Salt/soda firing

Christmas Craft Fair at St John's, NL...Nov 9-13th

2011-11-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

The CCNL Christmas Craft Fair is open on:
Wednesday from 12-9pm,
Thursday from 10-9,
Friday from 12-9,
Saturday from 10-9
Sunday from 10-5

at the Arts and Culture Centre in St John's...lots of parking...free entry!!

Hope to see you there.

Best wishes

Linda and David

More fall icebergs

2011-10-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Location: Langdon's Cove route 391 Green Bay NL.

Location: King's Point / Rattling Brook route 391 Green Bay NL.

Location: Nickey's Nose Cove route 391, Green Bay, NL. Burlington-Smith`s Harbour in background.

Location: Langdon's Cove

Location: Harry's Harbour, route 391, Green Bay , NL.

Location: Harry's Harbour, Green Bay, NL.

Potters show by Alexis Templeton: "Feast of Pottery"

2011-10-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

King's Point Pottery will be part of a wonderful group show, the second annual Feast of Pottery at the Geo Centre in St John's from the 8 to the 10th of October, 2011. Produced by Alexis Templeton Studio! Hope to see you there!

http://www.alexistempleton.com/calendar/

More about the ice (berg) island

2011-09-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Q: Just how big is it?
A: Check out this short video!
It has lakes, rivers and water falls...birds, seals, (no bears that I noticed),.... pieces breaking off all the time,....it moans and groans... bubbles and boils....ice towers, ice faces...and of course super duper air conditioning

Petermann icebergs Baie Verte!!

2011-09-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

The Petermann ice island "B" in off Seal Cove on the Baie Verte Penninsula in Central Newfoundland, Canada. It is just unbelievable! Special thanks to Carl Osbourne of Seal Cove for arranging the boat tour.

Next door in beautiful Wild Cove harbour is a sizable chunk of the ice island with many iceberg dotting the local waters. Don't delay...go today!!!

It's Official "Bronfman Nominee"

2011-08-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE

From: Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

LOCAL CRAFTSPEOPLE NOMINATED FOR

PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD
*For immediate release.

ST. JOHN’S, NL (August 15, 2011) – The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador recently nominated two of its members for the Saidye Bronfman Award, Canada’s foremost distinction for excellence in fine craft. Linda Yates and David Hayashida will compete nationally for the award and its $25,000 prize, which is presented annually to exceptional fine craft artists.

The collaborating duo operates a studio, King’s Point Pottery, in rural Newfoundland and specializes in salt/soda firing and high-fired functional stoneware. “For more than 18 years, Linda Yates and David Hayashida have consistently evolved an ever-greater range of ceramic art, capturing the essence of contemporary Newfoundland culture and the attention of collectors, curators and critics,” noted Craft Council executive director Anne Manuel.

“With several provincial and national awards already under their collective belts, Yates and Hayashida are poised for great success. The recognition a Bronfman Award brings would be incredible for their careers as craftspeople.” She continued, “The Craft Council is confident in this nomination not only for the excellence of their ceramics, but also for the innovation of their techniques and the dedication they have shown as craftspeople and community leaders.” The extensive nomination package took two years to compile before it was ready for submission.

Yates and Hayashida, meanwhile, are delighted to have been nominated. “Receiving the Bronfman Award is simply the highest honour in all of Canada for any fine craft artist. Just being nominated is an incredible feeling. Almost all of our favourite master craftspeople have, at some point, either won a Bronfman or been nominated for one. We’re excited to be in the running!”

In its 34 years, the Bronfman Award has never been won by a craftsperson from Newfoundland and Labrador. This fact only adds to the excitement of the nomination, according to Yates. “While no one from our province has won this prestigious award, we’re confident that with so many outstanding craftspeople around us, it’s certainly not a question of ‘if’ it will happen, but ‘when’.”

In addition to the prestige and prize money associated with winning a Bronfman, the Canadian Museum of Civilization acquires creative works by the recipient for its permanent collection. The Bronfman Award was created in 1977 and became part of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts in 2007. The awards presentation will take place in March 2012.

The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is a member-based organization that works to maximize the artistic and economic potential of the craft community of the province. For further information, call (709) 753-2749.

– 30 –
CONTACT:

Jennifer Barnable Communications Director communications@craftcouncil.nl.ca

Tel: 709.753.2749

Co-Nominees for 2012 Bronfman Award

Linda Yates &David Hayashida

info@kingspointpottery.com

Tel: 709.268.2216

Opening Matter of Clay III

2011-08-09T06:18:00.001-07:00

It was a zoo!!!! It is some hard to push people back at a national event...to get a quick shot of work on the opening night! (4,500 sq ft of sensational work!) Thank you to Linda for picking me to go while she slaved away at the studio/shop in King's Point...but next time Linda goes to face the wild crowds! (Maybe one of the reasons it was so very crowded was because of CBC Radio's Mack Furlong of WAM...the Weekend Arts Magazine in NL did a story on this National show! They are so marvellous for getting the message out there to Canadians! http://www.cbc.ca/wam/episodes/2011/07/31/wam-july-30-31-david-hayashida/ )

Here Iam meeting thee Jonathon for the first time of the Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery. (Thanks to good friend Peter Schaefer for the pic!)

Finally no crowds...a shot taken after everyone left for the day...wow some of the finest work from all across Canada...what a treat and a half!

Spring, summer, winter, & fall. (Not quite in the perfect order...but still lovely.) Our tea bowls for the four seasons framed with Calvin Yates marine recycled Rattling Brook wharf stick tray on a bed of (uncooked) rice and chop sticks.(...water to cook the meal not included.) Local NL materials used on the surface and a variety of clay bodies used. (click on images for close ups)

Here's a close up of our "Sex on the beach: Nickey's Nose Cove Capelin Basket"
....mating Capelin on the handle and on the feet underside, local Paddy's Brook clay glaze (brown), and a Japanese "lichen" glaze on the exterior...very NL! (..special thanks to Jane Thelwell for the handle supplies and handle advice.)

Part of our "S" series (NL tin kettle series) OR as we call 'em here in Central Newfoundland a "Slut" (yes it is true, check your NL dictionary!) It is the architectural interpretation of our ever expanding "S" series. (FYI: Sheila Clennell (Ontario) has some amazing work (just the very corner of which is in this picture)...I could show you but 'no' I won't spoil it for you as it would be so much better to see them in person!!)

Meeting with other Bronfman nominee's...old friends and wonderfully talented potters (far left Mel Bolen (Saskatchewan) and far right Gordon Hutchens (BC) missing from the photo Bruce Cochrane (Ontario)!

The fabulous work of Reed Weir of NL! Reed had alot of amazing work at the show!!!

The Jonathon gallery front after hours. Thank you to Jonathon and Brian for putting together such an incredible show/event!! Everything is for sale for one month only...so head on over to London, Ontario to see this once every 5 year opportunity to see/buy some of the very finest ceramics from all across Canada. http://www.jonathons.ca/

King's Point invited to "Matter of Clay III"

2011-07-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

What an honour to be invited to this third national ceramics show! There are over 3000 years of accummulated ceramics skills/knowledge represented at this one show (by 102 artists). It really indicates how important a show (of this size) truly is when over half of those showing work will be there in person at the opening..KPP included! What a half decade treat!...it only happens once every 5 years. Hope to see you there or that you will get to take in the event before it closes.

What:
Canada's largest national ceramics exhibition is Matter of Clay III
When:
open to the public 12 noon August 5th, 2011 and running until September 2, 2011.
Where:
Canada, Ontario, London, 258 Dundas Street, Jonathon Brancroft-Snell Gallery! (North America's largest contemporary Ceramic Gallery)
Who: (102 of Canada's finest ceramic artists)
NEWFOUNDLAND&LABRADOR Yates. Linda , Hayashida. David, Weir. Reed
ALBERTA Chalke, John * Chaytor, Katrina (NL) * Manning, Les * Tipton, Barbara * Nipshank, Glen
BRITISH COLUMBIA Birstein, Suzy * Boyd, Bill * Brewer-White, Elaine * Delatour Lepoidevin, Susan * Dexter, Walter * Dyelle, JudiRolland, Laurie * Hutchens, Gordon * Marshall-Inman, Glenys * Mathison, Meira * Merkel, Gary * Michener, SallyNagle Stevenson, Pamela * Fox, Mary * Ngan, Wayne * * Webber, Pat * Weeden,Rogers, Craig Judy * Burgess, AlanBurgess, Meg * Card. Louise * Chinnery, Rachelle * Shigeno, Kinichi * Bowman, Marlene * Jefferson, Cathi
MANITOBA Lacovetsky, Alan * Metcalfe, Valerie * Archambeau, Robert * Dahl. Karen * Nickel, Grace * Stafford, Kevin
NEW BRUNSWICK Blake, Judy * Clark, Lee Horus * Clark, Yolande * Powning, Peter * Emenau, Darren * Thomas, Peter
NOVA SCOTIA Ravindra, Sally * Smith, Jim
NORTHWEST TERRITORYKruse, Astrid
ONTARIO Beam, Ann * Brandao, Celia * Campbell. Keith * Cochrane, Bruce * Daymond, Heather * diPetta, AngeloFisher, Marianne * Heinemann, Steve * House, Harlan * Irvine, Steve * Mah, Audrey * Markson, Mayta * Cabri, MimiMichaelson, Carol-Ann * Monostory, Zsuzsa * Mortimer, Ann * Nasr, Dian * O'Young, Kayo * Pratt, BernadetteRon Roy * Rossman, Carol * Wheatley. Joyce * Willoughby, Liz * Cloney, Helen * Roberts, Ann * Beam, AnongShadford, George * Donaldson, Judy * Driver-Kerslake, Heather * Franklin-Clennell, Sheila * Graham, JudithKerslake, Roger * Link, Sarah * Low-Beer, Susan * Creber, Diane * Swain, Chandler * Wilson, Jane
QUEBECFoulem, Léopold L. * Goyer-Bonneau, A & D * Legros-Wise, Enid * Mullavey, Dean * Murray, PaulaSavaria, Lisette * Vicente, Vera* Brouilette, Diane * Killoran, Audrey * Poissant, Gilbert * Savoie, MauriceBaghaeian, Mahmoud * Cotes. Rejean
SASKATCHEWANBolen, Mel * Epp, Carole * Mah, Jeannie * Rocamora, Anita

For more info: http://www.jonathons.ca/

Sorry no images (permitted) just yet...I'll post some images after the show opens after the 5th of August!

Icebergs at Fleur De Lys, Newfoundland and Labrador

2011-07-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

July 18, 2011

Icebergs are back in Fleur De Lys (on the Baie Verte Penninsula, Central NL) and many more (much much larger) bergs heading down to there!! Dale Shea from FDL was our skipper! Thanks to the Dorset Soapstone site who notified us of the bergs. Images by David Hayashida.

Spot the whale and berg!!

2011-06-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

Satellite gps messaging system or "spot" is our new whale and berg device!Central Tourism (DMO - (Shannon Pinsent-exec. dir.)) just started a pilot project where they have loaned us one of these high tech devices to let tourists know where to stop for whales and bergs.

If you see a whale or iceberg this summer-fall... please notify us asap pls at 268-2216 or info@kingspointpottery.com and we will let tourism and lots of other agencies know right away where to direct tourists!!! Any where from Triton to Shoe Cove and all the 30 places in between...let us know and we'll send tourists your way! Now there are 9 other "spots" in our central region but let us see if we can spot the most whales and bergs!

Spot the whale/bergs and get the tourists!!

Cheers David

We got it!

2011-06-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

We got it! "The world's most expensive chocolate bar" typically refers to thee one and only "Porcelana" by Amedei Chocolates of Italy. Awarded Best dark chocolate bar, Best bean to bar and the Golden bean award...it is one of the very best bars on the planet. So you now have the ultimate KPP choices for 2011: Porcelana at $24.00 a bar, Chuao at $17.00 a bar and Toscano Black 70% at $10.00 a bar. Certainly, these are not in everyone's budget but if they are in yours...how often can you get the world's best of anything for less than $25.00?

Wishing everyone a most delicious day.

Darkly yours,

David et al.

KPP

Burlington's Majumder Manor Man at King's Point

2011-04-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Burlington, (NL, Canada) born (now honest to goodness Hollywood type star of stage and screen...) Shaun Majumder (far right next to pop, linda, scott and finally me on the far left) dropped by King's Point to chat about his really big new project for outport Newfoundland and Labrador, the 12 part series "Majumder Manor" that will be shot/filmed on location in Burlington, NL! First it was Republic of Doyle (great show not just for "townies") but now....it's a whole new kind of Bay-Watch...NL style!

His idea is documenting the construction of a eco-lux-boutique-inn tv project (on the W network) on the Baie Verte Penninsula right here in the Central region of the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. Wow...very exciting stuff for the whole province...and to be seen around the world.
Keep a look out for it... and Shaun who is doing a cross Canada Tour
http://shaunmajumder.com/ and for updates on his "Majumder Manor" check out http://www.facebook.com/ShaunMajumder?sk=app_4949752878
and for more on "just who is that b'y from burlington see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Majumder

Best of luck to Shaun and his team in promoting outport Newfoundland and Labrador!

Japan Earthquake Fundraiser

2011-04-07T13:17:00.001-07:00

Here is the draft sketch of the "Hai (Yes) Japan- Iie (No) Nukes" tumblers now in the pre-production phase for our Japan Earthquake Fundraiser here at King's Point Pottery, King's Point, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. (Yes... this shape is based on the 3 mile island nuclear power plant cooling towers!) While the price is yet to be finalized for one of these limited edition tumblers, it will be around $25.00 each (any taxes, shipping... extra) and all of the profits will go to potters in Japan affected by the March 11th, 2011 earthquake. If you wish to get one for yourself, reserve/hold one or give one to a friend(s) you can either email or call or contact us in one of the following ways: http://www.kingspointpottery.com/ , info@kingspointpottery.com , or 709-268-2216....or if you wish to donate in other ways there is the fabulous http://www.leachpottery.com/ who are collecting money to Japanese potters in the Mashiko area or of course the gold standard red cross http://www.redcross.ca/ or doctors without borders http://www.msf.ca/ (or other reputable earthquake relief organizations supporting Japan.) Both Linda and I strongly encourage everyone to give something to the Japan Earthquake victims if you are able to. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this important message! Best wishes David kingspointpottery.com

6 shopping days left!!!!!!

2010-12-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks from all of us at KPP ...for all your patronage over the past 18 years (and counting).
It's not everyone thats lucky enough to build a small-local-handmade business in one's home town.
Nice to have had lots of help from Pop, David, Tracy,Wallie, Biscuit, Soapy..family, relatives, friends & customers.

Did I say Wallie helped with the photography...meow..meow...what ever that means...oh and of course we do not forget Ralph's long contribution.

And thanks to all our 70+ passionate handmade Atlantic Canadian artists (suppliers).

Newfoundland and Labrador: the people, the province, the government, ITRD, the Craft Council....thanks thanks and thanks some more. Hope you'all stay tuned for 2011 new salt-soda work...some very different work planned for next year.

We expect more "berry" delicious treats in the shop next year along with all the favourites everyone "screeches" for.

Remember the shop it still packed with all kinds of last minute gifts for those who might need just one more thing.

Cats , rabbits , and fish still in stock.

We are proud to have an all new Labrador section that we expect to expand on even more for next year.

Our traditional Caplin will be available along with new caplin colours for 2011. Our award winning local NL mineral jars will be expanded for 2011.

Expect an increase in exciting new products $20.00 and under for next summer.

We are open over the holidays by appointment or by chance.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and to all a good holiday season.

Linda Yates, Founder & Owner

KPP A top 5 Arts Newfoundland Destination!!!!!

2010-11-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

Well thank you very much to Martha Walls the editor (from Macintyre Purcell Publishing Inc http://www.bookofeverything.com/ ) and of course to Angela Antle (the artist/the host/the producer of CBC Radio's "Weekend Arts Magazine", WAM http://cbc.ca/wam/ ) for including us in the top 5 Arts Newfoundland Destination category!!

It's so crazy because we actually already carry this book in our gallery & shop but never realized we were listed inside on page 192...what a lovely surprising coincidence. Thanks to Rick and Susan for letin' us know!!

Who are the other fab 4 of 5...buy the book and find out!!

Thanks to all!!

ps: Is it just me or do exclaimation points together look like rabbit ears... !!

Your xmas ornaments store A to Z!

2010-10-27T17:48:00.000-07:00

A is for Angel, for Anglers, ......and for aunts...

B is for boot pins, boats, beach glass, .....brothers, me old boots...

C is for Caplin, crabs, (snowy) crystals....cousins......

D is for Deer, dears, dragonfly, (sand) dollars...darlings...

E is for the colour Ever-green of the Greenbay...

F is for (secret) friends, fabulous, (star) fishes...fathers......

G is for gigantic, glittering glass......Grans, granny, grandmothers,......

H is for Happy New Found Year, Humpbacks, Wish you were Hare, Handmade...Husbands......

I is for Inuksuk, Icy Icebergs,.........

J is for Jumpers......................

K is for King's Point, Kris-moose, Kris-kringle,.............

L is Loons, ................Luv's,...............

M is for Mummers, Mooses, Marble (bears).......Ma, Moms, mothers,........

N is for Napkin rings, ....nans, nanny,.....

O is for Ose egg, Orca, Orange stars....old christmas day, outports......

P is for puffins, pewter servers, pewter treasures,................ (secret) pals, pa, pop, poppy...

Q is for Quick, Quisms...long may your big jib draw....

R is for Rattling Brook, Raku (seahorses)

, Row houses.......

S is for Springdale, (a rainbow of) stars, skaters, secret friends, sis, santa....

T is for Thrummed mittens, times, twisted metal, .......teachers..........

U is for Urchins (bigger or smaller),....uncles younger & older.....

V is for Virginite...named right here in Green Bay! (by Norm Peters)

V is for Vases, Vamps.......sorry no vampires in stock.....

W is for wife...winter wonderland...and (baby) whales , whale (tails), whale (trees)...

X is for Xmas wreaths, xmas trees, xmas bath butters....

Y is for year end parties, yuletide, yummy......

Z is for zillions of xmas ornament choices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(And that is just the ornaments! Lots more gorgeous handmade gifts in stock!)

St John's Xmas Craft Fair 2010

2010-10-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

Its that time again...handmade shopping time!!!

We'll be at the Arts and Culture Centre for both the November 11th - 14th , the first half and November 18th - 21st for the second half of the fair as well. Tiny booth with new stuff...sorry no pictures...you'll have to see it in person...new rabbits, new cats, new fish, new spoons....

Ask about our 2011 King's Point coupon!

Hope to see you there and happy holidays!

best to all

Linda and David

http://craftcouncil.nl.ca/fair/default.asp

New, new, new & exclusive fine craft for 2010

2010-06-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

Looking for world class fine hand made craft while in Newfoundland and Labrador? King's Point Pottery fine craft gallery and gifts is such a place. Over 50 artists are represented in our retail shop this summer! But I think it best to just let some of the craft speak for itself with 'candid' shots fresh from the (100's of works lining the) hand crafted shelves of our hand crafted shop.

Overflowing with handmade works...

Passionately knitted wool/silk flowers.... (Winkleworks)

Humpback whale ware.... (King's Point Pottery)

Wooden el-bowls....

NL rock of the rock vases..... (Meyer's Minerals & KPP exclusive)

Froggin' groggin' mugs.... (S Thorne)

Perfectly frozen frosted plates... (A Templeton)

Van Gogh still lifes....(Meyers & KPP)

In cod we trust.... (I St John)

Essential soaps au naturel.... (NNS)

Merry Kris-moose.... (P Shoemaker)

Designer wooden dorys.... ( B Rourke)

One of a kind mirrors by 88 yr old craftsperson... ( C Yates)

Sand dollars go with everything... ( D Pike)

Unique NL peridotite.... (Meyers & KPP)

Lucky rabbit tiles.... (Kuzyk & Mackie)

Loonie for birds.... (F & V Warren)

Labradorite...... (L Collins)

Keats & Y(e)ates & other famous artist types....

Original art works.... (C Kansala & P Dorey)

Issac & Bach....raku seahorses....

Rare NL honey....

Whale bone jewelery.... ( W Hobbs)

Beach glass jewelery....(J Jenkins)

Freshly salted fish plates & knives.... (Yates & Hayashida)

Hot new glass fishes....( Kiln Art)

....avec Screech!!!!....(Dark Tickle)

Tea with Davis....

Post Dinner for Strangers work....(Yates & Hayashida)

Innovative metal work.... (R Cox)

Coates is king of the point.... (K Coates)

New chocolate for 2010....

Spalted birch.... (G & T Reid)

Crazy 4 cats..... (Kiln Art)

Caribou sculpture.... ( Labrador)

Rolling on the point.... (Yates & Hayashida)

Fusion of colours.... (Inferno)

10 different potters.... (S & A Butt)

Bakeapple tea, jelly, vinegar, jam, syrup,... (Dark Tickle)

4 Pewtersmiths...(Amos)

Starfish, (CC Saunders) starfish and yet more starfish....amazing one stop shoppin'!

Dr. Jon Lien and the Great Whale Tour Project

2010-05-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 16, 2010

Dr. Jon Lien Memorial Ceremony, MUN, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

Celebration of Jon Lien's Life: March 19, 1939 to April 14, 2010

Great Whale Tour presentation by David Hayashida

Thank you to Judy Lien for asking us to be a part of today's celebration. It is a very great honour to be speaking to you about the Great Whale Tour and how Jon inspired, Jon mentored, and Jon supported us and without Jon , it simply would not exist.

To date the Great Whale Tour is presently in phase 2 of a multi-phased, multi-million dollar project. Two whale pavillions, one in Triton and one in King's Point, Central Newfoundland will be open this summer. We hope there will eventually be 6 or 7. Each houses the reassembled bones of different species of whales. Education, research, tourism, conservation...are just some of the issues we intend to focus on at these sites. The final vision for the on-going project is the world's biggest display of whales, right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

My wife, Linda Yates and I met Jon in 1998 when he and his international team arrived to dissect a bowhead whale in the White Bay/ Green Bay area. That very first meeting changed our lives and inspired us to found the Great Whale Tour in 2001. Jon constantly did so much more than seemed possible to me to move the project from just another crazy idea to a very hard won reality....Jon personally and tirelessly located whales, towed whales, cleaned whale bones, hired students, wrote letters, researched, imposed on colleagues, consulted on concept...really anything ou could think of, Jon did it for us. I'm sure he must have slept but I don't know when he found the time for it.... But why did Jon do so much?

It certainly wasn't for the money because we had no money in those days. In fact he invested more time and money than we could ever repay. It wasn't for fame. He wanted nothing more than for us to shine the spotlight on the new whale man and woman of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr Wayne Ledwell and Ms Julie Huntington of the marine mammal release program. However, thankfully just a few years back, we were finally able to convince Jon that his name needed to become a visible part of the project, but only after we convinced him that it was really in the best interests of the project...so again why did he do so much? Two reasons. First he simply felt it was "the right thing to do"....and oh what a rare and beautiful quality that is in this world! And the second reason was it was yet another impossible project that he could make possible. Jon was a visionary optimist and catalyst unlike anyone else we have ever met!

In 2006 after 5 incredibly challenging years we received our first of two allocations so far of Provincial and Federal investment. "Dr Jon Lien's Great Whale Tour is now "out of the gate" and has a very long way to go...but it has the wonderful potential to continue to broadcast Jon's vision of stewardship, conservation, local benefits and what I call Jon & Judy's cohesive "planetarian" approach...not just humanitarian or just environmental but the reality of one connected blue sustainable planet for all.

In conclusion, Jon Lien supported many local ideas & individuals equally with national and international causes, with his passionate belief that the individual can and must make a difference. Linda and I hope all of you today will reaffirm in your hearts to continue to build on Jon's life work of caring combined with action. Thank you.

Donations to the Dr Jon Lien Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made online from the Memorial University of Newfoundland's home page http://www.mun.ca/ . Simply click on Alumni, then select "Donate Online" and make sure to designate the Dr Jon Lien Memorial Scholarship in the information box. If you know others who might wish to become part of this shared remembrance of Jon, please invite them to make a contribution, too!

Dr. Jon Lien Memorial Scholarship Fund

Alumni Affairs and Development

Memorial University of Newfoundland

St. John's, NL A1C 5S7

http://www.mun.ca/

To view a copy of the program for the Celebration of Jon Lien's life pls go to http://www.scribd.com/doc/31696172/Jon-Lien-Memorial-Program

New Group Show in St John's..with a new Woven Water style by KPP

2010-03-13T08:42:00.001-08:00

Robin Lambert is having a show in April 2010 at the St John's A1C Gallery , (Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada) called " Service: A Dinner for Strangers II". He has commissioned the following three ceramic artists to each create 7 place settings: King's Point Pottery, Blue Moon Pottery and Templeton Pottery.

Thanks to a New Creations Grant from the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Awards Committee, Linda and I had the chance to really go way out on a limb and try some wild new techniques! KPP created 100 glaze tests and from that, have come up with 7 brand new glazes for the show.

We have experimented with highly textured surfaces using what we call a "Woven Water" style to create 7 different place setting. I have included 10 (mystery) details of the new work so that you might just be tempted not only to come and see the exhibit but get in first hand and "partake" of the event(s)!

We have also tried new clays and firing techniques. It was a grand & expensive exploration that we hope visitors to the A1C gallery will really enjoy. Robin is hosting 3 potluck dinners and looking for volunteers!

Contact Robin Lambert and get in on the foodie experience! If I lived closer I'd have signed up by now http://www.robinlambert.ca/ lambert.ca/wordpress/?p=261. I wonder what Alexis Templeton & Isabella St John have come up with??? Can't wait to see their new 7 place settings!!!

The dates for the potlucks are April 15th , 22nd, and 29th..."come and share food, art, and conversation" with Robin Lambert & other "strangers". The A1C gallery is at 8 Baird's Cove Road, St John's, Newfoundland & labrador, Canada, A1C 6M9 1-709-237-0427. http://www.a1cgallery.ca/

Robin Lambert is an artist born in BC and presently teaching at RDC, Red Deer College in Alberta. He has a BFA from ACAD from Calgary and a MFA from the University of Regina. His first "Service: A Dinner For Strangers" was held at Bilton Contemporary Art in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

Woven Water: Linda (Yates) started out as a fiber artist...so colour and texture are close to her heart. We tried to explore the idea of liquid moving waves and to somehow freeze it in time on a whirling pot. Does it work? I hope some fibre artists/ weavers let us know their thoughts on our new experiments!

Friday April 30th, 2010 will be the closing night and all 3 ceramic artists and other participants are scheduled to attend. We hope you get a chance to see the show in April and invite you to join us all for the closing night festivities.

Thanks to Robin Lambert for commissioning us to create the place settings and thanks to Isabella, Alexis and the New Creations Grant for all the wonderful support!

Cheongju International Craft Biennale (CICB), Unity & Diversity

2009-10-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

World's Biggest Craft Exhibition, the Cheongju International Craft Biennale..its going to be very difficult to top this trip. A once in a life time kind of thing with 7000 images to prove it really happened (and was not just a dream!) Alot of firsts for us:

a.) First overseas exhibition for King's Point Pottery, Outside the box-Cheongju International Craft Biennale, CICB 2009, South Korea...for a first, really how do you top the world's biggest?

Image of Canadian Delegation: Photo credit King's Point Pottery
(Linda is in the top row forth from the right)

b.) First -part of Canada's Biggest International Craft Exhibition, Unity & Diversity, the Canadian Exhibition portion of the Outside the box-Cheongju International Craft Biennale 2009 Exhibition...yep it was the biggest Canada has ever done!
Contemporary dancers at the opening.
c.) First position in the 'Unity and Diversity' exhibit layout, The NL icon, our giant "slut" was selected as the introductory piece to the Canadian exhibit...thank you to the show designers who thought we would be a good fit!

Image of Linda and David beside "the secret to the return of the cod" at the entry way to the Canadian Pavilion's Exhibit, Unity and Diversity, Cheongju International Craft Biennale.

d.) First image in 'Unity and Diversity's' massive full colour catalogue....wow fabulous catalogue ..thanks go out to the CCF et al!
Traditional dancers at the opening.
e.) First international Design Magazine ( featured in 'Design House' of Korea)...so cool to be showing next to Chanel and Dior, eh?!
Temple in Seoul.
f.) First visit to Asia: Korea & Japan...hopefully not the last...thousands of years of ceramic inspiration!
Crazy stone statue with taps.
Of course we achieved none of these major milestones without incredible support: CIDP=the Craft Industry Development Program run by ITRD, CCNL & ACOA; NLAC; ITRD; CCF;.... lots of bank loans and lots of help from family and friends! Wow...thanks all very much!

The most amazing thing I saw the entire trip was...of course it was the people...the kindness and generosity we were shown by complete strangers...we're so grateful. Which is not to say we were not floored by all the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, & textures of worlds so very different from what we are accustomed. So much more to add but I'll get this posted and then start on the next installment of Asia.
Dragon roof detail in clay.

It's official...you are invited to show and make a presentation...

2009-09-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

It's official, the ceramic artists, Linda Yates and David Hayashida of King's Point, NL, are invited to personally attend the (world's biggest) show, to represent Canada, overseas at the Cheongju International Craft Biennale, CICB in South Korea!! Our Canadian presentation at the 50 nation event will be on 'Ceramic practice across Canada'. We will also be participating in the official Craft Tour of South Korea and a self guided research trip to Japan....we leave in just 3 days!!!

(Image: front of Invitation)

We were notified with just 2 weeks remaining so it has been crazy busy. Thankfully there is some provincial funding but most arts/cultural moneys for this event was cut last federal election. Our giant 12 foot high NL tin kettle 'standing on guard' at the front entrance to the Canadian section would have been next to impossible for anyone but ourselves to install...so we have taken out a loan to pay for the chance to represent our country!

(Image: Back of Invitation)

We have never been over to any part of Asia before so it'll be sooooome interesting! Right now both shoulders are smarting from the shots for going overseas...so's the pocket book....shots are expensive! The fabulous ceramic artist, Isabella St. John of Blue Moon Pottery, St. John's, NL has work in the show, will be doing her own presentation and will be travelling with us... "t'ree from d' bay."

(Image: Map of South Korea)

So thanks go out to: our many loans officers, the Craft Council of NL, NL Arts Council, ITRD of NL, Canadian Craft Federation, Provincial Craft Councils, CIDP (we hope), Potters across Canada, all our friends, family, colleagues and customers who are helping in a zillion different ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently business cards in the language of the country you are visiting is essential for building new relationships...logical but just another expense. Have a look at our last minute cards..on the left is the one for Japan and on the right our Korean card!!

(Image: Business Cards)

Please keep a sharp look out for our next blog entry with images from the world's biggest craft exhibition and all kinds of once in a life time Asia inspiration!! Thanks everyone...wish us luck!

Award winning internationally recognized artists...

2009-08-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

"You really need to do a much better job of letting the public know about your many awards, nominations, successes...you're suppose to be living on the Rock not hiding your triumphs under one!" that's what people keep saying to us. So here we go ...sharing the top ten recent highlights of King's Point Pottery's successes but this is also THE PERFECT CHANCE TO HAND OUT OUR DUES... (ie. our achievements are mainly due to the incredible support of family, friends, colleagues, industry supporters ... new & long time customers!!! )

(Linda in front of salt-soda fired Secret...) (l to r: Miriam, Mom & Linda at opening.)

01.) 200 crafts persons from across the country have been selected to represent Canada overseas this September 2009 at the world's biggest craft exhibition..50 nations, over half a million attending! King's Point Pottery was selected with 2 pieces to be shipped overseas...what a double honour! We are still shocked by it all & crossing our fingers... hoping that we also might be funded to travel to Cheongju South Korea to do presentations on site. (Our good friend Isabella St John also has a ceramic work going and we three hope to travel to South Korea together!) Thanks go out to the Selection Jury(s)for the show, CCF, NLAC, ITRD and the Craft Council of NL, CCNL for all their amazing support!!

02.) Our pottery was selected for an Excellence Award, "Juror's Choice" in July 2009 by the Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador for a one of a kind salt/soda fired kettle submitted for the Annual Members Show. The large piece has since been sold by the Craft Council Gallery to a collector in Ontario. Thank you to the Craft Council Jury and Gallery!!

(Juror's Choice Award salt -soda piece in progress.)

03.) Issue 76, June 2009 "Ceramics Art and Perception" of Australia has an article by Gloria Hickey called "Merchant Vessels". King's Point Pottery was one of the 4 teams invited by Gloria to participate in the wonderful "Merchant Vessels" show at the Art Gallery of NL last summer. What an honour to appear in such a well respected publication. Thanks to Gloria Hickey & Elaine Henry.

(Mini salt-soda fired Merchant Vessels.)

(One of 100's of sketches for website.)

(David Tilley doing on site promo shots with over 300 salmon, one warden & one potter.)

04.) On May 09, 2009 we officially re-launched our new & vastly improved King's Point Pottery website ( http://www.kingspointpottery.com/ ) built by the web designer/photographer/writer....David Tilley ( http://www.wildnewfoundland.com/ ) Don't say that wasn't a ton of work!

(David moderating at NCECA Salt & Soda Connections in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.)

(Alexis, Linda, Robin Hopper, David & Arlynn Nobel at NCECA)

05.) NCECA the huge annual USA clay conference was held in Phoenix and David was invited to facilitate a Connections session/presentation on salt soda firing for which he contacted potters from around the world to showcase their new and innovative work. (We did apply for funding assistance from ACOA & ITRD and still hope that will be approved.) (Linda & David at the ACCAE in Halifax receiving award.)

06.) King's Point Pottery was the recipient of the "Award for Excellence in Product Design" at the Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence, ACCAE in Halifax in February, 2009. It is like the Oscars for craftspeople in Atlantic Canada! We were also asked to help judge the best new product, best booth and emerging artist at the Atlantic Craft & Trade Show, ACTS. Thanks go out to the Craft Council for nominating us and the ACCAE selection jury for their confidence.

(Award winning salt-soda fired local mineral jars.)

(Award winning Calvin Yates, jack of all trades.)

07.) We won the award for the "Best New Product" at the Annual Fine Craft and Design Fair in St John's for our innovative local rock glazed lidded jars in November 2008. Local provincial rocks and minerals create unusual and interesting results... if you don't mind all the time and effort researching, collecting & processing the various raw materials! Thanks to the CCNL selection jury for the honour and Calvin Yates for the technical assistance.

(Nickey's Nose Cove Capelin Dish, Salt-Soda fired.)
08.) Lark Books USA produces a wonderful book series called 500, where they ask for submissions from artists all around the world. They select the 500 best pieces... and in July of 2008 they published "500 Platters" in which they included a piece called "Nickey's Nose Cove Capelin" by King's Point Pottery! Many thanks go out to Juror Linda Arbuckle, Lark Books and NL photographer Ned Pratt.

(l to r: Bruce Johnson, Gloria Hickey & Linda Yates planning layout at the Rooms.)

(l to r: Alexis Templeton, Isabella St John, Linda Yates & David Hayashida at the opening. Missing from the photo is Deb Kuzyk & Ray Mackie of Lucky Rabbit Pottery)
09.) In June 2008 there was the first major ceramics group show held at the Art Gallery of NL, called "Merchant Vessels". Gloria Hickey guest curated the fabulous show and she generously invited us to participate along with 3 other ceramic artists. What an incredible opportunity and thrilling occasion to share with friends and family. Thanks to everyone who supported us over the years...it was a glorious NL moment that we will always treasure! Our best to the dedicated and talented Gloria Hickey, the other amazing artists, everyone at the Art Gallery, CCNL, ITRD, ACOA....and our customers for making it possible!

10.) Everyone who is involved with clay in North America (and indeed around the world) hopes that one day they might appear in the pages of Ceramics Monthly, CM the world's largest ceramics magazine. In May of 2007 King's Point Pottery had a major article authored by the amazing Gloria Hickey appear in CM!!! To say it was a childhood dream come true is an understatement! We hope this is just the beginning of a very long & passionate journey in clay but no matter the length, we are very grateful for what we have been able to achieve to date and hope we can somehow repay the generosity so many have kindly bestowed on us from the very beginning! ...cue the music.."..we've had the time of our life and we owe it all to you (& u & u...)"

Iceberg anyone!

2009-06-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

(Image from D Hayashida)

YES, we still have icebergs. The big brute is in Jacksons Cove about 20 km from King's Point. (Call or drop in for a map or directions.)

This shot is 3 days old of the iceberg at dusk going right in front of the pottery! Awfully grainy I know but couldn't resist!

Lots of different products coming into the shop every week...drop by and see what's NEW!

Whales have arrived in King's Point!

2009-06-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

(Image by D Hayashida)

Notre Dame Bay...is it thee famous Humpback of Notre Dame?

Whale Alert: 2 Minke whales and 1 Humpback Whale touring King's Point's slowly melting iceberg! Also a BIG berg in Jackson's Cove!!!(14 June) While I didn't get a picture of the three of them today but I've lots of images that you may not have seen before and a (longish but with fun shots) story to go with them.

To say I have a fascination with Cetaceans, whales is a bit of an understatement. As soon as I arrived here in NL in 1993 I met this character.

(Image from D.Hayashida) A Humpback Whale about 50 feet long and Newfoundland has one of the world's largest summer populations...lots of them to watch!!! Meeting a whale is one of life's truly unforgettable moments (I hope all of you get the chance to meet them in the wild some day soon) and it certainly has changed my life. But not as much as meeting Dr. Jon Lien in 1997.

(Image from Lien Family) The friend of fisherpersons and whales all across Newfoundland and Labrador. His whale research group saved more whales than anyone else in the world! His infectious enthusiasm for the people of NL, the whales and the environment of this province has been catalyst for many people including myself. (Wayne Ledwell and Julie Huntington are doing an amazing job having taken over for Jon in doing whale release....) Dr Lien helped me articulate/build my first whale skeleton, a white beaked dolphin.

(Image from D Hayashida) Before reconstruction.
(Image from Linda Yates) After reconstruction.
Ever since 1997 he has been helping our region with a whale museum project that we hope will one day be one of the world's largest displays of whale skeletons & information pavillions (built from whales that have died from natural causes). The rare arctic Bowhead Whale was the first whale to wash ashore and while the bones were cleaned via Dr Lien & Alma Guy some time ago ...we still have it on our important to do list to have it completed and displayed.

(Image from Linda Yates) Here we see our dedicated volunteers Dennis Burt, Harvey Andrews & Ron Cakes helping move the Bowhead Whale bones into storage. In 2001 with the help of Alma Guy, GBEDA and Linda Brett, the then Executive Director of the Emerald Zone Corporation we started what will become Dr Jon Lien's Whale Ecomuseum Tour, which will include 6-8 towns from our Great Whale Coast region.(Westport, Middle Arm, La Scie, Baie Verte, Springdale, Little Bay Islands, Triton and King's Point) The Emerald Zone, EZC has been the glue that has kept our regional group together and moving forward...people like Chris Tuck & Randy Regular, the past and current development officers at the EZC have been the key facilitators in the trenches!

Of course we have met quite a number of whales here in King's Point since then, including this very inquisitive fellow. Cathy Kinsman of the Whale Stewardship Project helped to name the young whale "Kuus', which is a Beothuck/aboriginal word for 'moon' because of the shape you see when he surfaces to breath. He was a fun-tastic neighbour to us for an entire fall season!

(Image from Linda Yates) This year (2009) there was a record number of beluga whales sighted off the northern penninsula earlier this spring. We have always seen a few solitary belugas but never a giant pod...is it global warming...what does it mean when arctic animals start moving south?
(Image from D Hayashida) Can you guess what all these bones are from? Believe it or not they are the semi-cleaned bones of a gigantic 50 foot female humpback whale that drowned in Crab Gear in 2001. (Wayne Ledwell of Dr Liens Marine Mammal Rescue Group and Captain George Saunders of Cobbs Arm were able to save the youngster travelling with the mother but unfortunately not able to save the female.)

(Image from Linda Yates) This is a picture of two of the amazing (freezing) volunteers Kim Janes and Cal Cutler helping me take apart a frozen yet very smelly-oily 48 ton dead whale. Words can not describe how grateful I am for all the many volunteers that took part in the long difficult recovery process...thank you all so very much...I won't forget it and I'm sure you won't (be able to) either!

(Image from George Saunders) Since you have seen the dry bones, the stinky ribs...here is an image of the whale just after it drowned. The decompostion gases tend ot inflate the body into a temporary giant balloon...later it sinks to the ocean floor and becomes food for smaller sea creatures....the circle of life, eh!

(Image from D Hayashida) Jaw bones of a sperm whale.

The next whale for our regional project was recovered by the town of Triton. Rick Fudge (while on crutches!!) got their whale team together and they went to the Codroy Valley on the west coast and cut out the bones of a long dead 43 foot sperm whale, a.k.a. the world famous "Moby Dick".(Image from D Hayashida) Cal Cutler and Wayne Ledwell with a Sowerby's Beaked.
The next whale for the regional project was a Sowerby's Beaked Whale for the Town of Westport on the Baie Verte Pennisula. Thanks to years of hard work around the volunteer table by Daphne Warren (with Dr Lien's kind assistance) Westport had their bones cleaned.

(Image from D Hayashida) 80 foot Fin Whale near Middle Arm.

The next feat of super human volunteerism was by Ben Hull's energetic team from Middle Arm. They drove all the way over to Branch by Cape St Marys (and with the help of Wayne Ledwell and Tony Power and friends) recovered was is to date our biggest whale at 60 feet long!

(Image from D Hayashida) Minke whale with gulls & rough ice.

The town of La Scie at the end of the Baie Verte Penninsula was the next group to get their whale bones. With the help of Ben Hull and the EZC, the town of La Scie's group recovered the bones from a Minke whale.

Little Bay Island came close a few times to getting their whale bones but lady luck has just not been on their side yet. They will one day recover the bones of an Orca that Dr Lien buried many years ago.

(Image from D Hayashida) Cal Cutler shooting images of Potheads...aka Pilot Whales)

The town of Springdale is the current leader with 2 recoveries to their credit. Again a huge team effort lead by then Mayor Kevin Pollard (now MHA) Don Huxter, Wayne Ledwell, Carl Gillard and the Springdale Heritage Society and Springdale Town Council. They have recovered both a Narwhal and a Pothead whale.

Well there is so much more to tell but we'll leave that for another day!! Thanks for reading. Best Fishes...David

Chocolate - that's why!

2009-06-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

(image: some of the contestants for "who's the best?)

What's the newest gourmet reason visit "King's Point Pottery Fine Crafts and Gifts "this summer? To get in touch with your dark side!!

Over this past year we have been passionately researching dark chocolate around the globe! That included way over $200.00 in (delicious) taste- testing of premium world class chocolate bars. After coming to a truly 'sin'-sational conclusion, we placed the minimum order for our number one choice, $300.00 of a single type of dark chocolate bar. And as of today at 5:oopm island time we finally have the mouth watering winner in stock. What do you have to do, to find out who is the single winner and what does (one of) the world's greatest chocolate taste like?

Two things: Visit the pottery this summer for the usual world class shopping and bring your (decadent summer splurge) $12.00 to experience what took us a year of slaving over hot yet dark / antioxidant / flavonoid / bar after bar of choco-endorphin rush...(tough job but someone had to do it) and over $500.00 dollars to bring to the Island of Newfoundland for the very first time! Call us crazy, but we like to think of it as bit of a public service to the serious chocoholics visiting central Newfoundland this summer!

If you can't visit till late in the summer and are rightfully concerned that we might be out of stock of this "King's Point Exclusive" by then...you can call with your credit card and we will hold one bar until you arrive....sorry only one bar/reservation per person. (709-268-2216 North American)

Will it be "Love at first bite?"

Have ice but need bigger glass!

2009-06-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

A new neighbour just moved into "downtown" King's Point today. Guess who it is. He's tons of fun but can't take the heat. He's 20% 'above board' but 80% mystery. He's 20,ooo years old but very fresh. Well you might have guessed from all the pictures...a lovely fresh water, ...a piece of a Greenland glacier,.... a titanic killer of an iceberg! They are such amazing sculptural (natural) objects...each side is typically a totally different

look. Thanks to Mr. Dennis Burt we can see all the sides of this cool character!

Look the red roof is the pottery in the background!

If you can safely get a piece of stray iceberg ice into a glass of ?????? your favourite beverage it really is a memorable occassion! Fresh water with a heck of a bubbly fizz ...(has been my experience). Cheers!!

(Reason #003 to visit Newfoundland and Labrador!!!)

101 reasons to visit Newfoundland & Labrador: Reason # 002 Cape St Mary's!!

2009-06-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

Your "bucket list", (the do before you're done list) needs to include things you will never ever forget. The Cape St Mary's Ecological Reserve is just such a place. It is one of the largest and most accessible sea bird scantuaries in the world. 70,000 nesting pairs of birds call this home sweet home! The Northern Gannet with its magnificent 6 foot wing span dives into the water at 100km per hour, the smaller common murres dive 600 feet down, and the whales try their very best not to be shown up by their amazing feathered neighbours.

While the birds are the top attraction, there's alot more to see here...caribou herds, unique flora, wiley ravens, bald eagles...baaa....
Sheep farming means lambs running all around the middle of town in the near by community of Branch...which is something right out of Ireland in terms of language, lilt and looks. And the internationally recognized, "The Cliff House B & B" http://www.thecliffhouse.ca/ is a new, picturesque and spotlessly clean bit of accommodation over looking the ocean on the Branch waterfront. Local & passionate owners Chris and Priscilla are a wealth of knowledge about the plants, birds and history of the area. Rita's homemade local Bakeapple jam at breakfast is a gourmet treasure... you'll definitely be back for seconds.

This is the unforgetable view out the front porch window from the B & B.

While nothing can ever compare to the breath taking, in person visit to "the Cape", here is a short video to entice you to immediately get on your plane, train or auto...to come and experience the world class tourist destination of Cape St Mary's, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. (All video and images are by King's Point Pottery.)

One on One private throwing workshops!

2009-05-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

"...No experience necessary but open to playing with mud on the pottery wheel!" As we note on our website ( http://kingspointpottery.com/services.htm#Page3 ) we do offer private one on one throwing workshops. It may not be like the movie segment in "Ghost" but couples do enjoy learning to work on the wheel, making a piece, and decorating it... something that they get to keep as a momento! Yesterday we had two more adventurous types experience making a pot on the pottery wheel...they had a great time...and so did we! I'm going to try and add a video segment to this blog...for the first time so it's no Steven Speliburg movie clip but here is a random (and very unedited) segment of the throwing process from last night and a still image of the creators and their final products! Thanks to M & N (who were staying at the lovely Riverwood Inn http://riverwoodinn.ca/ ) for letting us take them for a spin...on the wheel!

Tracy Keats, KPP Apprentice

2009-05-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Our King’s Point Pottery Apprentice: Tracy Keats

Tracy is from Forteau, in ‘the Straits’ of Labrador. It was there, in her hometown that she ran her own pottery for 5 years before we persuaded her to join us here on the island portion of the province. The pottery is so very very fortunate to have a multitalented artist like her assisting us in King’s Point. Tracy is a talented potter, jewellery maker (...check out her fun boot pin's in the shop), soap (...love the lavender) & lip balm producer, photographer (...butterflies), wild plant expert (...labrador tea),…and that’s just the tip of the artistic iceberg! Here are just a few pieces of her fine work that we will hope will give you a hint of just why we are so thrilled to have her here in King’s Point, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. (P.S.: To see a picture of 'The Trace' please refer to the previous post.)

C'est fait!!!

2009-05-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

The website is officially re-launched as of May 7, 2009...dancing in the streets!!! ( http://kingspointpottery.com/ )Huge thanks go out to our web site person David Tilley, (and his web site is http://wildnfld.arcpsychologicalandcounselingservices.com/ ) If anyone is thinking of doing a website or rebuilding one give him a shout and feel free to email me and we can chat too...so much homework for you and your webmaster...LOTS to think about!!! I can't remember when we have been this excited ...not since we met in person Shelagh Rogers from CBC last November at the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador's Fine Craft and Design Fair in St John's, NL. (Photo Credit: J. Laaning. From left to right, Tracy, Linda , Shelagh, & me). Shelagh and (the late) Peter Gzowski (Photo Credit: CBC) are two of our many favourite radio personalities! We are so addicted to the fine work that CBC produces..especially CBC radio...WAM, radio noon, check up....!!! Pls do visit our site if you can and let us know what the good and the bad is so we can make it better! Take Care!!!

Ps: You can now find us on Facebook too!!

101 reasons to visit Newfoundland and Labrador: Reason 001!

2009-05-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

Ok...this is not about clay exactly but it does inspire the artist in everyone. Indian Burying Place is out the bay from King's Point (Pottery) on the Baie Verte Penninsula, Central NL, Canada. A must see destination...it's a movie set like ghost town...Newfoundland style a.k.a. a resettled community. Haunting and gorgeous. You can watch the wild hops slowly tearing down the old buildings piece by piece...poetry in motion. Dennis has taken us out every year...whales, eagles, and Indian Burying Place...perfection. Don't just take my word for it...as a globe travelling tourist said to Den after a day out the bay...three words, "best trip ever".

24 April 2009

2009-04-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

OM gosh!! ...as they say these days. Yesterday we heard one piece was going to the Unity and Diversity Exhibition at the Canadian Pavilion of the Cheoungju International Biennale in South Korea and today a second piece ...and what a second....assuming all goes well...it is called " The Secret to the Return of the Cod" and I have attached an image of Linda Yates in front of the piece. Not only are we told is it going to Korea but next year it will be heading to the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver Canada!! (Update: May 11th...oops... the final decisions on Vancouver are not completed...time to cross the fingers and toes, eh!) We are over the moon and them some. Thank you to all the selection committees for deciding we had something to offer for the Canadian Show...what an honour!

March & April News Flashes

2009-04-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

Big News "1" The reconstructed website is almost done ...1-2 weeks max. and it will be unveiled!! Any one thinking of creating or recreating their site multiply the estimated effort by 3 or 4 augh!!!!! But do I love the new site? Yes, YEs, YES!!!

Bigger News "2" NCECA in Phoenix was fabulous. We were selected to lead a discussion session on Salt & Soda firing! And the amazing Soda fire innovator Gail Nichols from Australia was there to field questions!! Thank you so much Gail! Just love NCECA...1700 images on just one of our three cameras!

Biggest NEWS "3" Best for last... we just were informed that one of our clay pieces has been accepted to Korea - 'Unity & Diversity' Exhibit - Cheoungju International Biennale - September 23 -November 1, 2009 via the Canadian Craft Federation. Wow...what an honour. Dancing in the streets time!!!!

Lots more but I'll add to this tomorrow. How about a pic from NCECA which might surprise some because it's not clay rather it is ceramic or rather glass I should say Dale Chihulli (spelling error I'm sure).

Hello from King's Point Pottery Newfoundland!

2009-02-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

David here (of "Ltd", of the Newfoundland , Canada, team of Linda Yates-Tracy Keats- David Hayashida)...no time like the present to start a whole new thing...my very first 'green'-bay post...I blame ( in a good way) the web marketing pro's at Digital Daisy Inc http://www.digitaldaisy.com/ and Emily Murphy http://www.emilymurphy.com/the soda gal from Chicago for inspiring me to just try it and see...this blog thing as a tiny start to the huge task of totally updating our website (Http://kingspointpottery.com/ ) yes...people tell me it is the new part of having a good site is having things that work with it and this did seem like the easy place to start. But salt/soda firing is what this blog is about so I'll try and drop in the scallop version of one of our "Rocking Slut teapots" and call it a day for my first effort. Hope the image appears! I guess I had better clarify something before I go. The word "Slut" is the newfoundland term for a tin kettle or in 'mainland' speak a teapot. ..and for all the hardcore ceramic types....cone 11 reduction, seawater/soda mixture, stoneware, propane fired...lots of info on salt/soda at http://saltandsodafiring.ning.com/ ...huff...puff I'm back to finally finish this yet again... the plow just arrived to dig us out from an additional 18 inches...everything buried, again! Maybe just a quick image of me and the cats (Wallie & (grommet?) no actually biscuit (after the type of firing))here in the wee bit of snow.