Happy New Year!

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

"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

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

"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

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