Save the Date

Our second annual Seconds on 4th Sale is coming....Please Save the Date and your pennies and plan on coming to see all the goodies we'll have for sale. There will be some terrific bargains for early birds, we promise.

Under Construction

Our studio is under siege. A fabulous Indian restaurant and Berkeley institution - VIKS- is moving in next door. We were initially thrilled. This will mean infinitely more foot traffic for our gallery. We'll also have delicious lunches within steps. Their construction plans meant changing the configuration of our storage area. These past few weeks they have been knocking down walls and turning off our electricity for 24 hour periods. Construction dust has been wafting through a hastily set up plastic wall causing white outs. Our kilns, though still working, are pushed into spaces that are ridiculous to access. The place looks like the predicted big quake has already come and gone. On Friday the jack hammering begins. They are promising the remainder of the work that affects us will only last two weeks but two weeks when you're trying to make,glaze, ship, get ready for shows is a lifetime. We will be open ...construction gods willing... for our regular first Saturday on April 4. Hope you can come by and see if we survived.

Open This Saturday

This Saturday is our official day to be open. Come see our new pieces, watch us work and have a cookie. We'll be there from 11 - 5.
The above photo is Christa blowing on her glaze. The girl has great lungs!

Plaster Disaster

Andrew Martin's workshop was, I think, a huge success. His generosity in filling us full of his vast knowledge was incredible. He gave us something else as well... We had a nice crowd of 17 participants watching with rapt attention when Andrew hefted a 10 gallon bucket of freshly mixed, delightfully gooey casting plaster on to the demo table. With too strong of a heave ho he missed the table and projectile dumped 3/4 of the white, liquid sludge on to the first row of rapt potters. Everything was covered - shoes, clothes, purses, backpacks, books, chairs, floor. Thankfully laughter was the immediate response and as potters are famous for doing, everybody pitched in and cleaned up the mess. The wonderful workshop will forever be known as the Plaster Disaster. Thanks to everyone for being such good sports.
Here are a few photos but to be honest Christa, rae and I were too busy trying to find the mop and bucket, hosing off chairs and participants to take pictures of the real mess.


Book on slip casting covered in plaster and it's smiling owner (who was also covered)


Andrew in action


Wood fired cups


Some fine examples of finished work

Andrew Martin Workshop

We are offering our first workshop. It should be great. Come Join us:



Mold Making and Slip Casting with Andrew Martin
Andrew will discuss how his work evolved, demonstrate his unique method of developing forms using paper cut outs, cast numerous forms and show slides.
He'll also sign his book - The Essential Guide to Mold Making and Slip Casting

Feb,7.2009
9:30 - 5
fourth & clay
2390 4th St (@Channing Way)
Berkeley, CA
$60 or $50 with student id

Call Josie 510 848 2390 to register

Ready for Another Party?

Thursday, January 15 from 6 - 9pm John Toki from Leslie's Ceramics and I are co-hosting a party to bring together the Bay Area Clay Community and to honor sculptor Stephen De Staebler. There will be a book signing and music as well. Please come join us at Leslie's Ceramics, meet your fellow clay workers and have a good time:

We are taking a little break from clay for a minute but will be back in the groove the beginning to the new year. Thanks to all our guest artists who made our open studios so much fun and filled our studio with beautiful art. Thank you art lovers, supporters and party revelers who made our sale a success.

Happy Holidays to you all.