If you’ve never met the good folks who run MudFire Studio and Gallery down in Atlanta, GA then now’s the time. I recently sent some of my pottery down for the big Holiday Sale which kicks off today, November 28 and runs through December 23. Over 100 ceramic artists will be represented, so you’re sure to find something you can’t live without.

The kiln is cooling down, we’ll have to wait a few more days before we get to see in there. The firing seemed to go well, lots of heat at the bottom, cone 11 flat in some areas, cone 10 in others, and cone 9 in others still. This is in line with previous firings so there is hope for some good ones. Some of those warm pots will make the trip down to Terry Gess‘ studio for the Toe River Studio Tour on December 6^th and 7^th.

All potteries in Mitchell County, NC are reporting snow today. We’ve been getting some weather lately, as they say, cold snaps and snow showers. Here we have the view from the back porch which over looks the creek, and on the other side we see the woodpile, stacked in the Mitchell County tradition and shielded from the four inches of fresh snow. Behind the wood pile the kiln pokes out, and there you see the patchwork chimney standing tall.

Getting ready for the firing, which means Friday and Saturday are kiln cleaning/prep days. Cold out there. Joy is bringing over pots to share the load, and a few pieces from a class I taught will be going in as well. I led an 8-week wheel throwing class at Arts Centered down the hill in Bakersville, and while most of the students’ work was fired in the reduction kiln there we brought a few pieces from each student up to fire in the wood kiln.

Loading on Sunday, lighting the fire sometime Monday night and then firing all day Tuesday until…..

Apparently something has been going on recently in a little placed called “Marshall” over in Madison County, NC. So it’s down from the mountain and through the woods, out on an island in the river. Friday I’ll be “taking a break from the studio” and attending a one day only artists’ market at the   Marshall High Studios, an old high school lovingly converted into studio spaces. They’re having a little shindig Friday from 5-9 pm , come on out for food and drink and entertainment and dancing of all sorts, and of course many talented artists and craftsfolk offering their wares. Check here for all the details.

Just a hint of fall color.

A whole month come and gone since the last report.  The general conclusion is that October seems to have disappeared some how.  It’s been a busy month here on Roan Mountain, with a kiln firing the first week and back to back craft shows in the middle.

Just started working in the studio again for the next firing, but somewhere in the middle of all that Joy and I found time to get out into the hills.  We found several amazing spots just around the corner and over the mountain, and spent a few days hiking through the wilderness of the Linville River Gorge and climbing around some neighborhood waterfalls.