9.30.2010

He's Kraffty




So, I have been grumpy for a few days.

There has been a blue and white porcelain gun floating around the internet for a week or so. It really gets under my skin because this is something Charles Krafft has been doing for years. So, some punk, literally rips off his work and the internet can't help but slobber all over it. I'm not going to name the person or link to the piece, because I believe this person should be ashamed of themselves.




I had a talk with a friend of mine, and she tried to talk me off a cliff. I know that it happens all the time.Yes I know Lady Gaga is just Madonna +25 years. But at least Lady Gaga is not putting on mesh shirts an finger gloves.  That is what this person has done, nothing creative, nothing original. 
I believe this person should be shamed. 



If they believe themselves to being a valuable contribution to the ceramics community, than this is plagiarism. 
If they just don't know, I'm sorry, ignorance is not an excuse.  You should not be making political work such as this without better research.
If this is just a creative exercise, why was it released publicly?
I know that creativity is flexible and all based on inspiration. 
I have always loved the phrase "good artists borrow, great artist steal" but that is a reference to the process of the development of sources.
If this is an homage, where is the originality?


We as a community should not allow this to stand. 



I pay tribute to the man who deserves the credit. Charles Krafft



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9.27.2010

Come one, come all, for Lower Prices at Matt and Dave's Clays!


Hey folks,

I have been exceptionally busy recently. Too much going on, but I guess that is the way I like it. 
Part of being busy is getting some things done here at Matt and Dave's Clays. 

The first thing is that we finally have all of our products back in stock! We hit a shortage there, in between y'all clearing us out and a shortage of materials from our supplier conspired to put us out of stock on everything. We now have our full line of Clays, Casting Slips and Building Slips ready for you. 

On that note, we also have some big news, because of the support that all of you have shown for Matt and Dave's Clays, we are now able to announce Lower Prices!

Our amazing clays are now $27 for 30lbs. That price is shipped to your door, anywhere in the United States for the same $27!

That is not all, we have also lowered the prices on our Casting Slips and Building Slips. 
Casting Slips are now $35 for 2 Gallons and Stuck Up Building Slip for just $10 per bottle.

Not only that but our awesome Tee Shirts are now only $20! Everything is cheaper at Matt and Dave's Clays


We love helping people make thier studios a more productive time and we hope you love what you are able to do with our clays. 


Get yours now, right here over at our website.

9.23.2010

Action-Reaction



This is an excellent display of a symbiotic relationship between plate and table. 


The Nervous System created this table to go with their Reaction Series of dishes. 


Practicle? No. 
Sexy as hell? Awwww Yeah. 


Via
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9.21.2010

/Satanic_Ceramic/


Devil manifests in Hungarian bathroom

Exorcist to scrub clean satanic ceramic
A Hungarian couple have been reduced to washing in the downstairs sink after the Lord of the Flies' terrifying visage appeared in their bathroom.
Poor old Laszlo Csrefko, 52, blew a "fortune" doing up the room, but no sooner had he slapped in a new bath, shower and ceramics then Satan decided to pay a visit.
According to the Sun, his missus Andrea was enjoying her first shower in the renovated facility when she spotted Old Nick's face peering out from a tile. She recounted: "I was naked coming out of the shower and I could suddenly see his eyes staring into me. I just screamed and ran."
A shaken Laszlo said: "We can't clean it off and it wasn't there when we put the tiles up. It just appeared overnight and nothing can move it."
He added: "The room is always ice cold no matter how high we turn the heating up and we've just stopped using it because it's too spooky. We wash in the sink downstairs now."
Having failed to shift Satan with bathroom cleaners, the couple will now call in an exorcist. If that doesn't work, they will "seal up the room forever".
Those of you with crucifix and holy water to hand are invited to view the Mephistophelean simulacrum here. ®

Matt's note:The tile of the article comes from URL for the article, which is
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/16/satanic_ceramic/
CLASSIC!
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Ummmm, yeah. about that.



Sometime I see things that just make me twitch. One such example is this PR stunt by Seeelite. To prove the strength of their ware, they balanced a 15,000 lb double decker bus atop four Steelite mugs. Now as impressive as this may seem, I have to say. I'm not impressed.


Look I understand that this is a PR stunt and they are trying to reinvigorate the return of Steelite production to England (wait weren't they the ones who decided to leave in the first place?) But they know a secret that the public doesn't






Here's the catch, any vitrified ware will have a compressive strength of 10,000-15,000 kilograms force. Much stronger then is required to hold up that bus.


So let this be a lesson to you all, if you want any marketing tricks for selling your ware, come up with some impressive feat of strength, that your work can easily accomplish.
link


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9.20.2010

Splink



This is the Splink. The cup cradle that prevents you from knocking over your drink. 
Unfortunately to perform it's noble service it hide a most of the aesthetic of your but, cest le vie if it keeps your mug up right. 


To me the immediate appeal is not so much spill prevention but destruction deterrence. 
As I say to Mrs. Rose. "I'm the reason we can't have nice things." Even though I am a ceramical person. I also break everything that gets broken in the house. I have sent many a mug to the shelf where we display items at angles so that they appear not to be broken.



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9.15.2010

Breast Idea Ever




Author Unattributed

Published on Mon Sep 06 10:09:23 BST 2010
It gives a whole new meaning to the term “body art”.
But instead of painting on their bodies, a group of women will be using their body parts to create art in a novel event to boost funds and awareness of breast cancer.
It might sound a potty idea, but Jane Fox has devised a ‘Painting By Nipples’ event and is encouraging women to create and paint a ceramic piece using their breasts.
Jane, 42, owner of Fired 4 U pottery painting workshop, on Hennel Lane, Walton-le-Dale, near Preston, is raising cash for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Jane said: “It is a bit like when children use their hands and feet to create individual pieces of pottery, but instead, women can use the shape of their breasts to make a unique ceramic piece.
“Women can then paint a plate, mug or other item of their choice, either with paint brushes or using their breasts.
“It is a tongue-in-cheek fun event, but it will all be done very tastefully and screening will be provided so women can create their breast 
artwork in privacy.
“If some women don’t fancy taking part in breast art, they can just do ordinary pottery and painting.
“Painted ceramics make ideal presents and I’m sure husbands and boyfriends will welcome painted breasts on their work mug!”
The event will take place on Wednesday October 27 and during the evening Tracey-Jane Hughes, known as T-J, a bra fitter from bras4all, will give a short talk about bra fitting.
T-J said: “Women aren’t taught how to wear bras at school, so often wear the incorrect style or size.
“This can cause health problems including sore and tender breasts, back and neck ache and poor posture.
“Just a few bra fitting tips may help to get women more comfortable. Bras are like shoes – if they’re not comfy nothing feels right.”.
A breast care nurse will also be on hand to talk about breast health and care.
Jane, her Fired 4 U team and T-J have already painted items using their breasts.
Jane said, “It was so much fun and I was laughing all the time I was painting and printing. I have made a plate with two muffins on it and another one I have made into a flower.”
T-J says she found the experience “liberating”.
She said: “I can’t believe I’ve now got a mug with my breast prints on.
“It will certainly be a talking point!”
Jane added: “It is going to be a fun night out for ladies, who have the choice to paint a ceramic piece with their breasts in the company of friends.
“Quite a few of our customers have had treatment for breast cancer so I think they will want to do all they can to support this cause.”
The evening will start at 7pm for 7.30pm.
A maximum of 30 women will then be able to paint a plate, mug or other item of their choice, either with paint brushes, or using their breasts,
The items will be fired and be available for collection a week later.
The cost is £10 for the studio fee, which needs to be paid on booking.
Pottery will be charged on the night. Half the studio fee and at least 25% of the pottery painted will be donated to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, the charity based at the Royal Preston Hospital which supports the region’s specialist cancer centre and local cancer units throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria.
All the proceeds from a raffle held on the night will also be donated to Rosemere.
To book a place or for more information, contact Jane at Fired 4 U, on 01772 203060.

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9.13.2010

Diamond in the rough



Not a lot of info on this set except that they are designed by Design by Us for Menu A/S. 
I like the contrasts and the starkness of the shapes and glazing. 


Link

9.09.2010

Gorilla paints pottery


Wed, 08 Sep 2010 3:21p.m.
unattributed
 
A gorilla at the North Carolina Zoo is receiving a lot of attention for his skilful hands.
Rather than have people marvel at his size, or even his origin, Nik the gorilla is gaining notoriety for his hidden talent – his pottery painting skills.
"It's one of a kind, there will be no others that look exactly the same, it can't be duplicated," explains Kerry Sparks, External Affairs Manager of the NC Zoo Society.
The North Carolina Zoo Society has raised funds with animal art for almost 10 years. Zookeepers suggested that Nik would be perfect to paint.
While he needed help holding the brush, and had to occasionally be held back from eating the paint, the design work is all his and it is earning him rave reviews from zoo visitors.

link

9.08.2010

Iceberg



Sorry all,
 Been busy, busy. 
Enjoy these Iceberg Glasses by Reiko Kaneko.


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For a limited time, Matt and Dave's Clays is having a back to school sale!
Right now, you can stock up on our high temperature Porcelain for the People. 
Unfortunately we are currently out of stock of our mid-temperature body, The Coup. We still have Casting slip and Stuck up in the Mid temperature version.
Even better, our Cast Away, casting slip and Stuck Up, building and attaching slip are also on sale.
Get all your clay supplies for the new school year or just to stock up your studio.
Our amazing clays are only $24 for 30 pounds, shipped.
Cast Away can be sent to you for only $35
You too will be Stuck Up for just $9
Head over to our website now.


9.02.2010

Nothing is gonna bring me down.



Well,
I've got nothing.
Unfortunately part of this whole world wide web is that it it is world wide.
My Chinese is somewhere between "rusty" and "non-existent" and the website does not provide too much info, even with the Google translate.
What I can tell you is that these fun little cups are by Xu54 and they were inspired by gravity and wings.
Other than that, I can tell you that they are pretty fun.






Via


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For a limited time, Matt and Dave's Clays is having a back to school sale!
Right now, you can stock up on our high temperature Porcelain for the People. 
Unfortunately we are currently out of stock of our mid-temperature body, The Coup. We still have Casting slip and Stuck up in the Mid temperature version.
Even better, our Cast Away, casting slip and Stuck Up, building and attaching slip are also on sale.
Get all your clay supplies for the new school year or just to stock up your studio.
Our amazing clays are only $24 for 30 pounds, shipped.
Cast Away can be sent to you for only $35
You too will be Stuck Up for just $9
Head over to our website now.