Jim Willett on wed 21 sep 05
Neal and ClayArters,
We own and operate Out of the Fire Studio http://wwwoutofthefirestudio.com
; a pottery studio in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We are a production studio
with over 40 retailers. Our wholesale work is sold mostly in western Canada,
with some outlets in the east. We sell retail over the internet through out
North America, with most of our retail sales going to the US. We have been
in business for almost six years, the last four being here in Edmonton.
We have just produced the first in a series of educational DVD's on how we
make pottery http://howtomakepottery.com . It is a "down to earth look" at
the steps we take to make four basic little pots, all from a beginner size
lump of clay. I speak a bit about wedging, then I throw a cylinder, vase,
bowl and a plate; these pieces are then trimmed. It walks the viewer through
the process in a very clear and casual manner. I have been potting and
teaching for over 30 years. Jim has over ten years of pottery experience.
The DVD is just over 90 minutes long, it is a fun approach to basic wheel
thrown pottery. We are very excited with the outcome and we look forward to
the second in the series where the pots can get a little bigger and we can
add some lids and handles. We hope to develop a series where a beginning
potter, with practice and the DVD's, can work independently with confidence
and knowledge, taking a lump of mud from clay to pottery. We all know it is
never pottery until it comes out of the glaze load.
The DVD sells online for $29.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. We also
offer the DVD at wholesale prices with volume discounts.
Our local pottery supplier, Plainsman Pottery Supply
http://www2.plainsmanclays.com:4201/dealers.php, has purchased them for
their outlets, Clay King in South Carolina http://www.clay-king.com/ has
purchased them for their store , Kick Wheel Pottery in Tucker Georgia has
purchased them, and Tucker Pottery Supply in Ontario has also purchased
them for their store. We have sold them online and I have enclosed some of
the feedback we have received. If you have any questions please feel free
to call us toll free at the studio, 1-866-378-0240
Regards,
Cindy Clarke and Jim Willett
Out of the Fire Studio
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
http://www.outofthefirestudio.com
http://howtomakepottery.com
http://potblog.outofthefirestudio.com
Reviews from a few of viewers.....
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Cullen
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 4:54 PM
To: 'Jim Willett'
Subject: RE: Teaching Pottery???
Jim and Cindy,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I heard from several other
instructors and I think "PRAISING" is the common thread that ran through all
the emails. I think I can handle that part. I am able to remember my first
days of throwing and that it was difficult for me at the start, but with
practice and a patient instructor I found my way.
I work for www.CLAY-KING.com part time and have viewed your DVD. I told the
owner it was the best I had ever seen, I was a producer/director of
industrial video programs for 34 years before retiring and was impressed by
the professional production and the honest and level-headedness for your
approach. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. ....
Thanks for your suggestions and insight.
Happy Potting.
"An opportunity lost...is lost forever."
CULLEN
From: William C----
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 10:58 AM
To: cindy.clarke@telus.net
Subject: RE: video
Cindy:
Well I have had time to watch the video twice. Each time I have learned
something new. Speaking from a beginner potter's point of view (I have only
been to six two-hour pottery lessons so far) I find your video wonderful.
The demonstrations, description, and how-to nature of your video have
greatly helped me understand much more about centering and throwing on the
wheel. These are two of the things that as a beginner are frustrating to
learn. Also, your description of cylinder, vase, bowl, and plate work really
get right to the point and have made me anxious to try out some of the
techniques that you explain. The camera angles, close-ups, all make things
much easier to see. I like the way you take time to show what your hands are
doing, and also the way you explain why you are doing those things. I think
anyone, beginner or advanced will find your video entertaining and helpful.
It is obvious from watching the video that you know in-depth what you are
doing, enjoy your work, and really like trying to help others to learn about
pottery.
Keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to your next video.
Thanks,
Bill C---
----
From: Ken F-----
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 6:59 PM
To: Jim Willett
Subject: Re: I O U
I am impressed. I got up to using the rib on the plate. The centering is
different but makes sense. Pulling the sides up was what I was looking to
see. It was very interesting to see the amount of water that's being used,
which is much different than what my teacher showed me.
Although, to be fair to her, she showed me one time how to center and pull
up the sides. I then sat down at her wheel, centered the clay (several
times,) pulled up my first pot, had a trimming lesson, and then purchased my
own wheel. Later, we did a bisque firing and then glazed. Just this
afternoon, I got an email that my first ten pieces were done. Bonnie said,
"I will be pleased when I see them." I can't wait 'til my meetings are done
at the railroad tomorrow to go see the finished products.
At my makeshift studio, I have been focusing on cylinders and now on
"tallness." I know that by practicing what I saw Cindy do, the height and
thinness will come. I am not looking to beat old George Ohr for thin, but I
do expect to learn and work a lot on glazes of my own.
Thanks for a great video...nice and down to "mud."
Ken
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Book and Video Recommendations
I am the librarian for the Triangle Potters Guild (in North Carolina). Our
library consists of about 200 books and 20 videos/DVDs/CDs that our members
may check out. It's a great resource.
The budget for the library works is small. I was able to add 20 items last
year, including copies of Tony's and Bonnie's DVDs.
I would appreciate any recommendations for books and DVDs, especially things
that have been published in the past couple of years. Also, if anyone has
books, videos, or DVDs in good condition to sell to a worthy group at good
prices, let me know.
Neal O'Briant
Neal on wed 21 sep 05
I am the librarian for the Triangle Potters Guild (in North
Carolina). Our library consists of about 200 books and 20
videos/DVDs/CDs that our members may check out. It's a
great resource.
The budget for the library works is small. I was able to
add 20 items last year, including copies of Tony's and
Bonnie's DVDs.
I would appreciate any recommendations for books and DVDs,
especially things that have been published in the past
couple of years. Also, if anyone has books, videos, or DVDs
in good condition to sell to a worthy group at good prices,
let me know.
Neal O'Briant
neal126@yahoo.com
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Daniel Semler on thu 22 sep 05
Hi Neal,
Check out my books list on my site :
. It
is of course out of date. My book buying habit has seen to that. Recent
acquisitions include Creation Out of Clay about the life and work of Brother
Thoms Bezanson. Very beautiful work in porcelain, Functional Pottery by Robin
Hopper - lots of really useful info in this on functional ware. Actually its
more out of date than I thought. Greg Daly's book on Glazes and Glazing
Techniques is also not listed ! Very interesting on layering and application.
Body of Clay, Soul of Fire on Richard Bresnahan, also well worth it.
Ahh... I'm
not sure that these are particularly recent but there you go.
HTH
D
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