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Located in NW Indiana, near the town of New Carlisle
between Lake Michigan and a huge Beech Tree
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November 9, 2016: The sun came up...
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It illuminated our two sturdy, hand-built kilns, the surrounding enduring beeches, and our lives. It's a new morning, no matter the outcome of the previous day.
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Another work day begins at BlackTree Studio. Lots of fresh-brewed coffee; Jenny, the hound, is fed (never enough in her opinion) and the cats take their turns at the single feeding bowl (funny as potters we would mince on bowls). Steve's freshly made "wrapped" bowls sit on the studio's porch to dry as we schedule our future firing before Thanksgiving.
As daunting as it feels the day after Election Day, we have a renewed responsibility to ensure that ALL of our family, friends, customers, and community feel welcome and safe at our studio and shop, and to create beautiful things for everyone to use and enjoy.
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Upcoming Holiday Venues
If you live in this part of the country, please join us.
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Autumn Artisan Market
Where: Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks, MI
When: Saturday, November 19 from 10:30 EST - 7:00 EST
Sunday November 20th from 10:30 - 5:00 EST.
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Steve and I love this festive venue located in the vast space of Journeyman Distillery. And at the end of day at the Distillery we will partake in a great meal and an "artisan" cocktail. Consider that a benefit of visiting this Market.
A pair of WRAPPED VASES (wide & narrow styles) ~ stoneware ~ approx 10" high ~ $65. Available at BlackTree Studio Pottery, or click here to email The Potter's Wife.
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Journeyman is housed in a fabulous historic building with wooden floors and giant timbers which reflect its former 1880s manufacturing use as the EK Warren Featherbone Factory. Mr. Warren founded a buggy whip, and corsets factory in 1883. He made his fortune when he revolutionized the manufacturing of corsets with the use of the softer featherbone, over the stiffer whalebone for corsets.
If you can make your way there this Saturday or Sunday simply say: "CORSETS" for a 15% discount at our BlackTree Studio Pottery booth.
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Indiana Artisan Holiday Marketplace
Where: Grand Wayne Center, downtown Fort Wayne, IN
When: Saturday, November 26 from 10:00 EST - 6:00 EST
Sunday November 27th from 10:00 - 4:00 EST.
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Steve is an "official" Indiana Artisan and will join his brothers and sisters-in-art at the Holiday Marketplace in Fort Wayne.
In 2010, a Resolution of the Indiana Legislature created Indiana Artisan to identify, recognize and promote the state’s highest-quality art and foods.
WRAPPED BOWL ~ stoneware ~ 14" dia.
Available at BlackTree Studio Pottery, or click here to email The Potter's Wife
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Another stoneware WRAPPED BOWL (like the blue one above) this time with a creme brûlée glaze ~ 14" diameter
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"It was hard for me to put a hole in my bowl," said the potter.
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FAVORITE BOWLS as planters ~
Stoneware ~ Approx 5" h x 3.5"- 4" dia ~ $55.00
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Many of you are gardeners and will understand my need, as winter approaches, to bring my garden indoors. For some time now, I've been wondering how to design plant containers with Steve's sculpted, organic aesthetic. When the owner of ALAPASH, a lovely Chicago home decor shop, ordered 20 FAVORITE BOWLS... with drainage holes, I had the opportunity to prototype the idea. "It was hard for me to put a hole in my bowl," Steve said, but in my opinion, there's a lot of potential here as a new design.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? I'd love to read your thoughts so email me.
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Two adaptations of BlackTree Studio bowls for plants.
My favorite: the oval wrapped bowl on the right.
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Another favorite design...
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"I first saw this stoneware bowl as my husband removed it from his kiln. It conjured up an alchemist's workshop where crucibles were used to melt gold. Caught up in this vision, I named his design, the CRUCIBLE bowl."
From Bread&Crucible
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CRUCIBLE ~ stoneware (some with porcelain inlay) ~ 5" high x 7" diameter ~ $80 with Bread&Crucible booklet. Available at BlackTree Studio Pottery, or click here to email The Potter's Wife.
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I'm not going to place a big placard in my store front window which reads: LOST MY LEASE -- but I have. My landlord, who has become a great friend, rented me this storefront in October 2013. Now, the building has to be sold. I will close The Potter's Wife at the end of December.
Over the last three years, I've had the opportunity to meet so many of you, our customers and supporters, at my shop in rural NW Indiana. Other customers, I met at art shows across the country, yet when you were traveling through NW Indiana you made a detour to visit The Potter's Wife and see more of Steve's work. How can I express my thanks for such interest and support?
For over 30 years I was a museum exhibit designer. My shop gave me the serious opportunity to create a beautiful space in which to present pottery and artwork, to welcome and engage customers, visitors, and those who were simply curious, and to continue the pleasure of exhibit designing even after retiring as a "professional".
Of course, Steve will continue to make pottery...our 2017 show schedule is robust, both retail and wholesale. We have 2 hearty reduction kilns ready to fire throughout the next year, a beautiful studio space with views that change every season, and pounds of clay to use. I will continue to promote BlackTree Studio, send out E-blasts, meet new customers, collectors, friends whenever possible, and continue my work as a photographer.
Of course, I want another storefront and will quietly search for a new one. Steve and I have considered using our beautiful BlackTree Studio location for community kiln openings and scheduled studio tours. In the meantime, The Potter's Wife will be open through December 2016. If you have the opportunity, please stop by, and thank you.
Louise Belmont-Skinner
The Potter's Wife
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Cyclists stop by The Potter's Wife on their ride across country.
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Louise Belmont-Skinner
The Potter’s Wife Shop
111 E Michigan Street
New Carlisle, IN
Store Hours thru Dec 24th:
Thursday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM
Sunday - noon thru 5PM
Closed Nov 19 & 20
Closed Thanksgiving thru Nov 27th
Louisemarion@mac.com
773.318.916
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We moved to rural northwest Indiana from Chicago where we lived for 30 years.
We are both trained artists. We run the studio as a team discussing the concepts, designs and business behind our pottery, everyday. We have taken on distinct roles: Steve creates most of the pottery and I manage the business, marketing and photos, and The Potter's Wife which, exclusively sells pottery from BlackTree Studio.
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The Elene William Kiln: named after Steve's grandmother who inspired him to be an artist.
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We fire in 2 gas kilns. It takes 14-16 hours to fire to 2400 degrees, then 3 days to cool it down. Our pots must cool slowly. We glaze only the pottery's interior making them susceptible to cracking if cooled too quickly.
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However, at the end of the process, when the kiln's temperature drops below 100 degrees, and we unbrick the kiln's opening, the results can be spectacular.
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The Joyce Kiln in springtime, named after the artist's mom.
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