Okefenokee Swamp 12-26-2008

Skimming the tannin stained waters of the canal in the Okefenokee swamp in 80 degree weather makes me yearn for deeper adventures into the swamp. My family and I had a great time visiting the swamp, I still can't believe I finally saw a wild alligator. They are much smaller and less frightening then they appear in movies. I can't wait to go back and visit the swamp anyone up for a canoe trip?

Victory at the Anagama firing

I just wanted to post a quick preview fom our kiln firing

Fall harvest... Giving thanks and sleeping on the job.

It's has been a long time coming, but finally I finished glazing and Phylis and I fired the kiln this weekend. I have developed a new firing system...... Since the kiln takes up to 15 hours to fire, I just set up my tent turn the kiln on and sleep until morning. When I wake up the kiln is already very hot and only takes about 8 hours to finish. Sleeping on the job IS Efficient!! The weather was perfect for the firing cool and clear. Tonight we unloaded and celebrated with Phylis's fantastic pumpkin pie and tea. Here are a few photos from the firing. The "Fish Mugs" in the before and after shots were made by Phylis and the plates are mine. The orange glow in the before shots is the flame from the burners. Enjoy!

-Jeff-

www.flickr.com

Night Launch

Despite some fog and a few clouds, I was able to witness the Space Shuttle Endeavor lift off last night @7:55 pm. It was a magnificent sight, that I will never get tired of seeing. I think they should hold all launches at night for the drama. NOTE: This is NOT my video, it is from a you-tube user. I did not bring my camera because of the fog, but I wish I would have.

The next launch is Schedualed for February 12(my birthday) 2009 and will be he Space Shuttle Discovery.

Enjoy!

Bisquet and Gravy!

There is something so pleasing to see all of my pots stacked up like this waiting to be glazed. I just had to share. These pots are all freshly unloaded from my final bisque firing for this glaze load. The kiln had so many plates in it that it took an Extra day to cool. I'm hoping to have everything glazed and loaded in the kiln by this weekend or next, so look for some new work in my shop soon.

Naomi's new Album!

A few weeks ago my dear Friend Naomi Sommers released her new album Gentle as the Sun. I've been listening to it for a few weeks now and it has definitely earned its spot on my Ipod. As usual Naomi has musically captured the spirit and emotion of a crisp New England day, cup of coffee with a Friend and a walk through the forest all in one disc. My favorite Song on the disk is called "February." Take the time to check it out, you won't regret it.

Buy it here http://cdbaby.com/cd/sommers3

Harold and the Purple Crayon

I dressed up as Harold for my school's Literacy Character Day and fall festival this year. Part of my costume was this giant working crayon that I had so much fun making. So, I decided to share it here. Don't know who Harold is? Watch the movie.

Bike Commuting in Jacksonville, Florida

Stretching out in front of me from horizon to horizon, lays the swollen waters of the St. Johns River. Palm trees silhouetted by the rising sun are framed by huge spans of concrete and steal gracefully arching across the river. The wind rushing past my sleepy face snaps me into reality. Suddenly, I am discovering how beautiful downtown Jacksonville really is. I'm embarrassed to say that I did not realize this before. I guess I always thought of downtown as a ragged collection of over-grown neglected empty lots squeezed between a few office buildings. I'm glad I rode my bike to work!

New Pottery from the Kiln

Phyllis and I fired the kiln this past weekend. It was a beautiful stack in the kiln. The pots just seemed to fit together like a giant 3-d jigsaw puzzle. Waiting on Monday and Tuesday was nearly impossible for me. All I could think about was the pottery cooling in the kiln. "Did I get enough reduction?" "Did I fire it hot enough?" "Did my reds and shinos turn out?" Finally, after a long wait we unloaded and it was definitely an occasion to celebrate!! Every pot in the kiln was just right! Look for some new pottery in my store this weekend!

Fay

Dear Fay,

Thank you for bringing us some rain. I'm glad your gone!

Sincerely,

Jeff

Looks like we may have a few showers on Wednesday!

If all of the models are correct, it looks as if Fay will be the first storm to pass over Jacksonville this year. I've been nervously watching it since it began of the coast of Africa as a low pressure system. I was relieved when Fay passed way south of Florida.

I guess I wont be able to ride my bike to work on Wednesday!

Back in the groove

I had a great time in the studio today! I've been in the glazing cycle of the process and vacation for several weeks. It was nice to feel the groove of throwing again today, it wont be long before it is time to fire again!!!

Sahale Peak!

Sahale was definitely one of my favorite climbs so far I cant wait to return to the north cascades! I have my Eye on Eldorado. Enjoy the video I think it says it all!

-Jeff-

Well its been a few years.............

Its been a few years since I made my road trip out to Rainier. I was looking at some of my pld photos and decided to make a little Youtube video of my experiance. I'll never forget seeing Rainier as I was driving accross central washington and nearly throwing up at the size of it. I actuly had to pull the car over! In my head I was thinking "I'm going to climb that?" "I'm not so sure....." Today I still get that speachless stare when ever I see it. Enjoy

Ross lake to Hozomeen lake backpacking trip!

Jennifer and I had a fantastic time backpacking along the East Bank Trail in the North Cascades National Park over the Forth of July! Ever since I laid My eyes on Hozomeen Mountain, I have wanted to see it up close. I wasn't disappointed. Even more grand than the sharp tooth of the peek is the lake nestled at the foot of the spire. Perfect swimming, deep crystal clear, water, zero crowds, and the cries of loons pierced the night's sky. Definitely a trip to remember and we definitly earned those cheeseburgers! Thanks Jennifer!

Mt St. Helens

Climbing Mt St. Helens has to be one of the most unique experiences on Earth! Where else can you walk along the rim of an active volcano, stand on a glacier, and glissade down a snowfield in July all in the same place? Aside from the sole coming off my boot(turned out to be a blessing), and a shoe full of ash, my climb went very smoothly! Just by chance I ended up climbing the whole way with a skier from Leadville, Colorado. He skied up the peak. I hiked. He skied down. I slid! What a trip!

Home!

Jennifer and I on the way to the North Cascades National Park!

Three minute old rainbow trout from Ross lake Happy 4th of July
Mt St. Helens
And of course the world famous Pike Place Market


I spent most of the day sleeping in my own bed! I'm already missing the northwest, but am happy to be back home. I spent the rest of my vacation after Sahale backpacking in the North Cascades with my friend Jennifer from UW-Stout, climbing Mount St. Helens, and touring Seattle. What a trip!

Sahale!!!!!!

I had a fantastic time on my climb up Sahale Peak in the North Cascades National Park! The route was good, the company was good, and so was the weather! I'll post a video soon, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm down and safe!

Sahale!

Soda kiln unloading!

Some great new work from the soda kiln! I realy like the new clay I have been using. "Thanks Highwater clay"

Soda kiln has been fired to cone 10!!!

It was hot! It was humid! It was fun! And It's done!

It took until midnight to finish but the soda kiln has been fired! I cant wait to unload it!

Enjoy the video!

Soda Kiln is loaded and ready to go!

The soda kiln is all loaded w/ fresh pots and a new ash glaze! It took me way longer to load the kiln than expected, I stayed up until 3 AM last night before I finally decided it would take more than one day to load! I'm so excited to fire the kiln tomorrow!!!! Here is a crazy;) video of the glazing and loading! Look for new pots in my store soon!

Cone 6 Glaze Workshop!

Hello,

For those of you that were in the glaze workshop, and those who are just looking for some great cone six glaze recipes, I am going to post a few of the test results. For now I am just going to share the mystery floating blue glaze that everyone was interested in but there will be more to come. It turns out that both of the mystery glazes are from the same base with different colorants. The base is from Mastering Cone Six Glazes By John Hesselberth and Ron Roy.

Gloss base

G-200 20%
Frit 3134 20

Wollastonite 10

Epk 20

talc 11.5

flint 18.5

The first tile shows the base with

1% Cobalt

.75 Copper

3% Iron ox

6% rutile

The second tile is the base plus

1% cobalt

6% rutile

.5 Iron Ox

Spring Weather

I went swimming in the ocean for the first time this year, the weather is warming up and the thunderstorms have begun!

Training

I've been training full on the last few months for my Glacier Peak adventure this summer. Looking for some cross training activities, I have discovered some new(to me) nature areas. First, the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail path that conveniently starts right near my school in Baldwin and travels 14.5 paved miles to Jacksonville. Second, the Timucuan Nature preserve just a few miles from my house.

Timucuan

The Timucuan Nature preserve sits on the former home site of Willie Brown, only a few pieces of the foundation from of Willie's home remain to remind us of the man who saved this block of nature for us all to share. The land is now spider webbed with hiking trails and an observation platform looking over the marsh. It's a great spot for quick hikes and trail running.

http://www.nps.gov/timu/historyculture/tra_gift.htm

Thanks Willie!

I fired the gas kiln today with some new forms and glazes! I can't wait untill Tuesday to unload.

Glacier Peak

It's now official, I'm headed out to climb Glacier Peak this summer! Not much of a mountain, but I'm very excited because it is tucked into one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in Washington! I'm particularly excited for the 14 mile trek to the base of the Mountain from the road head. Also in the plans is Saint Helens if I can get a permit!

Split'n, Glaze'n & Fire'n

It has been a busy busy two weeks! Two gas firings, wood splitting sesion with the wood kiln team, and a glazing fest! Plus I've made some new soap dishes! Wood firing comming soon!

I took this photo of the kiln yard last night. I think it captures the quiet stillness of a Florida winter night. I just love that huge tree.

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Getting ready to fire the kiln soon! Expect some new work in a week or two. The weather has been beautiful, well except for today but we had a thunderstorm which is good weather IMHO :)