Autumn in Ohio - a big hit!

We had a great group - and everyone left with inspiration, excitement and lots of ideas.

Here are some of the highlights...



Tom began the workshop with 4' vessels....





The group learned great techniques....








Then Brenda described the philosphy of saggar firing....





and we loaded our pots





into the fires.....



Back to Tom on Sunday Morning... with large & LOOSE platters.....

He threw....



Flipped.....



And Altered....



Lunch, some clay videos, sunshine and fresh air....

Then the saggar unloading...filled with surprises



treasures....



Oops, Ahhs and more....



We burnished...



Learned about terra sigillata....



And practiced the POETRY OF POLISHING!





Thanks to Tim, Donna, Ivan, Marilyn, Donna (great chocolate cake!!), Jack, Patricia & Karen. You were a great team, a fun group and we all ended the weekend exhausted, inspired and ready to make pots, polish pots, fire pots and alter and loosen up.





Please make comments and read those of your friends & colleagues... and of course, please forward the blog to anyone you think may be interested in our 2009 workshop series.

See you next year...

Brenda & Tom

New York's 'Large & Polished' ... a great success

It's been a month already - since our New York version of Large & Loose, Polished & Poetic - and Tom and I are happy to report another great workshop.

The saggar firing was a huge success....





Here are some of the results.....



Jolene's pots were sweet....



Pangaea's were amazing.....



Both Ann's did a stellar job with their saggar firing....



Even Tom learned a few extra tips....



And throwing large & loosening up....





Once again, Tom showed the group his technique, leaving everyone eager to go home and work on the skill they already possess... or dive in and get big!



Despite the monsoon rains saturday night - and the soggy campers, everyone was excited to be there....



And happy with their results.

We're gearing up for our next workshop - back in Ohio on October 25th & 26th.
It should be a big one. Representatives from Brent are going to be on hand as Tom does his demos on the new Brent EXC.

You'll be seeing Tom's face...and pots in CM more - as he has been selected as this year's Ad Man for Brent.

Congratulations Tom! Look for his picture in the November or December issue of Ceramics Monthly.



If you have any questions about the workshop - please email me or Tom - or go to either of our websites for a complete description of the 2-day demonstration and firing intensive workshop.



Until then....
See you in October.
Brenda & Tom

July Workshop Ready to Go...

Tom and I are gearing up for "LARGE & LOOSE, POLISHED & POETIC" take two... in New York. It's being held on Saturday & Sunday, July 26 & 27th.


We still have spaces open in this last New York Saggar Firing workshop. If you're a last minute person - give a call or send and email and join us. Brenda@bluemoonclay.com.



I have 3 saggar kilns at my place - so you'll get a full saggar firing instruction - enough to leave here and go home, build your own kiln and start experimenting.



Not only that - you'll be doubling the size pots/platters you make within a week. With a bit of instruction and a bit of practice - you'll shift through where you are to a new place - we guarantee it. And best of all - you'll leave New York inspired and revved up... ready to soar forward.


We hope to see you. If you can't make July, the next workshop is in October in Port Washington, Ohio at Tom's place. That workshop is beginning to fill up - so download a registration form, send it in and hold your space.


Until then... happy potting - and have a fabulous summer!

brenda & tom

May Workshop a Success!

Tom and I just completed our first Large & Loose, Polished & Poetic Workshop here in Ohio - as many of you know, this is a throwing demonstration & saggar firing intensive workshop. We had a great crowd, full of enthusiasm and eager to head home and try all they learned.



Despite the rainy weather, the workshop began on time and in full brightness with our saggar firing.



Students brought all types of organic material for the firing and learned the subtle language of saggar firing and vapor fuming on pots in a gas kiln.



Next, Tom was up with this platter demonstration. First he threw small platters - then he ended up with a 35" platter thrown from 36lbs of clay. Once the form was thrown, he flipped it and show many exciting altering techniques.



The day ended with my throwing demonstration on saggar forms & surface treatment. The kiln went off in a fast 3 hours and we were all full and exhausted by the end of Saturday. Sunday morning began bright and early with Tom's demo of a 75lb vessel, 3 feet tall - thrown in 3 sections.



The demo went over many issues that come up, how to center that much clay, how to get control of it and how to build a huge vessel in just 3 hours.

Though many of the students will not be going home and throwing such a large piece, it was great for them to see how to get large fast with some strategies they had not considered.
The saggar unloading yielded many smiling faces....



As the pots were pulled from the kiln we learned why flashes occurred in some areas and not others, why the colors changed, how to build the kiln, how to fire it and just about everything necessary to get these eager students home and experimenting.



Read on, we've asked our students to tell you in their own words, what the experience was like - it's all in the "POSTS" below.

Finally....we've added another workshop this July in New York. July 26 & 27, from 9 to 4pm we'll do a second version of our Large & Loose, Polished & Poetic workshop.

Please join us at Blue Moon Clay Studio in Greenwich, NY. For more information, see my website and check out the workshop page. That 2 day firing intensive and throwing demonstration workshop is $275 for the weekend. Bring 1 to 4 pots for the saggar firing.

Tell you friends about this event too. We hope to see you there.

Look for Us at NCECA

Tom and Brenda are heading to Pittsburgh this March to see all the happenings at NCECA and to promote the May 17 & 18th


"Large & Loose, Polished & Poetic" Workshop - an exploration of how to both double the amount of clay you throw overnight - and learn the secrets and mysticism of saggar firing.

Many of you may know Tom's work and visited his website, but many more will hear about him in the April issue of The Crafts Report, where he will be on the front cover with his ceramic tiles.



Tom was featured in the July/August, 2007 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated talking about rakuing his large platters. In April, 2008 he talks about his tile process and is featured on the cover of The Crafts Report.


Brenda is proud to announce 3 of her "Fire Paintings" on a tile canvas were published in the new 500 Tiles book, published by Lark Publishing.



The book is now in bookstores and ceramic supply stores nationwide. If you like tiles - it's a must get book, very inspiring. Look in the index for Brenda's saggar fired tile work.

We'll have postcards at NCECA promoting the workshop - and we're offering another workshop at our Port Washington, Ohio studio October, 25 & 26th, 2008 - a great time of year in the hills of Tuscarawas County.

So let your friends know and go to either of our websites to sign up. We look forward to seeing you there!
Brenda & Tom