River Valley Crafts...Handmade Pottery, Ceramics, Pinch Pots

French Country Pottery from Provence in New York City's West Village -- Le Fanion

2009-07-11T05:07:00.001-07:00

OK, so I haven't made it to Provence this year, but I did finally make it to the quaint, little corner store in the historic section of New York City's West Village on Bank and West 4th called Le Fanion, which means "the pennant" in English and explains their hand drawn logo of a woman in clogs and wearing a bonnet while holding a flag, but I'm not sure what it has to do with the gorgeous handmade pottery and antiques sold from the store.

I'd passed the store many times over the years, but never had my passings coincided with their limited open store hours until two weeks ago when I hit them by chance at about four-o'clock in the afternoon on a Friday. Timing is everything!

What a treat it was to finally get in and be able to explore freely. Besides the sales woman I was the only one there. I felt simultaneously like a kid in a candy store and a mega-star who's had a shop closed down so the screaming masses won't bother her.

I quickly put down my two bags at the front because I was afraid of knocking a piece to the floor and began ogling and fondling all the handmade ceramics. Yum-yum--all manner of table settings--plates, bowls, cups, platters, pitchers, tea pots, creamers--candle sticks, tiles and small sculptures. Most of the pottery is from contemporary, working ceramists, but they also have some very pricey, antique pottery. As well they offer non-pottery antiques like paintings, salt cellars, some furniture and other items.

Unfortunately, the sales woman, who was nice indeed, knew next to nothing about the pottery or who made it. She finally explained to me after I'd barraged her with several inquiries, that she was simply a friend of the store owners, a couple if I understood correctly, who are from Provence, or who travel there regularly to purchase all the beautiful goodies. They, she assured me, would have the stories for every piece.

Happening upon it by chance as I did I wasn't prepared for a purchase, but I couldn't leave empty-handed and purchased one of these small, thrown mugs in blue with a fish carved on its face.

iPhone Craft-making Simulation Application

2009-07-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

My presence on the web brings the strangest requests to my email inbox.

A few days ago, a young man contacted me for permission to use a photo I'd taken at the pottery studio as the background for an iPhone application he's making that will give users the ability to simulate creating crafts. How strange.

This is the mock-up of the screen that users will see with clay and my background photo. I guess it's fitting that I took the photo with my iPhone.

You can see that the application will offer not only pottery-making simulations, but glass- and jewelry-making, wood-turning and MCP--Whatever that is. I probably should know, but nothing comes to mind.

Though I will make no money from the photo use, he will give credit and a link to www.rivervalleycrafts.com and as you may know, I never turn down an opportunity for free advertising!

Early Summer Pottery Studio Update

2009-07-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

This is the first mini tabletop water fountain I've pinched.

June's come and gone without an entry and with little pottery-making happening. Next week I'll teach my last Tuesday night class until September. It wasn't easy, but I did make the decision (I think!) to take the rest of July and August off from teaching in order to focus solely on my own work, and also so we can get away from the city more easily, if we choose.

I've little to write, but will hopefully be posting quite a bit from the studio and regarding launch of my site this summer. Stay tuned!

Creative Inspiration - Elizabeth Gilbert's TED Talk

2009-07-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

I've watched this TED talk by Elizabeth Gilbert four times and teared up at the end each time. It's so rare in our society to come across folks as present as she is. I think that's what moves me. And she's articulate ta-boot! And of course, she seems to have the genius of which she speaks visit her often.

Though I watched this first before his death, I couldn't help instantly thinking of Ms. Gilbert's insights here when I heard of Michael Jackson's passing and as I've watched reports of his troubled life. I wish he'd had someone teach him to create this boundary to protect his fragile psyche from carrying the full responsibility of his artistic genius. Perhaps he'd still be with us.

Making Pottery, Resistance to Creating

2009-05-22T05:07:00.001-07:00

This is how I spend a lot of my time in the pottery studio, with ceramic greenware items resting on my crossed knee while I refine them with bits of window screen and wire tools after pinching the basic form. This step thins and lightens the piece, accentuates and sometimes creates the details I want, and generally makes the piece pop a little more, structurally-so at least, than it did at first pinching.

New York City's been blessed for four days now running with the most gorgeous and inspiring weather--Clear blue, cloudless skies with penetrating, saturated sun and cool breezes.

The weather motivated me to ignore a stubborn, too-logical resistance I've harbored for the past few years about purchasing a bicycle despite a strong inner desire to have one. I wondered where I'd store it, would I ride it enough for it to be worthwhile, did I deserve it? Oy!

It was such a relief to let go of my resistance and just fall into the sweetness of allowing myself to have it--rational or not--my low-end, cornflower blue Raleigh hybrid. I've ridden every day since purchase, and I've figured out a way to rearrange our entryway to accommodate a vertical stand and my bike without congesting the hallway too much. It surprises me now how strong my resistance was.

I experience this same kind of resistance when making pottery--when I'm trying too hard to make something, trying to manipulate the end result instead of just listening inwardly and making what is there already.

Summer 2009 Pottery Class in New York City, Manhattan, Washington Heights, Inwood, Northern Manhattan

2009-05-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

People have been contacting me about whether I'm teaching a Summer pottery class. I am, but it's already full to capacity and the other co-op members have told me their classes are filled for the summer, too.

Please continue to inquire and add your name to our mailing list as we should have vacancies in the fall and perhaps will add an additional class to accommodate the interest. Visit the pottery studio online: http://cornerstonepotterynyc.blogspot.com.

Pinch Pots in the Hood

2009-05-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

In the time since I last posted here, very shortly after it, I think, I made a decision to give up jewelry making in order to focus entirely on pottery making which has always been my first and closest to my heart creative love. I will still bead and make necklaces and earrings for myself, friends and family occasionally, but the endeavor will be relegated strictly to hobby, like my knitting. Whereas with pinching ceramics, pottery and clay it is my aim for it to become the larger focus of my life, and hopefully the productive activity that will pay my bills when I'm old. For years I've envisioned myself a cooky old wild-eyed, grey-haired, bohemian, dog mom and obsessed potter living in the remote reaches of some rural community.

But instead of moving closer to this envisioning, I've moved farther from it--my energies over time becoming increasingly scattered and dispersed. I feel like I have less time for everything. I'm not sure if it's aging, or Facebook, or technology in general--too much computer, not enough reading, too much doing. Not enough being. The world and my life just seem to be swirling about me like a storm, with no center. I can barely keep my head above the waterline of my own life. Certainly playing its part in my life storm is the tragic family mayhem playing out behind closed doors and now in the courtroom.

So I consciously move toward something simpler, take steps to cut back, to shed and purge, to slow down, to bring more meaning to my days and plans, to act with more consciousness. I'd like to get rid of our television just for the symbolism, but we watch so little and enjoy it so much when we do, that I dont' think it's a valid place to cut. In many ways I wish I'd never given in to facebook. I held off for so long. I try to become more disciplined with it, perhaps log on to it once per week, or only when I have something about Ms. Green-Clean or my pottery to share.

Our Spring term of pottery classes is finished at Cornerstone Pottery Studio and I'm starting a 7-week early Summer class that has 12 students signed up this coming Tuesday. I've grown to enjoy the teaching more over time and I look forward to the community and camaraderie that all the talented women (men never sign up for my class) offer weekly.

I'd hoped to do a summer ceramics workshop, but think I've waited too long to sign up, so am thinking I will create a personal workshop for myself, an intensive pottery-making schedule for at least one week later on. I will push my own limits in place of someone else doing it. I think it's possible.

I'm teaching a Spring Pottery Class (Handbuilding) in Northern Manhattan, Washington Heights / Inwood

2009-02-10T07:48:00.001-08:00

Thursdays (10 classes, March 5th-May 7th), 7-10pm

Handbuilding Class. Artist's approach to clay. In a friendly & fun setting we will use pinching, coiling & slabbing techniques to make functional & decorative wares. Great for beginners, but open to all experience levels. **Time permitting, will offer basic wheel instruction.

***We're located in Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church (parking lot level) at 178 Bennett Avenue in Washington Heights, New York City.

*Contact me at corimorenberg@hotmail.com for more information or to register.

Pottery Making Update

2009-02-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

I am getting in a a good bit of potting, enjoying this in-between time--after the holidays and our sale and before we begin teaching classes at the studio the first week of M arch.

The temperature got into the low 50s yesterday, or they said it did. It didn't feel that warm to me despite the bright sun because there was a wicked cold wind blowing most of the day. It was nice at the studio, though, where I spent several hours of my afternoon with the door wide open, inviting passersby in the parking lot to stop in. Several people took the hint and wandered in to look and talk for a few minutes.

Here are pictures of my most recent pinched pottery creations. Neither of them are finished here, but I'm slowly filling the shelf with greenware to be bisqued and glazed, so soon, soon. I hope one day to call myself a prolific potter, but at present I'd probably best be compared to the tortoise of Aesop's Fable's fame.

Back at it -- Knitting a scarf

2009-02-02T07:09:00.000-08:00

After a too-long hiatus I got back to knitting this morning. This purple scarf is nearly complete and I have 3 other projects nearly finished that I will focus on after this scarf is done.

With the aim of becoming a more consistent knitter I've decided to do a trial visit to a new neighborhood knitting group that meets Monday nights at a coffee house. I'll get there an hour late because I'm committed to a dance class I've been enjoying recently, but I have a feeling they go beyond their 2 hour scheduled time, and even if it is just an hour I get there, it's better than nothing. It will keep me accountable to my knitting and maybe I'll make new friends.

Should I even mention the website? Geez. Yes, I continue to work on it. My husband thinks it's fantasy. Basically I'm patching it together as I get time here and there, like an old quilt. Soon, soon. Most of what's finished is up.

Off to knit a few more rows, then on to the pottery studio.

Pottery Work Update

2009-01-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

I made it to the studio Friday, spent several hours with only the company of clay and WNYC .

This is how I work most of the time. I try occasionally to work with music in the background, but find I don't like it as much. I have a theory that the constant news and interviews keeps my intellectual brain fully occupied so it can't torture the creative part of me as it seems to want to--frees my hands to work independent of its chattering, critiquing, and editing.

Ceramic workshop schedules are beginning to be posted at craft schools and I began studying them for a class to participate in, but I've not found one that speaks to me yet. I've wanted for the last few years to take a pinching class with Paulus Berensohn, but I may have missed my chance. He doesn't seem to be offering them anymore. If anyone knows where/when he may be teaching, please let me know. Contact me at corimorenberg at hotmail dot com.

Pottery, Ceramics, Craft Books

2008-12-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

I've had the idea for awhile to write a book about pottery and though the focus and details I'll keep under wraps, more out of shyness than thinking that someone might nab my good idea, I'll just mention here as a way to make it real to me that the project has started with a very modest rough draft of the very beginning of a preface or introduction!!! Phew, a lot of words for not much at all. I don't think I'll mention it again until I actually get a publisher interested in it.

I picked up this old book ("Pottery Craft" by Doreen Brookshaw), published the very year I was born, at Argosy, a used and rare (I guess that means I am too)bookstore I stumbled upon last week while looking for refuge from a cold, miserable rain. I've purchased old pottery and ceramics books for years, often enjoying them more than the new and contemporary ones I also purchase. I wouldn't say I'm kooky about my collection, definitely not obsessed, but when I die I will have quite a ceramics library to pass on.

Most pottery books I never grow tired of. I go back to them again and again, poring over the photos first, then captions, then reading on deeper and deeper levels. Recently I've found myself studying them for how they are structured and written as much as for the pottery information to be had within their covers. I've gathered maybe 5 or 6 of them that are my favorites and that each have something info-, writing-, structure-, or mood/look-wise that I want to include in my book and I page through one or all of them regularly for inspiration.

Pottery Sale a Success...Moving on

2008-12-29T08:45:00.000-08:00

Our holiday sale at the studio was very successful. All four of us were pleased to sell a lot and I think had a good time playing shop and getting feedback on and support for the work we do largely in private throughout the year.

I've not had the energy to work on and finish up the website. After the sale were the holidays and homey-time and we'll be going away for a few days upstate starting tomorrow afternoon, so it will be mid to late January when I'll finally get around to tying up the loose ends for launch.

I don't much care at this point--Though it will be a relief to finally have it up and running, it's always been the process--the making--that is the satisfying, motivating factor.

Days...OK a week or 2 away from crafts site launch!!! I swear

2008-11-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, I'm so close to site launch date I can taste the satisfaction of all my hard work over the past year or so already on my lips! Smack, smack...Yum!

And, not only am I preparing for the launch of rivervalleycrafts.com, but I've been working away to make enticing ceramic wares for our holiday sale coming up at the studio: cornerstonepotterynyc.blogspot.com.

Thanks for your patience all who have emailed and inquired about the RVC site. Soon, soon. I'm shooting for the week of my birthday, just around the corner. The best gift I can think to give myself.

La Chamba Pottery, Colombian Traditional Ceramics, Burnished Blackware

2008-11-12T06:29:00.000-08:00

Last night one of my students in my ceramics hand building class gave me a coffee cup of blackened earthenware handmade in the region of Colombia she is from. I'm thrilled by it. It's gorgeous and feels good in my hands.

I did a little quick web research to learn that it is La Chamba Pottery and is still made today using a clay indigineous to the area where it is made and using ancient techniques passed down through centuries. Archaeologists believe the region is where pottery was first made in the Americas.

I've just moved a trip to Colombia to the very top of my travels wish list, slightly ahead of Japan.

Here are a few links with info on La Chamba Wares:

1. http://www.lavidaverde.com/Chamba/chamba.htm,
2. http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/Accessories/La-Chamba-Pottery

Rules, Jewelry, Ceramics, Crafts, Business

2008-05-13T06:21:00.000-07:00

"My new rules are few and simple: follow my interest; go as deep as I can; change the rules whenever I like."

-Alix Kates Shulman, from her memoir, "Drinking the rain"

I loved this line and quickly dog-eared the page and underlined the words so I can return whenever I want to be inspired by it. I happened upon the book at a community garden rummage sale in my neighborhood a few weeks back and have been reading it mostly while sipping my coffee sitting on a park bench early mornings before I must officially start my hectic but satisfying work days.

I love the early mornings, especially in my neighborhood. The only others around are the winos, a few dogs and their walkers, and the birds. I probably look like an odd street urchin, face and eyelids puffy from sleep still, pillow creases etched deeply in my face. My hair's severely messed so I just pull and tie the hood of my navy sweatshirt tight around my head to hide it.

At the request of my awesome and inspiring students I extended our 10-week pottery course to 12, so will meet this week and next. And I'm still toying with the idea of teaching a short pottery handbuilding summer term class for adults, and a children's week-long ceramics class. Honestly though, I think I'd be best to concentrate on my own pottery-making, and my jewelry-making and use the summer to create and launch www.rivervalleycrafts.com. I still behind the scenes am working on all my projects and the site, but only in small snippets of time here and there that I find because I'm increasingly, pleasingly busy with www.msgreenclean.com.

Handmade Ceramic Stoneware (Shabbos, Shabbat) Candlesticks, Glazed Blue, Pinched, Hand-carved

2008-04-13T04:59:00.000-07:00

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."

-T.S. Elliot

When I came across this quote a few weeks ago, I immediately thought of my pottery students having their first experiences with clay, and at our next class I read it to the students as their "lesson" for the night.

Understandably, they are dainty with the clay, not yet knowing all the ways in which they can move, control and manipulate the balls of earth--in their hands, with tools, with dreams--they choose safely, conservatively. They are afraid to make mistakes. Their first experiments are lovely, but not that far from round, thick balls.

I decided purposely, except for our first class, not to give them specific projects. I am constantly instructing them, of course, guiding them, showing them how to execute the ideas in their heads and hearts. My hope for the class was to create a safe, fun, supportive atmosphere. I wanted the students to be self-directed, to come with their own projects, to find the well of creativity within themselves. I didn't want to create a classroom of followers,mimickers, but wanted them to learn by the metaphor of working with clay that they are their own creators. I've purposely tried to recreate the atmosphere and experiences I had at the first pottery studio I went to years ago and with my first handbuilding teacher--the classes that turned me on to pottery and changed the course of my life.

Six weeks into our ten week course last Thursday night I knew I'd achieved my hope for the class. The studio was vibrating with energy and life. Our collective focus seemed complete, our attention one-pointedly concentrated around our work table. Everyone worked on their own projects. Their was lots of talk, lots of sharing, lots of laughing, lots of support and inspiration. I hopped from student to student the entire three hours helping, showing, guiding. Some were pinching, some coiling, some slabbing, some were glazing bisqued pots.

I was exhausted, satisfied, already looking forward to the next week's class.

Pottery, Handmade Pinched Organic Ceramic Bowl in Blues and Greens

2008-04-12T07:33:00.001-07:00

Yes, yes, yes, so quite some time since I've posted and I won't say much here now...because I've got too much to do. Just want to let you all know I'm here and working away to get www.rivervalleycrafts.com up and stocked.

The pottery class that I'm teaching is going smashingly. I love my students and the challenges that instructing brings. The whole experience is positive and it's stretching me. I'll be teaching a summer course, and one again in the fall for adults. And it looks like I'll be teaching a class for children ages 8 to 16 this summer, and then fall, spring, etc...

I've just signed up for a summer handbuilding class at www.clayartcenter.org. I've not taken a course myself in years and am excited that we'll be working with low fire clays, glazes and firings. And if I can fit it in I'd like also to add an intensive clay workshop to my summer calendar, though I'm still researching the myriad possibilities. I definitely need to keep filling my inspiration and technical well, especially now that I'm teaching.

New York City, Northern Manhattan, Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem, Riverdale,Harlem Pottery Handbuilding Class, Spring 2008

2008-01-19T06:39:00.001-08:00

I'm excited to announce that beginning Thursday, March 6th, 2008 I'll be teaching a 10-Week Pottery Hand-building Course in Washington Heights at the Cornerstone Pottery. The studio is located at 178 Bennett Avenue (189th Street, Manhattan). The entrance is at the back of Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church. Contact me at corimorenberg@hotmail.com if you're interested.

SPRING 2008 POTTERY Hand-building Course
*Serving the Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem, Morningside Heights & Riverdale Communities

DESCRIPTION:
Perfect for the beginner and those with some clay experience, a 10-week course that will explore ancient and contemporary pottery-making methods and techniques. We will cover pinch pots, coiling, and slab construction in order to complete many utilitarian and decorative works. All pieces will be glazed, fired and ready to take home by end of course.

DETAILS:
When: Thursdays, 6:45pm-9:45pm, March 6th - May 8th
Where: Cornerstone Pottery Studio, located at 178 Bennett Avenue (189th Street, Manhattan). The entrance is at the back of Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church.

Cost: $125 (this is the cheapest pottery class in all of Manhattan, a true bargain!!!)

Contact me: corimorenberg@hotmail.com

Handmade Ceramic Pottery Stoneware Mugs / Cups, Red Stoneware Clay Hand-pinched forms

2007-12-15T12:34:00.001-08:00

Here are two items that WILL be for sale on the site as soon as I launch it. I pinched both of these handled cups / mugs from my favorite red stoneware clay and used two complementary blue glazes. They are lead-free, of course, and dishwasher safe. Launch of www.rivervalleycrafts.com is one day closer!

Patience

2007-12-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

I know I may have given the impression that site launch was imminent, as in any minute or day, even...and it is. I am working on pottery, jewelry, knitting and crocheting as we speak.

Here are two items to come from the kiln recently that I will not sell, but they are just to let you know that I'm creating and will have many surprises to share with you soon. The image on the left is of a funerary urn for my dog Hudson's ashes, the one on the right is a shrine or reliquary I have hung on the wall in our entryway. Stay tuned...and be patient. There's more to come!

Site Launch Update

2007-11-13T04:01:00.001-08:00

Oh, I'd hoped to launch rivervalleycrafts.com by mid-October, but looks like it will take into December.

I'm very excited to be expanding my handmade goods from when I called the business Cori M. Designs. In addition to gemstone bead jewelry, I'll be selling pottery and ceramics, including some beads and pendants and hand-knits, including scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, shawls, bags, purses, etc...

*Please visit the site until then to join the mailing list to receive updates and invite-only sales and previews.