new year, new kiln load

Hello faithful followers...
     Just a little update to let you know what is happening with Harwin Pottery.

     The onsite Pottery Barn is open with displays of completed items and the kiln I use for firing.  Access is, as they say in the Maritimes, Open by Chance.  This means that if the van is in the driveway, then I am probably at home and can bring you on a tour.  The other means, which always works, is to call me to arrange a mutually convenient time. 

     Some of the new items I am working on include: black clay mugs and bowls; party plates with wineglass holders; "granite" clay moulded creations; a special order soup tureen ladle; and of course, the ever popular "accidental" creations. 

     I have had a few inquiries about "butter bells" but have yet to pursue that path.  If you have any other creative suggestions, please forward me an email.

Thanks for dropping by.  I'll post more pictures of finished items soon.

Happy New Year!

Mike

Cornwall, PEI, Homepreneur Show, Nov. 26, 2011

Never thought I'd be able to show in two places at once, but, thanks to Margie, I was able to accomplish the unthinkable.  Margie chose, displayed, and supported the sale of my pottery in PEI while I manned the tables back in St. Catharines at Parnall Public School.  The following photos display the pottery that is now only available in PEI.

meanwhile...in St. Catharines, the following  pottery was available for sale.

If you see anything of interest, or just have a comment, please drop me an email.
Thanks for stopping in to visit and view the updated photos.  Stay tuned...2012 should be my most creative year yet.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

Kountry Kraft Show, Nov. 12-13, 2011

Kountry Kraft Show photos from the barn in Port Robinson.  It was a lot of fun to show here.  The originality of the crafts goes way back to the most classic designs.

I was the first potter ever in their 21 year history.  I really appreciated the special attention.  Sales were good and thanks to friends and neighbours who made the long distance trip to offer their support.

I know that this is one craft show I hope to participate in annually.

  A special thanks to the Dear family for their wonderful effort in presenting this show.  Also a shout out to Marie, Joe and Julie, Cheryl and Caitlin, Sue and Renald, Henriette and Carmelle, with special thanks to Gerda for letting me in on this little treasure.

Grace, Nancy, and Jim, your snowmen, tuques, coasters, and placemats were a welcomed addition.

13th Street Winery Craft Shows Sept 16-17, 2011



I have been collecting photos of pottery displays over the last year or so.  It is time to show you the displays and comment on the many opportunities that have come my way.

This first collection is the 13th Stree Winery Handmade Market Craft Show held mid September 2011.  It was a two day event, and very successful.  I was thrilled to have so many great comments.

Kountry Kraft Show ~ this weekend Nov. 12 & 13

A reminder of the Kountry Kraft Show in Welland the Weekend of Nov. 12 & 13.  This is the 22nd year for the show and the family that operates the facility donates oodles of time and effort to make this happen. 

The recipients of the donations this year will be the local Food Bank, and the Canadian Cancer Society. 

If you like old fashioned, lovingly created crafts, mark your calendar for this particular weekend.  Saturday the show runs from 9 - 6 pm and Sunday from 9 - 4 pm. 

Harwin Pottery will be there and so will Harwin Enterprises.  My brother and two sisters will be displaying knitted snowmen, large and small; tuques; plastic canvas coasters & placemats; and we may have knitted baby blankets and dish clothes; homemade paper products...etc.

DIRECTIONS:

take the 406 south, to the end.  Turn Left on Main St.  Go through the tunnel and past the exit to Port Colbourne.  Turn L on Darby, then take Shisler Rd. to Old Orchard Rd. #455 (it's a big barn).  There will be signs too.  Just follow the crowd.  Can't wait to set up. 

We don't have to be there all the time, but I'm sure between the four of us, we will be present alot.  Happy shopping and thanks for your support.

the journey of an "accidental" creation

Because of the nature of my "accidental work", I decided to do a photo journal of a piece from it's mere beginnings as a ball of clay to the finished glazed piece.  Remember that this creation is truly a one of a kind, never to come even close to recreating the piece again. 

step 1: ball of clay

step 2: opening of the ball of clay to form a bowl 

step 3: losing control of the clay allowing the wheel to do it's best

step 4: the "accidental" piece dried

step 5: the "accidental" piece following the bisque firing

step 6: the bisqued piece glazed    

step 7: the glazed piece fired

You be the judge.  I chose to glaze it in a blue because of all the wave-like designs in the lip and outside edges of the bowl. 
stay tuned for the photos which will be posted sometime after Oct. 28th.
Feel free to email me if you have any comments about my entries.
Thanks for following the "accidental" potter.

Creative juices are flowing...

I can't believe what just happened!  Actually, it didn't happen, I made it happen.  I have been reconstituting a bowl of mixed clay over the last few days.  This morning I was able to gather it into a nice sized ball, just waiting to be turned into something "accidental"...and it just happened.  I threw a bowl the size of my potter's wheel.  It is probably 2 and a half to three inches tall.  First time ever!!!  Needless to say it is still on the wheel.  I will let it set overnight, then see if it is safe to move it without altering the roundness of the bowl.  This reconstituted clay will be gorgeous!  It has red (2 shades), black, white, porcelain, and brown clay mixed together...a combination I refer to as granite (a play on the word granted...like, I won't take for granted the generous contributions of clay scraps that allowed me to make this wonderful combination).

until next time,
M

p.s. the assortment of clay was quite grey when completed.  I glazed in clear, but the overall hue is grey.  Oh well, it is still a sizable piece!