tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96883692012-01-27T11:54:37.252-05:00Touya NewsWe've moved to Seagrove, NC from Shigaraki, Japan in 2005. This is our "Potters Life" in USA.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.comBlogger1561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-33446924432727880132012-01-27T11:54:00.000-05:002012-01-27T11:54:37.259-05:00Cub Creek Show: Traveling ExhibitionThis show features work by John Jessiman, Cub Creek director, as well as board members, visiting artists, and past residents such as: Steven Glass, Chris Gustin, Val Cushing, Chuck Hindes, Josh Manning, Dan Molyneux, Rob Myers, Hitomi & Takuro Shibata, Ed Feldman and more!
Currently on View at:The Academy of Fine ArtsLynchburg, VAJanuary 6- January 28, 2012
Upcoming Dates:
Leed's GalleryEarlham Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-33843305245218476732011-12-08T14:51:00.003-05:002011-12-08T14:56:36.267-05:00Winter Exhibition: Hard and Soft, Pottery and ShiboriWInter Exhibition: Hard and SoftPottery by Hitomi and Takuro ShibataShibori by Susan FennellReception Saturday, December 10th 4-6pmExhibition Dates: December 5th 2011 -February 29th 2012Location: NC Japan Center(Dorothea Dix Campus)705 Barbour DriveRaleigh, NC 27603919-515-3450www.ncsu.edu/japanSTARworksCeramics/Takurohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512000446859648320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-92180826797995475272011-12-08T14:50:00.002-05:002011-12-08T14:51:45.551-05:00David Stuempfle Kiln Opening SaleNew Work by David StuempfleKiln Opening SaleSaturday, December 10, 20119am-4pmwith Guest ArtistsTakuro Shibata, Hitomi ShibataAdam Landman and Anne Partnawww.stuempflepottery.com1224 Dover Church Rd.Seagrove, NC 27341STARworksCeramics/Takurohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512000446859648320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-30964368874795500742011-04-11T15:01:00.001-05:002011-04-11T15:01:40.998-05:00Wood Firing April 2011
We started wood firing on Friday night and finished it on Sunday afternoon.
It was 5 hours by gas and 33 hours by wood, a half day longer firing than usual because all was greenware.
We were able to manage to get work done.
Special thanks to:
Santiago
Wayne-san
Tony, Richard and Georgia
Yamazawa-san
Got to be cool
Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-35252738265190643752011-03-15T13:17:00.000-05:002011-03-15T13:17:48.263-05:00Disaster in JapanDear friends,
As you know there was the worst earthquake and Tsunami in northern part of Japan on March 11, and many people were lost and suffer of this disaster. Especially several nuclear plants are under serious danger now and it makes people fear.
Our families live in western part of Japan, and we were able to talk to them after the quake. I was relieved, however, still many people suffer Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-77632805623354116762011-02-04T13:18:00.000-05:002011-02-04T13:18:02.675-05:00Setsubun 2011Feb 3rd was a Setsubun (celebration of Spring in Japan) and usually people eat roll sushi and throw rosted soy beans at the entrance of house to chase away Oni (a kind of monster) as a tradition. See more details here about Setsubun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun
I made several roll sushi and brought to Takuro's office. The direction of this year was South-south-east, and Takuro made sureHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-3959753614613183922011-01-12T15:44:00.000-05:002011-01-12T15:44:09.684-05:00How to enjoy this cold weather
the first snowman
It's been so cold and we got stuck in the house in those days. Snow is fun, but not icy. It was good idea we cut and prepared lots of fire wood for stove before snowing. Even tiny wood stove, it makes our small house really cozy.
this will last for a week
Last weekend, we worked on cleaning up field. One of the huge oak tree fell down two years ago, and there were many Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-85094144907192631982011-01-04T15:08:00.002-05:002011-01-12T16:00:38.543-05:00Happy HolidaysHappy holidays and hope everyone had great Xmas and new year.
It's just misc notes, but I want to update things we had in these days.
Ken and I had a cold since mid of Dec, and it took almost 2 weeks to recover. I was so upset because I couldn't have done anything in the busiest season, and it's really depressing to be sick through Xmas holidays.
As for our kids, Ken is enough big to Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-21558543379500529442010-12-08T12:53:00.001-05:002010-12-08T12:55:12.978-05:00Misc notesAfter Thanksgiving, my dates got slow down and seems to be ready for hibernation. HAHAHA We bought a bigger TV, air compressor and Dremel on black Friday sale which made us happy.
Ken become three years old on Dec 6th, and he got a toy chain saw as his birthday present from us. On the birthday morning, he was exited about his new tool and went wood pile and tried to cut fire wood. Then he Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-17922476675408999202010-11-22T10:35:00.000-05:002010-11-22T10:35:54.324-05:00Celebration of Seagrove Potters 2Just quick update. There were many customers and seemed like it was good success this year, too. I took several shots, and I should have took more, but my hands were full because of holding 19 pounds baby all the time.
STARworks Ceramics had booth, sold many tools and clays,
also donated lots of clay for throwing demo and kids clay booth
Bulldog Pottery
JLK Jewelry
Jugtown Pottery
Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-2192518714303527362010-11-20T13:00:00.001-05:002010-11-20T14:27:39.595-05:00Celebration of Seagrove Potters
Takuro and I as Studio Touya take part in Celebration of Seagrove Potters this year again, and we have many wood fired pots for sale. After our trip to VA, we made display walls and pedestals to make pots look a bit better. 11/19 (Fri) is Gala night (preview and party), and sale is going Saturday and Sunday. Hope there are many people and lots of sale for all potters.
Large platters, vases Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-76584607183367543272010-11-19T13:00:00.004-05:002010-11-19T13:10:41.150-05:00Anagama Firing in Farmville, VAIt was super busy weekend.
On Friday (11/12), we had friends visit. Joe and Christy, who used to live in Seagrove and moved to Wisconsin two years ago, came to Seagrove and visited us. It was so glad to see them. Windy Ridge Pottery:http://colepottery.blogspot.com/Our living room is approx. 150SF and there were 12 people plus two children in it. We had good food, drinks and time.
Joe and Tomo
Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-18235485145979178792010-11-11T12:43:00.000-05:002010-11-11T12:43:21.224-05:00Unloading kiln 11/10
Best shot of Shibata boys
Just quick update.
We unloaded kiln on Wednesday morning and it seemed OK firing. I need to experiment ash glazes test. But there are some good pots at least.
Taking down door bricks
2nd chamber door side
2nd chamber wall side
3rd chamber is good for refiring
We had a Japanese beginner potter, Yamazawa-san from Durham, NC this time and he brought a lot of niceHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-82416995279168527422010-11-08T12:28:00.008-05:002010-11-08T15:34:25.118-05:00Wood Firing #5 11/6
It was really busy week&weekend.
We opened up kiln and started glazing on Wednesday,
and took all day for loading kiln on Friday.
Here is the kiln log:
--------------
Friday
6pm Closed door bricks and started gas preheating
Saturday
12am Started burning wood
6am 500c
12pm 1000c
4pm 1200c, cone 7 down and salt kick in
8pm 1260c, cone 10 down in the coolest spot
2nd chamber done
Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-48037743434792374742010-11-01T11:09:00.000-05:002010-11-01T11:09:33.635-05:00Wood bisque firing 10/31It was incredibly busy week. There was an annual gathering event at Central Park/ STARworks on Thursday and Takuro came home pretty late everyday whole week. Then we had our bisque firing home and no rest at all. Our children seemed to have fun around kiln site, but Ken missed Halloween (he even didn't know it) and we felt so bad about it. Maybe next year.
Mowing at break time
an Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-55507136305581895072010-10-18T10:14:00.003-05:002010-10-26T11:55:33.088-05:00Trip to our home, Virginia
Randy, Ken, Cricket, Tomo, Takuro, and a large bowl I made in 2002
We had a clay workshop on Saturday morning at STARworks Ceramics, then came back home, packed clothes, pots and kids into the car, and left for Farmville, VA. We arrived at Randy Edmonson, a professor of Longwood University, Art Dept., also Wood firing potter, and stayed their house for a night. His wife, Cricket cooked pasta Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-80599257351806469712010-10-14T14:53:00.002-05:002010-10-18T10:18:03.340-05:00Unloading kiln 10/13
2nd chamber
We unloaded kiln last night and we got good results. Cone 10 down all spot and some parts got 11 down. Very efficient, easier and clean wood firing.
3rd chamber
pots pots and pots
Large work will be sent to the Cub Creek Foundation for the Ceramics Arts and there will be the Cub Creek Exhibition at Coe College, Ceder Rapids, Iowa. Cub Creek studio is where Takuro and I were Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-52168640998686354422010-10-11T09:42:00.006-05:002010-10-13T08:54:39.716-05:00Wood Firing #4 10/9
It was really busy weekend, again.
We loaded kiln on whole Friday, closed up door at 9pm, then started preheating by gas burner. This time we put pots not only 2nd chamber but also 3rd. Takuro started stoking wood from 12am and kept doing until 7am which was the hardest shift.
Here is the kiln log:
10/8 (fri)
9pm start preheating
10/9 (sat)
12am start wood
7am 650 degrees in Celsius
10am coneHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-59195305539349880992010-10-03T22:31:00.003-05:002010-10-03T22:32:30.895-05:00Bisque firing and busy weekend
It was really busy weekend.
On Friday, I started loading kiln for bisque firing. It doesn't take much time, but my work time is only when our baby is sleeping, so I had to hurry up loading than usual.
But bad thing was, our older son got sick at daycare and came home early, and I was not able to work for kiln until both son slept at the same time. Fortunately, they both took nap for a couple ofHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-49572239743663666222010-09-13T09:27:00.000-05:002010-09-13T09:27:48.712-05:00Show Opening at Mredith College
We went to see the show "DIRECTions: Native Clay" at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC on SUnday because there was a show opening, and it was really fun trip for us. Especially Ken found friends (several similar age children) and he has GREAT time.
Mederidh College has a ceramic program and there is nice and organized clay studio and kilns. The teacher and ceramic artist, Mr. Warner Hyde gave usHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-77847802857206672222010-09-03T22:21:00.000-05:002010-09-03T22:21:44.683-05:00Group exhibition at Meredith CollegeTakuro and Hitomi join a group show at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.
"16 artists from across the U.S. present functional and sculptural objects made from hand dug local clay and fired in wood burning kilns. The variety of artistic visions is great, the touch of the hand to a natural resource is a marvel in today’s high tech world. "
More details are here:
http://www.meredith.edu/art/Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-20181102415163707832010-08-26T11:45:00.001-05:002010-08-26T11:45:41.808-05:00Exhibition at Cape Fear StudiosTakuro and Hitomi will have an exhibition at Cape Fear Studios (Fayetteville, NC) between August 27th and September 22nd. The show opening is hold on August 27th, 6-9pm, and artists plus two boys will be in the gallery. Hope to see you there.
Cape Fear Studios
148 Maxwell St, Fayetteville, NC
Phone: 910-433-2986
Email: capefearstudios@yahoo.comHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-38442294279883644452010-08-22T15:20:00.000-05:002010-08-22T15:20:47.716-05:00Unloading kiln
We took down door bricks and unloaded kiln on Saturday morning. Looked like cone 10 down and 11 half everywhere evenly. Many people came to help us. Thank you!
Takuro has lots of hands
Hitomi's large bowls
Hitomi's large bowl and jar
Takuro's vases
Takuro's jar and a pots inspector
Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-53935709016281499432010-08-16T10:01:00.002-05:002010-10-11T09:50:00.758-05:00Wood firing #3, August 2010It was really really busy week. After unloading kiln (bisque), we glazed pots and cut fire wood for several days.
On 13th (Friday), loading kiln all day. We finished it around 5pm, then stacked door bricks, and started preheating from evening.
On 14th (Saturday),
6am Started stoke fire wood
between 8 am and 1pm, Takuro went to Greensboro for giving slide lecture.In the meantime, Wayne-san, me, Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-27851721760334378572010-08-10T13:48:00.010-05:002010-10-19T11:12:53.500-05:00Bisque wood firing has doneIt was the first experience for us to do bisque wood firing on August 1st. It took 18 hours for wood, also plus gas preheating. A week after the firing (8/7) , we unloaded kiln.
Potters used to use wood kilns for bisque firing long time ago in Japan and usually it's updraft kiln. As far as I know, there are several Mingei style pottery villages which still do bisque wood firing in Japan to keep Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-44985370941080061372010-07-30T14:10:00.007-05:002010-07-30T14:25:10.825-05:00Making Pots2 and a half months oldWe got back to work in our studio and we have been making pots. A couple of hours in the early morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon are my studio time, and we are almost ready for a wood firing soon. This time we will do bisque firing by wood kiln, which we have never done before, and we hope it'll work.Takuro and I have a two person show at Cape Fear Studio in Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-46210350838538325082010-06-16T13:30:00.000-05:002010-06-16T13:30:10.385-05:00Make home more comfortableOne months oldSince our second son was born, we didn't go out much because it's way too hot for newborn baby, so that we spend a lot of time home. In order to enjoy nice weather, Takuro started making screen porch in mid May and it took several weekends to get work done.Our house looked like this before:Then this is after:This screen porch is just 5f x 12 feet, but can accommodate several chairs Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-6301801667836382962010-05-15T14:01:00.000-05:002010-05-15T14:19:34.127-05:00New additionWe have got a new addition in our family on May 13, 2010.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-23568528143980191312010-04-21T13:55:00.003-05:002010-04-21T13:58:59.588-05:00The first Kiln OpeningCelebration of Seagrove Potters had a spring event from April 17th to 18th and many pottery studios had kiln opening or open studio. Studio Touya had the first kiln opening on 17th and we appreciate many people came to see us.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-88068179648952829792010-04-12T14:54:00.008-05:002010-04-12T15:03:59.791-05:00Unloading and clean upLast Friday (4/9) after work, we started unloading kiln with friends.It seemed like good firing and temperature was pretty even.We are really happy about the results.We will have the first kiln opening sale on April 17th (Sat)at the Celebration of Seagrove Potters Spring event weekend,and hope people will come to see us.On Saturday (4/10), we had a landscape person and he cleaned up around kiln Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-23994743928431609462010-04-04T14:01:00.013-05:002010-10-11T09:50:46.650-05:00Wood firing #2 went wellWe had a wood firing (2nd chamber only) in this Easter weekend. Takuro made many changes of kiln, for instance grate, bagwall and how to stack shelves. Also we had dry firewood (really important!), more insulation and no storm this time. Finish loading on Friday 8pm, then started preheating, started stoking wood at 5am on Saturday, kept firing, then finish it at 5am on Sunday morning. It was 24 Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-48975593118501577582010-03-25T14:53:00.006-05:002010-03-25T15:13:08.598-05:00Insulation work continued 3It's been really nice weather, so that kiln clay dries so quickly and it made insulation work fast. Takuro finally finished the 3rd chamber insulation recently. Kiln clay seems different color than Anagama and 2nd chambers because it's made from different clay (yellow), might be a little bit low temperature, but it's OK because it'll be used for just empty chamber or just bisque basically, and Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-86587325810996623792010-03-19T16:32:00.008-05:002010-03-19T16:42:20.794-05:00Insulation work continued 2It's been warmer recently and finally DST started, so it give s us more time to work on our kiln. We've waited for this at last ! These past a few weeks, we put insulation on 2nd chamber and coat by clay a little by little. Now it really looks like a wood kiln. We still have insulation work for 3rd and exit flue area, but it's not big deal. Now it's time to make pots.I will be a kiln builder!AlsoHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-46162358227949498732010-03-02T14:50:00.001-05:002010-03-19T16:42:35.285-05:00Insulation work continued 1We had very very busy week, so that last weekend was a kind of slow going. We did kiln work a little bit and put wire and clay on top of the fiber. Our clay mixer is too small and took long time to make. We might put more clay later, but it looks nice so far.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-31207389817806523232010-02-22T16:59:00.006-05:002010-02-22T17:17:40.323-05:00Put insulation and get more organizedIt's been so cold and wet for a several months, and we are really tired of winter. Finally we got a very nice warm spring day in Seagrove last weekend.We were able to do some kiln work, and our son enjoyed playing around wood kiln, too.On Saturday, we worked on putting insulation (ceramic fiber) on Anagama chamber. We had large 6 boxes of fiber, but we used all of them for just Anagama. We need Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-60926309420575065342010-02-20T23:10:00.005-05:002010-02-20T23:22:48.256-05:00Opening Reception at NCPCLast Friday there was a reception of "New Generation of Seagrove Potters" at North Carolina Pottery Center. It was snowing night, but many people came and it was very fun night. NCPC board and well known potter, Mark Hewitt gave a nice opening speech for public.I couldn't take many photos at the reception because I had my son with me, but one of the artist, Samantha Henneke (Bulldog Pottery) Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-8193014043035690802010-02-01T12:00:00.000-05:002010-02-01T12:00:04.166-05:00New Generation of Seagrove PottersNorth Carolina Pottery Center will have an exhibition, "New Generation of Seagrove Potters" from February 12th to April 10th, 2010. Takuro and me take part in the show.The show opening will be on February 12 (Fri), 5:30pm-7:30.It's open to public free of charge.Please check out NCPC website to see more details.www.ncpotterycenter.comHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-53379197957816681572010-01-29T15:35:00.006-05:002010-01-29T15:47:35.747-05:00The first firing of 2nd chamberWe started preheating by gas at Sat 7pm, and started burning wood at Sun 2am. The weather was not friendly at all and also brought strong rain&wind, so it made everything worse. It was the most difficult firing for Takuro and me from our wood firing experiences, but we made it because our good friends helped us. We finished firing on Monday midnight and it took whole 2days.We learned three thingsHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-86350824614555088982010-01-26T14:53:00.007-05:002010-01-29T15:34:47.659-05:00Loading 2nd chamberIt might not be usual, but we decided to have the 2nd chamber firing as our first firing.Go for it!Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-7776121612379585922010-01-22T14:34:00.001-05:002010-01-26T14:53:56.603-05:00Ready for firingThere were things at least we had to finish before firing, one is stack 10 more layers for chimney, and the second is making grate for the 2nd chamber fire box. Takuro didn't have time for that, so we asked Evan Morgan and Mac Metz who are very experienced glass kiln builders from Wet Dog Glass. They did great job and we really appreciate their help.After work, Takuro built brick wall for the 2ndHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-70111416635845939932010-01-19T15:40:00.013-05:002010-01-19T16:17:35.209-05:00Metal Braces 1/18It's been a while since last post. We have been very busy and cold and not many things to update on this blog. We were making pots in the studio recently and we really hate to worry about freezing pots in the midnight. We are not supposed to have -10 degrees in Celsius. Maybe this summer or fall, we should work on putting insulation in our studio.Anyway, we worked on kiln last weekend. Takuro Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-39328850273539298672010-01-06T15:57:00.006-05:002010-01-06T16:04:47.837-05:00Clean up around kilnOn New Year's day, after eating Ozoni in the morning, we started burning scrap woods from kiln shed in the Anagama chamber. It was completely same as when you start wood firing. We could also clean up kiln area and make bricks and mortal dry. Until 5pm, kiln got pretty warm and we were pleased because it was going to be really really cold after New Year's day. We hope this cold weather will go Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-60147439739551424312010-01-01T00:10:00.005-05:002010-01-19T16:16:03.030-05:00Kiln almost completeTakuro finished making door for Anagama chamber on 30th, and we finished detail work for exit flue today (31th). We think we are done. We started building wood kiln in Spring 2009, and worked really hard through the year. Because friends helped us a lot, and many people cheer us up, so that we made it.We really hope 2010 will be a great year for everyone.A Happy New Year!2010 is a year of TigerHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-34052277830476801802009-12-29T22:16:00.005-05:002009-12-29T22:25:03.251-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 8Today is the last day for Team Tony. They worked on the tin roof around chimney area for a half day. It looks very good and rain won't leak at all. Thanks Team Tony for your hard work.We have two more days left. We will finish up Anagama chamber door and also some work for exit flue area tomorrow. There are still lots of things to do, but I think we will be able to say "Done!" soon.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-83448469087319839352009-12-28T23:25:00.006-05:002009-12-28T23:33:23.082-05:00DoorsJust quick update.Today's progresses are: 3rd chamber floor, 2nd and 3rd chambers door, and brick floor for the front side of Anagama.When we finish making Anagama chamber door, the cutting brick job will be completely done. How many bricks Takuro has cut. We don't have much time left, so let's try to finish up all work in a few days.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-14512803058138906192009-12-27T22:43:00.001-05:002009-12-28T00:48:42.936-05:00Kiln FloorsIt was pouring rain on Christmas day in Seagrove, so we didn't do anything, just played with Ken, watched DVD, and ate ordinary food. I hope everyone had a happy Christmas day.The next day, Takuro tried to finish up kiln floor and I tried to clean up around the kiln. We both got very thick mud underneath of shoes. It's been so wet in this winter and made our work slow and muddy.Anyway, Anagama Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-37716845545148513072009-12-22T16:49:00.007-05:002009-12-22T16:57:14.032-05:00Chimney 1While Team Tony worked on tin roof, we stacked bricks for chimney. It has to be higher than the existing roof, probably 16 feet or so, and to make carpenters work easier, we have to build chimney as tall as possible.work work work!By dark, chimney got taller than extension shed. So that they can work on tin around chimney area. After that, we will stack more bricks. Getting close!Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-73752931830424003082009-12-22T16:44:00.006-05:002009-12-22T16:49:29.344-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 7Team Tony came and worked on tin roof from 8am.They were very quick and almost finished except chimney area by 3pm.It's really fun to watch how carpenters build up so quickly. Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-2195068261682152662009-12-20T16:41:00.005-05:002009-12-20T16:51:44.266-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 6The day snow storm might come, Team Tony came and put tin in 3 hours, as many as they could before storm coming. Tony said he put tin on the chimney area as temporary, so that we didn't have to worry about snow or rain, and later on some of tin will be removed and we can stack bricks.Fortunately storm didn't come to where we live.We were very relieved about tin roof and appreciate their hard Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-83564294941849335122009-12-15T22:53:00.000-05:002009-12-16T15:10:23.109-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 5Day 5. They worked on the back side in this morning. It seems like wood frame work is all done and we just wait for tin. No rain, please.Thanks, Team Tony. Everything looks pretty well.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-84719810136366227222009-12-14T22:49:00.000-05:002009-12-15T14:53:42.758-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 4Day 4. Team Tony worked on the back side (chimney area) mainly today. It's been cloudy recently and we don't see sunshine for a while. Our son is really exited to play around the kiln shed.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-74103745434994619532009-12-11T21:32:00.001-05:002009-12-12T16:38:14.179-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 3Day 3. It's freezing day. Hope Team Tony didn't get cold.Takuro is working on making floor in the Anagama chamber. Also we have kiln coating (insulation) and chimney stacking jobs. Yeah, we are getting close!Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-42457078754165058042009-12-10T21:37:00.001-05:002009-12-11T15:43:04.811-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 2After cold rain, Team Tony came to work on the kiln extension on Thursday. They worked from early morning to evening and shed is getting look better and better. Those photos below are today's progress.Thanks, Tony!Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-63201306038036810002009-12-08T14:21:00.005-05:002009-12-08T14:27:58.084-05:00Kiln Shed Extension 1Finally Team Tony came to work for our kiln shed extension and we are very exited about it. They put posts in this morning and it was really quick. They will make extension all around the existing shed, so it will be 36 (width) x 52 (long) or something like that totally. It'll be rain this afternoon until tomorrow, so that this project will take a little bit longer, but we are very happy about Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-43689279271282065592009-11-22T12:50:00.002-05:002009-11-22T12:53:03.696-05:00Celebration of Seagrove PottersStudio Touya join "Celebration of Seagrove Potters" this year.Looks like there are many people and very successful.Have fun and enjoy shopping!Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-43985890614226165772009-11-16T15:46:00.007-05:002009-11-16T15:55:22.679-05:00Kiln Building Update 11/15Almost for a week, it was rain and cold and very miserable weather, but finally we got sunshine and also warm last weekend. We did a little bit work for our kiln on Sunday afternoon. There were three layers left on the second chamber, and we did finished it up in several hours.Finally closed up!Now we really need kiln shed extension ASAP, and hope Team Tony will come and do it sooner.Lots of Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-46190789905293579992009-11-08T21:28:00.013-05:002009-11-08T21:50:24.140-05:00Kiln Building Update 11/8On Saturday, Andres, David, and Santiago came to help our kiln building again. We worked on exit flue and chimney. Lots of bricks, sand and kiln clay, and lots of cutting bricks. It must be very tiring and a lot of work, but those guys seemed having joy (and also backache after work).It was the last Saturday with Andres and he is going to back to Estonia next week. We will miss those wonderful Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-83398089368487332572009-11-02T12:48:00.010-05:002009-11-02T13:04:56.363-05:00Kiln Building Update 11/1It was wet and dark morning, but we had to work on kiln. Andres came to help us on Saturday 9am, and we could have a lot of progress because of his help. Andres taught many things and we are very fortunate to see his kiln building technique. We have to cut many bricks into very complicated shape to be fit under the arch, and Andres cuts bricks very easily, fast and perfect always. It's just Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-73200806199369585762009-10-26T07:23:00.008-05:002009-10-26T07:37:09.845-05:00Kiln Building Update 10/25We knew it's going to be rainy day, but worked on our wood kiln this weekend. David Stuempfle, Andres Allik and Santiago Ramirez came to help us on Saturday morning and kiln got good progress because of their great help. Thank you very much guys.Takuro was very impressed how Andres works so good, fast and perfect for stacking bricks. He knows about bricks a lot. You must see his work if you have Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-51531222224744163272009-10-19T14:26:00.007-05:002009-10-19T14:54:19.193-05:00Kiln Building Update 10/17We finally got back to normal days recently, and tried to focus on our kiln building. Our good friend, David Stuempfle has started building his new kiln in the beginning of October, and we have to hurry to get work done ours (so that we can help David). Last weekend, David came to help ours even he was really busy for his own. He also brought his kiln building team, Andres and Alex.Andres Allik Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-29054686282546593972009-10-13T08:20:00.014-05:002009-10-13T15:19:56.802-05:00Asian Ceramics Trunk ShowWe went to Washington DC last weekend and saw our show at a gallery shop of Freer Gallery/Sackler Museum. It was a special event in the gallery shop and they exhibit several Asian ceramics artists work.Photos below are from the show.Dimitre is a museum shop staff and has been working on this show. Thank you so much for being patient (to work with us)!It was the first DC for our son and he enjoyedHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-54510238512209759422009-10-05T14:56:00.011-05:002009-10-05T15:07:52.291-05:00Kiln Building Update 10/5The day after we finished our wood firing at STARworks Ceramics, we got back to kiln building. We must finish up as soon as possible, so no time to rest. We made wooden frame for the second and third chamber, and started stacking bricks.Photos below are on 9/28This guy above really loves kiln buildingThose photos below are on 10/4Kindly, David and Santiago came to help us on Sunday afternoon, so Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-90371372424418151062009-10-03T12:00:00.008-05:002009-10-06T06:40:50.333-05:00Show in DCTakuro and Hitomi will have an exhibition at Freer Gallery/Sackler Museum's gallery shop from October 9th (Fri) to 11th (Sun). We exhibit more than 100 pieces/each artist all wood fired. Artists will be at the gallery on Friday afternoon and give a gallery talk. If you are close, please come to see us.Asian Ceramics Trunk ShowFriday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2009 10 AM - 5:30 PMTakuro Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-78785560651839381822009-09-30T14:19:00.007-05:002009-09-30T14:25:46.275-05:00Clean Up PottsAs you know it's wood firing, we have been cleaning up pots for several days. Lots of drips, waddings and stuff from flying wood ash during the firing. Now we almost finished and making a work list.We'll pack everything tonight and leave for DC tomorrow.Takuro's worksTakuro's Table waresTakuro's Tea BowlsHitomi's TeapotsHitomi's Large Plate, Bowl, and table waresHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-60013208376925669252009-09-27T13:32:00.008-05:002009-09-27T14:45:07.536-05:00Kiln UnloadingWe unloaded wood kiln this weekend. There are always good and not so good, but we are satisfied this firing. STARworks NC Local clay gives us good color and reliable result. I will put more photos later.2nd chamber3rd chamber (salt)Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-85942561995435682572009-09-20T12:43:00.006-05:002009-09-20T12:51:03.451-05:00Wood FiringWe had to stop working on our kiln because we have our show in Washington DC in October, so we have been making pots recently. We had a wood firing at STARworks this weekend. Started preheating from Friday midnight, and Takuro started stoking wood from Saturday 4am. Santiago, Kacy, Wayne-san and Hitomi were on firing shift. We could finish up firing on Sunday 7am and it was 27 hours wood firing (Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-67803616156940082042009-09-06T11:39:00.008-05:002009-09-06T11:58:42.985-05:00David's wood firingDavid Stuempfle started preheating on Monday (8/31) and started wood stoke on Wednesday. Takuro and I came to help his firing on Saturday morning which was the 4th day of wood stoking, and front side temperature was around 2100F when we arrived there. David and Tim kept firing from midnight, so they seemed really tired. Takuro worked on the front stoke, me and other Seagrove potter, Fred JohnstonHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-4467057157359057982009-08-31T22:34:00.009-05:002009-08-31T22:48:22.175-05:00David's kiln loadingOur friend, David Stuempfle was going to move his large jar into the kiln this evening, so we went to his studio after work. David, his assistant and a young potter: Tim Ayers, a young Seagrove potter: Chad Brown, and Takuro Shibata, those four people worked on this important mission together. They tied sheets on the bottom of the jar, and hold and moved it slowly. David said it should be around Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-19268027632373315192009-08-30T20:39:00.012-05:002009-08-30T21:21:26.640-05:00The first bowl with David StuempfleWe visited David Stuempfle's studio this weekend because he is loading his large wood kiln now. He is going to start firing from Tuesday and it'll be end probably Sunday or Monday or so. Takuro and I always take part in his firing. David's wood kiln is probably the biggest one in Seagrove, or maybe nation wide in US, and it looks like just tunnel and it can hold so many pots inside.the back side Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-63736924213703465062009-08-28T09:00:00.001-05:002009-08-28T13:11:03.840-05:00Shigaraki Potter, Kiyotsugu SawaMr. Kiyotsugu SawaWhen I was organizing way-too-many photos, I found many interesting photos in my computer hard disc, and I thought I should share some of them with people in English. Our favorite potter, Kiyotsugu Sawa is a well known Anagama potter in Shigaraki, Japan. He makes beautiful unglazed pots and fires by his very simple Anagama. His Anagama is buried in the ground.We could see his Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-4485674494233733172009-08-27T13:37:00.009-05:002009-08-27T13:46:15.534-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/27Our wonderful neighbour, Ben Owen came to help for our kiln this morning by skid steer. He moved away bricks and then moved soil into the space around the kiln. Now kiln is buried and got more stable. Ben is one of the busiest potter in Seagrove, and we really appreciate he made time for us.We will ask Tony Luck and his team to build extension shed soon. And then start building the second and Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-54193995838181146042009-08-24T22:28:00.006-05:002009-08-24T23:07:09.911-05:00Making potsWe stopped working on kiln building in these days and started making pots in our studio. It's been long time since no productive work (I mean making pots), so we are refreshing by doing this.Our wood kiln is still standing, and last weekend we finished concrete brick wall in front of Anagama chamber. Our kiln will be ready for buried in the ground, then put extension shed. The second and third Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-37719795501950377342009-08-14T13:51:00.012-05:002009-08-14T14:08:42.953-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/13When Takuro came back from work yesterday, he said " I am going to take down wooden frame tonight". I said "You are kidding? It's too late", but at that time Santiago was already on the way to our house to help it. What an arrangement was it! They started around 6:30pm, and it was really scary to watch them, but they kept breaking up wood frames and finally all taken down at 9pm. Great job.These Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-14350138348632504772009-08-11T23:18:00.009-05:002009-08-11T23:28:51.425-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/11Today was the day. We start working on Anagama chamber after work, and we got our "Deam Team" tonight. We closed up arch and finished up Anagama chamber at 11pm!Thank you very very much for your great help.Jeff Dean Tony Luck Santiago, Kacy and BearStephanie MartinWe couldn't have done without you all.More photos later.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-63148883161713840592009-08-10T21:48:00.008-05:002009-08-10T22:06:53.908-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/10Takuro started working on kiln from 6am. When I went there around 8am, he finished one layer already. Our good friend, Jeff Dean (Dean and Martin Pottery) came to help us and it made work faster. His wife, Stephanie came to watch our son, so I was able to laying bricks whole afternoon. Thank you, Jeff and Stephanie. It's huge help.We tried to work harder and harder in this awful heat, but as a Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-76932519091981212072009-08-09T22:38:00.009-05:002009-08-10T21:48:00.450-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/9Our good friends, Wayne-san and San-chan came to help us today. Kacy also came to watch our son, so four of us worked on putting bricks. It was very fast. Thank you for your help in this heat (99F!). Today's big progress is we put arch on the door area. It's really important part of the kiln. So we are very pleased to finish it.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-65662981804283497942009-08-08T22:26:00.009-05:002009-08-08T23:52:00.814-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/8Just quick update. We switched to skinnier bricks for arch part. It will make nice curve much easier. But it seems like there are still a lot of layers to go. Well, it's been really hot even under the kiln shed, so we just do best brick by brick, little by little.Takuro said "this is cool view, take a look" and I took photo from the top of the Anagama chamber. Nice view!Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-78198244555601667292009-08-07T21:57:00.007-05:002009-08-08T22:57:32.711-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/7Same thing as yesterday. Finished one more layer today. Very tired. We also got some castable cement for some arch part. Back side is getting tight and close to the arch. It's difficult to follow the wooded form because brick is too big for the curve.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-17454708544669319552009-08-06T21:54:00.000-05:002009-08-07T22:16:53.932-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/6We took day off from Thursday and we are trying to get work done as much as possible this weekend. Thank you, Adam. This layer took 4 days to work done... Unbelievable.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-3398164387142030852009-08-03T22:46:00.006-05:002009-08-03T22:56:46.450-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/3Our son got up at 6pm from nap, and fed him, prepared dinner, drank a lot of water for kiln work. Takuro came home around 7pm and then we went to work on kiln until dark. We put several more bricks on each side for 1 and a half hours. You might think it would be able to be more faster, but we have to kneed clay and pack clay inside of bricks before laying it so that it takes longer than it looks Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-15493091467758513592009-08-02T22:19:00.004-05:002009-08-02T22:26:19.808-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/2It's rainy morning today and made us kind of lazy. We started working on laying bricks in the afternoon. We could put one more layer while our son took nap, but after that no progress. Maybe it's good to be easy going sometimes. Anagama wall has got about half tall. Getting close. And golf ball is still on the ground and we don't know who was it yet.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-37232885919137350942009-08-01T22:16:00.009-05:002009-08-01T23:45:55.554-05:00Kiln Building Update 8/1We finished working on wooden frame, so got back to brick work. Bad for back. Our friend, David Stuempfle came to help us this week, too. Thanks, David. We got work done one layer and could put some bricks on another layer by dark. We will try to put several more layers this weekend. X-day is getting close.And there is a mystery. We went to our friends house on Thursday night, and Takuro got up Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-42161430748975459642009-07-26T22:08:00.012-05:002009-07-26T22:52:04.923-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/26It was really hot today, so that even just being outside was very tiring. Our son, Mr. K was very fussy because of the heat, so Takuro or me had to play with him and make him happy all day long. We wish we could afford to have swimming pool next to wood kiln.Our good friend, Jeff Dean came to help this afternoon, too. It's not great time to work for kiln because way too hot, but he helped us a Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-73650302530668076272009-07-25T22:28:00.009-05:002009-07-25T22:39:57.550-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/25Just quick update, we got finished bamboo work today! Our good friends, Wayne Shiver and David Stuempfle came to help us and it looked very good. Our good friend, Jeff Dean came to help us in the afternoon and we were able to put some plywood. Thank you all for your great help. It's kind of sad we have to cover bamboo by plywood on top, also all wooden structure will be taken down eventually Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-14603235949680656542009-07-24T11:43:00.003-05:002009-07-24T11:50:43.645-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/24Takuro has been working on wooden frames this week. It's getting stronger and stronger because this will support tons of brick arch weight. We want to finish up this work this weekend and hope we can put two more layers on Anagama wall.The small guy is waving hand "bye"Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-2771226857454104652009-07-19T22:16:00.008-05:002009-07-19T23:16:23.353-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/19We had a little bit relax morning today. Walk, eat, and hang around kiln site, and when our son started taking nap around 1pm or so, we started working on kiln really hard. Takuro adjusted bamboo, I started laying bricks and mortal on 2nd chamber where Anagama arch will attach. Then we got Eddie Bernard (Wet Dog Glass, LLC) and Nick Fruin (STARworks Glass Lab) came to help us. They knew what Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-79233088352407535072009-07-19T21:52:00.009-05:002009-07-19T22:16:28.089-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/18On Saturday, Takuro started working on kiln at 6am. He cut brick to be fit for the end of 2nd layer and finished it. Then suddenly our friend and also very nice carpenter who lives just several miles from our house, Tony Luck came to help us. He and his team built this kiln shed last December and we really like it a lot.And Tony was very very good at laying bricks! He does very detailed work. Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-10931508158031760582009-07-13T10:03:00.008-05:002009-07-14T14:48:33.565-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/12We asked our good friend and a young Seagrove potter, Jeff Dean (Dean and Martin Pottery) to help kiln building, and he did wonderful job for us on Sunday. We almost ran out of solid bricks and started using hollow bricks, and it takes more time because we had to pack kiln clay into that hollow bricks before laying. We were able to finish another layer by the end of day. A lot of thanks to Jeff.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-39545010884328363222009-07-11T17:48:00.005-05:002009-07-11T22:53:08.114-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/11Takuro got up 6am and started working on making layer with mortal, and our good friend, David Stuempfle knocked on the door and came to help kiln building this morning. We got a big progress and were able to finish one layer by 3pm! Incredible. We will try to get one more layer done tomorrow. Thank you very very much David!Concrete and Mortal, lots of needing workHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-90168812575538677392009-07-10T14:27:00.004-05:002009-07-10T14:32:54.411-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/10Takuro got back from cold (or maybe flue) completely, and now he wakes up 5am and working on kiln building. We moved lots of solid bricks (40-50 pounds/each!) by hand and laid them on the foundation temporary. There are some spots which needs specific shape bricks, and we have to cut bricks before mortal. We will try to finish one layer in this weekend.Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-69876097487909402862009-07-07T08:08:00.007-05:002009-07-07T13:35:12.054-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/7We didn't have much progress visually these several days because we had to think of preparations for the next step. After Eddie and Phil's advice, we decided to stop working on the second chamber's arch and work on Anagama. They said it's probably physically safer to do it, just because this Anagama chamber is built on the slope and has more complicated design. We'll get iron for concrete bricks Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-80934339171906477432009-07-05T23:20:00.011-05:002009-07-06T00:31:56.396-05:00Oak tree fall down, continuedI never forget June 24th, 2009The oak tree fell down two weeks ago and then we have got different land view for a while. Everyday I was surprised when I saw the tree with no reason. We didn't think we could do anything for now because we were too busy to clean out.Eddie and Phil took a look our kiln and they also watched the tree, and we discussed how we can cut this tree before it roll or break,Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-62629102965044084322009-07-05T23:01:00.008-05:002009-07-05T23:47:03.973-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/5Today we had friends, Eddie and Phil to see our kiln in the morning. Eddie runs Wet Dog Glass which makes very nice glass furnaces and locate in STARworks building, and Phil is one of Wet Dog Glass employee. They are very nice people and also very professional glass kiln builders.Takuro asked their opinion about kiln building, and Eddie and Phil pointed out many things very useful. It's always Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-70242172239652754402009-07-04T22:39:00.006-05:002009-07-04T22:51:50.422-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/4We were going to start making wooden frame for the second chamber and finish up arch first, but we decided to work on the third chamber exit flue and also 2nd and 3rd chamber side walls before that. Just because we thought exit flue walls and side walls had better be connected in order to make safer for arch.... very hard to explain though.We mostly built the third chamber exit flue part with Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-18619655041490770782009-07-03T22:36:00.014-05:002009-07-03T23:10:47.624-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/3It's a holiday today because of the Independence Day, so we started kiln building in the morning. Seagrove wood fired potter, David Stuempfle and Santiago Ramirez (STARworks Ceramics) came to help us today. We stacked bricks on exit flue area which has to be very careful and also takes a lot of time, and we have got huge progress we never thought. Thanks a lot, David and Santiago.After David and Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-18244673671813389112009-07-01T22:37:00.006-05:002009-07-01T22:45:10.336-05:00Kiln Building Update 7/1Takuro finally got better and he worked on kiln a little bit today. We are making 2nd chamber exit flue part now. Once we finish this part, we will make wooden frame and prepare for arch and wall. We have long weekend this week, so hope we can get work done as much as possible.You are messing up....Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-25487699363814473622009-06-29T23:00:00.009-05:002009-06-29T23:26:40.923-05:00Kiln Building Update 6/29We don't have much progress of our kiln since last post because Takuro has been having cold and also we had business trip to Penland. But, I would like to change title from "Kiln Foundation" to "Kiln Building". We almost finish making foundation so far (there are more foundation work later on), and now we move on thinking of exit flue part very carefully.It's said that the total size of exit flueHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-38343816978847560822009-06-24T22:31:00.007-05:002009-06-24T22:45:48.507-05:00Oak tree fall downIt's off topic, but I want to write about this in order to remember for myself. This afternoon, my son just went to nap and I was washing dishes in the kitchen, I heard funny noise and looked up the kitchen window, then I saw the oak tree moved and laid down on the ground with huge noise. I couldn't believe what I saw.Although that oak tree had disease and looked bad shape, but who knows when it Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-22366333466428421642009-06-24T22:26:00.006-05:002009-06-24T22:31:53.600-05:00Kiln Foundation Update 6/24Just quick update, we are working on the third chamber foundation now.WorkWorkand Work!Hitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688369.post-35019689433795737392009-06-21T21:58:00.018-05:002009-06-22T09:34:10.534-05:00Kiln Foundation Update 6/21We had work on this Saturday afternoon at STARworks Ceramics, so we were able to work on Saturday morning and all Sunday this weekend. It was really hot even under the shed, and also we got a lot of bugs bite. Yuck. We worked on the floor foundation for the second chamber as well. It's long way to go.This small guy really wanted to do same thing as his father.6/206/21People around us are now veryHitomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16285397888564750141noreply@blogger.com0