Bracker's Good Earth Clays, Inc.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T15:49:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year! Here's to even more creativity, artistic success, and (most hopefully) the recovery of the economy in 2009. I know many of you are feeling the effects, from the potters who are seeing sharp downturns in people buying art to those of you who make pottery as a hobby and are pinching pennies just to be able to afford to support your sanity-saving pottery habit.

I am getting a lot closer to getting the new website finished. I'm hoping that we can go live in the next month, as long as I can focus a lot of time getting the database with our products filled in. But I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at the home page for the site, just to whet your appetites. :-)

Bracker's New Website Sneak Peek

Finally, we had great success with the start of our Second Saturday Artist Series. When someone would call Bill Bracker (co-founder of Bracker's Good Earth Clays) an expert, he would always reply, “please don’t call me an expert. Think of it...when you break down the word, an ‘ex’ is a washed-up-has-been and a ‘spurt’ is a drip under pressure.” So we won’t call these artists “experts” but they are definitely very good and more than willing to share their experiences and techniques with you. Each Second Saturday will feature a different artist. We will be inviting artists who throw, handbuild, decorate, create, and innovate. No purchase necessary - just stop by and see the artist at work. Feel free to observe for a few minutes, ask a question or two, or stick around for a couple of hours. Some artists may choose to bring other examples, work in progress, or even finished work (which might be available for sale). We leave the details up to each individual artist. Danny Meisinger visited us on Saturday, December 13th. We had a steady stream of people visit to watch Danny throw some amazing pots and talk about his life as a full-time artist.

Our next artist visit is Saturday, January 10th. Larry Brow will be here from 10 am to 3 pm:

"I graduated with an MFA in ceramics from the University of Iowa and considered teaching, but found the job market in 1989 barren. I have since derived a great deal of satisfaction from teaching at the Lawrence Arts Center, and briefly, at William Jewell College. Lately, my inspiration for my artwork comes from the integration of throwing, handbuilding, architecture, tattoos, wood-firing, Dr. Seuss, and Frank Gehry, in an improvisational creative method. A certain portion of my production is on display at Diane’s Artisan Gallery, on the second floor at Eighth and Mass. I also sell purely functional ware at three fairs a year as Please Touch Pottery. I use both porcelains and stonewares, firing in electric, gas, or wood-fueled kilns as appropriate. My youngest son, Hunter Tilghman, has honored me by asserting that he, too, wants to be a potter when he grows up. Indeed, he has been helping me set up and take down at Fairs since the age of two."

"On my Second Saturday, I suspect I will divide my time between throwing double-walled vessels and building a functional armchair or sculpture using my characteristic paddle and anvil handbuilding techniques. My slip decorating techniques may also come into play. Questions are always welcome."

Sweeping changes with Mason Stains

2008-07-18T09:56:00.004-05:00

Blended Material Inventory Change
What Mason Says (quoted from the Mason Color website):
Basically, we will be reducing the number of inventoried pigments from around 160 to about 100. Each color section will be impacted, some more severely than others. All of our existing pigments that are manufactured as single calcinations will continue to be offered as they have been for the last 100 plus years. The majority of blended pigments will no longer be held in our inventory after the current supply is gone. A full listing of all the blended pigments will be available to you, including up-to-date inventory levels and the formulas that will enable you to make your own blends from the large supply of pigments currently being manufactured. Since it is customary in ceramic businesses to blend colors to achieve a desired shade, we do not expect this to be a problem.

Mason Stain Changes
What Bracker's Says (how these changes will affect Bracker's and our customers):
Oh, my...you should have seen the look on Anne W.'s face when we heard this news. Shock and awe, people. It was complete and utter shock and awe. The new color chart (now available) looks pitifully small compared to the previous chart (no longer available). At this point, we have a decent supply of all the colors that we currently carry. We'll sell the blended colors we have in stock and will continue for as long as we can get them blended. But we'll also provide you with the chart of how to blend the single calcination colors together to get the other colors for which you are familiar. For example, if you love 6265 Leaf Green, you'll just need to blend 67% 6204 Victoria Green and 33% 6219 French Green to get the same Leaf Green color. We strongly recommend that before the existing supply of stains runs out, you try blending a few of them yourself to see the original and the version you have to blend yourself in a side-by-side test.

We expect that we will have to explain this issue a couple hundred times and do a lot of hand-holding throughout the change, but that's what we're here for. Check out the NEWS section of the Mason website (3 pages into the news section as of this posting) for even more details or give us a call. Our current website will NOT reflect these changes immediately, but please be patient with us.

Art from Iraland

2008-05-15T16:10:00.003-05:00

That's Iraland, not Ireland. As in the artist, Ira Winarsky. I had a delightful conversation with him on the phone yesterday, which led to him mentioning his website. I was entranced enough that I thought I'd share it with you, too.

Ira went to Kansas University in the 60's to study architecture, but took a ceramics class from Sheldon Carey as an elective and fell in love with clay. Sheldon is the man who convinced my dad to apply for a teaching position in the Art & Design Department at KU, ultimately leading us to Lawrence, Kansas in 1975. He feels that architecture is art on a much larger scale and has continued in both sides of the same world. His degree in Architecture is from KU, his Masters degree in sculpture is from Temple University, Tyler School of Art.

Check out his amazing iridescent glaze palette, based on inspiration from his pet peacock, Gilgamesch

Groovy Tools

2008-04-19T11:45:00.002-05:00

Groovy Tools are a great alternative for people who loved the high quality Dolan Tools. Groovy Tools are made by Susan & Dave Burge from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Aside from living in a city with a name very close to our city, they're also a very nice couple. Susan is a potter and Dave is an engineer (he confesses to having absolutely no artistic talents). Together, they have come up with a great new concept in trimming tools. Here's what the Groovy Tools website says about their tools:

Groovy Tools is a new concept in trim tools. We start with a blade of the highest quality steel. The 200 SERIES HEAVY GAUGE TOOLS are made from true tool steel. The blade is heat treated, tempered, and then re-treated cryogenically to produce a molecularly superior steel. In our NEW 300 SERIES MEDIUM GAUGE TOOLS we use a high carbon steel that is hardened and tempered to withstand the abrasion from clay but tough enough to be impacted and not break. From the type of steel, to the treating process, right down to the blade angle, this tool was designed to hold an edge.

The finished blade is then mated to an acetate handle that is impervious to moisture. No more worries about wooden handles swelling, blades loosening, or having to wipe your handles with oil. Our handles are light, strong, and will last a long, long time.

The final touch is an ergonomic grip. This gives the handle just a little softness for a better grip with less fatigue. And the bright colors are really groovy!

Kemper's version of Dolan Tools

2008-04-19T11:32:00.003-05:00

We love Kemper Tools. We've sold them for 25 years, and we'll continue to sell them. Kemper recently came out with a new series of tools, based on the original Dolan Tools. However, we will NOT stock that particular line of tools, nor will you find them listed on our website. "Why?" you might ask. The reason we won't publicize or stock them is because they are a DIRECT copy of Dolan Tools, down to the rings at the bottom of the handle and the tool numbers.

Dolan Tools

2008-04-19T11:27:00.003-05:00

There have been TONS of rumors floating around about Dolan Tools. Here's the actual scoop!
Bob Dolan did NOT pass away. He is definitely still alive and kickin'. However, things have been tough on the Dolan Family lately and they stopped making tools. Dolan Tools have been a really hot commodity and we only have a small handful of turning hooks left (CALL us if you want any of the remaining Dolans - our inventory dwindles on a daily/hourly basis). We could have easily doubled the price and people would have bought 'em, but we left our discounted prices where they were.

It's been awhile, but...

2008-04-19T11:23:00.002-05:00

I am so sorry I have been ignoring you for so long. It has been really busy at Bracker's the past few months. Even though I didn't get the opportunity to attend NCECA, I did my fair share of the prep work. And I'm working on a sale flyer for ya'll - our sale will start May 1st and run through the end of June. The flyer should arrive in your snail-mail mailbox in a few weeks. And I've been hard at work on a new website, which should feature a LOT of really cool improvements. It's not ready yet, but I'm focusing almost all of my time on that right now. So today I'll create a couple of short posts on some important topics that all you potters have been talking about lately.
Cheers!
Anne

The world of clay on Wednesday

2007-08-22T14:06:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been many Wednesdays since I last posted. This fall season has been very busy here and I figured people would rather get their orders than read my ramblings. Somehow, I seem to be caught up at the moment, so I thought I'd post something.
Today marks the one week anniversary of Lou's last day. (He is majoring in Mechanical Engineering at KU and his class schedule would not allow him to continue working here) Lou was our shipping clerk for 2 years, 2 months and 2 days. (Pretty cute, huh? Totally unplanned even!) Over that time, I came to rely heavily on him. So far, I've been getting by ok. We hired Jeanette to take over and she's coming right along and doing quite well. BUT, I thought Lou needed to be honored here in my world of clay because he will always be a part of my world and the Bracker Family. Lou's last name is McKown. Note that his initials are LM. So, in his honor, all AMACO LM glazes will be on sale from now until I remember to take them off sale. (That could be awhile - Lou would have been the one to remind me to do that. *grin*) Lou, if you're reading this, we sure do miss you, but we wish you all the best!!!

Friday Five: July 20, 2007

2007-07-20T10:09:00.001-05:00

1. First and most importantly, today is the birthday of Cindy Bracker Sturm! Happy Birthday sis, I love you. If you talk with Cindy today, please tell her Happy Birthday.
2. Website Update - I'm almost finished uploading the pictures of the new Spectrum 900 series Low Stone glazes. These low-fire (cone 06 - 04) glazes are unique and visually exciting and are perfect for experimenting by overlapping different colors. Check them out here.
3. I've finally added the information about The Steve Tool. Read all about it and see some pictures of wonderful examples of the textures you can create using The Steve Tool.
4. We have just hired three new staff members, all with ceramics experience. Jeanette will work in the shipping/receiving area, taking over for Lou. Brett and Nick will work in the warehouse and make deliveries. Jeanette and Brett have their BFA degrees and Nick will finish his this fall. We are really excited to be working with such a talented set of people.
And finally, 5. Steve Coburn is our featured customer today. Steve earned his BFA from Kansas State University and now makes wheel-thrown functional pottery in Salina, Kansas. His work can be seen at art fairs and in many gallerys throughout the Midwest, including The Phoenix Gallery right here in Lawrence. His website also offers a shopping cart. I'd encourage other artists to check out his website not only to view his great pottery, but also to explore how he's created a very successful online outlet to sell his pots. It's especially effective for customers from art fairs to place reorders to expand their set of dinnerware or buy a vase that is complimentary to their serving dishes. Not only is is work functional and beautiful, but it's also very useable. In fact, my everyday dishes are a set from Steve (given to me by Mom for Christmas and Birthday presents).

Friday Five: July 13, 2007

2007-07-13T14:39:00.001-05:00

1. I know it seems like summer just started a few minutes ago, but here at Bracker's, we are gearing up for the back-to-school season. Our busiest time of the year comes between mid-July and the beginning of October. All of our teachers want their orders at the same time. We have been stocking up on moist clay, glazes, and tools for the big rush so we can hopefully fill your order when you need something, but the more notice you can give us, the more likely it is that we'll be able to fill your order completely. For example, if you think you'll need 500 pounds of Earthenware White in mid-August, give us a call and let us know to allocate that much for you. If you decide you only need 400 pounds by the time mid-August rolls around, or you decide you won't need it until September, it's no big deal. But we'll have it in stock for you just in case. We go through approximately 500,000 to one million pounds of moist clay in that July to October time frame, and clay goes out as soon as it comes in. It's actually quite amazing to see.
2. The Steve Branfman workshop will be October 13th & 14th this year. It won't be the traditional raku workshop, though. Steve will help us all explore ways to make your raku firings more consistent while exploring how different factors (reduction material, glaze thickness, etc.) can affect your results.
3. Other workshop news: Lana Wilson was originally tentatively scheduled for Spring 2008, but our schedules didn't quite mesh, so we've scheduled her for Spring 2009. Right now, we're talking with Angelica Pozo, sculptural clay and tile artist and author of the popular Lark book, "Making and Installing Handmade Tile" for the Spring 2008 workshop. Robin Hopper is still scheduled in Fall 2008.
4. Spectrum 900 series "Low Stone" glazes are in stock now, although I don't have the new ones on our website just quite yet. Until I have them online, check them out on the Spectrum Glaze website and give us a call to order them.
And finally, 5. I think I'm going to turn the 5th spot of my Friday 5 into a regular customer feature, whether it's a youtube video, a website, or just info on something cool one of our customers is doing right now. My inaugural 5 is Danny Meisinger, The Dophin Song Gallery & Spinning Earth Pottery. Danny has been a customer of ours since the beginning of his career in pottery. He is now a very accomplished potter, teacher, workshop presenter, and so much more. He was on the board of Accessible Arts, which has the following mission, "to champion the arts for children with disabilities and advocate access to the arts." Read more about Danny and see some of his amazing pottery in the Shopping section of his website. His glaze work is as impressive as his forms.

The Steve Tool

2007-07-11T09:31:00.000-05:00

The Steve Tool creates unique textures in thrown and handbuilt pottery. This versatile tool includes five starburst-shaped wheels which you can combine in different patterns to change the effect as you wheel it across the clay. After applying the texture, continue stretching and forming the clay to further enhance the effect. Easy to use and cost effective at under $20! Click the blog title to follow the link to more pictures and information, as well as a small gallery of finished examples.

Friday Five: July 5, 2007

2007-07-06T17:25:00.001-05:00

1. We are still looking for a few good people to work here. Lou is leaving Bracker's to finish his engineering degree full time, Scott is going to be teaching this fall, Kristin is already in Ecuador, and Mike just told us he's taking a graphic design job, which is appropriate because his degree was all about graphic design. We will miss them, but we're looking forward to teaching a whole new crop of employees our bad puns about clay (it's dirt cheap, don't ya' know!).
2. It's been a disjointed week for us around here since we were closed the first part of the week. It seem strange that it's already Friday - I almost forgot to post today!
3. Are you familiar with Clayart? It's a subscription-based email group that's all about clay. I used to be involved years ago and read it very diligently, but I got way too busy to keep up with it on a regular basis. However, the archives can provide a wealth of information and opinions on a variety of topics. Looking for that perfect floating blue glaze recipe? Wanting to find out how other potters price their pots? Researching a famous potter for a term paper? You can really find almost anything posted in the archives, and all the information comes from potters all over the world (primarily the USA & Canada). Check out the Clayart website for information on how to subscribe or to search the archives.
4. My YouTube video of the week comes from Bill & Maggie Finley of Finley Pots in Mico, Texas. I can't remember when I first came across their pots, but I loved them so much I actually got a few of their luminaries for Mom & Cindy a few years back. Mom got a Texas-themed one (she's originally from Texas) and Cindy got a music-themed luminary (she graduated from KU with a music degree). The pots look really cool in the video and online, but they're even better in person!

And finally, 5. I didn't have a chance to do two things this week: post the recipes for some of the yummy treats we had during our anniversary week and post information about The Steve Tool. I will try to get that done tomorrow, unless we're swamped with walk-in customers. I do want to update everyone that we finally have our shipment of 30 Thomas Stuart Prodigy wheels in. If you ordered one, someone should have already contacted you by now.
Come on in and get 'em soon!

The World of Clay on Wednesday: Potters or Pyromaniacs?

2007-07-04T21:35:00.000-05:00

Well, it IS Wednesday, even though we are closed for the 4th. I guess I should try to blog something, but all I can think about is the fun fireworks I've been blowing up. Then I started thinking about Raku, and how much I enjoy that also and I wonder...Am I just fire crazy? I think that's a common question in the minds of potters, especially those that do any kind of atmospheric firing. So I thought it would be fun for everyone to share a favorite fire moment in honor of the fourth. Please post a comment with YOUR favorite story, either about firING or fireWORKS! Happy Independence Day!
Cindy

Anniversary Week

2007-06-30T15:31:00.001-05:00

This has been a fun week for us. We had lots potters visit us from all over and everyone enjoyed lots of goodies (don't worry - I'll post a couple of the most-requested recipes sometime next week). Several visitors suggested that we do something similar next year, and we just might do that. Maybe make it an annual event to celebrate our anniversary and have a week of specials and goodies and visitors. Luckily, I have a full year to come up with other creative things to do for the next time. Even better, we had everyone who stopped by the store this week sign a canvas, which we'll hang in the store to commemorate this week. It is so cool to look at everyone who celebrated our anniversary with us this week. But for now, I'm going to pack up my stuff, munch on one of the last few mini blueberry muffins that remain (I think I baked 6 or 7 dozen for today!) and head home to relax until next week. Don't forget we're closed until Thursday, July 5th.

Friday Five: June 29, 2007

2007-06-29T11:16:00.001-05:00

1. Birthday week has been so much fun! We've had tons of friends and customers stop by to take advantage of our specials, eat our goodies, and sign our canvas. Everyone who stops by this week is encouraged to sign a canvas we got to commemorate this week. We'll hang it in the showroom after this week.
2. We have found a new tool for our potters. I'll blog some more details next week to announce The Steve Tool!
3. Have you ever looked on YouTube to see if there are videos about potters? One of our customers recently mentioned that they found a cool video on Shoji Hamada! YouTube user SamKellyStudio has posted the video on Hamada as well as others on Michael Cardew, raku firing, and decorating. You should check it out. Below is the Hamada video.

4. Do you have any cool memories about Bracker's from the past 25 years? We'd love to hear about them. Please share your memories by email to blog@brackers.com

5. We are going to take a little bit of an extended weekend to celebrate Independence Day. We will be closed Tuesday, July 3rd and Wednesday, July 4th. Have a great weekend and a safe holiday everyone! We will resume our normal business hours at 9 am, Thursday, July 5th. See you then!

The world of clay on Wednesday

2007-06-27T12:37:00.000-05:00

OK, to get the rhyme on that to work, you have to say Wednesday the way a kid trying to spell it says it. But, Anne already took the cool friday five thing. I thought about doing a Saturday Six, but there's just no way I can commit myself to blogging about 6 different things every Saturday. So here we go. It may not happen EVERY Wednesday, in fact it might not even be a Wednesday at all when I get around to posting something on this blog. But Anne asked me to have some sort of "column" so here we go. Today, I'm writing about books, Inexpensive books, to be exact. I found some really good deals on some really great books:
Functional Pottery by Robin Hopper, retail price $44.95, special: $15.00
Ceramic Form by Peter Lane, retail price $45.00, special: $20.00
Raku by Tim Andrews (Now out of print), retail price $34.99, special: $25.00
Extruded Ceramics by Diana Pancioli, retail price $27.95, special: $15.00
Clays & Glazes in Studio Ceramics, by David Scott, retail price $50.00, special: $30.00

New Website: Ceramic Arts Daily

2007-06-26T12:46:00.000-05:00

"CeramicArtsDaily.org is an online community serving active potters and ceramic artists worldwide, as well as those who are interested in finding out more about this craft. CeramicArtsDaily.org provides a wide array of tools for learning about and improving skills, and a place for artists to display their work and to share ideas and perspectives about how their art and life interact to shape each other."

"CeramicArtsDaily.org provides a free daily newsletter, access to Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated magazines and the Potters Council, as well as linking you to all the related products and services that these groups offer."

"CeramicArtsDaily.org is produced by the Ceramic Publications Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The American Ceramic Society, a 110 year-old non-profit organization that promotes the professional needs of the international ceramics community."
-From the "About Us" section of the Ceramic Arts Daily website

Friday Five: June 22, 2007

2007-06-23T11:44:00.000-05:00

1. Okay, so the Friday Five is a day late. Oops. It was an uncommonly busy Friday for the middle of June. Speaking of June, the 22nd was Cindy & Dave's 5 year wedding anniversary! They are celebrating by spending a fun-filled weekend in Wichita with the kids and Dave's parents. I'm guessing a trip to the zoo might be on their agenda.
2. Anne W. and the warehouse guys have been working hard all week to get some new plants planted in front of the store. They tilled, composted, planted, and mulched 'til they couldn't mulch no more. But it looks beautiful. I'll probably post a picture next week some time.
3. Did you know that there are other uses for clay? Yes, really! It's not just for pots anymore. If you visit Salon Di Marco & Day Spa here in Lawrence and get a facial, chances are you're being slathered by clay they got right here at Bracker's! If you visit them, ask for Alex - she gives a dynamite facial. You can just feel the stress melting away as she brushes the cool clay over your skin.
4. Former Bracker's employee update: Fritz Keel worked here while attending KU, then left us when the Army commissioned him as an officer when he graduated. He's now living in Oklahoma with his wife, Kelly, and his handsome son, Jesse. He's stationed at Fort Sill where he mentors and instructs young lieutenants to be great leaders.
And finally, 5. I saved the best former Bracker's employee update for last (no offense, Fritz, we still love you!): Dave Root will always hold a special place of honor at Bracker's. He's like the son my parents never had. He started working here right out of high school and through college. He was working with us around the time Dad was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed away, and we couldn't have made it through those tough times without him. Dave has since moved on and started his own business, Atlas Archimedes, creating custom cast concrete features, including some amazing terrazzo applications and unique sculptures. After years of searching, he finally found the right woman for him. Dave and Paige were married a few years ago in Las Vegas, and they recently expanded the family to include their daughter, Poppy. The family visited Bracker's recently so we could all meet the youngest Root.

"Teapots. Teapots. Teapots." show opens June 29

2007-06-21T10:41:00.001-05:00

"For more than ten years my work has been focused on Miniature Teapots. The teapot form continues to challenge and fascinate me. The work shown in this gallery is the result of over a decade of evolution in color, design and form. I invite you into that place."

-Fong Choo

There will be a Gallery Opening of Fong’s work in the AMACO/Brent Contemporary Clay Gallery, Indianapolis, Indiana, from 5:00-7:00pm, Friday, June 29th.

Please call for reservations as seating is limited.
800-677-3289 or 317-244-5230

"Beyond Mimesis - Contemporary Realism" - show opens June 22

2007-06-21T10:34:00.001-05:00

Image at left:
Linda Ganstrom, "Tiara: Delivery,"
Beeswax over painted ceramic,
2007

You are invited to:

"Beyond Mimesis - Contemporary Realism"

June 22 - July 28, 2007
Opening Reception: June 22, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Strecker Nelson Gallery
406 1/2 Poyntz Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502
785-537-2099

Gallery Hours 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Monday - Saturday

Featuring art by:

2D Artists:
Aaron Morgan Brown, Daniel Coburn, Roxann Graber, Steven Graber, Sally Johnson, Stephen Johnson, Lacey Lewis, Joseph Lorusso, Armin Muhsam, Barbara Waterman-Peters, Ann Piper, Ye Wang

3D Artists curated by Linda Ganstrom:
Jessica Conner, Tobias Flores, Linda Ganstrom, Linda Lighton, Mika Negishi, Jennifer Nolan, Anne Perrigo, Esther Shimazu, Nan Smith, Ilona Romule

"It is my sincere hope that you can visit this amazing exhibition. This realistic art has traveled to us from sea to shining sea and beyond, as Anne Perrigo is from the Pacific Northwest and Nan Smith from Florida while Esther Shimazu is from Hawaii and Ilona Romule from Europe. A majority of the sculptors are well-established, highly respected and avidly collected but have rarely been exhibited in Kansas. We hope you will also enjoy the work of our emerging talent whose art is based in realism, yet is conceptual and quite expressive, as well.

Jay Nelson and I had a fantastic experience collaborating and hope you love the show as much as we do and want to take something special home with you.

I hope to see you at the opening."

Linda Ganstrom
Professor of Art
Fort Hays State University

Bracker's First Fan Letter

2007-06-20T12:22:00.000-05:00

I was wondering what to write today in the blog, until I opened my email and laughed out loud. Seriously, out loud. Then I forwarded it to Mom & Cindy and I could hear their laughter filtering through the office walls. So I just had to share:

Dear all,
I was inspired after reading your most recent e-newsletter. I've attached a couple of pix of me at work in my pottery studio wearing one of my favorite shirts; the original "Brackers" tie-dye purchased shortly after you started selling them. I will be in next week to pick up some clay and other goodies, hopefully an XL "25th" tie-dye shirt. You guyz ROCK!!!
sincerely,
Karsten Ewald
Karsten's Klaywerks

ps in regards to the pix....the juxtaposition of the teapot spout being thrown off the hump was purely coincidental, :)

Bracker's 25th Anniversary Specials

2007-06-19T16:26:00.000-05:00

Okay, big announcement time. Next week, specifically Thursday, June 28th, is our 25th Anniversary! To celebrate, we'll have yummy treats for in-store customers all week long. Plus, for all of our customers, online, on the phone, or in person, you'll get special prices and bonus items for any order placed during that week! I've even created special website items with the special prices. Follow the link to see what the email newsletter looks like and read more about our special deals.

If you haven't signed up to receive our email newsletter, you might want to do that now. Go to our home page and look toward the bottom of the "Quick Links" list. Click on the "Join Now" button and follow the instructions - don't forget to reply to the email you'll receive to confirm your subscription.

Friday Five - June 15, 2007

2007-06-15T10:12:00.001-05:00

1. Today I'm working on creating a new email newsletter to remind everyone that our Spring Sale is ending soon (Saturday, June 30th is the last day to get our special sale prices). I will also be announcing our 25th Anniversary Specials. We will be officially celebrating our 25th year in business on June 28th, 2007. Special deals will mark milestones in our business all that week. We'll also have treats for all the customers who can visit us in the store that week, so stop by!
2. Work continues on our new catalog. It's H-U-G-E and will take me a couple of months to complete. I'm adding color pages of glazes and books, and I may sneak a couple of color pages on tools in there, too. We will have a printed version and a PDF version available on disk or by download from our website. When I get closer to finishing it, we'll send out a postcard in the mail announcing it and asking who wants to receive one in the mail. You'll also here more about it here and in our email newsletter.
3. Speaking of email newsletters, don't forget to sign up for it on our home page. It's a double opt-in process, meaning that once you sign up, you'll need to reply to an email to confirm that you really do want to receive it. You can also unsubscribe at any time. I should also mention that we will NEVER, EVER give your email address to anyone else, nor will we go bonkers and send you tons of emails. Really. It's an every-once-in-a-while type of thing. Monthly at most, unless there's something really important we have to pass on.
4. AMACO has announced that they are looking for pictures of stuff created with their products. I've put their announcement on our website and we strongly encourage you to submit your work (or your student's work, if you're a teacher) for consideration. I'd love to see a bunch of Bracker's customers represented in the 2008 AMACO catalog. Check out the link on the home page.
And finally, 5. It's about time that I update the potter's poll on the home page. Are there any questions you'd like me to ask? Leave a comment here with any suggestions.

Have a great weekend!

Saying Goodbye to a Few Employees

2007-06-13T17:01:00.000-05:00

This fall, Bracker's will be losing two of our favorite employees. Scott Ledbetter, our long-time warehouse manager, will begin his student teaching this fall. The 8-week intensive student teaching gig will complete his teaching certification to go along with his BFA and will most likely get him hired full-time as a high school teacher in no time.

Lou McKown is also leaving us. Lou has been our shipping guru for the past few years, but as he gets closer to graduating from the Engineering School at KU, his course schedule becomes too complex for him to work around. We also recently said goodbye to Kristin Werner, a part-time employee who assisted Lou. Kristin is spending the summer in Ecuador working on a farm and will probably get her student teaching done when she returns.

We wish them all the best of luck in their new endeavors, but it also means that we're looking for some more good employees here at Bracker's! We are promoting Seth Giles from delivery driver to warehouse manager (replacing Scott), so we need a full-time delivery driver/warehouse staff member. We also need a full-time AND part-time shipping/stock clerk to replace Lou and Kristin. If you or someone you know might be interested in a job here, click on this post title to read more about our job openings.

PDF Library - Product MSDS

2007-06-12T13:44:00.000-05:00

MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet. These are very informational files on the safety of each product we sell, from clays to glaze chemicals to glazes. It is important to keep a file readily accessible to everyone that uses the materials in the studio, especially in schools. For dry materials such as glaze chemicals or mason stains that you store in a container, we recommend that you make 2 copies of each MSDS. Put one in a file cabinet or 3-ring binder and the other copy can be taped to the bucket of the glaze chemical - use a ziplock baggie and tape the baggie to the outside of the bucket or bucket lid so the MSDS can be removed/repaced as necessary. For moist clays, full bags of dry clays, or liquid glazes, just store one copy in your file or binder. Make sure everyone in the studio knows where you keep them.

The PDF library also has lots of other good information, such as firing tips, Dawson Kiln Sitter information, and general product information. The PDF Library is a huge work-in-progress, so keep checking back or email us with a request and we'll get new stuff added!

Piepenburg Trimming Disc

2007-06-09T12:26:00.000-05:00

Robert Piepenburg, potter and author of books like Raku Pottery, The Spirit of Clay, and Treasures of the Creative Spirit, as well as star of several videos
is now also the inventor of a brand new tool he calls the Piepenburg Trimming Disc. The Trimming Disc is a perfectly designed tool with indestructible working parts. The center of the top disc contains a slight dip to assure the positioning of the fingertip. The underside of the bottom disc contains radial ribs to grip soft clay and prevent it from sliding off-center. The press-fitted thrust bearing sandwiched between them allows for a silent smooth rotation. Its yellow coloring makes it easy to locate in the studio and puts a little "sunshine" in the toolbox. Includes a 10-minute instructional DVD (worth the cost of the tool itself!) with tips on trimming from Robert Piepenburg.

Dolan Tools

2007-06-08T10:03:00.000-05:00

Many people have been concerned about the availability of Dolan Tools. I am happy to announce that we got in a shipment of tools recently. Although we did not receive all the tools we ordered, we did get a pretty good selection that are now in stock and available to purchase. I am optimistic that the remaining tools will be shipping soon. I know the Dolans are working as quickly as they can to produce tools.

Friday Five

2007-06-08T09:01:00.000-05:00

As the week winds down, I thought of several little tidbits I've been meaning to mention and I thought I'd start a new regular feature called "The Friday 5" to help everyone wrap up the week.
1. If you have your own blog about pottery stuff, email me at blog@brackers.com and I'll add it here.
2. Prodigy Wheels by Thomas Stuart have been SO popular that our order has been delayed a little bit. The 15 wheels we have on order should be shipping a week from next Tueday. If you already ordered one, we'll contact you when they arrive here.
3. I'm working on a complete redesign of our website with faster, easier-to-use software. Please bear with me while I focus a lot of my time on that because it means the main website won't be updated as frequently. I'll try to fill you in on my website progress on this blog.
4. Don't forget to visit our home page and click on the link to sign up for the email newsletter. They aren't frequent, but they are very informative!
And finally, 5. Big congratulations to our Dave Sturm - he graduated from KU this semester with all sorts of honors and dean's list accolades and whatnot. Brief warning - his major was Poli Sci, so think twice before engaging him in a political debate. :-) We love ya, Dave!

Dave's Repair Schedule

2007-06-07T10:09:00.001-05:00

If you don't already know him, let me introduce you to Dave Sturm. Dave started working at Bracker's Good Earth Clays about a dozen years ago and quickly became well-versed in kiln, wheel, and other equipment repair issues. He performs repairs all over the area (sometimes driving all day to get to the repair), as well as working on equipment that people bring into the store. He has also provided technical support for people all over the country who call in with a variety of questions. Because Dave is in such high demand, we decided to post his calendar online so you can see at-a-glance when is the best time to get ahold of him. Click on the title of this blog entry to view his calendar or go to our website and follow the link on our home page.

Site Feeds/RSS

2007-06-06T16:22:00.001-05:00

I just added a new button at the top of the sidebar so you can subscribe to the site feeds from this blog, using your favorite method! That way, you'll automatically know when I update the blog and you'll be able to read the latest news and information, tips and tricks, and new product releases.

Spring Sale 2007

2007-06-06T15:06:00.000-05:00

Bracker's is in the midst of our Annual Spring Sale, which runs through June 30th. We didn't get a sale flyer mailed out this Spring, but you can browse through the website for sale prices on darn near everything! In fact, it's easier to list the items NOT on sale - anything with a quantity-based discount such as moist and dry clays, chemicals, Mason Stains, and dry glazes we weigh out. Equipment, tools, toys, books, videos, and liquid glazes are on sale.

Also, stay tuned for an important announcement coming in the next week or two. :-)

NEW Mason Stain Reds!

2006-10-04T10:50:00.000-05:00

Mason K5987 Red, Mason K5988 Dark Red, and Mason K5997 Cherry Red (shown here in 1/4# bags for either $10.50 or $10.65 each, depending on color) are brand new encapsulated cadmium/selenium sulfides which are very safe to use and stable from extremely low temperatures to Cone 11/12. They can be used in underglazes, added to existing glazes, mixed with water to an inky consistency and brushed on over glazes, in slips, and even as a body stain. They can also be blended with many of the Mason regular, non-cadmium stains to achieve many variations of colors not normally possible with the chrome-tin crimson/pink varieties. This color is NOT affected by normal amounts of boron and should take reduction conditions under most circumstances!

Reference
1 (Can be used as a body stain at high temperatures)
3 (Max Temp = 2300°F)
6 (May be used with or without zinc)

Slap Stix - New Product

2006-09-15T13:34:00.000-05:00

Slap Stix are hard plastic texturing paddles from Custom Design Manufacturing in Liberty, Missouri. Create interesting and unique textures on both handbuilt and thrown pottery. Each of the eight paddles have two different texture designs.

TileMaker 6.0 by Daniel Gegen Designs

2006-09-09T12:19:00.000-05:00

This new item ensures that making standard square tiles is a breeze. Perfect for classrooms, home studios, or busy pros. It comes with everything you need to get started. The main part of the tile maker is the large MDF form with the inset square tile shape. MDF shims are included so you can achieve three different thicknesses of tiles: 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2". Select the shim (or combination of shims) for the thickness you want then slide in a slip of 6" x 6" paper on top of the shims. The paper (cutting up old newspaper works well) prevents the clay from sticking to the shim and makes moving your tile easy when it's finished.

Once you've set up the TileMaker with shims and newspaper, you're ready to smoosh clay into the form. Start at the corners with soft clay and squish it in tightly, then work your way around the edges, then finally fill in the middle. Add more clay than you'll need - a slight bulge above the top of the form is preferable. Grab the rectangular piece of MDF and use it to scrape it across and level the clay. Start at the middle and work your way out to each edge as you scrape to further compress the clay into the form. You might need to take a moment to fill in a few voids of clay then re-scrape for the smoothest, most even surface. When you're finished smoothing, use the big square with the peg on top. Position the tile form on top, lining up the peg with the hole underneath the tile form. Gripping opposite edges of the form firmly, push down evenly so the tile pops out cleanly. Transfer your new tile with the paper underneath it to a worktable, shelf, or ware board, then start all over to make the next uniform 6" tile!

Nickel prices skyrocket

2006-08-24T10:15:00.000-05:00

According to our supplier, the market for nickel is fairly volatile right now and prices on chemicals including nickel have increased substantially. Unfortunately, that means that our prices on Nickel Carbonate and Nickel Oxide have gone up dramatically, too. Nickel Carbonate is now up to $26 per pound and Nickel Oxide is $36 per pound (half pound amounts are available for both of these chems).

Long time, no posts

2006-08-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I actually posted anything here. Sorry! It's been a crazy summer around here - busier than normal. Some things wind up getting lost in the shuffle, and this blog was one of them. I'll be posting more regularly again. It's good to be back!

NEW Opulence Cone 6 dry glazes

2006-03-20T17:15:00.000-06:00

If you fire in the cone 5 or cone 6 range, these luscious new satiny glazes from Opulence will really excite you. The earthy hues of Bark and Chicory or the soft, spring-like tones of Everglade and Meadow could make a nice addition to your existing palette of colors. Try 1 pound sample bags of any of the colors for $6.00 each or go for the quantity-based discount for 5 pound bags of several (5 pounds makes about a gallon of glaze).

NCECA Conference in Portland Oregon

2006-03-18T13:57:00.000-06:00

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, otherwise known as NCECA (typically pronounced en-seek-ah), had their 40th annual conference in Portland, Oregon, from March 8th through March 11th. The focus of this year's conference was Explorations and Navigations: The Resonance of Place. I'm not exactly sure how they tied it to clay and ceramics, but there's usually some esoteric link. I've been to about a dozen of these conferences and I rarely pay attention to the "title" of the conference. Bracker's had two booth spaces at the conference and we rarely got out of the booth to explore the actual conference. It's so much fun to talk with potters from all over the country and even worldwide. A lot of lovely Canadians crossed the boarder to visit the conference this year, as well as some potters from France, England, Australia, and several Pacific Rim countries. I'm sure there were others, but I lost track. We introduced some fun new products, and I'll tell you all about them over the next couple of days.

Event - Souper Bowl Saturday

2006-01-18T10:35:00.000-06:00

The Lawrence Arts Center will host the 7th Annual Souper Bowl Saturday on February 4, beginning at 11 am. Word to the wise: In the past, this event has had people lining up and down the block to purchase handmade ceramic bowls and a hearty lunch of soup from HyVee and Great Harvest Bread, all for a $10 donation.

This event benefits the ceramics program each year, and it's always a lot of fun besides. Last year the Arts Center used the proceeds to repair our ceramic kilns, give scholarships for ceramics classes, and purchase studio materials.

All bowls sold are handcrafted by area artists, community members and students. During this event anyone in the community can purchase a bowl of soup with bread for a minimum donation of $10 - and keep the bowl!

Teacher's Roundtable Discussion Sessions

2006-01-18T09:42:00.000-06:00

The Teacher's Roundtable sessions last year were a great success, and this year will be even better! We have two days of discussion sessions - Saturday, Feb. 11th for K-8 teachers and Saturday, Feb 18th for Secondary teachers. Junior High/Middle School teachers can choose either session (or both!), depending on their own needs. The cost is only $15.00 per day.

We can't stress enough how beneficial this is for teachers of all levels of experience. New teachers are energetic and excited about teaching, but sometimes unprepared for some of the actual classroom stuff they weren't taught in college. More experienced teachers can get bored teaching the same types of projects over and over. The Roundtable Discussion Sessions allow teachers of all levels of experience to learn from each other.

Last year, sessions focused on things like ways to offer exciting projects on a shoestring budget or sharing information on the best ways to navigate the administrative maze. The sessions this year feature an exciting variety of topics. The K-8 teachers can learn about integrating music, math, and other curricula into clay and art; navigating the fine line between encouraging a student and giving them a false sense of accomplishment when assessing their art; and including historic and cultural lessons while teaching art without overstepping the delicate boundaries of religion. The Secondary teachers will be able to share information about teaching figurative sculpture while avoiding the typical high school giggles; testing student abilities with teapot construction and study; integrating music, math, and other curricula into clay and art; and keeping the interest of freshmen in beginning art/clay classes with age-appropriate projects, especially on a budget.

These sessions are geared toward teachers in a school system, but art center teachers could learn a lot too. Anyone is welcome!

PDF Library - AMACO & Spectrum Glaze Color Charts

2006-01-09T01:39:00.000-06:00

I added PDFs of the AMACO Glaze Color Charts and Spectrum Glaze Color Charts for online viewing or downloading. These are great for people who want to look at all of the colors in a series at once or print out something for later reference. Please keep in mind that color pictures of glazes are not as accurate as making a test tile of the glaze yourself. Different computer monitors and color printers can also affect the accuracy of the glaze colors.

I'll be adding Laguna glaze color chart PDFs next, along with a few miscellaneous files. Then I might try to tackle MSDS for clays and chemicals. That's a huge job, though, with a lot of typing and coding.

Driving the Porsche

2006-01-08T03:53:00.000-06:00

Our web tech, Phil, is responsible for all the macho web site coding in cold fusion and maintaining the technical aspects of our product database and the really techie-geeky things like that. The look-and-feel, as well as the content, is primarily my responsibility (along with Cindy, who helps out more than I can even thank her for). My web skills are entirely self-taught over the past couple of years. It's kind of been on a need-to-know basis. I recently upgraded my web software to the latest version (Dreamweaver and Fireworks, for those who care). Fiddling around with certain files helps me to learn the new tricks and tips of the new software. I started off small, and Phil and I joked about how I had taken over a little of the driving of the web site. As I progressed, so did the joke. After I took the next baby step of changing a design or two on the web site, I called Phil and joked that I used to just drive the Chevette, but I had upgraded to driving a Honda. Later on, I called Phil to ask him about how to do another trick. After he explained it to me, he told me he had just given me the keys to the Porsche.

Well, I've been speeding along in the Porsche for the past couple of days. For most of you, it's probably not a big deal - or even very noticable. But for me, it's a huge step. I've been adjusting the graphics of the site template. For example, we used to have a series of pottery-related pictures at the top of the page. I've changed that to a clay-colored texture background. Overall they are very small changes, but I have been learning a lot that will help me make bigger changes that are going to increase content and functionality of the site as I continue working.

Holiday Schedule

2005-12-17T13:29:00.000-06:00

Happy holidays to one and all! First let me say that from the stuff we've been selling, I can predict that there will be some very happy potters opening presents this season. Geil HVLP Spray Guns, gift certificates, books, wheels, tools, slab rollers, kilns, glazes, and kilns have been very popular!

For last-minute shoppers like myself, we will be open MONDAY through FRIDAY from 9 am to 5 pm. Yup, that's right, this is one of the few MONDAYS that we are open. Take advantage of it if you can!

We will be closed the entire next week and will reopen on January 2nd at 9 am. However, any orders placed by the end of the year will still get Winter Sale Prices.

We hope all of our potters have a safe and happy holiday season!

New Pottery Blog Added!

2005-12-09T18:08:00.000-06:00

If you look to the right, you'll see a whole list of links to click on. One of my favorite sections is titled, "Pottery Blogs". Oryoki left me a comment a while back to let me know that the Boulder Potters' Guild had a new blog. It took me a few days to get it online, but it's there now! The Boulder blog has tons of great pictures of pots. Check it out!

Classes

2005-12-04T21:50:00.000-06:00

Over the next few weeks, Cindy and I will be systematically updating the web site with new and improved information. Certain pages are static, like the store policies or info on classes, whereas the shopping area is considered dynamic because the information is pulled from a database. As we update the static pages, we are putting a line at the very bottom of each page to identify when the page was last updated. One of the pages I updated this weekend is the Classes section. I've begun compiling a list of art centers and potters offering classes for adults and kids. If you teach classes and I haven't listed you yet, please contact me. I'm starting with classes in the Midwest, but I'd be happy to list classes available nationwide as the list grows.

Happy Birthday, Bill Bracker

2005-12-01T11:25:00.000-06:00

Today, December 1st, would have been Bill Bracker's 65th birthday. I may be a little biased (as daughters can be), but he was an amazing man. He was born on a farm outside of Council Bluffs, Iowa and grew up on that same farm with two brothers and two sisters. He was the first person in his family to attend college. After receiving a science degree, he started teaching. His always-inquisitive mind led him to the school library, where he checked out an old reel-to-reel movie on making pottery. His new-found passion for clay first led him to construct his own wheel, then ultimately to return to school for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree then a Master of Fine Arts. He taught at the university level for over 15 years. Bill was a natural-born teacher. He loved to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with students. But he hated the bureaucracy and politics that came with teaching, so he quit teaching in the late '70s to become a full-time potter with his wife, Anne, which led to the pottery supply business that is now Bracker's Good Earth Clays.

But there is so much more to Bill Bracker than his resume. He always looked for new and interesting uses for even the most mundane objects. In addition to his pottery, he created found-object sculptures. He knew the owners of local junkyards by name and was able to convince them to create an area in the junkyard where he could pile his found "treasures" until he could take them home. He was able to "browse" in a junkyard the way some women shop for shoes. He created several spiders, welding together metal hay hooks, a car transmission, and an industrial float. Then he created an army of GreatMen - or GrateMen - which used furnace grates to suggest a ribcage and outfitted them with chinese checker shields and spears and helmets. Those sculptures then participated in an epic battle in our yard, the spiders or the GrateMen advancing or retreating, winning or losing, each time he had to move them to mow the grass.

His ability to concoct clever pranks is legendary amongst his friends. Many potters will know that you used to be able to find great boxes by doing a little dumpster diving (before the recycling bug hit everyone, of course). Lawrence used to have a TG&Y on Louisiana and 23rd St, and in addition to a plethora of boxes, he often found other cool things. On one dumpster trip he happened upon an assortment of colorful - yet realistic - plastic fruit that had been used as some sort of holiday decorations. He snapped up the bounty immediately, knowing that eventually it would play a starring role in some sort of mischief. One spring, our neighbors were astonished to look out their windows to see that their fruit trees sprouted full-grown fruit, seemingly overnight.

Bill could tell a joke with panache and illicit laughter out of even the most stoic, but he was also the king of making up bad puns and jokes that would have people groaning out loud. On the day I graduated from high school, he kept telling me I should make sure I ate something. After the third or fourth reminder from him, he finally unveilled the punchline. "You're going to be sitting up there, waiting to cross the stage to get your diploma, and somewhere close to you, you'll hear someone's stomach growl. And it's going to be embarrassing to them, but you'll be thankful because then you'll be graduate" (glad-you-ate).

Although he quit teaching in the late '70s, he continued to share his love for pottery and art with many, many people. The supply business allowed him a never ending outlet of inquisitive minds seeking more knowledge and he would spend extra time providing that to friends, teachers, and customers. Potters would frequently walk in the store for a $1 sculpting tool and walk out with a lesson on fitting the right style of rim or foot to a bowl form, or just as easily arrive to purchase $100 of tools only to be talked into just $10 of tools because the other $90 worth of tools could be found in the garage or kitchen, so why not use what you already have in new ways?

Although Dad passed away from lymphoma in 1993, he continues to live in so many people's lives through the knowledge, fond memories, funny stories, and artwork he created.

WINTER SALE!!!

2005-10-27T16:50:00.000-05:00

Our Annual Winter Sale begins Tuesday, November 1st and runs through the end of December (lots of time to shop and get our best prices!). Check out the sale prices online or look in your mailbox in the next couple of weeks (mail delivery times may vary dramatically with bulk mailing - please be patient) to see our awesome specials and TWO NEW ITEMS!

Jared Branfman

2005-09-27T21:58:00.000-05:00

Jared Branfman, 23 years old, a promising young potter, died at 12:15am Tuesday, September 27th. Jared had been battling cancer heroically for 2 years. This link will take you to my personal website where details of his struggle are written. Jared's father, Steve Branfman, is the owner of The Potter's Shop and school in Massachusetts, as well as the author of "Raku: A Practical Approach" and "Potter's Professional Handbook". Steve was Bracker's very first workshop presenter in March 2002. He brought Jared with him to that workshop. He was such a delightful young man and was himself very talented in clay. Jared was pursuing his BFA in Ceramics at Alfred University when he was first diagnosed in June 2003. Alfred conferred the degree upon him several weeks ago at his home. He certainly was becoming an emerging talent in the ceramic world. It is truly a shame to see such a promising career ended so abruptly. The Branfmans are a Jewish family and although I don't know what the Jewish beliefs are about afterlife, I can'thelp but think of Jared as being in a place of no more pain and suffering, a place where he can work with clay and go cycling and do all the other things that he loves. It comforts me to think of him that way. Yet at the same time, I am overcome by grief and sympathy for dear Steve, Ellen (Jared's mother), and Adam (Jared's younger brother). I continue to pray for them and for their strength throughout the difficult mourning process. I would encourage anyone with a story or fond memory of Jared to post it here. When the time is right, I will collect all the comments and send them to Steve, Ellen & Adam.

Clay Safety, Pregnancy, and School Projects

2005-09-17T13:24:00.000-05:00

I received an email from an elementary school teacher named Heidi with several questions - many of them questions I get on a regular basis. So I thought I'd share here. The email asks:

"We purchased the sure-vent to go with the kiln. Assuming that the kiln is venting properly, are their any known health hazards that come with using a kiln, clay, or glazes during pregnancy? I know this is an odd question, but I figured if any one knew it would be Bracker’s! Now it is time for me to order clay and glaze… I got your catalog, but I wondered what you would recommend for low-fire projects."

Dear Heidi,
There are definitely known health hazards with a variety of different materials used in ceramics, but most of the problems can be eliminated or drastically reduced by using some common sense logic and a few precautions. Because you're in a school, I will assume that you are primarily using commercial glazes and clays instead of mixing them yourself.

One of the biggest issues is inhaling clay dust and dried glaze materials. Keep dust to a minimum, wet mop instead of sweeping, and wear a dust mask when dealing with powders or sanding pots.

Commercially available glazes should have two different markings. The first marking will show that the glaze is either AP Non Toxic or Cautions Required. This refers only to the glaze before it's fired, and it is mostly applicable to spraying the glaze or ingesting the glaze. Glazes with the AP Non Toxic label (a circle with AP on it) are safe for all ages of kids to use - if they accidentally ingest the glaze by licking their brush or forgetting to wash their hands or even if they drink the glaze, it won't harm them. Glazes with the Cautions Required Label (a square label with CL on it) should NOT be used with kids in 6th grade or below, or with some developmentally disabled people. These glazes might cause problems if ingested. For more information on glaze safety, click on the title link of this blog entry.

When the kiln is firing, carbon monoxide and sulfur fumes escape, and can cause nausea, headaches, and lightheadedness. A downdraft vent system (like the Orton VentMaster, Skutt Envirovent, or L&L Vent-Sure) will remove most of the harmful fumes and prevent those side effects. You may still notice an icky smell, but the bad stuff is below the limits for the appropriate government standards.

For women who are pregnant or breast feeding, I think that taking a couple of extra reasonable precautionary steps is best. I would avoid spraying glazes. I would wear latex or rubber gloves when using glazes or wash hands frequently. I wouldn't dry sand pots (instead, soft bisque fire at cone 020 or thereabouts then sand under water to eliminate dust). And most importantly, I would recommend talking to your doctor, describing what you do and what sort of precautions you are taking, and deciding with your doctor and your family how much you are going to do. Pregnancy lasts just a couple of months and you don't want to do anything that could affect a kid for the rest of his/her life if it could have reasonably been foreseen and avoided.

There are a variety of projects that are great for all ages. I personally love projects that combine art with another subject, such as science, history, or geometry. The kids can go on a nature walk and pick up leaves and other stuff, then individually press each one into small slabs, circles, rectangles, or triangles of clay (removing the organic material when dry). Before they are completely dry, use a drinking straw to cut a hole near the top of each slab. Bisque fire. Then either glaze and fire or use acrylic paints, shoe polish, etc. to decorate. Each piece can become either an ornament or they can all be strung to a stick (also found on nature walk) to create a mobile or windchime. Another project is to create cave paintings on slabs of clay while studying prehistoric civilizations. Use earthy tones and red clay to create a primitive feel. Another project that can be a lot of fun and inspire creativity is to have the kids combine two completely different animals. Make sure they pick a reptile and a bird or a mammal and a fish or something that will bring very different textures and styles together. For example, you can talk about how the platypus (it had a muzzle like a duck's bill, a tail like a beaver and lays eggs but suckles its young and was originally thought to be a hoax when English scientists first saw it) looks like it has parts of several different animals all together and see what strange creature combinations the kids can come up with. Then English teachers could get the kids to write a creative story about their made-up creatures.

We will be having a teacher's roundtable discussion workshop in early February. Art teachers from the area can come to Bracker's for a few hours on a Saturday and exchange ideas, tricks, and tips as well as ask questions of other teachers in similar situations. This is the perfect place to learn other cool ideas for clay projects and to brainstorm with a wide variety of teachers (different levels of experience, different budget concerns, different school districts, etc.). Look for the information online in a couple of months or in the Winter Sale flyer that we send out in late October/early November.

Hint - Glazing Beads

2005-09-17T12:23:00.000-05:00

Most people don't glaze the inside of clay beads because glaze might stick to a bead rack when firing. But it's not easy to try to hold a bead and apply glaze cleanly without getting at least a little bit in the hole. Unless you know a trick or two... Keep a supply of pipe cleaners on hand when you're glazing beads. Before glazing, insert a pipe cleaner in the hole, then apply glaze by dipping, brushing, or sponging. The pipe cleaner will prevent most of the glaze from filling the hole, plus it lets you hold the pipe cleaner and keep your fingers away from the bead so you can glaze all sides at once. Allow the pipe cleaner to remain in place while the glaze dries. When you finally remove the pipe cleaner, the bristles will often pull out any glaze bits that did manage to seep inside the hole. A bead holder (follow the linked title to see one of the 3 options) works great for firing the beads, but don't forget you can also use it for drying the just-glazed beads - balance the pipe cleaners where the bead wires usually go.

Lattice Structures: An All Crystalline Event

2005-09-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

EXHIBIT
September 2 - October 2
Red Star Studios Ceramic Center
821 W. 17th
Kansas City, Missouri 64109

SYMPOSIUM
September 3 - 4
Screenland Special Events Facility
1656 Washington
Kansas City, Missouri 64108

Jesse Hull organized this amazing event dedicated to the amazing and unique glazing/firing process of Crystalline Glazes. I haven't had a chance to see the show yet, but for the past several months, each time I see Jesse, he can hardly contain his excitement over this event. I encourage you to stop in to see the show sometime this month. You might even want to stop by tonight since it's First Fridays night in the gallery district. The Crossroads Community Association has more information on First Fridays and other events in the area.

Westport Art Fair

2005-09-01T17:55:00.000-05:00

The Westport Art Fair is a wonderful outdoor art fair held on September 9th, 10th, and 11th (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The link above is not specifically about the art fair, but it describes the Westport area. Be prepared to browse through dozens and dozens of artists working in clay, acrylics, watercolors, oils, charcoal, pencils, metals, wood, jewelry, fiber & textiles, and mixed media. Plan on spending the good part of a day weaving through the colorful artists' stalls and the equally colorful crowd. Enjoy a little snack, dinner, or just an adult beverage at any of the interesting restaurants and pubs that are scattered throughout the area. There's usually live music playing there, too. Family friendly during the day, more adult-oriented when it starts to get dark. This is one of my favorite fairs each year!

The Plaza Art Fair

2005-09-01T17:52:00.000-05:00

September 23, 24 & 25, 2005
Friday 5pm to 10pm
Saturday 10am to 10pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm

Quoted from their website:
This year marks the 74th year for the Plaza Art Fair, which is consistently recognized as one of the nation's top 10 fine art fairs. In a highly competitive jury process, over 1,450 artists submit their best in hopes of becoming an exhibitor in the nationally recognized program.

Throughout the years, the Plaza Art Fair has become one of Kansas City's most popular attractions and autumn traditions. The three-day event annually attracts an estimated 300,000 art enthusiasts, which features 230 artists from 36 states. The celebration of the arts extends 9-blocks into the streets of the Plaza, and showcases the finest works in ceramics, digital art, fiber, glass, graphics and printmaking, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, pastels, photography, sculpture and wood. The fine quality and beauty attracts admirers and buyers alike to browse the outdoor art gallery.

While beautiful alone, the visual arts aren’t the only treat for the senses. The culinary, musical, and interactive arts also delight art fair attendees. With delicious food, wonderful music and interactive art experiences for all ages, something fantastic is awaiting discovery around every corner.

With classic Spanish architecture, glorious fountains, and beautiful sculptures, the Country Club Plaza is a work of art all by itself. A perfect setting for an art event, the Plaza Art Fair tradition began in 1932. For seven decades, the exhibits have grown in quality and creativity to become a nationally recognized fine art and fine craft festival, and a beloved Kansas City tradition.

The UnPlaza Art Fair

2005-09-01T17:49:00.000-05:00

The UnPlaza Art Fair is an amusing and artsy alternative to the Plaza Art Fair.

SEPTEMBER 24th AND 25th, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday
Noon - 5:00 p.m. Sunday

On the grounds of the All Souls Unitarian Church,
4501 Walnut, KCMO, 64111
(across the street from the Kemper Gallery of Contemporary Art)

Blog Links

2005-08-31T12:45:00.000-05:00

I'd like to expand the links section on the sidebar of this blog. If you have a ceramics-related site or know of a site that would fit in with the other links I've posted here, please leave a comment on this entry. I'm especially interested in artist and gallery sites, ceramic groups and art centers, and informational ceramics sites. Thanks!

Busy, busy, busy

2005-08-30T10:15:00.000-05:00

We are completely immersed in the back-to-school season right now. This time of year is always a juggling act for ceramics suppliers because almost all of the teachers want their school orders at the same time. Clay is shipping out as quickly as we can get it in even though we got a huge head start this year on stock and deliveries. We started receiving shipments of clay in June to prepare for the rush, and started shipping and delivering after July 1st. September will remain very busy for us, but we like a good challenge. I think we're keeping up to speed pretty well, and that's due to three main reasons:

1. We've been doing this for almost a quarter of a century.
2. Many of our school purchase orders are being sent in early because the teachers are so organized and prepared.
3. We have an amazing staff and the three new guys continue to astound us with their abilities.

Former Bracker's Employee Update

2005-08-23T23:09:00.000-05:00

Some of you may recognize Fritz in this picture, holding his 6 month old son, Jesse. Fritz and Cindy met in high school and started dating after he returned from Army basic training. Although their romance didn't last, their friendship sure did. Fritz worked at Bracker's while attending Kansas University and participating in the ROTC program. During that time, he also met Dave (another Bracker's employee and Cindy's eventual husband) and became friends with him, too. In fact, when Cindy and Dave got married, Fritz was Dave's best man (and as maid of honor, I was lucky enough to dance with a handsome military man in full dress blues, or whatever they call the uniforms with all the colorful doodads and shiny medals). When he graduated, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army. Unfortunately for us, the Army wanted Fritz full time, and they wanted him in Texas, so Fritz left us for warmer and greener (Army green, that is) pastures. Fritz married a wonderful woman named Kelly and then the Army moved him again. So Fritz and Kelly bought a house in New York and then Fritz was called up to go to Afghanistan. About 9 1/2 months after Fritz returned from his tour, Jesse was born. Fritz and Kelly sure did miss each other! Now Fritz has been called to duty again, this time in Iraq. This picture is from his departure on August 12th. He travelled to Kuwait for a bit of training and mission preparation and now he's on his way to Baghdad for about a year. We all think of Fritz, Kelly, and Jesse as a part of our extended family and will be thinking of all of them very often during this difficult year.

Teacher Essentials catalog

2005-08-17T16:58:00.000-05:00

Our Teacher Essentials catalog has been printed! 3000 copies are being picked up on August 18th. If you'd like to get one, feel free to order it on our website by clicking on the link above the picture

Saturday Deliveries

2005-08-16T17:18:00.000-05:00

We are now able to offer Saturday deliveries in our regular delivery area (Kansas City, Topeka, etc.). Although this won't work for schools, it will work great for art centers and individual potters. A typical delivery charge is $15.00 minimum or 3¢ per pound, whichever is greater, although this can vary depending on a variety of factors (distance, amount of notice, etc.). The delivery charge covers the cost of getting your order to you. Seth (our great new delivery driver) will help unload the clay and move it a reasonable distance (from the truck into your garage, for example) but it does not include carrying clay up or down stairs, through your house, etc. Please contact us if you have special needs for your delivery.

Welcome Back to School

2005-08-16T17:11:00.002-05:00

Many schools in this area are starting classes this week, so WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL! Our back-to-school season is already in full swing with tons of shipments and deliveries to schools. During this time of year, it can be a struggle to organize incoming and outgoing shipments of clay, glazes, tools, and equipment, so please give us extra notice if you need more than a box or two of clay. Luckily, we have an awesome bunch of guys who are efficient and friendly. They have definitely made this season get off to a great start!

Dawson Kiln Sitters

2005-08-12T16:21:00.000-05:00

I added a few files to the PDF Library about Dawson Kiln Sitters: full operating manuals for Model P and Model K kiln sitters and for Model LT-3 and Model LT-3K kiln sitters, parts identification illustrations for all four models, and most importantly, a two page PDF describing how to adjust your kiln sitter in very easy, step-by-step instructions. This is GREAT information for all manual kiln owners.

Bracker's eNewsletter

2005-08-11T13:25:00.000-05:00

I just sent out a new Newsletter with some special deals and new information (about this blog, for example). It's been about half an hour and the Shimpo 2327BX that was listed in the newsletter is already sold! This is only the second time we've sent out this sort of newsletter, so it's very cool to see what happens as a result. I can't tell the specifics of who opened the newsletter and who didn't, but I can access a report that tells me how many people opened the email and even how many people clicked on each of the links in the email. Technology is so cool!

I want to make sure that everyone understands that you can unsubscribe from the list at any time - there's a link at the bottom of each newsletter we send. We will NEVER give or sell your information to anyone else. If you aren't currently receiving email newsletters and would like to, click on the "Join Now" button on our home page. And we won't send out too many of these emails - one every couple of months. If I get really excited about new information or products, I might send an email out two months in a row. But that's it. There are too many other emails, newsletters, and bits of spam that everyone has to wade through each day, and we don't want to contribute to overflowing email inboxes too much. However, if you are one of those wacky people who like that sort of thing, let me know and I'll personally forward all of my spam to you. :-)

Please feel free to leave any comments about the newsletter here - did you like it? hate it? think it was too long? too short? just right? would you like more special deals? news and info? tips and tricks? Help me make this a better newsletter, please!

Thanks,
Anne

Suggest a question for the next poll

2005-08-07T13:02:00.000-05:00

I'm getting ready to put up a new poll on the Bracker's site. What kind of questions do YOU think I should include? Leave a comment here or email me at annem@brackers.com Click on the blog title link to go to the current poll to participate or just to get an idea of what kinds of questions I've asked before.

Furniture Kits - shelf and post assortments

2005-08-03T17:21:00.000-05:00

I was talking to a customer on the phone earlier today about kiln shelf kits. While the customer and I were viewing the furniture kit section of the web site, I started to realize that it wasn't exactly the easiest section to understand. I've made some minor changes to the item titles and descriptions to fix that problem.

Since I'm on the subject, I should mention that our source for High Alumina kiln shelves has changed from Acme Marls to Lumina. Same great High Alumina shelves, just a different supplier. On a similar note, we have started referring to the Thorley triangular posts as just "Triangular Posts" and the Roselli square posts as just "Square Posts" to make it easier on everyone. I haven't completed changing all the references throughout the site yet, but I'll be working on that soon.

Selected Shimpo ConeArt Kilns - Clearance Prices!

2005-08-03T17:10:00.000-05:00

Shimpo has made some cosmetic design changes to their ConeArt kilns, so we need to sell the "old style" kilns. We have very special clearance sale prices on the models we still have in stock - the 1822BX and the 2327BX. I'll be sending out an e-Newsletter featuring these kilns as well as some other special deals on selected items within the week. If you don't get one, please add your name to our email newsletter list.

Vent-A-Kiln section Web update

2005-08-03T15:30:00.000-05:00

The Vent-A-Kiln section of the web site was in desperate need of a little TLC, so I spent some time on that today. I've added tons of information, pictures, and even PDF spec sheets.

Cart Section website update

2005-08-02T16:49:00.000-05:00

First of all, I apologize for the length of my last post. I get a little carried away when it comes to computer stuff! :-)

I'm back to updating and enhancing the web site. Today I added more pictures to the Large Studio Equipement section, under the Carts subcategory. I also added the Thomas Stuart Universal Stand (shown above left), the Universal Ware Cart, and all the optional stuff. It is a very cool setup that can be upgraded as you need to or as you can afford it. The ware boards for the system can be ordered separately and are super thin and super light yet also super strong - very functional with or without the Universal Stand system. Besides the Universal Stand, I also added pictures for the Alpine ware carts and Laguna Ware carts. I already had pictures for Brent carts and North Star carts online. Enjoy!

Why hasn't the web site been updated lately?!?

2005-07-29T13:29:00.000-05:00

Almost two weeks ago on a Monday, we upgraded our entire computer system. We're talking the whole shebang - a new server plus new operating system for all the computers and a major upgrade on our inventory/invoicing software system.

***Warning!! Personal opinions stated below; also includes Computer Geek-Speak***
For those of you who don't know, Bracker's is a Mac-based company. I started off as a Mac graphic design geek (my first computer was an Apple IIc in elementary school). I quickly fell in love with Aldus Pagemaker 2, and then when Adobe bought out Aldus, I further fell in love with all things Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, etc.). About 8 or 9 years ago, when we decided to computerize our store, the Mac operating system was light years ahead of Windows 3.whatever. Considering that I was the only computer-savvy person at Bracker's, I knew that I had to pick something that would be as easy-to-use as possible. At this time in my life, I was not as anti-Microsoft as I am now, so I *did* consider Windows systems. But I found a great Mac-based software system called M.Y.O.B. which actually does stand for Mind Your Own Business. It was a simple, yet elegant entry-level program that worked for all our needs.

Skip ahead a couple of years and we've completely outgrown M.Y.O.B. and I'm looking for a new software solution. Again, I considered Windows...but not too much this time because my anti-Microsoft sentiment had grown by leaps and bounds... and again I found an awesome program that was just right for us. Big Business is a program that has continued to grow with us. It's a lot more expensive than the $100 or so M.Y.O.B., but it has greatly expanded functionality and the company provides AMAZING customer service (Spencer, if you're reading this: thank you, thank you, thank you!). So we've been cruising along on Mac OS 9 and Big Business 3 for several years. In the meantime, Mac introduced OS X and Big Business introduced versions 4 AND 5. But we stayed with the existing setup because it was working well for us and we had very, very few glitches with the system. But Spencer and his crack team of software developers kept introducing really cool new features with each upgrade. I finally realized I could no longer live without these new features and so I convinced Mom and Cindy to take the plunge. But, upgrading to the new Big Business also meant upgrading to Mac OS X (or "Tiger" as the latest version is known). We decided to go one step further with the XServe technology. This was a good thing, too - there are many snazzy new features in the operating system.

So, two Mondays ago, we installed the new hardware and software. It's running very smoothly, but there's still a LOT of adjusting that has to happen with such a major upgrade. All of our custom forms (invoices, orders, etc.) had to be tweaked or rebuilt because of new stuff. Email, browser cookies, passwords, and bookmarks had to be converted and reorganized. Computers had to be relocated. Printer drivers needed to be reinstalled. And so on. But, the more time I spend doing a little computer house cleaning now, the more efficient everyone will be for a LONG time after.

Anyway, that's the sorta-long version of why there haven't been any web updates lately. We'll get back to it soon, I promise. If you have a suggestion for what I need to update next, leave a comment here and I'll get to it next.

Teacher's catalog at press!

2005-07-27T09:45:00.000-05:00

For 5 weeks I have been working at home on a 40page "Teacher Essentials" catalog which was finalized and turned over to the printer on Monday. This is not our full catalog, (which is still in progress and becoming more and more massive in scope). This catalog was designed specifically for teachers with only the most popular, most requested, and most teacher-friendly information and products. We will be sending it with school orders as soon as it is back from the printer (expected in 2-3 weeks). We will also be calling school districts to request permission to send large quantities of the catalog for distribution to their art teachers through interschool mail. More information will be posted when we get the catalogs in!

NEW PRODUCT - Frost Cone 6 Moist Clay

2005-07-14T16:22:00.000-05:00

Laguna spent nearly two years developing and testing a special new Cone 5 - 6 range porcelain they call "Frost." The responses during the testing included several comments like, "super white, super translucent and throws like a dream!"

Laguna is putting out a lot of magazine ads this summer to announce their new clay. We will be ordering a bunch at the end of this month, which should arrive sometime in the second week of August. Pre-order this clay now to reserve some for yourself!

Minor Web Site Update on a Busy Saturday

2005-07-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

I spent a little time today uploading a couple of item pictures I had overlooked in the past. The new pics are mostly in the Miscellaneous Tools section - things like rolling pins, thickness strips, and the Lil Chizler (shown at right), plus most of the Laguna banding wheel pictures (for some reason I don't have pictures of the 12" diameter banding wheels - have to take pictures soon). I also updated the prices on some of the miscellaneous tools - minor price increase on a couple and a few actually decreased in price!

It was a busy day at work today (although Saturdays are almost always busy), but it is so much fun to see both beginners and experienced potters so excited about their art. Some of the customers were downright giddy and mentioned it's like being a kid in a toy store. It's days like this that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside because I'm not the only one "infected" by the pottery bug! Have a great weekend and make lots of pots!

Web Site Update - AMACO Velvets

2005-07-08T14:37:00.000-05:00

Updating the web site with extra information and adding new products seems like a never-ending process. Every once in a while, we start carrying a new product and for some reason I completely miss adding it to our web site. That's what happened with the new AMACO bright reds, oranges, and yellow Velvet Underglazes. I really thought I had added them to the web site, but I was talking on the phone to a customer about them yesterday and realized I hadn't. Big oops! So, that's what I've been working on today. While I was getting the new colors added, I decided to also add extra information about them that is very helpful to tons of potters. I made the short description of the glazes (viewable from the list of multiple items) easier to understand and the long description (viewable when you click on the item link or thumbnail picture) now includes the glaze series description text from the AMACO catalog, as well as a couple of comments that Bracker's thinks are important.

In addition to that, I created a new page that includes the full description plus the color variation chart that describes how the Velvets look when you fire them hotter than Cone 06 to 04. A link to this chart is available in each Velvet Underglaze item long description or you can view it now by clicking on this blog entry link.

Technically, I'm still working on updating the Velvets. By the time on this posting, I've updated all of the pints and about half of the 2 ounce jars. I should be finished with the rest of the 2 ounce jars by the end of the day. Enjoy!

P.S. The glaze chip in this entry is the new AMACO V 387 Bright Red, fired at Cone 05 on a white earthenware clay body.

Staff Changes

2005-07-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

Scott Ledbetter has been the Warehouse Manager at Bracker's for a long time, but he recently decided that it's time for him to move on. He and his girlfriend, Kathy, are moving to the Kansas City area because Kathy will be teaching art in one of the KC school districts starting this fall. Scott's final day at Bracker's will most likely be sometime in September or October. He will definitely be missed at Bracker's.

We recently hired THREE new employees. Lou is a former Navy man, most recently stationed in New Orleans. Marlin lives in Tonganoxie (a small town very close to Lawrence) and was frustrated with commuting into KC for his most recent job. Both Lou and Marlin started at Bracker's almost a month ago. They will share general warehouse duties as well as UPS and small package shipping and receiving duties. Seth started this morning. He will be our primary delivery driver, which will allow us to offer even more delivery options, such as Saturday deliveries.

Bracker's First Blog Entry

2005-07-02T13:35:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Bracker's Blog! Bracker's staff will use the blog to post a wide variety of things: current events, news, web site updates, art fair dates, technical info and tips, new product announcements, and whatever else we can think of. Feel free to leave comments on any and all of our blog entries. If you have a topic that you'd like us to address in the blog, you may also email us. For example, if you have a show opening you'd like to see included, we'd be more than happy to write about it. :-)