Friday, July 24, 2009

healing magic of clay

In the summer of 1977 I remember walking home from the potter's studio with a view of the bay and loving the sensation of the clay on my jeans so much that I decided to collect it there for a while like some sort of earthen armor.So I'd hang them on a hook on my door.There was a poem there and if I shuffle through my boxes of old writing, I might find that hand written piece.Clay so sensual and grounding...it was the perfect craft that July and August when I returned from France.
For the longest time, I still had a couple of chip bowls I had made, but most of the things I have given away over the years. I did buy some wonderful tumblers from my friend Kim at claypatties.etsy.com that even though glazed and fired, are infused with that healing magic of clay.
An old friend of the family, Nancy passed away last year unexpectedly and her studio equipment was orphaned. If I could figure out the water issue in my garage, I might pick it up myself. I'd say the studio is about 3 hours from here. I was offered the equipment and asked if I knew any potters who wanted to buy it. At the time, I was busy with Claire's hospice to really get on that train. Nancy's partner, Don wasn't quite ready to sell itthen anyway. So we kind of put it all on hold. We get together more in the summer at the old family farm, a time capsule museum. It is in North Berwick, ME, only an hour south of here. I just got this list of items. Most of the things are still in the studio.

Kiln Model K-18 Econo Kiln 220V/20A/4.4KW (L&L Mfg) w/ Dawson NMFR Kiln Sitter
purchased 1/3/74 from Newton Potters Supply for $198.50 + tax
Kiln vent, Bailey purchased 6/23/95 for $311.45
Potters Wheel Shimpo model RK-2
Wheel shelf
Cabinet 30x16x72H
Table top
Table 36x48x30H
Shelves (2)
Counter/crates 73x22x32H
Table 36x62x32H
File cabinet
Shelf (disassembled) 38x25x71H
Chest + shelf
Desk 34x60x31
Craig's shelves 28x73x84
Egg crate-like shelves
Metal shelves 71x69x28
Ware cart 23x32x67
Chair
4 stools
Pots
Clays
Glazes

Not in studio:
Gas fired kiiln (outdoor, disassembled) purchased 1996 for $750
Kick wheel (?5/16/74 $61.80 from Clay Art Center)

some other etsy potters:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6355661
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5404916
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6355660

4 comments:

Unknown said...

That's another medium I had always wanted to try...
Clay was one of the first building materials too...

AltheaP said...

My goodness, my friend Nancy-the-Potter died last year, too.

Martha Horman said...

There IS something about clay.

SuzeesJubileeZ said...

Hm lots of coincidences Janine.
There really is something about clay and maybe I ought to grab this stuff up myself. Do I have enough time? Well maybe if I don't hang out on line as much as I do.