Welcome to Our 35th Year at Ellison Bay Pottery

Entrance to our gallery….

John started potting 43 years ago, and I fell into it more like 16 years ago.  He first studied in college, took one year in grad school, then apprenticed with Abe Cohn, a Wisconsin Master Potter in Milwaukee WI. and Fish Creek, WI., who recently marked 50 years in the Fish Creek, WI in his gallery and studio The Potter’s Wheel.  Abe, well over 80 years old, is still potting.  In 1974 John bought 10 acres of Driftwood Farms, an apple and cherry orchard.  The property was an old apple packing and storage barn, which he converted into a studio/gallery/home.  We married in 1994 and soon I was making ’stuff’ in the studio, not just waxing and glazing.

In 2000 we began pit firing in an above ground pit (built with hard and soft bricks) in an almost off handed way.  Someone asked us if we would like to do one pit firing with them and could we provide the land, wood, bricks, materials, insurance etc?  Sure, why not.  And then, we found that we liked doing this so much, we began doing it weekly.  Then we held public demonstrations and, finally, selling bisqueware to customers so they could do it with us.  So, nine years later, with many experiments and failures to support us, we find we can get some good results, almost consistently.  The Wednesday workshops begin in May and end sometime around the end of October.

We’re also parents, grandparents, gardeners, readers, singers and caretakers of many animals…including the wild ones who inhabit our outdoors.

Chad Luberger’s Recent Kiln Opening

Chad Luberger’s Photos

Chad is a very fine porcelain potter although he’s been messing with the stuff for only a few years.  He’s got passion for his medium, his shapes and glazes.

We visited his studio/gallery a few weeks ago and fell in love with his new goblet shapes.  And his mugs.  You should take some time and see his work.

And then, resident jeweler, Angela Lensch, not to be misssed.  I want one her necklaces, and I’m not telling you which one, either ;- D

Studio and Gallery Recycling

A few years ago I bought my last box of handled brown craft bags to put our customer’s purchases in.  I resisted getting our logo or name on them, and instead designed my own hang-tag, printed them, paper punched a hole and tied each one on the handle.  For X-Mas I used red and/or green ribbon.  Otherwise, black ribbon.

Then, we ran out, and we needed more and had no money at that moment, and that’s when we made the best cost saving move ever: we recycle grocery bags.  We even use the paper bags used to slip your bottle of wine in (note: many stores have given this up) and the ubiquitous plastic shopping bags.

My family and friends give us all the shopping bags they bring home with other businesses logos on them, so ‘You’re Welcome’ Target, Walgreen’s, Shopko, Piggly Wiggly, Gap, Barnes & Noble etc.  (all copyrighted so no worries).

If we run out we can actually by them from our local grocery store (Thanks Carol @ the Pioneer Store), though we don’t often resort to that,.

Last week a customer asked for a gift box.  With bubble wrap.  And a card.  I told her I could give her one of the boxes we recycled, that I used newspaper to wrap our pottery, and I had a good clean 3×5 card for her to write a note on.

“No gift box?”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   “No. That’s how I save on costs, which I would have to pass on to you.  And we get to recycle.”
“That’s ok, I don’t mind.”
And then her husband piped up and said, “I like it, it seems more authentic.”

So, he got it.  Free is better.

More recycling stories:
In our pit firings the fuel, sawdust and other combustibles are all almost all free.  We do buy slab wood so we have a consistent source of wood, but everything else is free.  And the wood worker friends we have enjoy knowing their waste is not wasted dumped in the woods, but creating more art.  I know, the sawdust isn’t wasted, but you know what I mean, right?

Woodwalk Gallery: LOST MOTHRA!

Here’s one more thing to add to Friday’s list of things to do

LOST MOTHRA! .

Clay Bay Pottery Summer Show: Tree of Life: Out on a Limb: July 10

Wanted to let our readers know about this show.  Jeanne and David Aurelius invite up to 15 artists to their annual show, which always has a theme.

This year it’s trees, and I am excited about this.  Hope we can get over there Friday, July 10

Tree of Life: Out on a Limb.

A favorite Door County Painter: Emmett Johns

emmett johns.

I really can’t chose between his landscapes, portraits or abstracts.  Emmett Johns is passionate about his work.  He captures the light, the feel, the meaning of places.