblo pottery online. You can often get some good discounts at online sites. Of course, you can't handle the pottery then, so be sure that they have good photos of the pottery at the website.

Try to get the largest examples of pottery you can afford. It should not have any chips or cracks, as that will reduce the value. Also, some pottery is made from molds, which is ok, but the hand made pottery is more valuable. In any case, even the pottery made from a mold should be hand painted beautifully by the potter.

It is fun to collect pottery from the different pueblos. It is amazing how different they can be. The differences could be in the color of clay used, the shapes of the pottery, the subject matter of sculptures, the amount of carving on the piece, the style of painting, and so on. Get a good book showing the various styles. It wll help you a lot.

There are many different types of pottery too. Some are ollas, bowls, seed pots, traditional wedding vases, story teller figurines, figures of animals, and many others.

Some of the Native American potters have become quite famous, and their work can be very expensive, but it is also extremely beautiful. But the work of lesser known potters can be lovely as well, and is much more affordable. You can always start out simply and purchase more expensive pottery as you get more familiar with it.

Enjoy your new hobby of collecting Native American pottery!

Tools Used in Pottery

2010-11-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

Everybody appreciates a beautifully decorated piece of pottery but very few of us know how many and what tools are involved in it beside the hand! A beginner especially will be totally baffled by some tools that are available in a potter's kit.

* Wire or sometimes a fishing line is threaded through wooden handles on the two extreme sides to help in cutting blocks of clay or at times to cut off pots from the wheel head. This same wire is sometimes used to cut off hard pieces of clay over and over again to make it easily malleable by hand.

* Sponges are very useful in wetting the clay if it begins to dry as well as absorbing the excess water accumulated at the bottom of a pot during throwing.

* Tools like ribs are used for shaping as the pots are being formed. It may be either wooden or metallic. The wooden rib is oval shaped or triangular shaped and helps in easing pressure on the clay in order to facilitate increase in height of the pot. They also help in smoothening out any marks on the clay. The metallic rib is used to scrape off clay from the surface of the thrown pot.

* Sheeting with old plastic bags is a great idea to wrap balls of clay or newly thrown pots from drying out early.

* Keeping a towel on your lap is also not a bad idea while throwing. It will also be useful in wiping your hands while working with clay.

* Potter's needle is an excellent tool for measuring the depth of the clay floor of the pot apart from being used in trimming the top edges of ware while working on the wheel.

* Brushes of different sizes are basically a decorative tool.

* Calipers are used by potters to measure the inner and outermost dimensions of their ware at those points where other parts of the same ware meet. For example lids of jars.

Types of Pottery Kilns

2010-11-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

Purchasing a pottery kiln is no inexpensive undertaking. It is the largest investment a potter has to make. But which type of kiln should you buy Good question. In this article, I will take a closer look at different types of kilns available and a history of how pottery kilns were used in the making of handmade pottery and other ceramic pieces.

Primitive kilns were no more than the simple hearths used for cooking, warmth, light, and protection. In fact, pit kilns being very easy are still incorporated in hand made pottery and ceramics. Clay has been used since prehistory for decoration and function but it is unknown how the actual firing process was discovered. It is thought that the first fired pots originated nearly 10,000 years ago, when agriculture began. These early farmers needed storage containers and fired clay served these needs well. The earliest kilns were pits dug into the ground and the pottery loosely stacked on top of each other. Flammable materials were placed around the pottery and the fire was allowed to burn down. After cooling, the pots were cleaned of the ash and residue and were then used.

Another early form of pottery kiln, the beehive kiln, was the first kiln constructed that looks like what we consider a kiln. The pots are stacked in an arched chamber retaining greater heat than the pit kiln and making the pottery more durable. An alternate type of the beehive concept was built in China around 500 A.D., yes way back then, and called the stepped kiln. This kiln used the simple form of the beehive, but had multiple chambers in a terraced pattern so that the kiln capacity could be increased. This worked well in villages where pottery making was a primary activity, and where a large volume of pottery was needed.

A well known kiln concept that is used today is the natural gas kiln. Rather than using the flammable materials of the pit and step kilns, natural gas is used for the fuel. There are both updraft and downdraft natural gas kilns available. The advantages of natural gas as a fuel are that it produces very low levels of pollution, and that the fuel is relatively inexpensive. In some areas propane is more commonly used as a fuel; however care must be taken as propane is heavier than air and if the flame should get extinguished, the gas can settle and produce a potential for explosion. Natural gas will disperse on its own since it is lighter than air.

The only new kiln technology is the electric kiln. Unlike other methods which utilize a fuel for operation, electric kilns run by coiled wires that bring about heat. A toaster operates on the same principle. A lot of the modern electric pottery kilns are equipped with electronic shut off devices, called kiln sitters, to monitor the firing process. Still, any kiln must never be left unattended.

So there you have it, a brief history of the kiln and the different concepts behind it and its construction. Now go make pottery.

Choosing Indian Pottery For Beautiful Western Home Decor

2010-11-19T23:28:00.000-08:00

Indian pottery, like that made by Tarahumara and Tigua Indians, is hand made using rough white, orange and brown clay found in the earth. The earthen clay is not only very durable but is also what gives the pottery that popular rustic look.

The knowledge of pottery making has been passed down throughout the generations and is still made the same way as it has been for hundreds of years. If you are like me and love Native American pottery, you will definitely like holding a piece of this unique art in your hands, imagining the work that goes into creating such unique pottery.

If you are thinking about collecting Indian pottery, you will find many types and might even discover some that you never knew about. From rustic style pieces of Tarahumara pottery with dark earth tone colors to intricately detailed art pieces, painted by the Tigua Indians, you will definitely not have trouble finding something you like.

The various types of pottery are thrilling for collectors because there is so much to choose from. The most exciting part of owning real Native Indian pottery is the fact that it has always played a part in Native American lifestyle. In recent years, collecting pottery has become fashionable again because of the popularity of traditional Mata Ortiz pottery found in the Casas Grandes region of Chihuahua, in the northern part of Mexico.

A lot of Indian pottery can be used both to cook with or to add as part of a collection. Many of the Tarahumara pots or ollas as they are called, are used to cook beans, boil corn with lime for making tortillas, roasting corn to make pinole, or for making the traditional corn beer known as tesquino.

The ollas are utilitarian in design and come in various sizes and shapes that define how that particular pot will be used. It doesn't matter which kind of pottery you buy, whether for cooking or decorative purposes, you will no doubt appreciate all the work that goes into crafting Indian pottery.

You will find the art of pottery making to be very fascinating. Hand-crafted by the potter, the traditional coil and pinch method is used instead of the pottery wheel. Finding and grinding the clay to a fine powder is the first step in pottery making. Water is then added to the clay powder and brought to the desired consistency.

A piece is cut for the base of the pot and then clay coils are used to build up the sides. The instruments the Tarahumaras use for cleaning and smoothing the pot are nothing more than pieces of gourd, stone or wood. They then heat the pot in a shallow hole after it has had time to dry in the open air. It is then painted using various items like a feather, the fingers or a cloth-wrapped stick and a variety of paints like red ochre, iron oxide or hematite.

Owning Native pottery, whether a roughly made Tarahumara olla, a beautifully painted piece by the Tigua Indian Tribe, or elegant artwork like Mata Ortiz, is definitely a great way to bring Native American authenticity to your home. You can buy southwest style Indian pottery online, and in pottery shops and many stores that sell southwestern decor and accessories.

If you want to be part of the exciting rebirth of Indian pottery collecting and bring Native American style to your home, try decorating with original pieces of handmade Indian pottery.

Selecting a Pottery Kiln

2010-03-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

If you have decided to buy a pottery kiln, don't get overwhelmed by all the different models available out there.

When you tried making pottery for the first time, you may have been a bit overwhelmed by all of the different aspects of ceramics like glazing, firing, and using a pottery wheel. There were so many things to learn, so many aspects to look into. Just because you have gotten past that and are looking to buy a kiln, there is no need to be overwhelmed all over again.

A pottery kiln is a sort of baking oven in which your created pieces are going to be "fired." This is of course after you have designed them to your own specifications and imagination, added a little bit of glaze on the surface of the pottery to give it that particular professional gleam.

Top Things to Consider

When you are going to buy the pottery kiln of your choice, remember the three considerations below:

1. What is your top priority? Are you using the kiln just for firing the products made up during the weekend? Or are you looking for a huge heavy-duty kiln, which can "fire" your professional products needed by customers?

An electric kiln is one option and is often used by professionals in studios, as well as people who want to use a kiln at home. Gas kilns are also available for those that prefer or have gas in their homes or place of business. An electric kiln easy to fire up and you are also going to get a much brighter color on the surface of your product. Gas kilns normally use propane, and the colors are going to be rather muted. The cause of this muting is due to the reduction of oxygen present in the atmosphere, while the kiln was being utilized.

Many electronic kilns have the sort of settings found in a good washing machine. For example, you are going to find temperature soak, delay start, ramp speed and other such computer-controlled instructions in an electronic kiln. So, if you are looking for a good kiln in which you can get a controlled and optimized temperature profile, always choose an electronic kiln. Remember to look at the voltage supply at your studio or your home and then buy the right electronic kiln with that particular specific voltage.

2. Size matters in kilns. You can choose the standard sizes in kilns, ranging from small kilns used to fire tiny jewelry parts to sizes of these different dimensions -- 18 x 18, 29 x 27 for professionals and 23 x 27 for a weekend enthusiast.

You always have to remember that the size of the kiln is going to depend upon the product that you intend producing. Are you trying your hand on bowls and other crockery or are you going in for heavy duty sculptures? The kiln should be completely loaded before you fire it, so that you can get maximum and optimal efficiency out of it.

3. Temperature control is also important. The temperature of the kiln comes in a Cone 6-10 range, which means high-temperature. You may also want to go in for a kiln that has the timer and automatically switches itself off, when the optimal temperature is reached. A kiln that has an automatic electronic controller is always a good buy. That means you do not have to monitor the temperature manually.

Just remember to look at the kiln that suits your requirements and your budget and you can't go wrong.

Happy firing!

Ceramic Kilns Make Pottery a Breeze

2010-03-29T20:51:00.001-07:00

Classical pottery falls into three main categories: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The difference is a matter of what type of clay or clay mixture it is made from; and also the temperature of the ceramic kiln in which it is fired, since the temperature of firing controls both the strength and physical appearance of the pottery. Earthenware is made from naturally occurring clays which can be found all over the world. Usually earthenware is decorated with colorful glazes and designs, and is fired at a relatively low temperatures since high-temperature firing reduces the color of most glazes. Earthenware pottery is quite fragile, and it easily chips and breaks compared with the other pottery types.

Stoneware, by contrast, is a heavy, hard, pottery which is manufactured principally from stoneware clays. Stonewear clay items are fired in ceramic kilns at very high temperatures, which causes the stoneware surface to become glossy. Therefore, it is not really necessary to glaze stonewear. Another advantage of stonewear is that it is both heavier and stronger than earthenware.

The most delicate and purest type of pottery is porcelain, which was invented in China during the Tang dynasty (618 to 907), and was subsequently refined to perfection during the Ming (1368 to 1644 and Qing (1644 to 1912) dynasties. Chinese emperors during the Song dynasty (960 to 1279) founded factories to manufacture porcelain; and in the next few hundred years the secret of porcelain manufacture spread to Korea and Japan. While the secret of porcelain-making was closely guarded by the Chinese, it was discovered independently in Europe in the early 1700's, and soon Europeans created porcelain factories producing such famous wares as Sevres, Meissen, Wedgwood, and Worcester. There are two basic types of porcelain: hard paste, which is fired in a high-temperature ceramic pottery kiln; and soft paste which is fired in lower temperature kilns. Chinaware is an example of soft paste porcelain. Porcelain clay is a mixture of flint, feldspar, and primarily kaolin. Kaolin clay is fine and white, so that porcelain usually fires to a shade of translucent white.

Modern pottery is usually made of polymer clay, which came into wide use in the 1960's. Polymer clay is not clay at all, but rather is manufactured from the same material as PVC tubing (polyvinyl chloride). Unlike the fragility of objects made from natural clays, polymer clay items won't break if dropped. Also polymer clays are fired in the ceramic kiln at much lower temperatures than are natural clays. There are even types of polymer clays which can air dry without needing ceramic kilns at all. Polymer clays allow the creation of pottery of many different colors and translucencies, with embedded metallic or mineral fibers. As with natural clays, polymer clay objects can be hand-decorated with painted, pencil, ink, or chalk drawings before being glazed and fired in the ceramic pottery kiln. The versatility, ease of use, and infinite possibilities for design and manufacture make polymer clays the most widely used clay in the world.

The History of China Pottery

2010-03-03T21:13:00.002-08:00

Pottery is considered to be one of the oldest art of the mankind. This art has been developed for more than 8,000 years when people first mixed clay and water, and then they baked it until it was shaped. The reason why pottery was so developed back then is that people needed bowls to cook on them, to store things and also for decorations as vessels. The origin of pottery is considered to be ancient Chinese cultures. Yangshao Culture which existed 5,000 to 7,000 years ago were the first civilization to paint pottery. This is when the pottery finally reached its perfection.

Luoyang is a very famous city in the center of China, which is widely known as the manufacturer of hand-made ceramic Tri-colored Tang, or the so called Tangsancai. It refers to the three colored pottery from the Tang Dynasty which existed around eleven centuries ago. It was called the three colored because they used yellow, green and white to paint them. Usually the figures were horses, female figurines and some of the musicians figurines.

The Yangshao culture were mostly famous for their fish patterns pottery. The figurines dating back from the Qin Dynasty were very famous for their purple colored pottery, the condensed structure and their high intensity. The Song Dynasty used purple clay pots for tea because they thought they looked much more graceful than the other materials that were used back then.

In general, during the Three Kingdom period the pottery was mostly inspired from gods with light colors. A very popular notion about the porcelain origin is that porcelain was created during this period of time. They were used as puppets for theaters. One of the representatives of this period is the Ma Jun who was a mechanical engineer who invented the hydraulic powered "Mechanical Puppet Theatre" which was used to entertain the Emperor.

How Old Pottery Companies Still Exist Today

2010-03-03T21:13:00.001-08:00

The McCoy pottery line was sold in 1974, this time to the Lancaster Colony Corporation and McCoy, Jr. retired from his leading role less than ten years later. In 1985, McCoy pottery was sold to Designer Accents of New Jersey, marking the last of its corporate transitions. Designer Accents continued to produce select pieces from the earlier McCoy collections and introduced new pieces as well. The McCoy legacy carried on until 1990, when Designer Accents ceased operations.

As many McCoy pieces have become quite scarce, replicas are common. Most commonly, true pieces feature McCoy name etched in a stylized, curvy font on the bottom. This inscription began with Sidney Cope, one of the chief designers, while some older pieces contain an overlapping "M" and "C". Too often, imitation pieces do not feature any trademark. In order to determine a true piece of pottery from a reproduction, McCoy experts suggest becoming familiar with the entire line.

As Roseville pieces are currently so high in demand, many of the pieces available on online auction sites and at flea markets are replicas. In the early years, Roseville pottery featured a sticker on the bottom, to be later replaced by a blue stamp and an imprint in the clay itself. By about 1940, the company began using a raised trademark. Between the late 1920s and early 1930s, several patterns were issued without a Roseville mark of any kind, leaving it difficult to confirm their authenticity, particularly to an untrained eye.

Roseville pottery was forced to close in 1954. Some Roseville experts speculate that as the company changed, so did the quality of the pieces. Towards the end of production, Roseville collections had become substandard, as compared to the earlier, finely handcrafted pieces. Today, Roseville pottery remains one of the most popular pottery names in American history, with its rare pieces currently being bought and sold for exceptional amounts of money.

The original Frankoma company lasted until 2004, when it was sold to the creators of the Merrymac line. The newest owners make their own clay, hand-craft each piece, and continue to use Frankoma moulds and designs.

Many Frankoma experts encourage new collectors to do some serious research before shopping for pieces. By becoming familiar with the glaze colours used and, more importantly, the shape of the pottery, amateurs can better identify a genuine piece. The Internet is a great source of information, as well as hard-copied collectors' guides.

How to Be a Pottery Artist

2010-03-03T21:12:00.001-08:00

A pottery artist knows there are several steps to create incredible wares with clay. Often an artist puts the clay through a variety of processes to make the beautiful finished product you purchase from artisans or retailers.

The most basic tool a potter has is their hands and the clay. Over the history of manufacturing pottery, various others tools were created to make the process more precise. During the earliest years of pottery creation, hands and clay were the only tools used. Wares such as bowls and mugs were constructed from slabs, balls and coils of clay painstakingly reshaped by hand. Today potters still use their hands to create original artwork because they have a higher degree of control over the clay.

Potters wheels were developed to shape clay more quickly in uniform shapes. Identical bowls and wares are easier to make on a potter's wheel. A turntable, referred to as the wheel head, rotates at various speeds. The clay must be thrown and centered on the potter's wheel, which is a very important skill to master. Once the clay is centered, it is opened, flattened, pulled and trimmed to refine its shape. All of these techniques take time to master. Also, on a potter's wheel creations must all basically have a radial symmetry on a vertical base.

Potters can decorate clay prior to the throwing process. By adding certain elements such as sand, the final creation will have a unique texture and design. Colored clays may be used or colorants added to create a certain pattern. Once pottery creations are made by hand or on a potter's wheel, they are usually glazed for protection and decoration. Potters test temperatures and techniques to determine the most attractive glazing processes. Certain types of glazing are done in the kiln to create unusual textures.

Glaze is actually made from rock, powdered rock and elements such as salt or sulfur. When glaze is heated and cooled, it becomes hard and shiny. During the various processes of heating and cooling, the glaze develops a certain texture and appearance. Pottery artists experience with these various processes to make one-of-a-kind creations.

Pottery is truly created when the firing process occurs and the clay is heated up. The clay creation is placed in kiln brick heated by electricity, wood, coal or gas. Firing is done to permanently harden pottery so it is durable and usable. The temperature and duration of the firing determines how the pottery is developed. The kiln atmosphere affects the overall look of the finished pottery creation. In the earliest days, it is believed pottery was fired in bonfires. Today there are a variety of ways to alter the temperature and timing of firing to create various types of pottery including earthenware and porcelain.

To be a pottery artist you need to have creative hands, workable clay, potters wheels with the right techniques for throwing and centering and a kiln brick for firing up your finished product. With the right tools from AMACO and a bit of inspiration, you will be proud of all your creations.

Japanese Pottery For Your Home

2010-03-03T21:11:00.002-08:00

There are many people that like the look of Japan's finest pottery items. They often do not know where to go to find these pieces or what they should look for in them.

The look of Japanese pottery can vary in a few different ways. Sometimes these pottery pieces feature traditional colors, and other times, the colors do not have that significant of a meaning. Traditionally, they are normally a light blue or sometimes a fiery red color. If you have an idea of what you are looking for, it can make the search much easier than just looking at everything and trying to decide what you want to use in the end.

The many ways that this pottery is used in Japan are as tea cups and also traditional tea serving pieces. You might be someone from this area wanting to have this kind of pottery or you might be someone that just likes to collect it. Whatever way you look at it, you will probably be looking in many places for the pottery that you are looking for.

Some of the best places to look for this kind of pottery are at your local specialty stores. This might mean looking in the Japan oriented stores first because they are going to be more likely to have the pottery that you need and the kinds that you are really looking for. If you are still not able to find what you want, you can take a look on the Internet and see what they can find for you or what you can find on there yourself. You might be surprised to find out that you will be able to find anything that you want or could need with just a click of the Internet.

Take your time and find the pottery from Japan for your home and you will be happy that you did. The easiest thing to do sometimes and the easiest way to find the things that you need are going to be looking in the places that you might not have thought of. So, get a little creative in your search and you won't regret it. The best things are the ones that are sometimes the hardest to find right away. Keep looking and you will not be disappointed in what you find or what you end up paying for that great little gem.

You can create a lovely Japanese theme in your home with Japanese pottery.

Materials and Techniques Used In Pottery

2010-03-03T21:11:00.001-08:00

Pottery is the oldest art of making clay utensils. It is basically clay (cement-like earth) which is modeled, dried and then fired into a vessel. Pottery may then be decorated with paint and glaze applied to it. There are certain materials used in making pottery. Clay is one of the most important materials used in making pottery and the clay used must be soft and malleable. Again clay is formed when rock decomposes into flat plates and water is trapped between these microscopic plates. Clay consists of 40% aluminum oxide, 14% water and 46% silicon oxide.

There are different types of clay and they can be grouped as primary clay and secondary clay. Primary clay is not mixed with other forms of sediment and it is not transported by water or glacier. Potter's clay is the most commonly used clay in creation of potteries. The secondary clay is mixed up with sediments and is lighter and finer than the previous one. Clay is sometimes given additives.

In the early stages of history, the main machine in making pottery was a potter's wheel. A potter's wheel was a wheel with a connecting wire which was tied to a pedal. The wheel spun as soon as the pedal was pushed and the potter shaped the pot with his hand when the clay was put in the center of the wheel. Clay was the main ingredient. It was made from mud or other kinds of dirt. The design was made using rocks, knives and twigs. Then the clay is placed in a kiln which is a type of oven used for heating the clay until it becomes solid. Glaze and/or paint adds a finishing touch to the pot.

However it must always be kept in mind that pottery is rarely made from raw clay. Clay is almost always mixed with other materials.

A variety of materials are used today in making pottery .The two most widely used materials in pottery are-

1. Ceramics

2. Porcelain.

Porcelain clay is made from white stone by crushing it and it is purified with water by mixing it until it becomes smooth and soft. This porcelain clay is also known as china clay or terracotta. There are different natural raw materials used in making traditional ceramics. The chemical used in the composition should be carefully measured so that no defects occur. The main motive of the chemical is to remove impurities or contamination. There are basically six types of ceramic raw materials - silica sand, clay, feldspar, calcium and magnesium carbonates, sodium and calcium borates and zirconium silicate. In a sample of ceramics the chemical cauterization is done by X-ray fluorescence, potentiometer, coulometer and atomic absorption spectrometry. There are again different ceramics with their own unique compositions used for making electrical goods as well.

These are some of the materials used in making pottery and ceramics. Today lots of research is being carried out for development in the field of pottery making and ceramics. This research aims at making better quality pottery by including different chemical substances and other enhancements.

Antiquities, Ancient Greek Pottery Is Frequently Signed

2008-03-24T06:53:00.000-07:00

Ancient Greek pottery is frequently signed, sometimes by the potter or the master of the pottery, but only occasionally by the painter. Hundreds of painters are however, identifiable by their artistic personalities, where their signatures haven't survived they are named for their subject choices, as "the Achilles Painter", by the potter they worked for, such as the late Archaic "Kleophrades Painter", or even by their modern locations, such as the late Archaic "Berlin Painter".

For 200 years the Corinthians sold their pottery all over the Greek world, and Corinth became a wealthy and busy trading center. In metalworking and pottery, the work was very hard. The potters could be found in a part of Athens known as the Kerameikos, or Potters' Quarter. They acquired their clay from the quarries at Cape Colias, six miles from the city. They mixed it with ochre or vermilion to color it yellow or red, and turned it on simple wheels.

The molded articles were then dried in the sun and specialized painters decorated them by hand. The Sphinx, an imaginary creature of ancient myths, is most remembered for the riddle given to her by the Muses, "What creature has only once voice walks sometimes on four, sometimes on three, and sometimes on two, and is weakest when it walks on four? "Man!" She often sat perched on Mount Phicium, asking each passing person a riddle. If they answered her wrong, she would eat them. It is also believed that The Sphinx leaped to her death when she asked Oedipus a riddle and was given the correct answer.

The Egyptians, Greeks and peoples of the Near East all had stories about such a creature. The Egyptian Sphinx usually had the head of a man and the body, legs, feet and tail of a lion. The Greek Sphinx usually had the head of a woman and according to Greek literature, lived on a high rock outside of the city of Thebes. The Great Sphinx that stands at Giza near the Great Pyramid in Egypt is 240 feet long and approximately 66 feet high and is one of the most famous monuments in the world.

The ancient Greeks were the firs to develop a democratic way of life. More than 200 years age, they started the idea that every citizen should take an active part in Government, historians regard them as the founder of western civilization. Greek civilization was far more advanced than any other historians were. Orators, philosophers, and poets were Greek. The Greeks were the first to study botany, geometry, medicine, physic and zoology on a scientific basic. They also held the first athletic games.

The ancient Greeks called themselves Hellenes, and their land Hellas. They never formed a national government, but a common culture, religious, and language united them. Greeks called anyone whose active language was Greek a Hellene, even if he did not live in Greece, and anyone not speaking Greek a barbarian. Greek civilization developed on a rocky, mountainous peninsula that juts onto the Mediterranean Sea from southeastern Europe, and on the Islands in the nearby sea. The people of each plain and island formed an independent community called a city-state. No city-state had enough good land to support its entire people. Communities quarreled with one another instead of uniting. Athens and Sparta became the most famous city-states.

Ancient Roman Pottery

2008-03-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

In the second millennium BC, the Romans emerged from a small settlement near Rome to begin a course of expansion that was to make them the dominant power in the Mediterranean. By the 1st Century AD, Roman territories expanded from Britain in the north to Egypt in the south. Much of the Roman culture and crafts reflected the preceding Hellenistic period; however, their extensive trade network provided them with a great variety of materials. Artisans often combined styles and materials creating their own unique designs.

Terracotta (baked clay) pottery was made and used throughout the middle east and was produced in the earliest settlements along the Fertile Crescent where the clay was abundant and varied in color. The early potters had ample resources with which to experiment, create and develop their styles. The pottery was made as a fairly course, porous clay that when fired, assumes a color ranging from dull ochre to red and was usually left unglazed.

Most terracotta pottery has been utilitarian because of its cheapness, versatility and durability. As technique and firing methods improved, a great variety of shapes evolved. The most widely utilized pottery in the Ancient World was oil lamp, bottles, unguentariums, pitchers, bowls and plates, their basic shapes remaining unchanged for over a thousand years and still being used in today's modern world. The oil lamp was the source of light in every household, the bottles and pitchers were used to store wine, water and other liquids, the unguentarium held oils, spices, unguents and balm and the bowls and plates were used to eat from and hold food stuffs. The amphora, classic in shape, was used for storage and shipping in the ancient world and was meant for household use and to hold wine, oil, spice or unguents.

The Bronze Age was an important element in time even thought not any particular period of time. Some areas had their Bronze Age early, others had it late. The primary function of any metal industry in antiquity was the production of weapons and tools. A spear point was ranked as the chief weapon used in the battle of ancient Asia and Europe. The famous Greek poet, Homer, tells how Achilles speared Hector with a bronze pole. Ancient Roman spear points have played an important part in history.

Early men tied jagged pieces of stone onto their throwing sticks until they learned to shape pointed spearheads from pieces of flint. In the 2nd millennium BC, the Romans emerged from a small settlement near Rome. By the 1st Century AD, Roman territories expanded from Britain in the north to Egypt in the south. The Roman army was originally made up of citizens. By Caesar's time, in the 40's BC, most soldiers were professionals in a standing army, forming a civilizing force as well as a conquering one.

Poole Pottery - A Potted History

2008-03-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

The history of the Poole Pottery can be traced back to 1873, when Jesse Carter purchased the East Quay Pottery in Poole from James Walker, after that gentleman's pottery business went bankrupt. Jesse Carter's background was as a successful builders merchant in Surrey, but he believed that the architectural ceramics business offered a profitable future and determined to put all his efforts into this. Moving to the area with his family, two of whom were to play a major role in the future of the pottery, he began to work. By the 1880s, Carter & Company had become very well established locally, overshadowing some longer established local companies and beginning to encroach on the territory of some of the well known Staffordshire potteries.

At this time, the output of the Poole Pottery was revolved around decorative tiling and other architectural pottery, such as fire surrounds. Carter & Co's wide range of decorative tiles were being widely used in shops, pubs and hotels, as well as for advertising and mosaic flooring.

Growth of Decorative Output

Following Carter's death in 1901, control of the pottery fell to his two sons, Charles and Owen. Over the next twenty years, the output of the company changed to include a growing variety of decorative wares, and the end result of this was the formation of Carter, Stabler & Adams in 1921 as a subsidiary of Carter & Company.

Harold and Phoebe Stabler and John and Truda Adams brought between them a wealth of creative experience in design, modelling and decoration and the mission of the CSA company was to produce decorative and table wares from the East Quay works in Poole.

Over the next forty years, the Carter, Stabler & Adams company proved very successful, producing a very wide variety of decorative and domestic wares. One of the most easily recognisable and successful CSA styles is that of the red earthenware body with a white slip ground and a clear glaze.

From Red Earthenware to Freeform

This style was used until the mid-thirties, when C.S.A. moved to using white clay bodies, probably because they were more suitable for tableware than the red earthenware bodies were. The decorative pieces were all hand painted with patterns that were largely the work of Truda Adams. These colourful and stylish patterns played a key part in the success of CSA and have endured superbly, still looking fresh and attractive today. CSA's output during the 20s and 30s also included a range of skilfully modelled pieces, often by Harold Stabler or John Adams. Today these models have become highly collectable and hard to find in perfect condition.

As the nation recovered from WWII, and pottery production began again, the ranges of white earthenware that had been so successful in the past were now seen to be almost unmanageably complex. These were now rationalised, to become known as Traditional ware, with three levels of decoration - elaborate, medium and simple.

Just as in their time, the Truda Adams designs had captured the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 30s, something new was needed to reflect the new styles of the 1950s. Several new ranges were introduced, but by far the most striking and successful were the Free Form range of patterns and shapes. Poole Pottery freeform was distinguished by a very modern new range of shapes, mixing angles and curves to create completely new shapes, as well as variations on more traditional shapes.

A New Generation of Talent

Alfred Read and Guy Sydenham were the driving force behind this range of shapes, and many of the early freeform patterns were also Alfred Read designs, with both Read and Sydenham being responsible for throwing the new shapes. Especially notable were the decorating talents of Ruth Pavely and Ann Read. Ruth Pavely was Head of Painting at the Poole Pottery for many years, and her mark can be seen on some of the finest Poole Pottery pieces of the 1950s, as can Ann Read's.

Freeform proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the Poole Pottery, and was very successful throughout the 1950s. Today, fans of 1950s design are keen to collect Poole Freeform shapes and the better examples of these pieces command strong values.

The Launch of Delphis & Aegean Ware - Studio Pottery From A Factory?

In the early 1960s a new range of studio ware was released - the Delphis range. This featured bold, colourful designs on new shapes created by Poole's new star designers, Robert Jefferson and Tony Morris. The Delphis range proved popular and once more in keeping with the spirit of the times and remained in production, with many variations, until the mid-1970s.

Delphis ware was followed by Aegean ware. Designed by Leslie Elsden, it provided a fitting culmination to his 50 year career at Poole Pottery. Much of the Aegean range was decorated using either the silhouette or sgraffito techniques, and the extensive use of browns, oranges and yellows gave the Aegean pieces a very distinctive character. While some shapes were shared with the Delphis and other ranges, both Delphis and Aegean ware have very distinctive and easily recognisable characters.

The Future For Poole Pottery

Poole Pottery sadly went bankrupt for a second and final time in December 2006, and although its remains have found a buyer, it looks like pottery production in Poole has probably come to an end. Fortunately, today's collectors are lucky enough to have a huge legacy of pottery to draw upon, which will hopefully be preserved for future generations.

Origins of Salt Glaze Pottery

2008-03-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

Salt glazing as an art has been around for centuries. This art originated in the fourteenth or early fifteenth century Germany. Later, its popularity also spread to the United States and most other parts of the world. Stone and clay pottery was already being used extensively in these places, as a piece of art or for a variety of storage purposes, and the finishing provided by the salt glaze method only added to its popularity.

The process of salt glazing pottery is itself quite intriguing. Pots are manufactured and dried in the usual process. Then begins the interesting step where they are placed in large kilns and the firing process is begun. The temperature increases gradually as the fire intensifies over a period of fifteen to twenty hours and the kiln becomes blazing hot. Now, rock salt is thrown into the kiln through little openings provided for that purpose. Due to its chemical composition, the salt explodes when it meets the fire and then gets converted into vapour. The effect of this vapour on the clay is what gives the glazed effect.

Not only that, the firing and final glaze achieved by each pot is based on several factors like its position in the kiln and the amount of vapour it receives, to name just a few. Hence there are subtle differences in each pot as compared to the other, with the one receiving more vapour and having a more glazed effect than the other, even if they belong to the same dinner set. The ones that have a lesser glaze also have their own character, hence they are also appealing too.

Basically, the side of the pot facing the fire receives more vapour as that is where the vapour hits first. So this side tends to have a greater glazed effect as compared to the opposite side. This ensures a unique look to almost every part of a large set.

Though salt glaze pottery was primarily used for dinnerware or kitchen utensils, they were later manufactured also for purely decorative purposes, especially in nineteenth century England. The more popular ones had designs such as village scenes, windmills, local animals and so on, which became very popular as souvenirs that are brought home by tourists from those places. These were usually painted white and the figures in blue.

Today handmade salt glaze clayware is not so common due to substitutes that have a shorter and simpler manufacturing cycle, but at the industrial level, salt fired pottery is still manufactured. Where the pottery is not only for functional purposes, but has more of an artistic value, salt glaze pottery is experimented with on a regular basis. This is why it is quite popular among studio potters, who are more artists than potters. They have the luxury of experimenting with the effect of the method on varying shades at varying temperatures and atmospheric conditions and the results are seldom disappointing.

In the present times, salt glazed pottery is still very popular as an art form.

Ancient Greek Pottery And Its Evolution

2008-03-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

Pottery can be used as a classical support for understanding the antique Greek culture and civilization. The graphic illustrations skillfully fashioned on fancy pottery, reflect the manifold aspects of Greek life. The Greek empire from Stone Age to Hellenistic era has undergone quite a lot of changes. These alterations can be examined in terms of seven different eras through which the Greek society has passed. We will discuss in the following paragraphs how the Greek art of manufacturing pottery also underwent changes with the change in the different historical periods.

1 Greek Pottery In The Stone Age-

In the early Neolithic period Greek pottery was unadorned. In the mid Neolithic period people started decorating pottery with red and white geometric patterns. The newly formed and decorated potteries were known as Sesklo wares. Then the Dimni people of Greece in the late Neolithic period made special kinds of pottery which were black or cream in color.

2. Greek Pottery in the Early Bronze Age-

During this period the Minyan ware was found and it was brought by the indo European Greeks. It is a well made ware in a potter's wheel and is plain gray in color. It also has wide range of interesting shapes and sizes which was not found in the Stone Age.

3. Greek Pottery in the Late Bronze Age-

It was the Mycenean period and the Greeks started making designs on pottery. They made geometric shapes, humans, animals, sea creatures in cream colored background. The Greeks in the late Bronze Age made designs in black or red.

4. Greek Pottery in the Dark Age-

In this age the Mycenean civilization collapsed and so also the Mycenean pottery. People lost interest in the manufacturing of pottery. However this age also came to an end and people began manufacturing pots again. The pottery was made with circular drawings on it.

5. Greek Pottery in the Archaic Period-

In the 900 BC which is the archaic period the potters of Athens and Cornith regained their passion in pottery. In Cornith the artisans festooned miniature pots where the figures of mythical animals had been portrayed. The Athenians started painting mythological tales on their pottery and exclusive tales from Homer's Illiad.

6. Greek Pottery in Black Figure-

Gradually the clay pots of archaic period took a different picture as the focus shifted from shape of the pot to more and more scenes on it. A new style of painting developed and as a substitute of making human structures on the sketch, the potters now started to make natives in silhouette. The paintings were solely in black color.

7. Greek Pottery in Red Figure-

The Athenian potters in 500 BC, instead of painting the people black prepared the background of the pot black and made images on this black surface with red color. Though the painting was quite difficult the figures on the pot looked more realistic than ever. But 40 years hence the red figure Greek pottery also became extinct.

Greek pottery, as can be seen, went through many evolutionary stages giving us a wide variety of pottery ware, each unique in its own way.

Ancient Egyptian Pottery and History

2008-03-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

The Egyptians created pottery beginning from primordial times. Even before the construction of pyramids, they were engaged in the making of pottery. The study of pottery sheds tremendous light on the pre dynastic era of ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians used pottery in the same manner we use plastic containers today. The studies of pottery material, expertise, and types have been a great supply of information for archaeologists to date sites in the absence of other sources of data. Early Egyptologists like Flinders Petrie used pot shards to discover chronological dates for pre dynastic eras. Pottery is also used to assist the study of trade and regional development in old Egypt.

Egypt in the pre dynastic period produced pottery of very high quality. During the Badarian period the potter's wheel was not used and typically ladies prepared it. The upper segment was adorned in a radiant black color and the lower segment in deep red. The pottery was made by firing in open bone fires or archaic furnaces. From 40000 to 3000 BC. i.e. until the Dynastic era from the Naqada era, pottery was decorated with depictions of animals, humans, boats and various other patterns and symbols. It was during this period, that perhaps some of the greatest pottery was developed.

The potter's wheel was not invented in Egypt until the Old Kingdom. It was only during this era that the potter's wheel made its first appearance and started to be used for commercial purposes. The wheel was very simple, like a turn table in the beginning, but latter it advanced into a true potter's wheel. The wheel was at first turned by hand, and later the kick wheel variety developed during the Ptolemaic epoch. At this time, there was an increase in the quantity of pottery produced. However the introduction of the potter's wheel did not wipe out absolutely all the traditional forms of making pottery. For example, bread moulds were still often handmade

Egyptian pottery can be classified into two broad divisions depending upon the type of clay used in the manufacturing. It is an international classification system known as The Vienna System.

1. Pottery manufactured from Nile clay. It is also known as Nile silt ware. When it is fired it gets covered up with a red-brown color. Sometimes the pottery was decorated or painted in blue. It was mostly used for common everyday purposes. It was not used for decoration although during the New Kingdom, blue painted pottery appeared.

2. Pottery made from marl clay. It was made from material found in the region of Quena in Upper Egypt. This pottery was superior to the Nile silt ware. It was sometimes polished leaving a lustrous surface. It was used for decorative purposes as well as for other functions. However, the actual glazed pottery appeared only during roman times.

One can further make a classification of Egyptian pottery with the examination of additives in the basic fabric of the pottery, as well as an analysis of the natural impurities present in the clay.

Pottery Barn Furniture Outlet - Dressing Up Old Furniture

2008-03-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

I think that it is no doubt that Pottery barn furniture is some of the best on the market. I don't think that there would be much of a discussion either as to the look and style of the furniture produced. Is the style relevant to current trends and such? But what do you do when you have pottery barn furniture for years and the style is starting to look dated. Well, I will outline just a few ideas from using slipcovers, reupholstering or just using accent furniture to bring out the old character.

First lets touch upon slipcovers:

Slipcovers have been around for years and are still being used in great extents even in today's time. Have you ever had a couch that was so ugly that you just wanted to throw it on the curve? But every time there is company everyone always compliments on how comfortable the couch is. In cases like this slipcovers can become very handy. Here is a tip on how to use a slipcover? Slipcovers come in a large selection of colors and sizes. First, establish the color scheme that is to be maintained in the room. Then, go get a slipcover that matches this color scheme. Be careful to purchase a slipcover that will fit the furniture in question. Once you have purchased the cover try it on the furniture. Make sure the cover is snug and does not have a lot of drooping corners. Accent the cover with throw pillows and walla, you have a coach that is once again a part of the entire home décor scheme.

Another option is to reupholster furniture. Many people don't take this option but if the furniture in question works and is still feasible to use and has no damage why not. Upholstering allows for furniture to be reusable but also it give a owner a option as to what the next fabric and color will be. This course of action could be expensive so be sure to shop around and also check out the work of the person doing the upholstering. If this is not done right mistakes will be highly visable and will have to be lived with for years to come.

Finally, for a final idea, use other pottery barn furniture to accent old furniture. Pick up decorative lamps and side tables. The lamps need to have colors that will bring out the special colors in your furniture. How about getting pictures and throw rugs. This can also make a ugly old coach, table bed look even better.

I hope that some of these ideas will help you out with your old pottery barn furniture.

Pottery Barn Kids Furniture Outlet - Decorating a Child Room

2008-03-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Decorating a children's room could be a very delicate situation. Especially, since children are usually very sensitive as to how their room is colored and what furniture is used. And why shouldn't they have a concern. This is the children domain. Their own space, places were children could express themselves. That is why it is imperatives to purchase pottery barn kids furniture that is in direct relationship to a child's sensibilities. Concentrate on three area when decorating a child's room, the color, the furniture and the accent pieces.

First, lest pick a color for the room. Is your child a boy or girl? Girls tend to want colors that are not as dark. Typical colors include pink or orange. Boys tend to want colors that are darker in nature. Mainly, colors like burgundy, beige, or blue. These color show a more masculine nature of the male. Let your children pick their own colors. This will make you children feel more empowered about their surroundings.

Next, buying furniture for you child. Once again this depends on the child's boy/girl. Children don't tend to care how furniture is made but they do care how it looks. Do's it look good. Well, pottery barn kids furniture is both sturdy and it also looks very well. Pottery barn kids outlets care beds and chests that will fit any taste that a child may have. The furniture will also last.

Last, the accents. Get accent pieces like toy chests or side tables. Cover those tables with tablecloths that accent the color of the room. Find pictures or even have a mural painted of your child's favorite scheme.

Decorating a room can be a chore or it can be a blessing depending on the material used to decorate. Pottery barn kids outlet will have the furniture that is needed to decorate any children's room.

Pottery Barn Slip Covers - A Slip Cover For Any Type Of Furniture

2008-03-14T03:31:00.000-07:00

Are you in the market for a new slipcover? Have you taken a look at the Pottery Barn slip covers? Many people don't realize that the Pottery Barn has a wide selection of slipcovers for any type of home furniture. Here's a look at how they can help provide a solution to protecting your nice furniture.

The Pottery Barn has been in business and going strong for close to 60 years. They have been recognized as a leader of nice home furnishings and have stores throughout the United States.

What makes things even more convenient is their online catalog. You can browse through all their slip covers for sofas, chairs, ottomans and more. Are you looking for a sectional sofa slipcover? Chances are you will find exactly what you need.

Pottery Barn slip covers come in all types of materials, colors and sizes. Basically, if you can imagine it, they can provide a cover to suit your taste.

I had an opportunity to make a purchase from their online store and I found the entire process to be pretty straightforward and simple. My order was processed without issue and I received my sofa slipcover the next week.

If you are considering changing the decor in your living room, family room, or just want to protect a piece of furniture, Pottery Barn slip covers are well worth checking into.

All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website as long as the author's name and all website links remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

Pottery Barn Slip Covers - What You Should Know

2008-03-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

Pottery Barn slip covers are an ideal way to turn that favorite old recliner or couch into a like new piece of furniture. So, what does Pottery Barn have to offer and how can they help transform your home furnishings?

Pottery Barn has been around for nearly 60 years now and has been a leader in the home furnishings industry. What began in 1949 as an idea to make any home more comfortable on the inside has turned into a massive success.

The company offers their customers a full line of slip covers for sofas, chairs, sectionals, dining room chairs and more. They also sell other quality furniture and accessories.

Pottery Barn sofa slip covers is one of the company's most popular items. By browsing through their online catalog you can find a wide range of styles, colors and materials to suit any home decor.

Recently, we found ourselves needing a new sofa slip cover for our old sofa in the family room. I hopped online and found the Pottery Barn website and catalog. Within 15 minutes I found the perfect slip cover that matched up with my interior decor, placed the order online and was finished. The ease in ordering online is hard to beat.

Of course, the Pottery Barn also has a mail order catalog and various stores throughout the country that you can shop from.

So, if you need a slip cover for that old sofa or any other piece of furniture, try a Pottery Barn slip cover. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

History Of Pottery And How To Make It

2008-03-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Information about Pottery

Pottery also includes ceramics, earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, all of which are made in potteries.

Pottery is made from clay, mostly formed by the hand while it is still soft and wet, and then heated in a kiln at high temperatures to change its material quality, making it hard. The clay itself varies from region to region to produce pottery with varying characteristics. Furthermore, the clay itself can be mixed with different minerals to create different effects.

History of Pottery

The earliest known pottery was produced 25 to 29,000 years before Christ in what is now modern day Czech Republic (where I was born), of a figurine of a naked woman named Venus of Dolni Vestonice . The earliest known pottery vessels were made in Japan in 10,500 BC. Pottery was independently discovered in North Africa around 10,000 BC, and in South America around the seventh millennium before Christ.

Some time between 4,000 and 6,500 BC, the invention of the potter's wheel in Mesopotamia, what is now modern day Iraq and the starting point of civilisation, revolutionised the industry and helped feed the growing needs of the world's first cities.

In the early days, the pottery was heated in bonfires, or holes in the ground covered with fuel, reaching temperatures of around 900 degrees Celsius.

Since designs are used to adorn pottery, and because pottery was invented and proves very useful for storing food, liquids and other important commodities, it has become useful for archaeologists in mapping out ancient cultures with their economic and social structures. Especially since pottery tends to last much longer than other objects, such as wooden tools and textiles. The thermoluminescence test then accurately identifies the exact date of the pottery according to its last firing. Examining the iron materials in ancient pottery shards has even revealed to scientists the exact state of the earth's magnetic field at the time of firing!

On a more local level, around the time of the first industrial revolution, taking place in the United Kingdom, the city of Stoke on Trent became known as The Potteries, where in 1785 its 200 pottery manufacturers employed some twenty thousand labourers.

How to Make Pottery

When the clay has a specific dryness of around 75 to 85%, it becomes "leather hard", when it can be more easily moulded into shape and to which other pieces can be added. Over the centuries of this trade many tools have been invented to aid in the moulding process, the most important of which is the potter's wheel , where the spinning mass of clay in the centre of the wheel can be formed into a vase or other similar vessel with a consistent circumference. While some prefer the consistency and speed of the potter's wheel, arguing for the spontaneity of shape formed while the wheel spins, others prefer to form shapes in the manner before the wheel was invented: from ground up in a standing and stagnant position, arguing that this method produces more individually unique pottery subject to a more robust imagination.

When using the wheel, it requires a certain amount of skill to first centre the clay, then to open it by creating a hollow dip in the centre, then to create a floor with a rounded bottom inside, then to throw the clay by drawing it upwards to shape walls of even thickness, and finally to trim and turn it by removing excess clay and refining its shape into its final form.

Although the wheel can speed up work and aid in creating more consistently similar shapes, the general shapes themselves are more limited to ones with radial symmetry and a vertical axis. But handles, lids and other extremities can be added at the end, or the produced shape can itself be distorted by bulging and other methods, to create greater uniqueness.

Over time, machines have been invented to replace or aid the potter's hand, speeding up production further, but while simplifying any individuality, or removing unique traits.

Once the final shape is complete, the pottery can be decorated by incising patterns on its surface, embedding on it foreign objects (such as with seashells in my Item 12 or 18 through the link at the bottom), and eventually glazing and colouring it in any number of ways.

Prior to glazing, additives such as sand can be mixed into the clay, creating particular textures once the pottery is heated and glazed. Combustible particles can even be mixed in or pressed onto the surface to produce different effects during heating.

Mixing different clays of different colours can also produce interesting results, referred to as "agateware", after the quartz mineral agate which has bands or layers of different color blended together. In this process, the potter is careful not to overmix the different clays so that the individual colours are distinguishable, and the choice of clays is also important as they must have similar thermal movement characteristics during the heating stage in the kiln.

Prior to heating in the kiln, the pottery can also be finely polished, referred to as burnishing.

The next stage, still before heating, can be engobing, which is to add on a layer over top of the pottery, often by dipping the entire shape into a bath, or by painting it on the pottery's surface - a method used since pre-historic times. This outer clay slip is often high in silica, and can be incised with engravings to pierce through the new surface, revealing colours of the clay beneath. A second clay slip of different colour can be further added, and later incised, to produce patterns of different colour, much like the procedure used when making Easter eggs.

Another method of applying design to the surface is similar to lithography, whereby an image or colour on a decorative design layer is applied to the surface using a backing paper, printed onto the surface much like screen printing. Once the design has been transferred, a protective layer is applied, which may include a low-melting glass.

After this, gold can be applied or painted on in various ways for extra fancy pottery.

And finally, we have the glazing stage, which coats the pottery with a protective, colourful and decorative surface. Its colour and appearance often changes during heating, and the sealed result protects the inner clay from destructive moisture or water. Different minerals and application techniques can be used to produce different effects, giving the pottery its final touch and personality.

Once the clay mould has been prepared, the object is then subjected to firing, which is the process of heating the vessel at different temperatures to harden it, after which it can be called pottery. Different materials require different temperatures, but all firing is generally at or above 1000 degrees centigrade. There can be several stages of firing, which fuse together different minerals, while regulating air intake into the kiln can produce different degrees of oxidation of the clay and outer glaze.

Kitchen Backsplash Tile Source that Knocks Your Socks Off

2008-03-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

Is it time to do something special in your kitchen? Maybe you've been asking, "Where can I get stunning kitchen backsplash tile?" Amazing changes happen when backsplash tile takes its place behind the stove or on the wall behind counter tops.
It's just a must to see the artistic items available from Jerusalem Pottery. Customers rave about the kitchen backsplash tiles from Jerusalem Pottery.

"They are spectacular and we cannot wait to have them installed."
"As a designer, I was looking for something totally unique that I could never find from my local tile supplier."

"The tiles have arrived and they are wonderful! While they looked quite beautiful in pictures, the reality is absolutely stunning!"

The founder, Megherdich Karakashian, was an Armenian brought from Turkey in 1919 to work on the outer walls of a major religious site in Jerusalem. The Chicago Tribune said of him, "Karakashian's pottery has remained the most loyal to the old Ottoman style of flowers, and geometric designs painted in dazzling blues, greens and turquoise shades over a white background. But his pottery also has scenes from ancient Armenian manuscripts and churches." His sons, Stepan and Berge Karakashian, and grandson Hagop operate Jerusalem Pottery now. Their studio is located in Old Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief or Suffering, in Latin) which tradition says was the path Jesus took to his crucifixion.

Specializing in artistic tiles made by hand using traditional methods, Jerusalem Pottery offers their tiles in a variety of forms:

kitchen backsplash tile murals
custom name plates for homes
framed ceramic selections
Bible story items
blessing pieces
tile borders
Jerusalem Pottery tiles work well in the kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, patio, stair risers and anywhere else you can imagine putting tiles.

Particularly delightful are the vibrant colors sealed for life into the tiles. Favorites include the cobalt blue, light blue, greens and yellows. Pick your favorite among the subjects of the tile art including gazelles, peacocks, fish, tree of life, birds, flowers and more.

Walk through their website - unless you are lucky enough to visit their shop in Jerusalem - as if you are visiting a special exhibit at an art museum. Gaze at the "Birds of Paradise" tile mural. Where would you put this fantastic piece in your home? Marvel at the Phoenix bird tile - and four-tile mural version - with its perfect wingtip to wingtip circle and deep cobalt blue. Stand in awe of the white gazelle tile on - again - a cobalt blue background.

No matter what your affiliation, it's not hard to reflect and take inspiration from the Hebrew blessing tiles, Arabic calligraphy tiles, children's Bible story tiles and scenes from the life of Jesus. Making your way through the many images on the Jerusalem Pottery website, it is easy to recognize the masterful artistry and the deep care and attention to detail. One is left in silent admiration of the beauty.

Are you interested not only in something unusual and unique but exquisitely beautiful? Do you want to add color as well as gorgeous artistry to the kitchen? Then be sure not to miss Jerusalem Pottery; a studio that goes against the grain of mass production by delivering incredible art on ceramic tiles with the labor of their hands using an Old World approach.

Steve Braun finds and writes about fabulous one-of-a-kind and hard-to-find sources for kitchen backsplash tile and other wall decor options. Visit http://www.WallDecorOptions.com to see other superb sources. (c) Copyright - Steven L. Braun. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Italian Pottery - Selecting From Beauty

2008-03-08T04:44:00.001-08:00

Although there are a variety of different types of pottery available today from Italy, all of them share one important characteristic--beauty. Some pottery is made in factories, others are hand made, but each has it's own unique style giving each pot its special character. Even though you can get Italian styled ceramics and pottery all over the world, you can get the most valuable pieces by going to Italy to purchase them. To buy a hand crafted traditional piece from the artist or the place it was made is a great experience.

There are plenty of styles and designs of Italian Pottery that may interest you. Even if one artist or company makes a piece in the same style as another, each carries its own individual twist.

Another option is to seek out ancient or antique pieces. Italy has an interesting past, and these pieces of art show some of it's old style.

Some examples of names to look for to find authentic Italian pottery are Festa, First Stones, Rustica, Giardiano, and Deruta. You'll find plenty of colors or unique deigns to fit your tastes.

The designs don't stop with simply plates and bowls, but include a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

The pottery doesn't have to be just for decoration. In Italian meals, the pottery is the main focal point of the meal. Whether you use it for meals every day, for special occasions, or just to display, you will be happy with your investment.

Although you can tell a piece of art is Italian from looking at it, many different designs are used today that wouldn't be considered traditionally Italian. Most pieces, however, have the conventional Italian use of bright colors, outdoor scenes, and rustic looks. When searching for the pieces of pottery that you want for your collection, find the ones that say to you, "This is Italian!".

Read as Keith Markensen talks about backyard landscaping ideas. Join Keith as he shares his landscape experience at http://www.Plant-Care.com where practical professional advice is always online.

Mexican Pottery and Pottery Painting

2008-03-06T05:12:00.000-08:00

Mexican pottery has amazing quality and beauty. It is widely sought after and has many different styles, colors, and shapes to choose from. The age of the pottery makes a huge difference as well. The modern pieces are very colorful and well made, but the ancient pieces hold so much history and are some of the most beautiful pieces of art ever made.

There are many different choices of Mexican pottery. The oldest pieces have been around for thousands of years. You may look at ancient pieces and think that they are made too complexly to be genuinely from that long ago, but the civilization was very advanced and they are authentic. There are often stories shown on this pottery from pre Columbian times, and the designs are the most unique.

More modern types of Mexican pottery hold many options also. Some of the most elegant pieces are made in modern times. The artists often still use traditional methods, but with a different style. No matter what, they all carry a unique Mexican flair. Some pieces offer the same stories and depictions as the ancient pieces, and are a good alternative to buying the actual ancient pieces.

Researching the Mexican styles will be an intriguing experience by itself. There are no other pieces of pottery in the world like it. They show so much color, culture, history, workmanship, and quality. They also look right at home on a landscaped patio. Mexican pottery hold a magical quality.

Itís not a fluke that large pottery warehouses are opening across the country to offer pottery painting to consumers. You can go to the mall and instead of shopping for a piece of pottery or a gift for a family member, you can paint one yourself! It is an enjoyable experience that can be great for children and adults. Children can showcase their artistic talent and take their masterpieces home with them. You can even organize a birthday party at one of these warehouses.

Pottery can be difficult to make, but it is easy to paint. The pottery warehouses have a variety of pieces already made for you.

You can choose sizes, shapes, and/or themes. You can also choose your paint colors and designs. For a birthday party, a theme can be chosen for everyone at the beginning, or each person can choose their own theme.

You don't have to worry about buying all of the pottery supplies since they are provided for you, and there will be no mess to clean up afterwards. There is a fee of course, on a per person basis and also based on the amount of pottery painted and the size of the pottery.

Besides children's parties, painting pottery locations are great for adults to learn about what can be done with pottery. It can be a great spot to take friends or a date to. Overall, it can be a great, artistic way to spend a day off.

Follow Keith Markensen as he examines creative brick landscaping. Join Keith as he shares his years of landscape experience at http://www.Plant-Care.com where practical professional advice is always online.

Pottery Industry In Today's World

2008-03-04T20:18:00.000-08:00

Pottery has offered many services to the human race from primordial times. It is amongst the oldest craft and plays an important role in the day to day life of many people. For archaeologists, pottery can be the gauge of a country's development.

Pottery is a very unique art of making artifacts from clay. The pottery industries today are not very large scale, but are working efficiently under small scale industrial groups .The artists in the small scale industries of pottery are generally from rural locations. However, the trend is changing. This change is caused by the increase in per capita income of many developing countries which leads the middle and higher class people to buy pottery handicrafts, thereby increasing the sale of pottery.

In the present day, Toshiba Ballotine Co. Ltd has a joint venture with Toshiba Corporation. The company deals in manufacturing and marketing of glass beads in pottery industries. There are many glass industries all over the world which are engaged in manufacturing reflecting mediums and pavement marking as a fine abrasive for cleaning and finishing metal parts in aerospace. Another company which deals in silica based derivative products is PQ Corporation. In India, pottery, glassware and kitchenware industries are fast developing industries. Some of the major companies in India are Hitkari potteries, Jaipur Glass Industries, Palam Potteries, Heritage Pottery, Pelican Pottery, etc. During Deepawali festival time, approximately 100 thousand rupees per month is spent on pottery. Village pottery is sold in smaller societies of India, and with the help of these markets, pottery has become very popular.

POTTERY INDUSTRY IN PRESENT DAY ASIA-

India, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, China, UAE and Sri Lanka are the foremost Asian nations which produce and export ceramic wares. The pottery industries in Asian countries grant employment as well as standard of living benefits to both the rustic and metropolitan population. This industry plays a significant role in the total GDP of these Asian countries and plays a significant role in foreign exchange.

POTTERY INDUSTRY IN PRESENT DAY AFRICA

The pottery industry of Africa is very organized and well managed providing employment opportunities to a major part of the population. This economic activity is benefiting the country's national growth and brings employment to the poor and marginalized sections of society. The major manufacturers of pottery in Africa are: Western Cape, Morocco, Liberia, Eastern Cape, Cameroon, Gauteng, Kwa Zulu, and Natal.

EUROPE

France, United Kingdom, Italy and Germany are the chief producers and exporters of pottery in Europe.

AUSTRALIA

Australia manufactures and exports ceramic glasses, porcelain home wares, dinnerware, and ceramic framed mirrors.

The History of Korean Pottery

2008-03-03T16:21:00.000-08:00

The Koreans have used potteries from 7000 to 8000 years ago. Since ancient times they used to make pottery by firing clay at a heat of 1300 degree Celsius. They produced unique, original and beautiful pottery. They traded extensively with China and adopted manufacturing skills of Celadon.

Korean pottery is healthy and alive due to its good natural disposition. The Korean potters believed in nature and sought to be a part of it. So they lived in deep recesses of mountains to give a natural touch to their wares and used simple colors with liberal techniques for molding the clay prior to making the pottery.

Korean pottery can be studied in terms of three empires. These three empires which present the foundation of Korean ceramic history also reflect the culture of pottery during this era. These three kingdoms are - Silla, Goguryeo and Joseon. The Korean potters produced coarse household goods as well as highly sophisticated statues of imperial figures, guardians, horses, escorts of the dead in mausoleum of kings, as well as nobility.

1. Korean pottery in the Silla era (668 to 935) - the pottery was plain in color, design and silhouette at the time of the unified Silla era. Celadon was the main produce. Gradually in the 14th century Bakeja porcelain wares developed which had vibrant varnish. These were made up of highly refined clay. Bakeja wares were fixed with feldspar and were very cautiously fired in very huge and fresh kilns. Bakeja wares flourished tremendously until the Joseon dynasty came to power.

2. Korean pottery in the Goguryeo era (918 to 1392) - during this epoch some of the best small scale works of ceramics were accomplished in Korea. In this age the potters made foliate designs, key fret, geometric shapes, elliptical panels, stylized fishes and insects, and they started using incised designs from this era. The glazes used, were different shades of Celadon. For stoneware and storage goods they used black and brown glazes.

3. Korean pottery in Joseon dynasty (1392 to 1910) - it can be called the golden era of Korean pottery. The Korean ceramics developed to a great extent and pottery was produced in a large commercial scale for export. The quality of the pottery also improved considerably. They followed the Chinese Ming Dynasty in evolving their improved range of pottery and they are similar in certain aspects to the Chinese wares. Storage pottery, celadon, white porcelain were alike and only with minimal variations either in glazes, designs or weight. Ming influence was also felt in the blue and white matter by using cobalt blue glazes.

After the fall of the Ming dynasty many Chinese potters migrated to Korea and brought colorful and vibrant pottery of special forms which was discarded by the Korean potters who preferred to make simple and less bedecked wares.

Korea exported most of its potteries to Japan and principally from the Busan area. The climbing kilns were exported to a considerable extent.

There were two ways of export- through deal and intended immigration of potters or by the means of invasion and pottery theft.

Guide to Buying Antique Chandelier Lighting

2008-03-01T20:46:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in antique chandelier lighting, you first have to know what an antique is. Antiques are special items that are unique and made only of quality materials.
These have significantly increased in sentimental and monetary value mainly because of their age. When buying antique chandelier lighting, you need to observe the defining characteristics to find the right one that perfectly fits your taste and budget.

What to Observe

Observe the style of the chandelier. Antique chandeliers are basically unique but their overall appearance may not vary much if they belong in the same era or are influenced by the same style. Some of the popular styles are Victorian, Colonial, Empire, Neoclassical, Tiffany and many more. Read more and observe photos of how each style is supposed to look like. Take not that there are also conventional and modern-looking lightings that are truly antique.

Check the materials used. Most antique chandeliers are made of iron, brass, bronze, crystal, antlers and nickel. There are certainly marks of age that come with these. Also check the fuel source of the fixtures which may range from gas to kerosene to plain candles. There are electric antique ones as well while others are modified to run on electricity.

Some of these old lightings may also have identifying marks that indicate the era wherein they were made. It is possible that the metalwork has remained flawless throughout the generations which can make age difficult to confirm. You can check old photos or documents that can support the authenticity of the item linking it to an old house or family.

Where to Buy

There are so many places where you can buy antique chandeliers at fairly low prices. Thrift shops, garage sales, lawn sales and flea markets can harbor these old light fixtures. Usually these kinds of places have items that have been recovered from old houses and families. You may not know much about its history but review the characteristics to guarantee its authenticity.

If you prefer to take the safer path and spend more on confirmed real antique chandelier lightings, you can buy at antique stores and furniture shops. These places always provide you with some proof or certification that the item is genuine thus you can always refund anytime of proven otherwise.

Sellers in antique stores usually know the background of the chandelier you're eyeing on so feel free to ask questions and allow them to show the identifying characteristics.

You may also buy directly from the owner of an old structure who has an antique chandelier still hanging in one area. You can probably get a friendly discount by searching in old homes. Online markets also offer a variety of antiques at very competitive rates.

Always ask for a full description and several photos of the lighting before deciding to buy. Ask the opinion of an expert to help you guarantee that you're investing in genuine old and valuable material.

Kitchen Storage- Modern Kitchen Appliances

2008-02-29T05:50:00.000-08:00

The Charlotte Watson collection is a nostalgic evocation of late nineteenth century rural life in England. Made from fine cream earthenware, the detailed black decoration is fired directly into the clear lead-free glaze and shine giving tough, resilient, dishwasher-proof finish. A lot of cookware pottery which is beautifully hand-painted and has non-toxic glazes is available.
Items in the Charlotte Watson Country Collection are made of lovely ecru pottery, and the elaborate ebony detailing is oven-baked right into the transparent, lead-free glaze to provide a strong, durable finish that can withstand cleaning in your dishwasher. Storage containers have gently curved, ebony lacquered beech covers with airtight seals to guarantee optimum storage effectiveness.

If you're looking for stylish kitchen storage and spice holders, look no further than Henry Watson Pottery. This outfit is based in Suffolk, England, but products form this line can be purchased all over the world via the World Wide Web. Henry Watson is a family-owned company that has been creating innovative and attractive solutions for your kitchen for generations. The pottery is 100% lead-free and glaze-free, so it is perfect for storing food.

You can get the Watson Pottery items in a variety of shades and designs. They are divided into the traditional Charlotte Watson Country Collection and the newer, more creatively glazed Suffolk Collection. The Watson Collection fulfills a wide range of culinary requirements.

The Pottery makes such diverse items as a butter dish with lid, mustard pot, pitcher, egg cups, and roast rack. Watson Collection extends to very fashionable black glazed products such as sugar, coffee, and tea canisters, bread crock, and square spaghetti jar. The Black glazed Watson Pottery collection also includes storage for salt, garlic cellar, kitchen utensils jar. Traditional biscuit canister, tea pot and sugar bowl are also available for you kitchen storage. You can even eat and drink from matching black glazed mug, dish and cereal bowl.

The country style simplicity of conventional kitchen utensils works ideally with the spare design of today's kitchen appliances and kitchen storage items. These kitchen pieces coordinate perfectly with the most lavishly equipped, up to date kitchens. Fine materials and classic designs and finishes make for cookware which blends well into your contemporary house.

If you are a fantastic cook who appreciates quality in your kitchen, or if you love a sleek and modern look to your kitchen, check out Henry Watson products. This collection has its own online store and Internet retail outlet. You'll be sure to appreciate the superior quality and design of this collection.

Check out the Charlotte Watson collection of cookware pottery for gorgeous earthenware that will take you back to nineteenth century England. Located in Suffolk, England, Henry Watson Pottery is a wonderful source for pottery kitchen storage. The pottery is an excellent storage for herbs and food, since it does not contain lead, and has no decorations or glazes. The black glazed Watson ceramic compilation also comprises of storage space for spices. Despite their origins in the farm country, kitchen products modeled on the traditional look perfect in a contemporary home. The fact that these items were designed to last for generations keep them looking good in any surroundings.

Making Your Gardening Antique With Pottery

2008-02-20T04:26:00.000-08:00

It's unfortunate that people who are just starting to collect pottery overlook some of the best, most unique pottery ever made--antique pottery. Whatever your price range, you can find plenty of options of types of pottery from different designers around the world.

You may think buying anything with the word "antique" in it would be out of the price range of a beginning collector. Although for some pieces this might be true, it is certainly not always the case. There are a variety of colors, styles, characteristics, and cultural traditions to chose from for any collector.

When looking for antique pottery, a collector is sure to find examples of talent from all around the world. Native American pottery is the most well known as being very unique and in high demand, but Greek, Italian, and Polish Pottery are sought after as well. Collectors often are much more specific than choosing between Green or Italian Pottery, for example.

Some look for pottery from a specific region in one of the countries, or even pottery from one specific family or manufacturer. This can be interesting for your collection, but make sure not to overlook other pieces from that time period that may be great pieces of art and history.

It is not easy to collect antique pottery. It is difficult enough to find high quality pieces at a good price, but it is just as necessary to find pieces that fit within the important stylistic characteristics of the time period in which they were made. A collector must overcome the challenges of where to locate the pottery, how to know if it's authentic, and how to purchase it safely. The collection process is part of the joy of owning the pottery however, and the challenges make the most unique pieces that you can acquire well worth the time, effort, and money. It also makes each container unique in your garden!

Keith Markensen looks at the unique practice of container gardens and also gives his years of landscape experience at www.Plant-Care.com where you always find professional landscape information.

Ceramic pottery Treat Jar - Red easy to use and clean

2008-02-18T03:26:00.000-08:00

A sophisticated dog Treat Jar - Red with amazing style, the pet Dog Treat Jar is a new katiewongnyc.com favorite. The Katiewong Treat Jar is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. The Ceramic treat jar has two colors have red and blue.
Ceramic jar- Red cute designer ceramic cat dish is blue in color with cut outs of fish along the side of the dish. This ceramic pottery Treat Jar - Red easy to clean bowl is dishwasher safe and measures 5" in diameter. A stunning dog treat jar at an amazing price.

This plastic jar ceramic antique delightful Ceramic Treat Jar-Red is the perfect design for your pets. White ceramic bone-shaped ceramic treat jar, embellished with silver bone charm. When it comes to treats, it's all about Bones! These ceramic supplies Treat Jar - Red has bright and funky bone shaped ceramic treat jars are covered in Paw Prints with a "Treats" metal tag.

Designer pottery bowls, our Southwestern Dog Bowls are handcrafted using traditional Mexican methods. The plastic jar ceramic treat jar Carved and colorful drawings of various dog breeds decorate each bowl. Please purchase online www.katiewongnyc.com in Newyork.

Polish pottery

2008-02-15T04:31:00.000-08:00

The picturesque country of Poland is located at the intersection point between the eastern and western sections of the European continent. It was in 2004 that Poland became a member of the European Union. If one studies the culture of the country, it will be seen that as a result of its strategic location and unique history, Poland has been considerably influenced by the cultural nuances of both eastern and western Europe considerably which is reflected in its lifestyle and folklore and also the indigenous artworks. In the different fields of cultural activities, Poland has proved itself time and again in the world arena be it architecture, fine art or literature and even celluloid. Pottery is one of the best known and popular of the various artworks and it is a tradition that has survived the passage of time and today is world famous for its intricate designing forms and quality. It is interesting to note that the origin of stoneware or pottery in Poland has a long and enriched history associated with its growth. It was during the closing years of the 18 th century and the beginning of the 19th century that the earliest specimens of polish pottery may be dated to. In the province of Bunzlau, which was them a part of the German region of Silesia, presently a part of the polish territory, the earliest samples of polish pottery were found and were referred to as Bunzlauer stoneware.
One of the most popular designs of traditional polish pottery known as the ‘eyespot' design characterized and influenced by peacock feathers originated in this region and was extensively developed by the artists of the time. However, during the period of the Second World War, all these extraordinary works of art were destroyed. But, after the war had subsided, Poland once again continued its tradition of constructing pottery and artwork and factories were also set up for this purpose. Currently, Poland is one of the foremost pottery producers of Europe and the tradition has been kept alive especially in a small village within the polish country known as Boleslawiec. In this region, skilled artisans, inspired by times and trends of ancient and medieval central European folk art, continue to derive pleasure out of forming unique pottery designs. It is interesting to note while the designs remain mostly inspired by traditional art forms, there is no restriction in terms of shape. Polish pottery is available in exquisite designs in multifarious shapes. Polish pottery is displayed in all the major antique shops and museums in Europe . For more information on http://www.polskapottery.com/

Red Wing Pottery Makes Its Fiction Debut

2008-01-15T01:45:00.000-08:00

The novel, Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace is set in Minnesota among the states many natural wonders, rich history, and eclectic towns providing a vivid backdrop against which the story unfolds. One of the key plot points involves Red Wing Pottery, manufactured in the Minnesota town of the same name for nearly 100 years.

The matriarch of the Pierson family, Beverly, collects Red Wing Pottery and has gone into the antique business opening Past Treasures Antiques in downtown Wayzata, Minnesota. Red Wing had its origins in the rich clay discovered as the area was being settled in the 1860s. Over nearly 90 years the company would produce salt glaze pottery, utilitarian stoneware, art pottery, cookie jars, and over 100 patterns of hand-painted ceramic dinnerware. Much of the stoneware was marked with a distinctive red wing on the front, in later years the art pottery and dinnerware was stamped with a red wing on the bottom.

In the novel, Beverly and Bill Pierson give their son Paul and his bride Pamela, a blue tinted lily bowl and pitcher, a stunning example of Red Wing artistry. Officially advertised as "Ewers and Basins in blue tint" – the set was offered in the 1920s and 30s along with hundreds of other stoneware items for the household and farm. Because few of these gorgeous sets survived intact, in mint condition they are extremely valuable.

As Kay, the narrator of the story notes, Red Wing Pottery is an integral part of Minnesota's history. But the pottery also holds an important place within the history of America and the pottery industry, as in the early 20th Century the company was the largest manufacturer of pottery in the United States. Other Red Wing pieces of note mentioned in the book include Nokomis vases that were part of the art pottery line during the 1930s; cherry band pitchers which were manufactured during the same time period as the lily pitcher and basin; and cookie jars produced until the plant's closing.

Today, Red Wing Pottery is highly sought after by collectors and is often referred to as "the Cadillac of pottery." Ten years after the plant closed in 1967, a group interested in collecting the pottery for both its beauty and historic significance founded the Red Wing Collector's Society. Every year during the second week in July, thousands of Red Wing collectors from across the U.S. converge on the city of Red Wing for their annual convention, where members buy, sell, barter, and trade pieces of the pottery. Highlights of the Red Wing Convention include auctions, where mint condition salt glaze pottery, unusual or one-of-a-kind pieces can sell for thousands of dollars.

Want to learn more about Red Wing Pottery? There are numerous web sites devoted to the history, preservation, and selling of Red Wing and some of the best are listed below. Another good place to shop for Red Wing is on eBay, where more than a few Red Wing aficionados like Beverly Pierson have caught the collecting bug and developed spectacular collections of the pottery.

Resources:

Red Wing Collector's Society – Founded in 1977, the Society is a great place to learn more about the pottery and its lasting legacy.

Red Wing Collector's Society Foundation – This non-profit foundation's mission is to preserve the history of Red Wing Pottery. The RWCS Foundation maintains a museum in Red Wing, MN and provides educational materials and scholarships.

Red Wing Dinnerware - Todd Hintz and his wife Ivy Loughborough are avid collectors of Red Wing Dinnerware and have designed an extensive web site on the topic. Every pattern is represented.

Schleich Red Wing Pottery Museum – In October, 2001, Jerry and Louise Schleich opened this one-of-a-kind museum in their hometown of Lincoln, NE. Since then, hundreds of visitors from around the world have viewed the collection. Over 5,000 pieces on display chronicle the history of Red Wing Pottery.

Toy Dogs In Art Part Iv: Toy Dogs In Pottery

2008-01-15T01:42:00.000-08:00

One of the most favorite subjects for the craftsman in porcelain and earthenware has been toy dogs in particular. In Chinese work it has been hard to distinguish between the lion and the dog. The lion-dog and the dog-lion share a lot of Chinese myth. The dogs of Fo during the reign of K’ang Hsi were dogs, however, and not lions. In the city of Peking in 1680 the Emperor K’ang His set up an imperial kiln. At that time it was possible there were a million people working porcelain at 3,000 kilns. This production situation has never been matched.

Dogs of Fo, also sometimes called guardian lions, are found frequently, generally in pairs and usually with the male playing with the traditional woven ball and the female with one of her cubs. Dogs of Fo were made in huge quantities between the years of 1662 and 1722. They were without doubt small dogs of the Pekingese type. It has often been said that it is very doubtful the Chinese ever saw a real lion during this time they referred to these animals as being lion-like, and that it is much more likely the Dogs of Fo, even though they had somewhat of a lion look, were actually dogs and not lions.

Pugs in pottery are seen even more frequently than the Pekingese type of the Dogs of Fo. A pottery artist named Kaendler, who created works at the Meissen factory used Pugs often.

In the eighteenth-century Staffordshire potters began to produce models of Pugs. Their early efforts were not all that nice as representations of the pugs. These pieces of pottery are becoming more and more valuable; however, they do not look like the typical specimen of the Pug. They are pot-bellied, long in the leg and have peculiar expressions.

The French sculptor, Francois Roubiliac, created a piece that looked much more like the Pug. The head looks like a Pug. The tail may not be just right and the legs are still rather long, but this was quite an improvement from what had been created earlier. It could also be that the models of Pugs did have longer legs.

Sculptors are still creating Pugs today and as time goes on, the pieces continue to look more and more like a real Pug.

One of the most interesting little dogs portrayed in porcelain was the dog of Madame de Pompadour, produced in Vincennes around 1750. It is felt that this piece if almost certainly a Maltese. The little Maltese is now a rare collector’s piece.

The toy spaniel is another breed of toy dog that has been a favorite of the pottery modeler over the centuries. At one time most all households had a representation in pottery of their pet dog, or even a pair of dogs, sitting on their mantelpiece. Most of these were most likely toy spaniels, almost certainly Cavalier King Charles spaniels. They were produced by the thousands, but do have a great charm. The details of the face were hand-painted and each one was slightly different. Younger people did most of the color work on these pieces, which gave the pieces an air of enjoyment and youth in keeping with the whole character of toy dogs in general.

In the years of 1820 to 1850 the majority of these pieces was sold at country fairs and was surprisingly high quality. By early Victorian times almost all cottages had pottery figures and the dog, which was so much a part of the life of country people, it was just a natural choice to become a popular subject for pottery makers. Many pottery makers made dogs, but it was Staffordshire potteries that produced them the thousands.

Almost every breed was modeled at some or another and no two are ever absolutely identical due to each potter and painter’s slightly different style. They all did have some common features. They were almost usually all white with spots and patches of red or gold on ears and body. They usually had a padlock hanging from the collar and a chain slung across the brisket and over the back, most often in gold.

What do all these pottery pieces of dogs tell us? They tell us not so much about how the dogs looked at the time, but more that toy dogs in particular, enjoyed a lot of popularity in the early nineteenth century. Dogs, particularly the toy dogs, were as much a family member then as they are now, and probably even more now than then. The pet and pet care industry is one of the most lucrative businesses there is in the year of 2006.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Polish Pottery

2008-01-13T03:36:00.000-08:00

"I'm too young to be collecting dishes!" Yes, these famous last words came out of my mouth shortly after moving to Germany. I'd see the stuff everywhere – decorating the walls at a friend's house, overflowing with food at a potluck gathering, being sold by at a booth outside the post store. And don't forget each and every shopping bazaar – the table surrounded by a frenzy of ladies was sure to have a well-stocked selection from Poland or Italy.

I resisted its tempting allure for the first couple of years and believe it or not, my husband caved first. I was engrossed in a pile of carved wooden boxes as my husband explored the pottery table nearby. Then, he uttered those nine little words that he's probably regretted ever since, "what do you think about buying some Polish Pottery?" It was all over. We went home with five different pieces that afternoon but it was just the beginning - countless patterns, every color imaginable, and plenty of shapes and sizes – it turned out that not only was I not too young, I needed it all.

I took my first Polish Pottery shopping trip a few months later with the USO – you know, the one that you spend an insane 30 hours in a state of pottery-induced, it-doesn't-matter-how-much-I-spend euphoria. Everyone loads on a big touring bus at 9 pm on a Friday night and at around 4:30 am, the shopping madness begins. Shop owners know when the busses arrive and put themselves out of bed early to make that extra money. Each shop is a race – not only against your new friends on your bus but against that next tour bus you HAVE to stay in front of. Dinner plates, dessert plates, coffee cups and saucers, serving dishes, baking dishes, tea sets, salt and pepper shakers – anything you need for the kitchen or dining room. Recently, I've seen pottery items that you can use outside the kitchen such as wall decorations, planters, and some rude ones I won't mention … Some people have their one, beloved pattern while others, such as myself, mix and match for an eclectic look (they are also easier to replace if, heaven forbid, something breaks). Stop only for a short lunch of goulash to keep your energy level up and keep going.

The trip is also a learning experience, not just a chance to lose control. When looking at the pottery, try and purchase only 'category 1' items. The category indicates level of flaws so the higher the better. Category 1 pottery is oven safe for up to 425 degrees F and dishwasher safe (although I don't trust it … I don't even trust my husband to hand wash it … if you saw my collection of crystal glasses, you'd understand). Category 2 is oven safe for up to 325 degrees F and 'probably' dishwasher safe. Category 3 and higher should only be used for serving. Also, if you find the label 'unikat' on the bottom, the pattern is original to the store you purchased it from. The Golden Rule of Polish Pottery Shopping in Poland is: if you find a piece/pattern you like, purchase it there! You probably won't be able to find the exact same piece anywhere else so if you can stand the idea of potentially losing a couple dollars vs. getting that special piece, do it!

At about 5 pm, it's time to head back. The bus is crammed, the luggage spaces underneath the bus are as full as they can be, and every bump in the road you hit produces a worried 'gasp' from the exhausted shoppers. The Stuttgart USO automatically gives everyone two seats and by this time, you are saying a silent prayer for that ingenious perk. You get back to post around the wee hours of 3 am and barely have the energy to conjure up that little white lie to your spouse on how much you *actually* spent. Your body is screaming with a mixture of exhaustion and cramps from the bus but it was worth it! Especially when you move back to the states - watch QVC and you'll see what I mean. The other day, those silly, smiling ladies were selling one dessert plate for $42!

On a final note, I recommend going with a group to Poland as opposed to just you and the family. Bus trips, although tight and you have to concede to the groups schedule, it's better than getting your car stolen (which happens quite a bit – and how easy do you think it will be to track it in a former Eastern Block country??). I've heard so many of these car jacking stories – one woman brought her husband along to watch the car … he did – watched it get driven right out of the parking lot. I had a friend tell me that she'll only drive her car to Poland if her husband goes AND he drives the car in circles in the parking lot while she shops. I've also seen small groups, whether friends or organized by a resourceful military spouse, hire a chartered bus and driver. Each pitches in for a portion of the bill. Not only are they leaving the driving to someone else, they are buying themselves peace of mind. Better safe than sorry!

Ready to go?

USO dot com – Those affiliated with the military have this resource. Check your local USO's page for a schedule of tours.

Enjoy Tours dot com – this company does plenty of trips to great destinations, but they don't have that '2-seats-per-person' policy that the USO does.

Four shops in the area of Boleslawiec, Poland and American-friendly:

* Pol Card
Karty Platnicze w Polsce
Pawie Oczko sklep Firmony
Ul. Masarska 1, 59-700
Boleslawiec

* Ceramika Art Wiklina
"Cerwik" K. Roznicki, A. Mazur
59-731 Zebrzydowa
Zebrzydowa 62

* Kufel Sklep II
Ul II Armii Wojska Polskiego
59-700

* Makaba
Boleslawiec

The Quick And Easy Formula For Pottery Buying

2008-01-13T03:35:00.001-08:00

Did you know that pottery buying is actually an easy process?

People spend their weekends digging through all sorts of rummage sales, yard sales, and specialty stores looking for the perfect piece of pottery to go in their home. In fact, there is an incredible home furnishings store in our city that has simply amazing pieces of pottery that anyone would love to buy (including us). However, we are constantly amazed by the large amount of people who don’t have any idea what the different types of pottery are and how to buy the right type of pottery for their home. Pottery shopping is actually a fairly easy process once you get the hang of it. Follow these simple steps and you will be ahead of 95% of pottery buyers who end up paying more and getting less.

1. Get educated on the different types of pottery. Can you tell the difference between Stoneware pottery and Polish pottery? Pottery comes in many different styles and can sell for all sorts of different prices. Spend the $7 on an informative pottery book from Amazon.com and truly take the time to learn all about pottery and how to tell the good stuff from the bad.

2. Use the internet to familiarize yourself with pottery.Guess who is the #1 used car dealer on the face of the earth right now (and probably for the foreseeable future)? Ebay. Guess who also has extensive pottery listings? That’s right: Ebay. Ebay isn’t just for swapping beanie babies anymore. There are immense amounts of people who sell things on Ebay including lots of pottery. If you simply watch what is selling on Ebay and the prices that they are going for, you can get a pretty good idea of what the new and used pottery market is like offline too. I’ve generally found most ebay items to sell for at least a 25% discount to new offline merchandise.

3. Finally, you must compare pottery prices. Without proper price comparison, the other two points are almost meaningless. There are tricks to getting the best deal on pottery by comparing prices and no one should buy any without price comparison.

American Indian Pottery: In The Past And In The Present

2008-01-13T03:34:00.000-08:00

How American Indians arrived and when they arrived in the United States is a topic that has long been up for debate. There are conflicting reports and theories on when American Indians arrived here and how they did. In any culture, people and animals pass on and belongings become ruined. This tends to make it difficult to understand and study a particular culture. A popular tradition in the history of American Indians has made it easier for their history to be examined.

Pottery was a tradition that existed in the past and it continues to exist today. Pottery making has changed with time, but many American Indians have continued to carry on the tradition of making pottery in the same way that their ancestors did. In addition to being a longstanding tradition, pottery pieces have made it easier to understand the history of American Indians.

In today’s society American Indian pottery is often made for the sole purpose of money. There are a large number of individuals who still do it for the love of pottery and the history of it, but Native American pottery is wanted by individuals all around the world. This popularity has led to the development of a large number of American Indian pottery stores.

In the past, American Indian pottery was made with the purpose of using it. Men, women, and children used pottery on a daily basis. Pottery was often used for cooking, storage, and transporting necessities. Art was often the last thing on the mind of a pottery maker. Despite the fact that American Indian pottery was made for the purpose of being used, there are many similarities between today’s pottery and the pottery of the past.

Whether they intended it or not, may ancient pottery pieces are beautiful pieces of artwork. In fact, ancient pottery pieces are often valuable and considered a treasure. There are a large number of individuals and museums that pay a large amount of money to obtain older works of art. Whether it is for public display or personal possession, there is just something about owning a piece of history.

When American Indian pottery is made for commercial use, modern methods are often used to make the items. This modern way of making pottery has caused a small amount of controversy. There are many American Indians who wish to hold onto and celebrate their culture. This includes leaving traditions the way that they were. When many families teach their children how to make pottery, they often do so the way that their ancestors did. Many American Indians, to this day, still dig their own clay, mold it, and finish it with fire the way that it was done in the past.

Throughout the years, American Indians have had to alter their lives and traditions to fit into today’s society. Keeping with their past beliefs and traditions is difficult to do in today’s society. That is why pottery making continues to be an important tradition to American Indians. Pottery making has not only kept an important tradition alive, but it has helped to provide valuable financing to tribes and families that may be in desperate need of the money.

Deruta, Italy – A Pottery Lover’s Pilgrimage

2008-01-13T03:28:00.000-08:00

Attracting droves of tourists every year, Europe promises the ancient, the diverse, and the completely fascinating. Most travelers scurry past the major sites and cram in as much as possible in order to get through a list of 'must sees.' Unfortunately, much is overlooked due to lack of time and money while the infinite unique treasures sometimes hidden for the resourceful traveler remain undiscovered and unappreciated. Not that visits to the key attractions should be dissuaded!

On the contrary, I'm simply inviting the European travelers to dig a little deeper into their destination country and find the gems that will make them smile as they recall them even decades later. Remember and celebrate the taste of a fresh German pretzel, the sweet smell of the air in a Tuscan vineyard, or the baby soft petals in a colorful field of Dutch tulips. Savor an entire spectrum of sensory bliss as you skip from one country to the next, searching for that tiny unique detail that you will fondly relish for the rest of your life.

Window after window of priceless painted ceramics, a symphony of colors that dance seamlessly together, and terra cotta-colored buildings that have overlooked the area since the Middle Ages – it's almost too much to take in for visitors of Deruta. The sun warmly shines down on the masters that lovingly knead and massage their clay while shoppers 'oohh' and 'ahhh' over the gorgeous works of art. A day in Deruta promises a treasure trove of finds as well as the potential of making new friends - all packaged up in a relaxed atmosphere worthy of any Italian town.

Easy to find and tourist-friendly, Deruta sits right off of Autostrada E45 and immediately greets its visitors with rows of ceramic shops and ample parking. Despite housing over 200 retail stores, each offers its own elegantly unique patterns so it's difficult to not want to see them all. Stop by Cama, right off the main road, for a tour of the facility and a step-by-step journey through the process of ceramics. Cama's proud of their family-owned company and guests of their factory will see an uncle spinning cool, wet clay into pots and pitchers while mom is sanding the seams from the dried earthenware. Follow the circuit to witness the expert artists paint each creamy white argil into a masterpiece of color. Cama's work has been given to the Pope so it's without a doubt, high-quality craftsmanship.

Deruta's Old Town also offers shoppers a delightful time but in a more charming atmosphere. Aged buildings adorned by painted tiles sit just past the city gates and scream to be noticed. Visitors pop in and out of little stores while the cheerful water fountain in the middle of the cobblestone road provides soft background music. Shop owners greet passersby with smiles and conversation, eager to share information on their wares. Visit Mariam, whose talent is truly astounding. She sets herself apart from other Deruta artists by using shades of green and painting the outside surface of her bowls. Stop by Rolli Reno, who paints exquisite tiles of all sizes and incorporates them into trays, key ring hooks, and frames. His style explodes with a colorful symmetry that can brighten any place it's displayed in.

Deruta's the 'Ceramic of Ceramics'…any piece is sure to become a family heirloom

Pottery artist creates from, for gardens

2007-12-26T05:59:00.000-08:00

When Barbara Johnson adds a new plant to her landscape, she has an ulterior motive.

"If I see plants with leaves that would look good in clay, I buy that plant," says Johnson, a potter for 25years with a passion for natural textures. The porcelain and earthenware artist will be selling her work at Danville's Art in the Park festival next week.

"I love working with the different kinds of leaves," the Tracy potter says. "All the leaves are out of my garden."

Once she traveled to Livermore vineyards to get grape leaves -- her favorites -- to press into wet clay. Eventually she planted her own grapes. Since then, her yard (also the site of her workshop) has become a haven for plants bearing interesting leaves for use in her creations.

The art from her Chrysalis Pottery is inspired by nature; it fits into the landscape, too. Johnson says many of her pieces are designed for use in the garden. She suggests adding water, a few stones and a miniature pump to make outdoor art. She assures people her pottery will stand up to the elements.

"I test them out at home first," Johnson says. Her eclectic, colorful pieces include everything from a small sunflower table of glass mosaic, to huge earthenware leaf and flower platters, to birdbaths reminiscent of ponds -- complete with lily pads and frogs.

Johnson is among the 50 artists displaying their work at the eighth annual Art in the Park on Front Street. The event, taking place Saturday and Sunday, is a fundraiser for the local Community Art Education program. Stefan Baumann of "The Grand View: America's National Parks Through the Eyes of an Artist" and PBS fame is the guest artist Sunday.

Johnson is one of a half-dozen potters on hand for the show. Her new favorite medium is Japanese precious metal clay. She makes heart- shapedcharms of the soft substance that turns to near pure silver when fired. The charms can be worn as jewelry but also adorn some of her work.

Johnson began her love affair with clay pots as a girl after her mother and sister got frustrated with their own attempts at pottery.

"They got frustrated with it, and I decided to take it over," she says. "And conquer it."

She had her first gallery showing at 18 and has been hooked on pottery ever since. It's more than a hobby but less than a career for Johnson, who works at a software mapping firm. While raising three children, she spent less time in her shop than she does now, her last child having left home recently.

Johnson, who fires pottery in her own kiln, sometimes gets the best results from trying something new. For example, jar-shaped vases with whimsical, hand-braided wire handles seem a natural for rustic earthenware, but Johnson chose porcelain to get the glaze colors she wanted.

Even though the paint she uses is lead-free, most of her pottery is more for decoration than dining. Her pottery also is available at Cedar Mountain Winery in Livermore.

She offers custom creations based on examples from her Web site (www.chrysalispottery.com). She may be inspired by a previous design, but she emphasizes that she cannot make exact copies because the variable nature of the glazes and her penchant for exploration defy mass production.

Museum shows pottery, old and new

2007-12-26T05:58:00.000-08:00

PROVO -- Ancient and modern pottery -- the latter modeled after ancient techniques -- is on display at the Brigham Young University Museum of Peoples and Cultures.

Saturday marks "Celebrate Your Museum Day," a national celebration focusing on museums, and includes special activities. A lecture series on the Casas Grande culture of northern Mexico by Gordon Rakita, professor of archaeology at the University of North Florida, is scheduled for Sept. 13 at 4 p.m. in the Harold B. Lee Library on the BYU campus. His lecture is "Ramos Black, Cults of the Dead, and Ritual Practices at Casas Grandes, Mexico."

Other Saturday activities include crafts such as making bird shakers and mask colorings, raw clay pottery making and an I-spy petroglyph game along with face painting and a mock archaeology dig.

On Friday, free tours of the museum are every hour from 1-4 p.m.

However, the focal point is the exhibition "Touching the Past, Traditions of Casas Grandes," a student-curated collection of pottery that hasn't been seen publicly since 1994. The collection, acquired during the 1970s and 1980s, is part of a shared heritage with American Indian and Mexican peoples.

Juan Quezada, a revival potter, is credited with bringing back ancient designs and techniques the Casa Grande people used during the 13th to 15th centuries. Researchers believe the Casa Grande area was once a thriving trade center. Many of the artistic pots and jars found in the area contain designs from stories and beliefs common to their culture, curator Glenna Nielsen said.

Included in the ancient collection are effigy jars -- jars that were made in the images of the ancients' gods and animals.

As a young farmer, Quezada picked up pieces of pottery in what anciently was a city. The tradition for making the pottery had been lost, but he redeveloped it to produce forgeries, Nielsen said. However, his work caught on as a new Southwest art form and spawned other artisans from the Mata Ortiz village region.

Made of adobe dating to as early as A.D. 1000, the multistoried metropolis of Casa Grande eventually melted away after its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.

Setting up the exhibition started last year with three graduate students. The Museum of Peoples and Cultures received a $134,000 grant from Museums for America for the project. The grant is part of $17 million from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services targeting hundreds of museum programs across the country. The project runs through December 2008.

Students, including those enrolled in the Museum Practices Program, have been working with professionals to document, photograph and catalog the artifacts.

They are producing catalogs tentatively titled "Wealth of the Lost Red City" and "Legacy of Ancient Casas Grandes," which includes articles by experts and a student-authored section of 300 photo- illustrated catalog entries. The entries include each object's cultural affiliation, date of manufacture, description and condition report. Publication is scheduled for the spring of 2008.

Another exhibition is titled "Seeking the Divine, Ritual, Prayer and Celebration," also a display of indigenous cultures.

The Museum of Peoples and Cultures is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 700 N. 100 East. Call 422-0020 for more information or to schedule a guided tour.

Pottery-making in Bonakire, Ghana

2007-12-26T05:56:00.000-08:00

Bonakire is a predominantly Mo-speaking village located approximately 17km (10 1/2 miles) northwest of the ancient archaeological site of Begho in the Brong-Ahafo region of north-central Ghana. (1) In 1979 I conducted a brief ethnographic study of Bonakire's pottery industry as part of a three-month archaeological field school directed by Dr. Merrick Posnansky at the site of Begho B2. (2) This study, along with others preceding it, was undertaken to explore how mid to late twentieth century pottery-making compared with the ceramic data collected at Begho (see Crossland 1973, 1989; Goody 1963; Wilks 1961). This brief research note does not offer such an analysis but rather describes the distinctive method of making pottery I observed in Bonakire as well as the role of women in the cash economy of this small rural village.

Pottery production was the fulltime occupation of nearly all Bonakire women, and daughters typically learned from their mothers and grandmothers by observation and apprenticeship. Pottery-making was also taught in the village school (FIG. 1). Every female past the age of about 15 was actively producing pottery during my visit, and each potter was responsible for the production and sale of her own wares. Other than basic household duties, such as fetching water, preparing food, washing utensils and clothing, and caring for children, women spent much of the day engaged in pottery-making and its associated tasks. (3) They worked in two, 3-4 hour sessions, one in the morning starting about 9:00-10:00 AM and lasting until the preparation of the noon-time meal and a second longer session lasting all afternoon until the preparation of the evening meal. Three days in the six-day Mo temporal cycle (days 2, 5, and 6) were reserved for the collection of clay and the firing of vessels. Male relatives dug the clay from large pits located only about 60m (65 1/2 yards) northwest of the village near the Tetege stream and then pounded the large chunks into powder with a long pole (daa) and piled it into mounds belonging to particular women potters. Women would then head-load the powdered clay (tson) in large enamel basins back to their households, where it was sprinkled with water, kneaded into a workable paste, and pounded again. (4) A particular area of each compound was reserved for clay preparation and another for pottery-making itself. (5) Women tended to prepare only enough clay powder for use on a given day.

Bonakire pottery vessels are built in stages, the larger wares in two parts and the smaller ones in a single unit. Although documenting the production process was not my primary purpose, I observed it many times as I attempted to assess the degree of conformity among potters in the village (see Crossland 1973 for more detail). The two-stage production of the large vessels used for boiling water (kukuo), carrying water (ehina), and storing water (ehina) was the most distinctive, and the process was used consistently by all the potters I witnessed. (6) Women built the upper half of the vessel first, working on a flat circle of wood (kpankpa) elevated on a wooden mortar at about knee level. (7) Using the direct-pull method, the potter rhythmically walked around the lump of clay until it had roughly the desired form. Then, she refined the curvature of the body and the sharp eversion of the rim using an alternating succession of tools: a corncob, a rubber scraper, and/or a seedpod (FIG. 2). Final smoothing of the rim was done with a small piece of wet cloth. A woman could generally produce three or four of these upper units in one morning or afternoon session (FIG. 3). After a few hours of drying, a slip made of red hematite (from the local laterite-rich soil) and water was applied to the rim.

After the top dried overnight the lower portion of the pot was added to it. The rim portion was turned upside down onto the kpankpa and an iron scraper (poo) was used to remove excess clay from around the inside and outside of the vessel at its widest point, where it had sat on the kpankpa. A concave piece of wood (piipii) was used to beat and shape the outer surface. The clay that had been removed was then moistened with water and made into four or more large patties. Each of these was smoothed into the wall of the pot with the fingers and hand and modeled to the desired shape of the body and base (FIG. 4). The surface was frequently beaten with the piipii to smooth it. Then additional clay was smoothed over the entire surface with the fingers in a distinctive gesture: rubbing downward with the knuckles and pulling upward with the fingers. The vessel was moistened with water and thoroughly smoothed with the flat of the hand, after which a corncob was pulled over the entire surface up to the flaring neck. A final smoothing with a rubber scraper removed any excess clay.

Shallow pepper-grinding bowls were produced in one unit, with a potter beginning by placing a lump of prepared clay onto a kpankpa or a broken, concave pot base; to make these smaller vessels women generally sat directly on the ground or on a low stool. The clay was punched down and the walls gradually drawn up with the fingers to form the walls; as the right hand worked, the left hand slowly turned the kpankpa clockwise. As with the larger vessels, a succession of corncobs and rubber scrapers were used to open and shape the flared sides of the bowl. The formation of these bowls took as little as ten minutes each. Potters could make six to ten bowls in one sitting. The next day, the bowls were removed from the kpankpa or pottery base and their bottoms smoothed. On the third day excess clay was removed with an iron scraper to make the walls thinner and on the fourth day they were ready for a final smoothing and incised decoration.

Pottery to prints on display

2007-12-26T05:54:00.000-08:00

About 150 dealers will present china, silver and porcelain goods this weekend at the Pheasant Run Antique Show in St. Charles.

Items also include flow blue, copper, Belleek, pottery, books and prints. Lighting and furniture will be available too.

The show will be at 4051 E. Main Street. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6. Parking is free.

Repairing and matching services will be on hand for glass, crystal and china.

Antiques So Fine from Naperville will give free appraisals from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pheasant Run Antique Show. Kennedy Productions, (630) 515-1160.

Healthy home. The Health House-a showcase model for health concerns, environmental sensitivity and energy efficiency-is planned for Glen Ellyn.

The 10,000-square-foot showcase residence will be constructed by Sevvonco Inc. The home was designed by Styczynski, Walker & Associates.

Scott Sevon, president of Sevvonco, recently attended the American Lung Association's training session on building a Healthy House. The association has been working on quality air concerns with architects, builders, environmental health professionals and home-product manufacturers.

The Health House will be the first of its kind in Illinois. Eighteen are in 11 other states.

Several measures were implemented in the home's design pertaining to air quality. These include air cleaners and air purifiers. Here are some other highlights of the Health House:

Radiant heat (including the garage).

Cabinets made with specially formulated non-toxic glues.

Indoor pool, spa and waterfalls.

Four-stop elevator.

Three cooking areas.

Five fireplaces with heat generators.

Back-up generator systems.

The latest in electronics and computer wiring.

A theater system.

Wheelchair accessibility, with wider doorways, a ramp in the garage and door levers (instead of handles).

Recessed lighting, automatically controlled.

Heated mirrors.

Construction of a Health House is expected to cost 3 to 5 percent more than the same size home using traditional construction techniques. However, utility bills are estimated to be 30 to 40 percent less.

Also, the model will be known as the "Green House" by Professional Builder magazine. It will be featured the publication's Web site, www.housingzone.com, with regular updates and education features.

Cimarron Pottery Opens in Moore

2007-12-26T05:53:00.000-08:00

Cimarron Pottery and World Imports has opened retail operations in the City of Moore Shopping Center, west of Interstate 35 at 605 N. Moore Ave.

The lease is for 66,000 square feet. That is about half the size of the company's other store, west of Yukon on Interstate 40 at Cimarron Rd., but will contain the same merchandise, said owner John Rabon.

He said the store will serve "a very strong customer base from Moore down to Ardmore that may not be able to get out to Interstate 40 as often."

"I expect some business from the Moore store to come from the (Yukon) store but my feeling is that the total number of (sales) dollars will increase to justify the Moore store," he said.

The Moore store has about 30 employees. Merchandise includes house wares, silk floral, baskets and pottery. Rabon said 50 percent of the items are imported.

The Yukon store opened in 1985 as Garden Ridge Pottery and World Imports and has about 50 employees.

Pottery, porcelain, and glass

2007-12-26T05:52:00.000-08:00

For the last five years, only a Philistine could have wondered why, on a freezing afternoon in mid-January, a line of people waited to enter the National Academy of Design in New York City. Everyone else would know that this was the preview day of the New York Ceramics Fair, when passionate collectors wanted to be first to see what the dealers had brought to satisfy their particular addiction in the fields of pottery, porcelain, and glass. This year, from January 19 through 23, three floors of this elegant beaux-art building will be populated by some forty dealers from around the world. Their eclectic inventories might include a Chinese earthenware tomb figure a thousand years old, a nineteenth-century Pennsylvania redware plate with sgrafitto decoration, or an undulating glass table created by an artist in a London studio six months ago. The preview of the sixth annual New York Ceramics Fair starts at 5:00 PM on January 18.

Two other seductive inducements at this fair are a loan exhibition and a lecture series. This year's loan exhibition is entitled Altogether American: Tucker Porcelain from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and includes some twenty-five pieces of this early and rare American porcelain. It is organized by Alexandra A. Kirtley, an assistant curator at the Philadelphia Museum. The Tucker factory, one of the earliest porcelain works in this country, was established in Philadelphia in 1826 by William Ellis Tucker. The firm is also notable for the survival (also in the Philadelphia Museum) of two pattern books, one with watercolor renderings, the other with drawings of shapes. Both volumes were most likely created by Thomas Tucker after the factory closed in 1838. The books are important in attributing unmarked pieces of Tucker porcelain. Some of the most beautiful examples of these porcelains are the wares decorated with views based on engravings in William Russell Birch's compendium The Country Seats of the United States of North America, which was issued serially starting in 1808. Some of these record properties that have been destroyed (for example the kitchen building in the background of the vase illustrated on the right above) or drastically altered, but all of them provide colorful views of places that are mostly encountered only in black-and-white prints.

The lecture series this year, as always, covers a wide variety of topics. Among the subjects are Chelsea porcelain, Venetian glass, North Carolina pottery, the Castellani collection of Italian Renaissance maiolica, English drinking vessels in colonial America, ceramics found in archaeological contexts, Maine redware, and Tucker porcelain. There are three lectures per day at noon, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM from January 19 through 21. For information, telephone 310-455-2886 or 301-933-6994 or consult the Web sites for the fair (www.caskeylees.com) or (www.shador.com).

Home designed as backdrop to pottery

2007-12-26T05:51:00.000-08:00

It's the old chicken-and-egg question, but in this case, it pertains to a house: Which came first, the house or the Mexican art collection?

The answer here is that the house would not have taken shape as it did without the collection.

A Southwestern-style Scottsdale, Ariz., home, was custom-designed for its owners' prized collection of pottery from Metepec and Puebla in central Mexico.

The home's festive interior colors--fuchsia, teal and caramel-- were chosen to go with the collection and feel of the house. Everywhere you look, you are serenaded with color, culture and charm.

The 4,000-square-foot home is a total redo: The original house, built in the 1950s, was torn down, with only the foundation saved. The new home, designed by Phoenix architect David Cawthron, has a more open floor plan as well as details such as nichos (wall niches), bancos (benches) and special spaces, all for displaying artwork and pottery.

The homeowners, who asked to remain unidentified, recently opened the house to the public in support of a charity fund-raising event for a Friends of Mexican Art organization. The nonprofit organization fosters cultural ties with Mexico and helps fund Mexican art acquisitions and art-related exhibitions and events at cultural institutions throughout Arizona.

The couple have traveled extensively to Mexico, where they have sought unusual pieces and commissioned others.

They have been impressed by the intricacy of the work done by the Mexican artists, especially considering artists' use of rudimentary tools.

The couple's interest in Mexican art is apparent from the moment you step up to the front of the home. There, two life-size figures of saints stand guard at each side of carved wooden doors.

The foyer, with its magenta walls and gold ceiling, serves as the hallway to the great room, where the walls repeat the colors and are complemented by tapestry-covered furnishings. A hutch along one wall features several magnificent pieces, including one called "Juntas," a colorful clay representation of life, from birth to marriage to death.

In the kitchen, colorful Talavera pottery lines the top of the teal-painted cherry cabinets. A hand-embroidered Mexican tablecloth, featuring colorful animal shapes, covers the nook table.

In the study, a ceramic sculpture decorated with mermaids and suns, standing 4 feet tall and exhibited in a niche made just for it, resembles a tree of life, a traditional Mexican motif. It was made by Puebla artist Heron Martinez.

The bedrooms also have their share of south-of-the-border furnishings and artwork. In the master bedroom, the bed--with its custom-made bedspread in golds, deep orange and magenta, and headboard of carved birds--fits in a magenta niche. A Mexican crucifix hangs above the bed.

One of the guest bedrooms, in a French country style of mostly yellows and magenta, features a sunburst-patterned headboard from Guatemala.

Alabama Folk Pottery

2007-12-26T05:49:00.002-08:00

Alabama Folk Pottery. By Joey Brackner. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2006. xviii, 311 pp. $69.95. ISBN 0-8173-1509-8.

Joey Brackner's book can be summed up in one word: bountiful. But that would make for a very brief review and certainly falls short of expounding on its many informative aspects and abundant illustrations. It is more than bountiful; it is hefty. The oversized volume is designed so that the reader may lay open the book and devour its contents, page by page, picture by picture. Descriptors such as bounty or hefty apply as much to the size of the book as to its contents.

The Alabama Folk Pottery volume is intended as a pleasurable savoring of the insightful details of the lives of potters and their wares as revealed through Brackner's two decades of documentary research, oral histories, collections inspections, and (where available) archaeological studies. He begins with a generous acknowledgement for those who inspired him, sponsored him, and shared with him their passion for pottery as well as scholarly summaries. Following the introduction, the book is divided into two parts. Part one, "Alabama Folk Pottery," comprised of three chapters, examines pottery wares by cultural traits, functionality, and stoneware manufacturing processes. Part two, "Pottery Regions of Alabama," comprised of nine chapters, provides the reader a detailed tour of the six major regions of pottery manufacturing in the state, along with explanations of their genesis and decline. Chapter twelve assesses the state of Alabama pottery today and the possible continuity of the tradition. He concludes that, "ironically, appreciation of the beauty and significance of folk pottery grows each year as the number of shops diminishes" (p. 213). This is a poignant reminder of the significant contribution his research brings to the study and value of folk pottery in Alabama as well as the surrounding southern states

Some may define this tome as an art book solely based on the abundance of illustrations: nearly 260 black and white and color images of pots, people, and places are included. The well-developed index and the seventeen pages of endnotes, however, clearly distinguish it as a reference volume, useful for the serious researcher of folk pottery. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of this book is the robust checklist of potters, namely 661 (or forty-three pages worth), who turned and burned their wares in Alabama. The checklist provides the names and family of each potter, the period in which they operated, and where they worked. From this inventory of potters, ceramics scholars as well as genealogists can trace the common names of clay-clans through the region as they migrated south and west from neighboring states. Names such as Bachelder, Boggs, Browns, Cogburn, LeFever, Rushton, Stork, Ussery, and Vestal testify to the peripatetic practices of some pottery clans who migrated from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee seeking cheap land, suitable clays, plentiful fuel, and new markets of consumers. Brackner very aptly acknowledges that as potters migrated into Alabama from various places they adapted their traditions to meld with the fusion of technologies emerging in the newly opened hinterlands.

His region-by-region description of the pottery industry in Alabama, beginning in the early 1800s, developing through the 1880's and diminishing by the twentieth century, presents an insightful look at how and why pottery centers flourished or sputtered in response to various natural and cultural factors, primarily economic endeavors. He balances this broad perspective with in-depth dialogue of the potters through oral histories and interviews. Turn a page to look face-to-face with a potter's soulful stare as he or she appears in a vintage photograph, at work or at pose, looking back at us with beaming pride, secret knowledge, or restless resilience. The human spirit of someone who makes pottery for a living is something to be appreciated and documented. Brackner gives a democratic description of Alabama potters, whether male or female, white or black, free or enslaved, by understanding the cultural parameters of the day. Whether the reader approaches this topic as a pottery collector, antique dealer, ceramics enthusiast, craft historian, or archaeologist, this intelligent and well-illustrated volume will enlighten, educate, and enhance our greater appreciation for these potters, now mostly gone from us.

Spirituality, experience, and art pottery

2007-12-26T05:49:00.001-08:00

Three articles on spirituality in one issue? If you are wondering, "What was he thinking!", let me explain by way of analogy as I describe my interest in art pottery.

Like many family physicians, I pursue a number of passions. My parents instilled in me a love of antiques and an excitement about collecting. What began as casual admiration of a decorative tile floor at the Josyln Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, soon became a feverish hunt. I discovered that reproductions of these tiles, made from the original molds, were produced at the Moravian Pottery in Pennsylvania. Having purchased a few reproductions, I was soon in passionate pursuit of art tile produced in the US at the turn of the century (yes, I know this ranks in the top 10 of eccentric hobbies). Of course, I had to visit other historical potteries, such as the Rookwood Pottery here in Cincinnati. I subscribed to the Journal of the American Art Pottery Association (take that, JAMA). Soon I wanted to make tiles, and so took classes in throwing pots, hand-building, and sculpting. To design better files, I had to learn to draw, and from there ... you get the idea.

Indeed, I have come to believe that much of our lives revolves around finding passion and meaning. For some of us, it is found in relationships with family and friends, in contemplation of nature, and, for many of you, in religious worship. Unfortunately, as physicians, we too often ignore our patients' spiritual health. I hope, after reading this issue of JFP, you will agree that we all can practice more effectively by understanding our patients' spiritual perspectives.

Throughout my journey described above, I have also been reminded about the value of experience. Only experience demystifies the way a glaze pools and puddles or the manner in which clays fire. Wise potters, collectors, and dealers have greatly contributed to my understanding and appreciation of tile. While in medicine it has become almost cultish to discount personal experience, I am regularly reminded--particularly when working with my senior colleagues--of the value of the "wisdom of the ageds" (as my colleague, Rick Ricer, has coined). Rick spent his sabbatical asking physicians across the country about their "Practice Pearls"--and we will be regularly sharing these unabashedly personal observations (see page 649).

As always, I invite you to share your comments and experiences from practice. While you may find this issue thought-provoking, even a bit challenging, I trust you will find some relevance to your work.

Pottery Barn Outdoor Spaces

2007-12-26T05:48:00.000-08:00

POTTERY BARN OUTDOOR SPACES: EASY IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR CASUAL OUTDOOR LIVING isn't just for rural or suburban homeowners--if you're an urban dweller with only a balcony, you can still find a lot to learn from an entertainment book dedicated to creating lovely outdoor environments and outdoor rooms. Exterior spaces are rarely given their own complete book: this provides easy techniques for converting or decorating porches, garden areas, and more. From simple balcony decors to creating outdoor kitchens, spa areas and patios, OUTDOOR SPACES is packed with colorful photo examples and plenty of ideas.

Casa Grandes pottery in spotlight

2007-12-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

PROVO -- This month, the Casa Grandes pottery collection at the Museum of Peoples and Cultures begins its move toward center stage.

"We have a very notable collection of Casa Grandes pottery," said the teaching museum's curator Glenna Nielsen.

"It needs to be researched, exhibited and published. It is part of the history of our country. We can learn from these people. They built a thriving civilization in a very harsh climate."

The collection, acquired during the 1970s and 1980s, is part of a shared heritage with American Indian and Mexican peoples, she said. It was last exhibited in 1994.

The Museum of Peoples and Cultures will receive $134,172 Museums for America grant for a 28-month project. The grant is part of $17 million originating from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services targeting hundreds of museum programs across the country.

The result locally will be a new exhibition and two catalogs about the pottery collection, a museum spokeswoman said.

The project ends in December 2008.

Students, including those enrolled in the Museum Practices Program, will work with professionals to document, photograph and catalog the artifacts.

The catalogs are tentatively titled "Wealth of the Lost Red City" and "Legacy of Ancient Casas Grandes" and will include articles by experts and a student-authored section of 300 photo-illustrated catalog entries. The entries will include each object's cultural affiliation, date of manufacture, description and condition report.

Finally, they will plan and create a Casas Grande and Southwestern United States exhibition at the museum that is scheduled to open in May 2007 and remain until April 2009. Catalog publication is scheduled for Spring 2008.

"This project falls right in line with our (teaching) mission at the MPC," said Marti Allen, outgoing museum director. "The project not only allows students great experience, but one of its main objectives is preserving cultural heritage."

The Museum of Peoples and Cultures is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 700 N. 100 East in Provo

Pottery points to 'mother culture'

2007-12-26T05:45:00.000-08:00

More than 3,000 years ago, a coastal town served as the center of a "mother culture" that shaped societies in a wide swath of what's now southern and central Mexico. Jeffrey P. Blomster of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and his colleagues arrived at this conclusion following an extensive investigation into the region's pottery trade.

Blomster's team determined the chemical composition of 725 ceramic pieces and 828 clay samples, from the town of San Lorenzo and six other ancient population centers. The pieces were between 2,850 and 3,450 years old. Using the data from their analyses, the researchers traced the movement of pottery goods and found that communities everywhere imported pottery that originated in San Lorenzo--defined by the cultural style called Olmec--but that San Lorenzo didn't import any ceramic goods in return. Potters at some sites outside San Lorenzo also created imitations of Olmec jars from local clays, the researchers report in the Feb. 18 Science.

The new results challenge the view that Olmec-era societies in Mexico traded goods back and forth as "sister cultures," contributing about equally to the spread of pottery-making techniques and symbolic designs.--B.B.

Texas pottery - Current and Coming

2007-12-26T05:43:00.000-08:00

Pottery making took root in the Deep South in the Edgefield District--today Edgefield, Aiken, and Greenwood Counties in South Carolina along the Georgia border. The area had rich clay deposits and drew potters during the early years of the nineteenth century. By mid-century there were five potteries there, and a number of potters had migrated west to establish their own kilns. A number of them worked in the eastern and central portions of Texas, producing mainly utilitarian stonewares as they had in Edgefield. These included large jars and jugs, butter chums, and tablewares.

An exhibition on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, surveys the output of a number of Texas potters, with the focus on a rare group of objects made at a pottery owned by Hyrum Wilson, a former slave. Entitled The Wilson Potters: An African-American Enterprise in 19th-Century Texas, the show includes some twenty objects and may be seen until March 3, 2003.

One of the most important Texas potters was John McKamey Wilson Jr., who, about 1857, established the Guadalupe Pottery in Guadalupe County near Seguin, Texas. Wilson was a clergyman, lawyer, teacher, and planter, but had never been trained in pottery making. Clearly his slaves were adept, for it was they who labored in his pottery works. Pottery in Texas was fired in a groundhog kiln, so named because part of the kiln is buried in the earth. As in Edgefield, potters at Guadalupe initially used alkaline, or ash, glazes. These were common to potteries in the Deep South and are notable for the variety of colors they produced, from yellow and green to reddish and dark brown. Later Guadalupe potters used salt glazes. After emancipation the former salves became employees of the pottery, and, after the Civil War, Wilson took on a partner, Marion J. Durham, to whom he sold the pottery in 1869.

At this point a group of former slaves, Hyrum, James, Wallace, Andrew, and George, all having taken the surname Wilson, decided to establish their own pottery in a region called Capote. H. Wilson and Company, as the pottery was known, produced only salt-glazed stonewares and, rather unusually, often marked their products. Another distinguishing characteristic of their output is the horseshoe shape of the handles on their jars and jugs in contrast to the crescent-shaped handles used almost everywhere else in the South.

A booklet with the same title as the exhibition has been published by the museum. It is written by Michael K. Brown, the curator of the Bayou Bend Collection in Houston, and may be obtained by telephoning 713-639-7360.

Tiffany pottery - Current and Coming

2007-12-26T05:16:00.000-08:00

Louis Comfort Tiffany and members of his studio worked in nearly every conceivable medium of the decorative arts. Thus, it is not surprising that some of the objects they produced were more commercially successful than others and that their survival rate is often relative to total production. A case in point is Tiffany's art pottery. Between approximately 1904 and 1914 craftsmen at Tiffany Furnaces in Corona, New York, created only about two thousand pieces of art pottery, making it today among the rarest of Tiffany productions in any medium. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, Florida, has one of the largest concentrations of Tiffany objects in the country, including about one hundred pieces of art pottery. Many of these are being exhibited in a special exhibition entitled Sculpting Nature: The Favrile Pottery of L.C. Tiffany, which is on view from February 3 through January 9, 2005.

Tiffany long had an interest in ceramics and was an avid collector of art pottery. As early as 1898 he began experimenting with ceramics. Two years later in the showroom of Tiffany Studios he exhibited a collection of innovative French pottery he had seen at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. In 1902 an article in Keramic Studio predicted: "Mr. Tiffany, the maker of the beautiful Favrile glass, is experimenting in pottery, and it is very probable that he is not following beaten paths and that we will see sooner or later some striking and artistic potteries come out of his kilns." Indeed, two years later visitors to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis were treated to a display of Tiffany's ceramic wares. Tiffany called his output Favrile pottery, no doubt wanting to capitalize on the enormous popularity of his glass of the same name.

As in his other endeavors, many of these vessels, both in their form and decoration are drawn from nature. The pieces were slip cast, and in some cases they were made in plaster molds taken of actual plants, vegetables, and flowers after they had been frozen in shellac. The Celery Vase (illustrated at lower left) has such verisimilitude that it could have been made using this process.

In its catalogue Tiffany and Company stated that its ceramics were "entirely different from anything heretofore shown in table lamps, vases, jars and other pieces." Various types of glazes were offered, among them: mat, iridescent, and transparent with a yellowish cast, which was the most common. About 1910 a glaze called Favrile bronze was introduced. Involving electroplating and subsequent patination, the resulting wares looked more like metal than pottery. At some point around 1914, Tiffany and Company ceased making pottery, which had never attained the popularity of Favrile glass. This exhibition, which unfortunately does not have a catalogue, offers a wonderful opportunity to see a broad range of these objects, nine of which have recently been acquired by the museum.

Handcrafted pottery recalled

2007-12-26T05:02:00.000-08:00

In April 1988, during a routine inspection of Turtlecreek Pottery, a small Ohio pottery company that employs artisans to create pottery modeled after early American designs, FDA found that some of the pieces intended for food use leached lead at a rate of 1 1.6 parts per million, more than twice as much as the 5 ppm allowed under FDA's standards. The company did not keep records of "firing" times and temperature. These are two important factors in rendering lead glazes acid-resistant, which prevents or limits lead from leaching from the pottery into food. The company also failed to run quality control tests to determine if the ceramic pieces had been fired properly and were within the tolerance for leachable lead.

The line with excessive lead levels included mugs, punch bowls, plates and platters, porringers, trenchers, pie birds, and demitasse cups. The company sold its wares through mail order, wholesalers, and retail shops.

Turtlecreek agreed to recall all its pottery-2,765 pieces-produced in 1988 and the early part of 1989. The company placed notices in Early American Life magazine and Antique Review to notify customers of the pottery's high lead content and the recall. Turtlecreek also issued a press release on the recall through the wire services, United Press International, and Associated Press.

Turtlecreek no longer makes pottery intended for food use and has decided to craft only reproductions of museum pieces.

Giving Children the Gift of Creating Pottery

2007-12-26T05:01:00.001-08:00

In the world in which we live, children are faced with many temptations, good and bad. It is in our best interests as parents to tip the scales in favor of the good temptations our children will face whenever possible by giving them plenty of skills, talents, and creative outlets upon which to exert their energy and focus. Sports are great but most sports are limited to seasons. This leaves parents looking for things to keep their children's active minds involved and occupied during the off seasons for their favorite sports.

Pottery lessons are a great way to give kids a creative focus while helping them develop quiet activities they can enjoy. This also keeps them too busy to spend a lot of time on activities that are detrimental and hopefully will fill the time that may otherwise be spent falling into the wrong crowd. More importantly, there are very few gifts you can give your children that are better than the gift of being able to create something beautiful, practical, useful, or simply unique and different from a lump of clay. Pottery is doing just that.

First lessons for children should be simple and not too aggressive. Let your child set his or her own pace for pottery lessons and don't push him or her to go too far too fast. Like most things in life, your child will need to learn to crawl before he or she walks in the field of pottery. This often means learning the intricacies of hand building with clay before moving on to the potter's wheel though your child may choose to move on to the wheel and show no interest in hand building at all. The most important thing is that you keep your child interested or the lessons will be a waste of time and money resulting in the opposite effect of what you are hoping to achieve.

Most communities offer some sort of art classes that include pottery sessions for children. Larger communities will have classes for children that specifically deal with pottery. If you are fortunate enough to live in one of these communities it is a great field to introduce your little ones too as you never know when true talent may show itself. If your child does display a good deal of talent or an avid interest in pursuing pottery further there are generally classes that can be taken for those who have had the basics and are ready to move on to some of the more advanced skills.

Polish Pottery Is Beautiful And Practical

2007-12-26T04:59:00.000-08:00

While living in Germany, I was introduced to Polish Pottery. So many of the ladies I met were collecting it! While I didn't immediately catch the "bug", once I got my first piece of Polish Pottery, it wasn't long before I knew what the attraction was.

After some persuading, a friend of mine convinced me to go to Poland with her for an overnight trip. I only had two pieces of the pottery and I had won both of them at a "Polish Pottery Bingo" fundraiser. I just assumed that the pottery would be expensive and really didn't understand what the big deal was with collecting it. After that trip to Poland though, I found myself trying to figure out what I wanted, which pattern, when could I go back to Poland, and so many other things! While I didn't get everything I would have liked to on that first trip, I did make up my mind to have a collection of my own.

Polish Pottery is beautiful but practical. While each piece is different in some small way, each piece is also useful in its own right. The pottery can be used in the oven or microwave and it is dishwasher safe unlike many beautiful china sets. Dinner can go from the oven to the table in a beautiful dish. It will then wash up easier than any other dishes I have ever used. What more could you ask for.

During my two trips to Poland, I was able to get a collection that makes for a beautiful scene at family meals. Instead of choosing one particular pattern like many people do, I chose to go with different ones I liked. I have a 12 place setting and each setting is a different pattern. The serving dishes are all different too. While it may sound a little out of the ordinary, these dishes and the patterns they have all just seem to go together beautifully. I chose everything with the dark blues versus the lighter blues. I then simply chose pieces I liked and didn't worry about perfection. The great thing about Polish Pottery is that you can do this and still achieve elegance at the table with an array of patterns and colors that rivals any perfectly matched set.

When looking at Polish Pottery to buy, the main thing to keep in mind is if you plan to use it or display it. A level or class 1 piece is usable in the oven as well as the microwave. It is also considered to have no flaws so to speak. A class 2 can also be used in the oven, but is more likely to eventually crack. It may also have some minor flaw that you may not even be able to spot. A level 3 and up will almost definitely crack at some point of use if baked in the oven. It may also have a run in the color scheme, a mistake in the patterning, or some other flaw. I do have a couple of pieces that are level 3 that I don't notice any flaws in, but I am very careful to not use them in the oven. The crack that would undoubtedly come would be a major flaw!

Functional Pottery Makes a Great Gift, Plain and Simple

2007-12-26T04:57:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for something unique to give a friend or family member for an upcoming birthday or holiday? If you really want to wow that special someone, why not consider purchasing an original one of a kind pottery gift that makes life better in some way.

Pottery gifts come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and they can be practical or extravagant. If your recipient loves to take afternoon tea, why not surprise him or her with a gorgeous tea set, complete with teacups, saucers, and teapot? You might even want to add a serving tray for that extra special touch. Perhaps you know someone who adores fresh flowers. A delicate vase to showcase a vibrant bouquet would likely be appreciated.

If you long to combine functionality with beauty in your everyday life, you will likely find pottery to be outstanding in every way. From the depth of color to the texture to the overall design, each piece stands apart from the next. Keep in mind that you do not have to buy matching sets of cups, plates, and bowls. In fact, it can be equally attractive to mix and match plates of one design and color with bowls from an entirely different set.

Handcrafted pottery takes time to create, as each piece must be molded from clay, glazed, and fired. If you appreciate fine art and won't accept less than the best, you will be pleased with the extensive inventory of handmade pottery that can be purchased from the internet. From birdbaths to vases to tableware, we are certain here at Northern Inventions that you will find the pieces that will bring joy and function to your life.

Handcrafted pottery is unique in that each piece has some variation, as it is nearly impossible to create two identical pieces of pottery. It takes great pains to design pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The process from start to finish takes no less than 20 to 30 steps, so you can be sure that you are only getting the highest quality handcrafted pottery.

One of the perks to purchasing handcrafted pottery is that every piece should be dishwasher and microwave oven safe. Furthermore, you should also be able to use pottery in a conventional oven with no worries, as all of the glazes used should be 100 percent lead free, whether you are looking for dinnerware, oversized coffee mugs, or a beautiful vase.

I believe functional pottery serves a purpose, even if that purpose is to add to the aesthetics of your home, along with being quite beautiful. It should also serve practical functions such as serving tea or holding a colorful bouquet of fragrant roses or to provide a haven for birds to gather and bathe in the outdoors. Every piece of pottery that you will find on any site should be functional, as well as pretty and stimulating to your senses. After all, pottery that makes you feel good by putting a smile on your face every time you look at it serves the most important purpose--making you happy.

Whether you are looking for a specific piece of pottery to fulfill a need, such as a colorful vase to display your floral arrangements, or you just want to fill your home with beauty, all functional handmade pottery should be expertly handcrafted from the capable and artistic hands of an artist that is experienced in what they are doing.

All of our stoneware pottery that you see on our site is durable and safe to use in the dishwasher, microwave, and conventional oven. This may come as a surprise to many people because our unique handcrafted pottery from Sofi's Sunspot Studio is so beautiful that you may be afraid to put it to good use. At Northern Inventions, we only sell products that are functional, and we encourage you to use your stoneware pottery in your everyday life.

Ancient Greek Pottery

2007-12-26T04:56:00.002-08:00

The pottery of ancient Greece is one of the most tangible and iconic elements of ancient Greek art. The colorful vases and pots of the ancient Greeks have survived in large numbers and are today highly prized as collectors items.

Ancient Greeks made pottery for everyday use, not for display, the trophies won at games such as the Panathenaic amphorae (used for storage), are the exception. Most surviving pottery consists of drinking vessels such as amphorae, kraters (bowls for mixing wine and water), hydria (water jars), libation bowls, jugs and cups. Painted funeral urns have also been found. Miniatures were also produced in large numbers, mainly for use as offerings at temples. In the Hellenistic period a wider range of pottery was produced, but most of it is of little artistic importance.

In earlier periods event quite small Greek city-states produced pottery for their own locale. These varied widely in style and standards. Distinctive pottery that ranks as art was produced on some of the Aegean islands, in Crete, and in the wealthy Greek colonies of southern Italy and Sicily. By the later Archaic and early Classical period, however, the two great commercial powers, Corinth and Athens, came to dominate. Their pottery was exported all over the Greek world, driving out the local varieties. Pots from Corinth and Athens are found as far a field as Spain and Ukraine, and are so common in Italy that they were first collected in the 18th century as "Etruscan vases". Many of these pots are mass produced products of low quality. In fact, by the 5th century BC, pottery had become an industry and pottery painting ceased to be an important art form of ancient Greece.

The history of ancient Greek pottery is divided stylistically into periods: The Protogeometric from about 1050 BC. The Geometric from about 900 BC. The Archaic from about 750 BC. The Black figure from the early 7th century BC. The Red figure from about 530 BC.

The range of colors which could be used on pots was restricted by the technology of firing: black, white, red and yellow were the most common. In the three earlier periods, the pots were left their natural light color, and were decorated with slip that turned black in the kiln.

The fully mature black-figure technique, with added red and white details and incising for outlines and details, originated in Corinth during the early 7th century BC and was introduced into Attica about a generation later; it flourished until the end of the 6th century BC. The red-figure technique, invented in about 530 BC, reversed this tradition, with the pots being painted black and the figures painted in red. Red-figure vases slowly replaced the black-figure style. Sometimes larger vessels were engraved as well as painted.

Pottery Adds Decorative Flair

2007-12-26T04:56:00.001-08:00

This is often overlooked for its decorative appeal with the message often getting lost within its incredible versatility and usefulness. The truth is however, that when it comes to decorating and lending style, pottery is a great way to go when decorating in almost any theme or style of décor. I have found very few rooms in my time in which some style of pottery would not suit the overall design scheme of the room. I would think that there really are very few. Even modern Gothic styled rooms have plenty of appropriate opportunities to use pottery to enhance the theme.

All in all, pottery makes an excellent accent for home décor. The first thing that comes to mind is a pottery vase. These can hold live plants, flowers, fake greenery, or simply contain your prized marble collection out of sight and away from the little ones. They look great standing on the floor, on mantles, and on tabletops in addition to many other places throughout the home. A vase looks good in almost any room and is quite functional while also being quite beautiful depending on the style and artistry of the particular vase in question.

Stoneware plates are great decorative additions and look wonderful on plate rails or on wrought iron plate wracks that are designed to hold them on the wall or on a plate stand on a bookshelf or the mantle. Bowls are another excellent choice for decorating with pottery. They can be functional, holding fruit on a dining room table or kitchen counter tops or they can be simple adornment on a stand, displayed for the world to see, or holding candles arrangements, potpourri, or a collection of interesting and decorative balls. The possibilities are endless and you can change your pottery display to accommodate various seasons if you are so inclined.

Pottery pitchers may also be very decorative rather than merely practical. Rather than holding your lemonade or iced tea you can fill the pitchers with floral arrangement of fresh flowers or a nice silk arrangement. This allows you to showcase the pottery you love rather than keeping it locked in the cabinets and reserved for special occasions that call for yet another pitcher of some cold beverage. It also allows for you to have some fun deciding all the neat and interesting ways to showcase your collection and shock and amaze those who visit your home.

The Beauty of Mexican Pottery

2007-12-26T04:55:00.002-08:00

All pottery from around the world has some similar qualities to all other pottery and some qualities that are unique to the culture in which it was crafted and created. There is much that goes into the creation of pottery pieces from the clay that is molded and shaped to the intricacy of carvings, paintings, glazing, and even the firing method that is used to, in essence, create the actual pottery piece. This is often considered to be among the most beautiful forms of pottery in the world today. Of course there are those who disagree as beauty is in the eye of the beholder but there is little doubt that it is among some of the most intricately designed pottery you will find around the world today.

The Mexican pottery of today is made combining ancient methods with modern technology for a grand and beautiful effect. Some of the more elegant pieces of this pottery on the market today are hand built rather than crafted on a potter's wheel and very few are made with the use of ceramics, relying instead on clay for these beautiful pieces of pottery. Various potters will have different styles of crafting their creations. Some may use the wheel while others will not. Keep in mind that many of the finer pieces that are most often associated with the best of Mexican pottery offerings are those that are made as mentioned above.

This is sold around the world and greatly coveted by those who have a sincere interest in collecting pottery for its beauty and the method of design, which combines some of the ancient traditions that have been passed down through generations among artisans with the best in new technologies with a stunning appeal.

Not all Mexican pottery is serious business however; there are plenty of pieces that are perfect for those looking to collect the more unusual, off the wall, and whimsical pieces of potter that can be found if one knows where to look. Mexican pottery sometimes takes on the shape of whatever the artist happens to fancy at the moment, depending of course on how seriously the artist takes him or herself. If you are in the mood to collect some of the mythical creatures of Mexican folklore, chances are that you can find a potter that will incorporate these beasts into his or her work (for the right price of course). There have been some quite famous pieces that have been completely whimsical in nature and serve as a great reminder that we really should avoiding taking our lives and ourselves so seriously all the time. Life is best enjoyed when the living are smiling and having fun.

Finding Pottery Online

2007-12-26T04:55:00.001-08:00

There are many ways to find great pottery. While it is often best to see the pieces in living color, the Internet offers opportunities for those who do not have ready or easy access to great artisans in their town or who prefer a type of pottery that typically isn't carried locally to find the pieces they desire to add to their collections without traveling extensively in order to do so.

There are a few drawbacks to ordering pottery online and one of those would be the fact that you are only seeing a very flat representation of the finished product. In other words, it is very difficult for a picture to recreate the drama that a certain piece of pottery may have. The colors cannot be relied upon as accurate because of the differences in cameras, monitors, and picture quality. This means that if you are getting what you think is one color, that will match a certain feature in your room, you may actually be getting another color all together (blue and purple are often difficult to differentiate among other colors). This means that seeing the piece in person is definitely the best way to go if you have the opportunity. If not, be certain that the dealer from which you purchase the piece has a good standing with the BBB and a liberal return policy.

Another reason you should display caution when purchasing pottery online is that you can't really gauge the quality of the workmanship through a photograph either. This means you may be getting flawed pieces and yet paying the price you would expect to pay for a perfect piece of pottery by said artist. Unfortunately we cannot trust everyone to be completely honest. It is a sad truth but one that should definitely be considered. Many flaws will not show up on camera, particularly if there is only one view of the piece. Pottery, even when flawed can still be beautiful but no one wants to pay more than a piece of pottery is worth, especially those that are collecting as an investment.

Italian Pottery - Selecting From Beauty

2007-12-26T04:53:00.000-08:00

Mexican Pottery and Pottery Painting

2007-12-26T04:52:00.004-08:00

Beginning Ceramics - Pottery Experience Necessary!

2007-12-26T04:52:00.003-08:00

A potential problem with learning ceramics is that you must have some experience with pottery to be able to learn ceramics. But, unless you have a pottery expert to teach you, or unless you enroll in a pottery class, there is really no easy way to learn how to do ceramics. It can be difficult to find the right person to help you through the learning process if you don't know where to look, but these tips below should help you to get started with pottery, and then once you gain some experience, with ceramics.

You can get help from a local community collage or recreational center. Many offer Saturday classes that are good for people who work 9-5 during the week. Hands on learning with a qualified teacher is the best way to learn pottery.

The internet is a great source of information about pottery. You can find ceramic designs, tools, and materials that you need to create your own pottery. You will have to purchase some of these, but others are free of cost to help you learn. Also, you can find a network of people online who can help guide you through your learning experience by giving you information and helpful tips.

Local art schools often offer evening and weekend classes. A large amount of materials are needed for the complete pottery process, so a class at an art school will give you access to important tools, such as the kiln.

Although it is important to learn pottery hands-on with an experienced person, through the internet or through local classes or schools, it is entirely possible to learn how to create beautiful pottery and ceramics.

Once you begin to learn and are trained, you can do much of the work at home if you buy the right supplies. It may be possible to do most of your work at home, and then network with other artists to find a kiln to use. Clay is a fun medium to work with, so donít give up just because it takes a little more effort to get started than it does with other areas of art.

American Indian Pottery: In the Past and In the Present

2007-12-26T04:52:00.001-08:00

Pottery Barn Slip Covers - What You Should Know

2007-12-26T04:50:00.002-08:00

Pottery Barn slip covers are an ideal way to turn that favorite old recliner or couch into a like new piece of furniture. So, what does Pottery Barn have to offer and how can they help transform your home furnishings?

Pottery Barn has been around for nearly 60 years now and has been a leader in the home furnishings industry. What began in 1949 as an idea to make any home more comfortable on the inside has turned into a massive success.

The company offers their customers a full line of slip covers for sofas, chairs, sectionals, dining room chairs and more. They also sell other quality furniture and accessories.

Pottery Barn sofa slip covers is one of the company's most popular items. By browsing through their online catalog you can find a wide range of styles, colors and materials to suit any home decor.

Recently, we found ourselves needing a new sofa slip cover for our old sofa in the family room. I hopped online and found the Pottery Barn website and catalog. Within 15 minutes I found the perfect slip cover that matched up with my interior decor, placed the order online and was finished. The ease in ordering online is hard to beat.

Of course, the Pottery Barn also has a mail order catalog and various stores throughout the country that you can shop from.

So, if you need a slip cover for that old sofa or any other piece of furniture, try a Pottery Barn slip cover. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Egyptian Pottery - Ageless Beauty

2007-12-26T04:50:00.001-08:00

Ancient Egypt is a place of wild beauty and great fascination to many people today. Once, a hotbed of intrigue, commerce, and industry there is much about Egypt that remains dark and mysterious even in the modern world in which we currently live. One thing is certain however, the ancient Egyptians were artisans in their own right and one type of art in which they excelled was pottery. The pottery of ancient Egypt is often imitated today for many reasons.

Scholars have come to some sort of consensus of belief that the ancient Egyptians may have been the first to use enamel in pottery-a practice that adds great beauty and value to the pottery pieces, making them a true work of art. The amazing thing is that this is something that was introduced, we believe, nearly four thousand years ago and is still valued in today's modern society.

To illustrate just how important pottery was to the ancient Egyptians there are actually pieces of pottery that are included in the ancient hieroglyphics that depicted acts of day to day living in this ancient civilization. Pottery was included in more than a few of these glimpses into history establishing its importance and the commonality of its use.

Pottery in ancient Egypt was almost always made for use rather than made for decoration. Even the smaller pieces were meant to hold perfumes with the larger pieces of pottery holding grains, water, wine, and even meat for later use or consumption. The pottery of ancient Egypt could also be found in many sizes to accommodate the different needs the pottery filled. It was common to find various pieces ranging in sizes from inches tall to three or four feet in height. Pottery was as common to the Egyptians of old as appliances are today and it did serve to make life go much more smoothly for the people who used it.

In ancient Egypt pottery was also used for some of the most sacred rites of burial. Pottery pieces were used to hold certain organs after they were removed from the body during the embalming process to prepare the body for burial. Each of the following: heart and lungs, liver, small intestines, and the stomach were placed in four separate containers made of pottery and buried along with the body. It should be noted that the Egyptians are not the only civilization to use pottery in relation to the dead. The ancient Greeks also stored the ashes of their dead in ceramic containers.

Throwing Pottery is Great Fun

2007-12-26T04:49:00.000-08:00

The act of throwing pottery, which is essentially to create pottery through the use of a device known as a potter's wheel is one that many people go into their first pottery class expecting to enjoy immediately. While it is an essential pottery skill for some of the many pottery techniques, it is not something that is generally taught in the first class of an introduction to pottery sort of environment. Unless you are taking a class that is particular focused on learning to throw pottery it is typically a skill that you will get around to eventually rather than jumping into feet first.

If you are not a dip your toe in the water sort of person you can always find classes and courses (many of these are taught by art shops and museums in your local area or the nearest metro area). If you cannot find an acceptable course in your area you can always search your local library for information as well as purchase various videos and books that will teach you the essentials from book stores or online. The one thing to keep in mind when it comes to throwing ceramics or pottery is that it is often best to have some sort of fundamental understanding of working with clay before you begin. It just makes the process go a little more smoothly.

If you are going to be throwing pottery or dealing with any sort of pottery on a regular basis you should familiarize yourself with the proper safety procedures for doing so. This is information that most people will receive when taking classes offered by qualified instructors and is vitally important as there are some dangerous materials that are often handled when working with ceramics. If not you can find a great list of safety measures for working with pottery by doing a simple search online. I do recommend you study them well as I am sure you do not wish to risk your health for the sake of a hobby, even one as enjoyable as making pottery.

Even after you've managed to take a course or two on throwing pottery you may be interested in taking a course that deals with a specific design style of throwing pottery. One popular style is Raku pottery. You can often purchase videos for various styles that will be rather simple to follow once you have general throwing basics down and you can move on to more stylized methods of throwing pottery that are a bit more challenging and more fun in the long run. Increasing skills and expanding them is always a great pursuit and there are simply so many things that can be accomplished with pottery.

Valuable Picasso Pottery - It's In The Marks!

2007-12-26T04:48:00.000-08:00

Much like a signature on a painting, pottery marks serve to identify where a piece was created, who made it, and what company sold it. The pottery marks aren't obviously placed, as to not overtake the beauty of the piece itself. They are often hidden well inside, making it tough to learn much from them. If you can't find the mark or tell what it means, a pottery expert will be able to locate it and explain to you its significance. The marks are important, so you should certainly look into them on any piece of pottery that you acquire or are looking to purchase.

The marks can be used to help date the piece, which can be especially helpful to historians. Historians can learn who designed the pieces, when they made it, and where they made it. From this information, they can learn what the culture of the time was like and what the typical living patterns and conditions were. A lot can be learned about the culture by seeing what tools were used to make the pottery as well.

Since you are probably not a historian, this information probably means less to you. It is still interesting to know about, but the main reason looking for marks will help you is to tell what the pottery is worth. A mark can help you determine the value of the pottery in several ways. You have to start by simply finding the mark and assessing what it means. If you can't find it or tell what it means, consult a professional. Once you have a basic understanding of it, you can search pottery databases on the internet to find details about your pottery. These are very helpful tools and you can learn about the work you've bought and find out what it's truly worth. You may have a treasured piece of art and not even know it yet!

Antique Sculptures and Pottery

2007-12-26T04:47:00.000-08:00

Studying antique sculptures and pottery is a great way to see how cultures have evolved and how artistic skills have developed over the centuries. If you are interested in learning about these ancient arts then you may want to begin by selecting a single culture to examine. Start with their primitive pieces and work your way up to modern pieces.

No study of antique sculptures and pottery can be complete without looking at the classical pieces created in Rome and Greece. The sculptures created by Michelangelo are perhaps the most well known of the classical artists, and they are some of the most accessible artworks to study. If you don’t live near a museum that offers a display of Michelangelo’s work, then you can study his work by reading books on art history, by reading books on Michelangelo and by touring European art galleries and museums online.

While sculpture tends to be regarded as a more exciting art form then pottery, pottery offers you a glimpse into the real lives of ancient cultures. Pottery should be examined by looking at its shape, its colors, its patterns and its uses. All of these details will help you to understand what people valued, what they ate and drank and how they lived.

Moving forward in time to the 19th and 20th century you can find example of antique pottery that are more accessible to North American collectors and connoisseurs. If you are interested in North American antique pottery then you may want to study Roseville pottery. This form of pottery was manufactured in the U.S. between the 19th and 20th centuries. It is characterized by its simple and functional designs. One popular pattern found in this form of antique pottery is the Pinecone pattern. Other popular pattern lines include the Water Lily line and the Laurel style.

Pottery: Functionality Verses Art

2007-12-26T04:45:00.001-08:00

I have been involved in pottery now for about four years. I first became interested, when in my job; I travel North Carolina from the Coast to the Mountains and one day I happened to stop in at a pottery shop. I was taken away with pottery, as soon as I saw the many forms from cups to jugs. From that time on, I started stopping in at any shop that I ran across, in my travels. It was then, that I was hooked.

While being new to pottery, I saw it as art. Some of the first pieces I purchased were done so to decorate my home and as gifts for my wife. My wife, who is an avid collector of anything with North Carolina Lighthouses, was the reason for my very first purchase of pottery. I purchased a pie plate that had a lighthouse painted on it. I only saw it as art and not as functional. And most of the pieces I purchased afterward were also purchased as decorative pieces for our home. I looked at pottery as art. As my interest in pottery grew I wanted to learn how to make pottery on my own. On one of my trips I visited a local pottery in Sanford, North Carolina, known as, “The Cole Pottery”. While there, Neola Cole let me have a try at the wheel and I was hooked.

It was not long that I purchased a wheel and began practicing at home. I am by no means a professional yet, but I am on my way. And in doing so, I have also got my youngest son hooked. Though only starting at seven and been turning for about a year, he is well on his way to becoming an excellent turner.

Since getting hooked on pottery, I have met many potters and continue to learn from each of them. But one thing that has truly changed is my thoughts on the art of pottery. I have since come to the conclusion that pottery is truly art, but not just art, but art to be used. So not only do I use hand made cups, but also bowls and many other pieces as well. I do not know your opinion of pottery. If you only see it as art, be forewarned, it is art meant to be used. And be warned, once you purchase your first piece, you may get hooked. Also don’t be surprised if you get the pottery bug and begin playing in clay.

Making Your Gardening Antique With Pottery

2007-12-26T04:44:00.001-08:00

Indian Pottery Craft - A Vibrant Handicraft Tradition

2007-12-26T04:37:00.000-08:00

Making pots was the earliest vocation of Indians. Many civilizations are named after the type of pottery found. They were made in various colors and material. The primary colors used were red, black, ochre and white. Similarly the designs used were also different and significant. On the basis of clay found in the region of manufacturing they had their own variations.

Pottery was first made by man for utilitarian purpose but in later course when savage mankind transformed into civilized one, this became one of the most sought after vocation. Invention of potter's wheel was a revolutionary development which provided the much needed boost to pottery making.

When the utilitarian purpose of pottery was fully explored, the artistic creativity deviated towards the decorative aspect. Pottery has been used as decorative item for a very long time. The design of the pottery and the impressions made on it reflects the view and disposition of the society of the time. Shape and color of a piece of pottery gives a visual message. This art is most sensual and elegant of all arts. In has to be handled very carefully to make it long lasting.

The glory and chic of the Indian pottery is not diminished at all even today. Different regions of India boast of making different but yet unique pieces of pottery. The same flower pot can be found in an amazing variety of shapes, sizes and designs depending upon the place of its creation. The diverse nature if Indian handicrafts can be evidently seen in its pottery traditions. Every Indian state is special in its own traditions of pottery be it Bengal and terra cotta, Rajasthan and blue pottery, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and other Indian states and their traditions.

Rajneesh Dubey is Content Coordinator for http://www.india-crafts.com This is a website covering all kinds of art and craft forms of India. Here, you will come to know about jewelry, dresses, sculptures, religions, paintings and various other topics on India. You can see here the lists of the manufacturers, exporters and suppliers of an array of handicrafts too.