December Dialogue

On the 3rd day of December, my true love said to me.....

PW: Did you see the full moon tonight? 

P: Yes. The cloud cover is breaking up a little. 

PW: The surface of this cup reminds me of clouds at night. 

P: Really? It reminds me of the texture of an orange or a lemon. It has a rare, waxy matte surface to it. That's the result of slow cooling the soda kiln. 

PW: Look at the back side of it. It's totally different. 

P: There is a lot of depth to this surface. It's hard to really capture the true likeness in a photograph of it. Can you see these crystals growing over the hard shiny glaze underneath?

I can't remember the sand I used in this clay body. But I know it is different than the normal kind I use. See these more deeply corroded pockets of sand? The soda eats away at the quartz sand particles. It's erosion. 

PW: Looks like this one got hammered with soda, on all sides? 

P: Yeah, it has a nice coating. It's well balanced, all around. Not overstated in anyway. The lip undulates, in a similar way to the movement in the trimming lines at the bottom. There is a kind of subtle fluidity to the whole cup, from the foot to the belly to the lip. 

PW: Ah, balance. A hard thing to achieve sometimes. In life...

P: The ski hill opens on Friday. 

Yunomi cup $45
To purchase email robin@robindupont.com
Perfect for an après ski Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy Recipe:

Boiling water

4 cloves

Lemon or Orange twist

2 tsp brown sugar

1/4 oz fresh lemon juice

2 oz bourbon, rye whiskey, or scotch 

December Dialogue

On the 2nd day of December, my true love said to me....

PW (Potter's Wife): Do you have any more shot glasses from that firing? 

P (Potter): Yes, why? 

PW: Well, we could have sold that first one I posted three times over! So I thought it would be a good idea to post another one today.

P: How about this one? 

PW: Oh sweet, it's like a his and hers. 

P: Did you know that for me this form is all about that little spot where your fingers sit when you lift the cup?  Just above the foot, where your fingers can easily nestle into. It's kind of ridiculous how much I think about that spot. 

Here, hold it. 

PW: Do you think people that use your cups think about that spot? 

P: Maybe. One of my friends who is a potter told me he loves these cups because for him it's as though the cup is holding onto him - it just fits that well in his fingers 

PW: Hmm

P: Perhaps they're more likely to think about why the surface is the way that it is. Kind of the potter's dilemma, rectifying the form - surface dilemma. I do like the surfaces of these cups. There is a quality that is hard to explain. I've heard many different explanations for it. It's kind of shimmery, you know the way that ice shimmers, how it can have both matte and shiny surfaces at the same time - creating depth. I've also heard it described similar to sugar. The way light refracts off its crystal structure. 

And the black specks on the inside are iron spots. I mix local sand into the porcelain, just to make it dirty, or give it more depth. 

PW: Whoa, that's deep. 

P: I guess that's what happens when we drink whiskey and talk about pots late at night. 

Whiskey Cup $35

To purchase email robin@robindupont.com

Whiskey still not included. 

December Dialogue

On the first day of December my true love said to me......

PW (Potter's Wife): What do you think about posting a photo online everyday of one of your pots?

P (Potter): Why would we do that?

PW: Because it's December. It'd be kind of like a countdown to Christmas.

P: Like Roscoe's lego advent calendar?

PW: Yeah, but better. Pots not lego.

P: Right, we have enough lego. But, who gets the pots?

PW: Whoever wants them! People that are looking for Christmas gifts for their friends or family, or maybe they just want a new mug for themselves.

P: Okay, when do we start it?


PW: Today. Today is December 1st

P: It is?

PW: Yes.

P: Wow, this year went by fast.

PW: Seems to go by faster every year.  So, what's the first pot?

P: I don't know. What do you think about this little shotty?

PW: Did that come out of the last train firing?

P: Yeah. I made them specifically for that firing. I used a really soft clay body because it seems to emphasize a certain quality that I like.

PW: Are these for whiskey?

P: Yep. We can make a toast right now to kick start the countdown!

PW: Then the pot would be used!?!

P: No, just test-driven. See, it works pretty good.

Whiskey Cup $35
To purchase email robin@robindupont.com
Whiskey not included.
Happy Holidays;)

In the spirit of making pie and giving thanks....

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on The Potter's Wife, for any number of excusable reasons and rearranging of priorities.  But this morning as I was making pie for Thanksgiving Dinner, and remembering the last batch of pies I made for a group of enthusiastic individuals.....I'm reminded of how important it is to stop and take stock every now and then of what we’ve been up to.

Earlier last month we hosted 12 wonderful people at our property for a firing workshop. It was a mix of urban/rural, BC/AB, male/female, experienced/new to clay enthusiasts. Organized by the Alberta Potters Association, the initial intention and group’s desire was to fire our train wood kiln. Leading up the workshop, the three straight months of summer sun was terrific in many respects, but who knew it would throw a monkey wrench into our fall firing schedule as well. Due to the unprecedented fire season here in BC, the wood firing workshop evolved into a soda firing workshop which the group graciously accepted as a consolation prize.

They fired the gas fuelled soda kiln twice, each time employing slightly different firing strategies to add to the learning opportunity around atmospheric kilns, and in turn achieved varied surfaces in their work.  In between body reduction and soda introductions, Robin gave talks on his atmospheric processes, firing techniques and shared stories about the endless variables at play in this genre. The group toured the studio, milled about the kilns and wood piles and frequented the airstream gallery to contemplate the finished work and surfaces.

Instead of chopping and stacking, the change accommodated for more visiting and great conversations around this ‘life with clay’. 


As a pottery adjacent (non-maker), I am always so appreciative of the clay community. These folks were awesome in every way! They were respectful of our property and privacy, helpful and engaged, and evidently invested in taking it all in.

I so appreciated everyone’s contribution around our place, to prepare and share meals together and to add to the dialogue around what it means to embrace a life with clay. Seen through their eyes, I am thankful for the reminder of what we’ve built here on the mountainside and look forward to more opportunities to share and educate others that wish to contribute to what we’re creating here.

So in the spirit of eating pie and giving thanks this very weekend, thank you;) 

Until next time….

A Second chance

Wonder what happens to those pots that don't quite make the grade? The cracked, warped, crazed and wobbly pots?

Some lucky ones are getting a second chance these days, where they would usually be destined for the shard pile, a certain someone is hauling them up into the woods and putting them to good use.

Introducing the Hazelnut Cafe! Now open for business. The menu boasts some fabulous fare, and it is always a delight to see what arrives at the table.

Handcrafted from all local and organic forest ingredients, the food is fun and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. There is even a resident dog that is always happy to join you for a meal of nature's treats.

I think we have another maker in our midst, and the pots I think are feeling lucky to live another day!

Taking a Break

I recently took a break from coffee. The 'coffee break' is something we tend to do, maybe once a year, just to say we can, and its a good reminder of just how dependent we are on it. This is typically not an easy thing for me to do, and usually goes hand in hand with a few headaches, some irritability, a lack of motivation and generally a foggy state...but not for long. I drink a little more tea, shake up the morning ritual a little, try out a few different drinking vessels. And before I know it, I'm good and satisfied with the break and back on coffee.

It's not so much of a break, as it is a productive pause, let's call it. Enough time to step back, change things up a bit and appreciate both the break and the habit! I love coffee, too much to give it up for good. And I love to write, too much to give it up for good.

I've taken a break from this blog writing, enough time to take stock and reevaluate what and why I want to write.

The DuPont 12 months of Twenty-Thirteen

In the first month of 2013, the DuPont family…

…Ice sculpted in -40 degrees, learned the art of the Winnipeg scarf wrap, said a sad goodbye to our beloved Papa.

In the second month of 2013, the DuPont family…

…lost a couple of teeth, celebrated Festival du Voyageur, got stranded in a blizzard in North Dakota.

In the third month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…hosted new friends and old in our Winnipeg home, learned to ride bikes in the snow and played Hide-N-Seekah.

In the fourth month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…had indoor picnics, easter egg hunts and waited for the floods.

In the fifth month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…watched the snow FINALLY recede, celebrated a birthday and had our first outdoor Picnic.

In the sixth month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…visited the shores of lake Winnipeg, packed pots and our belongings and headed back west.

In the seventh month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…hurriedly planted a garden, unpacked (sort of), and lived amidst forest fires and jet fuel spills.

In the eighth month of 2013, the DuPont family…
… shuffled around unpacked boxes, took home two first place ribbons in a bike race, hosted our annual Studio show & sale.

In the ninth month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…started back at school, enjoyed friends and local outings and were overwhelmed with the incredible support and comments that came with Robin’s RBC Emerging Artist Nomination.

In the tenth month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…dug trenches and installed water lines, continued to marvel at the support for handmade pottery, and travelled to Toronto for the People’s Choice event.

In the eleventh month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…took a deep breath, finally unpacked the remaining boxes and celebrated Isla’s 8^th birthday with a big surprise party.

In the twelfth month of 2013, the DuPont family…
…welcomed a new niece to our extended family, celebrated Roscoe turning 6 with a skating party and hunkered down in our cozy home in the snowy Slocan Valley.