Common questions about clay, pottery wheels, and kilns - Part 1

What are some of the most popular types of clay for pottery beginners?

High Fire Clay

Stoneware is good clay for beginners and is often used in schools and universities. The "stone" part of its name comes from its stone-like density and hardness after firing. Pottery suppliers will often have stoneware bodies prepared for throwing. Stoneware is a buff-colored, high-fire clay (its maturing range is about 2200 degrees Fahrenheit to 2375 degrees Fahrenheit).

Low Fire Clay

Earthenware is another type of clay that's often used by novice potters. Unlike stoneware, earthenware is a porous, low-fire clay (1800 degrees Fahrenheit to 2150 degrees Fahrenheit). Red earthenware is a naturally occurring clay that's inexpensive and easy to throw (terra cotta is a type of red earthenware). To be waterproof, red earthenware pots will require a glaze. White earthenware costs more, is a bit more difficult to throw, and has a higher maturation range (1950 degrees Fahrenheit to 2150 degrees Fahrenheit), but creates attractive, bright white, decorative pottery ware.

The Photographer Extraordinaire!

Jennifer

Jennifer Schimanke, the photographer extraordinaire, brings a new sense to the creative experience of photography.

Most family portrait photographers have the same idea as every other family portrait photographer, such as, what standard backdrops to use and where is everyone going to stand for their picture taking experience. The trouble with the common photographer is...... everything is the same and too familiar leaving you immortalised in the drab and common.

Jennifer Schimanke, owner of Snow Pea Portraits, uses life as her backdrop. You and your family will enjoy her natural eye for what I like to call “moment” photography; catching that memory moment that shows a true personality, a true moment of pride, innocents and love.

Perusing her blog and her fan site, Snow Pea Portraits is a site that is set apart from other photographers.  Jennifer brings her photography together with her creative sense, eye for the human spirit and her love of children, life and the arts that are captured in every photo

Currently Jennifer is booking new and former clients in celebration of her new studio redesign with a boudoir marathon photo shoot. For bookings and pricing please see Snow Pea Portraits or contact Jennifer here.

Donna Milward - New Fantasy book "THOEBA"

Donna Milward

     I can truly say I am honoured and excited to introduce ALL of you to my friend Donna Milward who I have known for over 15 years. I am immensely proud to announce that her new novel THOEBA is being released Aug 1^st 2011.

Take a quick read - An Excerpt from her Prologue

  Blood and ashes splashed across the sky as her people battled the minions of darkness. She stood on a warm, sandy cliff with the breeze chilling her bare skin. The enemy swarmed in the distance, a black swarm of insects flying toward them.

     For centuries, darkness encroached upon this paradise, this Eden that some called the home of God. For many long years evil promised to swallow the heavens. 

     It must be the only promise the soulless entity ever kept, Thoeba thought, as she waited for her chance to fight.

     They were vastly outnumbered, so much so that the angels were forced to retreat. Thoeba glanced up to see the first wave of refugees rising to the air. 

     The exodus had begun. 

     You will find her class of elegance, life study and amazing passion for fantasy has made its way to a thought provoking and entertaining discovery of the human spirit. THOEBA is truly a life changing read.

     For more information on Theoba you can follow her blog Earth to THOEBA and you can catch more of Donna Milward by following her on Twitter

     Both a printed copy of Donna Milwards Title THOEBA will be available Aug 1 2011 from Amazon, Vamptasy Publishing, and for the e.book copy you can purchase visit Smashwords for down load after Aug 1 2011

Happy Reading!