All or nuthin'!

I've just added another wheel to my wheel quiver. In my perfect world I'd have two more- a treadle wheel for cups and a Lockerbie kick wheel for trimming. I have endorsed the Skutt wheel for many number of reasons but mostly for the big splash pan and the ease to remove the wheel head to dump the trimmings and clean the splash pan. My new used ride is a Soldner which I love for the fact it has no splash pan. It has a guard at the back to keep your private parts from getting soiled. I just put a big sponge against my water bucket to keep the slurry from going all over the deck. At Sheridan School of Craft and Design the students weren't allowed to use splash pans. 15 students lining up to clean those silly Shimpo splash pans can fill a clay trap in a hurry. I love the table top of the Soldner. You have a place for your tools, your water and your balls of clay. It also may have the best foot pedal on the market. I'm getting ready for two shows in the next couple of months. The first show is with two of my former Sheridan students Amber Zuber MA London College of Art and Janet MacPherson MFA Ohio University. What excites me about showing with these two makers is that they are so different than me. I taught them throwing but neither are throwers. It is comforting to know people go out on their own and don't try to be you or the next edition of Ceramics Monthly. The show is at Ambers property in Normandale (Turkey Point) on Saturday November 19th. This is probably the most beautiful studio and property in Southern Ontario. Burning Kiln winery is just down the road. The second show is at Fairweather Brewing Company in Hamilton on Saturday December 3rd. It is such a priviledge to be showing with some of my favourite makers. Drop by and I'll buy you a beer. This show is organized by two of my pals and damn fine makers- Mr. K Andrew Kellner and Heather Dynes Smit. You can expect nothing but the best when these two are at the helm. PS: “It is, after all, the dab of grit that seeps into an oyster’s shell that makes the pearl, not pearl-making seminars with other oysters.” (Stephen King)