SERVICES

Equipment Repair

It's amazing how one thing leads to another.  It all started with my grandfather who was into ham radio and owned a TV repair shop.  His interests sparked development of my own venture into electronics.  Over the years, beside being a potter, I've also been an electrician, biomedical equipment technician, navigational aids technician, mechanic and luthier.  This, of course bled over into my pottery.  I kept looking at all the broken and poorly maintained equipment in studios I visited and always thought, "I can fix that!"  Or, better yet, "I can make a better one of those!"  My wife hates to hear me say that one.

Kilns

I was fortunate enough to attend factory training at Skutt Kilns.  I repair all makes and models.

 

Wheels

Electric and kick wheels. 

 

Pug Mills

 

Slab Rollers

I have a North Star.  Love it!

 

Other miscellaneous equipment

All that miscellaneous broken stuff that hanging around your studio...

Workshops

I periodically conduct raku pottery and raku kiln building workshops at Glacier Alaskan Pottery. They are educational and fun.  If you would like me to conduct a workshop in your area don't hesitate to contact me.  I am always looking for an excuse to fly my plane around Alaska.

 

I’m planning a workshop at the UAF Northwest Campus in Nome this summer.  Details are yet to be determined but it’s looking like it will happen late May or early June.  If you would like to attend, please contact me.

 

 

Fire Brick:

Being a brick collector is heavy work, but  I just can't resist gathering brick when the opportunity presents itself.  Firebrick is so expensive in Alaska.  If you need brick I have some for sale from time to time.

My introduction ceramics began in 1974, at Lathrop high school, here in Fairbanks, Alaska. Although there have been times when I have done other things like running a guitar repair shop for a few years, going to college or raising a family, pottery always remains as a key interest.  There is just something about taking a sticky mass of mud and kneading it and shaping it until the result is a beautiful and useful article that has the potential to last longer than I do. 

 

After further ceramics training at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, I married my high school sweetheart we moved to Kirkland Washington to attend bible college. There I worked with a local arts guild to rebuild their gas kiln improved my potting skills. Missing the great land and people of Alaska, we returned to Fairbanks where I continued my education in ceramics and electronics engineering.  I  occasionally teach ceramics classes and provide demonstrations local schools and I am an  active member of the Fairbanks Potters Guild. You will find my work at local galleries, the Farmers Market and gift shops.

 

We host an annual midnight sun raku festival in June on a Saturday around the equinox (June 22).  If you would be interested in coming over and eating some good cooking at a potluck dinner please contact me to see when the next event will be.

 

Given my electronics background, I've branched out to kiln repair as well. I'm fascinated with this aspect of the craft.  My current projects are building my own electronic kiln controller and this summer I hope to complete a multi-fuel version of an Olsen downdraft kiln that will burn wood, waste oil and propane.    Check back for pictures and a story.

 

The pots are made from stoneware clay fired to 2200 degrees to provide beautiful and durable ware. They are microwave, dishwasher and oven safe. But if you want your pots to outlast your grand children then heed the following advice.  Pottery should not be subjected to rapid extreme changes in temperature such as placing it directly in a hot oven when taken from the refrigerator.  To ensure a long life for your pottery allow it to warm to room temperature or preheat it with warm tap water prior placing it in a hot oven.  I actually test my materials by freezing and dunking in boiling water several times to see if it will crack.  While the pots will stand up to a great amount of temperature shock, they will eventually crack. But, if you treat them well and they will last for generations.  Be nice to your pottery and it will be nice to you.