The October firings went well, although each one lasted a few hours longer than usual. Here are some pictures from the unloading of the 14^th firing, showing a larger serving bowl, a mug, and a new vase form. Many of the dinner plates and most of the square jars have all ready found a good home, but I’ll have a good supply of fresh pottery for the next few events.

Come on out to the Western North Carolina Pottery Festival in Dillsboro, NC on November 7^th.

Click here for more info and a map.

December 4^th – 6^th is the Annual Toe River Studio Tour.

I’ll be heading down the mountain to set-up shop at John Britt’s studio near the Penland School along with fellow potters Joy Tanner and Susan Feagin, and woodcarver Rodney Hopkins. Click here for more info and a map.

Septmeber and October seemn to be the busiest months around here. With all the finishing and firing and packing and unpacking and craft shows, it gets to where you just have to squeeze in a little break. Last year about this time we hiked in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. This year, we took the easier route for some car camping right in our own backyard. Turns out if you leave my house you could be on the Blue Ridge Parkway in about 25 miles.

So that’s what we did. The weather was beautiful, and it was a great time to be out amongst all the leafpeepers cruising the BRP slowly. The skies were clear and blue and the nights chilly. Check out Joy’s great photos of the excursion here.

A cold, mean wind came down the mountain today. The leaves were still turning and the first snow flakes fell.

October had a busy start, right after my firing I split another one with Joy so we could head into the fall with a good pile of pottery. The Spruce Pine Potters Market was a good weekend with a nice crowd of folks coming to see all 30 or so of us spread out in one room.

We took off for part of a day to a great place we found last year about this time, a nice little hike over the river and through the woods to a water fall. Joy and the dog had their own fun crossing the creeks, but I took the easy way.

Here’s a little peek at the unloading…I held back a few of my favorites this time and I’ll photograph them soon.

If you haven’t already made your plans to head up to the mountains this weekend, it’s not too late. The fall colors are starting to come in, and this weekend you can find all of these potters under one roof.

The Spruce Pine Potters Market is held in Spruce Pine, North Carolina this Saturday and Sunday, October 10th and 11th 2009, from 10:00-5:00 both days.

I’m sure there are still warm pots coming out of a kiln somewhere in Mitchell County about now.

Check out the website for a full list of artists and directions,

www.sprucepinepottersmarket.com