It started snowing here on New Years Eve. Prior to that there had hardly been much in the way of precipitation, even Christmas was scantily white. But 2020, so far, has been memorable with record snowfalls. Our local ski hill has recorded 283 cm since January 1st (that's over 9 feet).

Any guesses where we have been spending many of our days???? 

Alongside being committed to winter recreation, there are added chores to do dealing with this much snow.  We've learned in years past that our chimneys don't always stand the test of snow/ice building up around them. After losing Lily's chimney to mother nature a couple years in a row awhile back, we now make sure to shovel the rooftop of that kiln shed.

On the larger kiln shed structure we made sure to build crickets that divert the water around the high side of the chimneys. However the snow load has been so large, we've been watching it pretty closely. 
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After a full semester of teaching at KSA this past fall, the studio beckons and Robin manages to find time to make pots. The ware racks are filling up and firing dates for both wood and soda are underway. Before we know it, the marshmallow landscape will recede and it will be firing season. 

​Until then, pass the shovel!

Living in a small town, there are rare opportunities to feel or remain anonymous. Earlier this month, we took the kids out for dinner in town and as per usual, our restaurant choice decision making process was comical. After negating one another's choices, we finally came to a consensus,  only to be turned away because of wait list times and so we steered the kids into another busy eatery that would take us without a reservation. 

We were seated next to what looked like an office party, or perhaps an interest group gathering to celebrate the season. Midway through the evening, the group tore into a gift giving activity, it could even have been a secret santa type exchange. Our family attempted to politely observe and not eavesdrop, but it was fun to watch the gift reveal.

Halfway through the exchange and our meal, Robin leaned in to us and quietly announced, "Look, there is one of my mugs!" 

And there it was! A wide mouthed shorty, wood-fired, and perfect for a latte lover. It was a sweet reminder of how the pots, created with intent and purpose in the studio go out into the world and take on a life of their own. Perhaps this mug will become a favourite go to in the recipient's daily morning ritual. 

We didn't know or recognize any of the party goers, and they certainly didn't recognize that it was the maker of the mug sitting right next to them. But it was a lovely exchange, for us too - keeping the secret to ourselves. 

Wishing you a happy holiday season. May all your gifts be thoughtfully selected and handmade this year. 

Merry Christmas from the DuPonts!

Have you heard about the airstream on the side of the highway somewhere in the
Kootenays? The secondary scenic highway winds through the picturesque Slocan
Valley, following the river around cliff bends and open agriculture. About 20km
north of civilization there sits an airstream trailer conveniently nestled up against a
forested hillside beside a pullout for weary and stiff travellers that need a breath of
fresh air or to stretch their legs.

Follow a winding trail up through a steep mixed forest and you’ll come to an
opening in the trees, and a narrow driveway that leads to a unlikely homestead.
There are brick piles laying around, odd machinery bits and pieces, chimneys
popping out of log framed sheds that house kilns and stacks and stacks of woodpiles
in their various stages of drying.

The home belongs to Robin and Eden DuPont, and their two children and two
German shepherd dogs. For over ten years the vision has been the same, with each
year a new investment into the bigger picture as the homestead continues to evolve
and has been shaped and developed into a home-based studio pottery business.

The clay is mixed, and when ready for use it is formed in various methods into useful
objects. When the objects dry, they are ready for firing. They get lined with a glaze
and then they are loaded into one of the many kilns.
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One of the kilns is fired by a crew of 8 or more people for four days straight. This
concept, absurd and mostly unheard of to the average Canadian, however comes
from an ancient Japanese method of wood firing. The firing crew is made up of
potters, school teachers, timber framers, musicians and web designers. Students
often come from abroad to take part in the communal activity.

With this amount of time invested, and so many variables to try to control and
understand there are bound to be disappointments and failures. But that is where
the learning takes place. Some pots need to be dug out of burnt ember beds as wood
has been piled up for near 100 hours on top.

When the pots are cleaned up and intentionally selected, they are carried down the
mountain trail and take up residence in the airstream until the wary traveller pulls
over.

Pie plates for homemakers, a new cereal bowl for the forester, a group of wine cups
are gifted to an inlaw. The pots go out into the world and take on a life of their own
to become a favorite morning coffee vessel. 

​Come check us out some time.