Gillian’s soda pots – Gillian McMillan — Rara Avis https://www.gillianmcmillan.com Mon, 27 Oct 2025 03:20:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 October Treats https://www.gillianmcmillan.com/blog/2025/10/26/october-treats/ https://www.gillianmcmillan.com/blog/2025/10/26/october-treats/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:41:57 +0000 https://www.gillianmcmillan.com/?p=16365

Our drive into Vancouver on Friday was not helped by the rain and the current lack of parking on Granville Island, but my new selection of pots was safely delivered to Circle Craft Co-op shop in the Netloft Building. I think they will be on display tomorrow. Smoked salmon chowder at the Stock Market, a peek at Martin Peters’ show of big jars in Enishi Gallery, tea and birthday cake at Glenn Lewis’ 90th birthday party at the Western Front and Barney’s supper with son, Mike, made for a busy, happy day.

The Enishi Gallery on 6th Avenue was just closed so Alan and I looked through the window at Martin Peters’ very Big Pots. Then we spotted more of his functional pots in the adjoining shop, Itsumo. We later met the owner at Western Front. https://itsumo.ca/blogs/journal/big-jars-by-martin-peters

Martin Peters' pots
l to r me, Glenn Lewis, Carol Mayer & Debra Sloan

I like make a photo record of new pots. Below are my latest Umpqua stoneware clay soda-fired efforts, most of which are now for sale in Vancouver. I have kept my favourite from this batch, the ‘Treetops Jar’ vase, and a planter. The other carved vase ‘Roundabout Jar’ is en route to London, Ont.

'Treetops Moon Jar' 6.75" x 6.5"
'Roundabout' Jar 6.75" x 6.25"
Jugbird w Red Bill 6" x 8" x 4.5"
Jugbird w Gold Bill 6" x 9" x 5"

I’m very pleased with these guys too: a perfect finish on a Tea Caddy and good colour on two vases.

Tea Caddy 6" x 5"
Vases 7" & 4"
5 cup tea pot pours well 6.25" x 10"
carved bowl 3.5" x 5.25"
Jug 5.5" x 5.5"

These last photos show two carved plant pots that I made just before the firing date.. it’s fun to remember that new ideas come when they aren’t planned. I’m keeping one but now I want to make more.

planters for overgrown jades or early Christmas cacti!
vase w green underglaze and sgraffito 5.5" x 4"

These last two pots might make nice stocking stuffers! The wee squared dish has a soda-enhanced wiggle-wire bottom.

dish 2.75" x 4.5"

Now it’s time to get back to the wheel. I plan to revert to earthenware clay just now as I have had several requests for more of the colourful jugbirds. There are many upcoming events that I hope to attend, including the Potters Guild of BC juried show at the Italian Cultural Centre, CircleCraft Christmas Market and East Side Culture Crawl. I’m told blogging is passé so who knows how many more blogs I can or should write? but perhaps assembling little stories with photos keeps my old brain active and I hope clay enthusiasts still find them of interest.

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