Misty Morning Pottery

05/31/2026

Yesterday was so much fun!! Many MANY thanks to those who ventured out to see my wares and to those that thought enough of them to purchase! It was a successful sale, we got to re-connect with some friends we've not seen in a while, and had some good food as well! It was terribly windy but thankfully we did not have to contend with that! I should have taken a picture of my set up, but well... I just never seem to think of that.

The cherry berry bowl went before the sale even started -- one of the vendors claimed it. To those of you that came in hopes of getting it, no worries -- I will be making more.

A few told me how much they enjoyed their bread bakers, and said they were following my instructions to a T, and that made me feel like maybe... MAYBE... I may make a few more to sell. More on that later.

To think of when I started, 12 years ago to where I am now, is humbling. I am still learning, and will probably always be, and my pots continue to evolve with me as I try new techniques, discarding some ideas, growing new ones, and all in all, loving the hobby potter life I am enjoying.

For now, it's time to kick back a little, prepare my shop for fall/winter ware (yes, the Christmas show is not that far away, and I may try to do two... we shall see, as I have a very hard time saying no to the girls that asked me to do Christmas in the Park,) and work on my current clay supply. It's time to pull out the dried clay from East Salem and Pfoutz Valley again and get to work. The summer is when I get my year's supply in, and although I still have a good amount, it may not be enough! This is an exciting problem!

All this to say a very heartfelt thanks to all of you that came with kind words yesterday and to those that purchased my wares. You are appreciated so much!

05/29/2026

Opening a kiln really is like Christmas morning! Here's a sneak peek at what was in the kiln this morning! I still have some sanding etc to do, but they will be ready for the show tomorrow! Remember, Beasom Park, 9-2. These pots (and others!) will be there until they are snatched up!

Hope to see y'all there!

05/28/2026

What a glorious sunrise this morning! I have been up at the crack of dawn -- lots to do today to get ready for Saturday's show. I've got to get the kiln up and running before too long -- I am cutting it very, very close. The closest I ever have before!

In the last few months I have embarked on another kind of clay journey. I've been working a little with a mica clay that is stove hardy. It's a difficult clay to throw and is meant more for hand building, but I am used to difficult clay anymore, so threw two test pots. They are on my stove boiling in rice water now. I have to be careful adding this clay to my repertoire. It's a low fire clay and if I don't keep careful track of it, well... let's just say, I WILL keep careful track of it. It is amazing to be able to cook on the stove in a pot I made!

The rest of today will be spent playing with my granddaughter, dodging construction equipment (they are laying the foundation for the garage today,) and getting the kiln up and running, amidst all the normal every day tasks.

Hoping you all have a marvelous day! I look forward to seeing you Saturday at Beasom Park in Richfield!

05/26/2026

This is what kiln disaster looks like. It could be a lot worse, mind you -- all I have to do is vacuum out the kiln and element channels. It still is far from great, though. This is what happens when I try to rush things. I thought I'd gotten all the moisture out of the pots, they passed the mirror test but... my gut said I should preheat longer and I ignored it. UGH. So we get a classic domino effect. One pot bursts into another and then another.

Goodbye, bread baker -- good bye, planter -- good bye, strider mug!

Pottery is a lesson in patience, again, and again, and again.

I still love pottery, though!

05/19/2026

-- Misty Morning Pottery will be at Beasom Park in Richfield Pa on Saturday, May 30th, from 9-2 at their new spring show! I will be inside -- stop in and say hi!

There's still space, I believe, so if you are vacillating between being a vendor or not, head to the Christmas in the Park page, and sign up! You can also just contact me, I can give you info. :)

Send a message to learn more

05/19/2026

I was able to throw a few small pots with the clay from our yard -- now dubbed Ritzman Clay. (I know, I know... really original but better than misty morning pottery clay, or isn't-this-really-cool clay or this-is-fantastic-clay-I-must-have-more, etc etc etc.). The clay was wonderful and as much as I'd like to delve in and immediately create lots with this clay, it is not yet tested. There's so much that goes into creating your own clay. I have to test it for throwing capability(it passed with flying colors,) drying and shrinkage, firing temperatures, and then after that, I have to determine at which point the clay is vitrified, etc etc etc. So much to do to determine if this clay will be suitable. I am impatient at this stage, but I need to wait, which I am not good at. When I practiced nursing I used to say although I didn't have any patience, I had lots of PATIENTS. har har -- I amuse me.

I've included a picture of the wild clay I use in the shop, including the new Ritzman clay, as well as a picture of the pots I coaxed out of the clay--mommy pots and a small mug. I made the mug to see how the clay attaches with handles, etc. I will find out later today when I do exactly that.

I also have news! I will be at a spring show on May 30th from 9-2 at Beasom Park in Richfield! This is a new vendor show put on by some of my most favorite people ever(Makaila Auker ,) and former students to boot. Come visit me, I will be inside. Pass the word! If it goes well, this will become my new spring show!

05/17/2026

See Misty Morning Pottery make a few trinket bowls to get ready for our upcoming show on the 30th! Part 1!

05/17/2026

First batch of clay FROM OUR YARD!!!! has been processed and is now drying! In a few days, I will be able to throw my very first pot from this clay. After some testing, I shall determine if it is worth the investment in time -- and maybe send a sample to the lab with a very dear friend who loves chemistry perhaps even more than I love clay!

Back-breaking excitement, that's for sure! And if anyone stops in unannounced, no, I don't see that clump of clay in my hair. :)

05/13/2026

We always say we hope to try something someday... but someday never comes!!! Here's your opportunity to DO instead of just think about it. Wonderful teacher, and so much fun!!!

05/11/2026

Some excitement going on at Misty Morning Pottery! We are having a garage and shop built! No, the shop isn't just for me, I will be sharing it with my spouse who does lapidary stuff. It will be exciting to spread out a little bit and have a space nearer to the house!

It does put a damper on making new things for a while, though! Stay tuned as this process unfolds. In a month or so, we will be enjoying a new area to work in!