First of the only 3 Cinderella coach mugs that made it into this #anagama #woodfiring. I imagine Cinderella would take one of these cups to her ball – loves like a pumpkin feel great to touch and caress. The spiral #sliptrailing has caught just a bit of ash as it was flying through the 3 day kiln firing. I am planning on doing a live insta and periscope later today. Fingers crossed let's aim for periscope at 4:30 pm pst and following that I'll do insta live. Check insta live to see if I can manage both at the same time. I love this part, talking about how the flame moves through the kiln and how you can see the story it leaves behind if it's adventure in the kiln. How cool is that? Pots will go live on my website Monday morning 10 am pst. Periscope handle is CoriSandlerPottery also website in my bio – thanks so much for all your kind words over my time here on insta and periscope and facebook too. It really means so much. Realllllly

by | May 7, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

This is part of my #baynessound series. I see the mountains over the ocean every morning and Batnes sound is a fertile area for oysters. Ever tasted a Fanny Bay Oyster? Well these little wine/ whisky cups or yunomis reference the many rivers that run into BAYNES sound making it the perfect waters for the growth of the oysters. These just came out of my recent wood firing – only 3 in this series this time. Next wood firing …. almost a year away. Next April

by | May 7, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Okay, so we are at the #anagama wood firing and we just had a great stoke. Temperature is climbing nicely, not too fast as we also need the heat to do it's work. It's. It just about time. So @gordonhutchenspottery begins to crack us up with a couple of very funny comments about his shoes, like "it's been a soulful experience" for instance. Well I tried 2ce to get it on video and kept running g out of time before he repeated it, so this time… we were already very giddy. (Firing the kiln can make ya like that as some of us haven't had lots of sleep). Then… he cracks us up even more with this comment so turn the sound up folks. Maybe not as much for his comment and for our hysterical pee in your pants laughter. #ilovepotters

by | Apr 30, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

RIP Robin Hopper. Robin, gave so much of his life to ceramics and potters. He recently was awarded the Order of Canada for his lifetime of work and innovation in ceramic arts. May 4, in Courtenay BC Canada at The Potters Place Gallery, we will be having an exhibition of Robin's work thanks to some wonderful collectors who will be sharing with us, their collections for the month. Also, please consider donating to the Robin Hopper Bursary for Ceramic Arts – go to www.thepotterspalce.ca to donate. #robinhopper #pottery #ceramics @thepottersplacegallery

by | Apr 8, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

This is another carved BAYNES sound series carved #winecup. The mountains I see everyday and the rivers that flow into the ocean right here make the waters here the perfect environment for #fannybayoysters and oysters in general. This was #woodfired in an #anagama kiln. The white ornlighter shiny area is where the ash from the stoking wood first contacted the clay and then the flames licked and danced around the pot to the opposite side but no actual "head on collision" of ash. The soft cinnamon colour is called flashing and I love the story of the flame and fire that is told just by looking at this cup. Happy and sad to say this sweet cup has found a new home. Hard to let it go. I hope to make a few more for the next firing. Do you think I should make more carved BAYNES sound pots? Or… do you prefer the simple lines of an carved pot in the woodfire

by | Mar 28, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Said goodbye to this #woodfired #winecup today. Off on an airplane with its new owner. I absolutely love how with #woodfiredpottery you can see the story of the slams as it travelled on and around then form. This is my #baynessound carved cup. I see the mountains across the pacific when I wake up – those are the peaks you see here, then … there are 7 rivers/streams that flow into BAYNES Sound which makes this area the perfectnplqce for oysters to grow #fannybayoysters. The carved lines down from the mountain top symbolizes the 7 waterways. I love this series. Got to make more I guess #corisandlerpottery You can find my work at #thepottersplacegallery in #courtenaybc or online through my website (in my profile)

by | Mar 27, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

I used to dread making handles. I can remember it like it was yesterday. They just never seemed to really be part of the pot but were more like something that just had to get stuck on to perform a function. I now enjoy making handles. I love when they are just right, the balance, the curves, the weight based on the mug etc. etc. etc. This mug although quite simple has a lot going on with the swirl riding up the pot like a barbers spiral, and the impression near the bottom and all that ash, sort of peppered on this side of the mug. #anagama firing over 3 days, cooled for 4 nights. #makersgunnamake#handsandhustle#canadianceramics#handtotable#craft#ceramics#courtenaybc #comoxvalley #weareyqq #hellobc #canadiancreatives #vancouverisland #pottersofinstagram #pottersofperiscope#art_we_inspire #craftsman ##shophandmade #handmadeisbetter #contemporarycraft#makersgunnamake#handsandhustle#canadianceramics#handtotable#craft#Ceramics

by | Mar 18, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

New discovery AMAZING. Thanks @jbrett_art this is a metal mesh face mask that used for protection when using a chain saw. We used it for this #anagama firing and it deflected the heat so much. Those like me, who are short, stand at this kiln when stoking with the flames and heat pretty close to face level. The radiant heat is painfully hot. This mask made it so entirely enjoyable to stoke with no facial burning. (I do t mean burning like, I need to go to the burn clinic… I just mean burning like oh my good ness that's ridiculously HOT

by | Mar 12, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Spraying some flashing slip on these mugs prior to a wood firing coming up this weekend with @gordonhutchenspottery I love the tasty cinnamon colour that I can achieve. Hope I get some lovely ash on these mugs and wine/whisky cups that this #anagama kiln has magically created in the past. So excited to show you you all some results. Keep your Fingers crossed for me and the gang. The process of wood firing is one where the flame itself acts like a paint brush and with it, deposits ash from the wood onto the pots in her stream or in her way to the rear of the kiln and up through the chimney. As the ash stays and falls on the pottery, it gets caught on the shoulders or the rims or the textures on the pottery and in and of itself is a glaze. This is one of the mot magical ways to fire a kiln. Stay tuned folks.

by | Mar 7, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Last #mug of the night. Trimming tomorrow. Feel good after a good day if throwing and handling a bunch of mugs. The boats are in our oceans waiting for the herring season to open. They get to fish for only a short time. The waters will start to turn a bright turquoise blue from the herring spawn, and practically boil with life and both fish and mammals all wanting their share of what the herring bring. I'll do my best to get some images and videos as this amazing time happens. #comoxvalley.

by | Mar 2, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Okay…. so I think I am personally offended that it is still snowing in my little Oceanside community #comoxvalley. The snow on my roof must be close to 16" or more. I kid you not. These are some shots at 3:30 am or thereabouts. I can't sleep thinking about the shovelling I have to do AGAIN tomorrow. The first image you see in the top left is looking down from the 2nd storey, of my raised cedar garden beds/boxes. Okay okay maybe it is kind of beautiful to look at but seriously folks….. I e had just about all I can take!!!!!!!! #islandlife #yqq #unionbaybc#unionbay #snowfall #nightphotography #snow

by | Feb 9, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Okay. I just shovelled not only the driveway but. Other the front and rear 2nd storey decks. Being all of 5'1 or thereabouts that meant I had to hoist all the snow from the last 2 weeks over the railings of said 2 decks. I could hardly pick up a dinner plate and I was laughed at in of course the most loving of ways. Now… only 3 hours later. The snow has accumulated again to about 5 inches as far as I can tell. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa. My father in law said it perfectly while we were eating our late dinner. He said "THATS DIRTY POOL – that's what that is! ). I liked his comment and feel understood. #stillsnowing #yqq #comoxvalley #unionbay #snowday #enoughisenough

by | Feb 9, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

BE SURE TO TAKE CARE OF BOTH SIDES OF A HANDLE EVEMLY, BY MOVING YOUR HAND AND THE HANDLE… FROM SIDE TO SIDE. We all k ow handles can make or break a beautiful mug. I know many potters who would spend hours and hours getting their throwing chops good. And I mean really good only to ruin a really lovely thrown piece with a not so great handle. The real answer… spend a whole day – hell spend a whole week doing nothing but making handles. Sacrifice a whole bunch of mugs and pull 3 or 4 handles off each one. There is no easy fix for pulling a nice well balanced handle except making a hundred or more. Do it till ya get it right. And … make YOUR handle. It doesn't have to be like someone else's. make a handle that you would like to hold. You aren't going f to please everybody so get really good at a few shapes and be the queen or king of that handle. You can do it!!! I have faith. It is t rocket science but it is hard to get right. You'll l ow when it is. And you'll jump und down in your studio doing that happy dance. But ….. don't stop there. Once you get it that's when the work starts. Now, make another 50 When you can make 29"0 consistently lovely handles in a row crack yourself a cold one or a nice cup of your favourite java or tea and congratulate yourself!!!! BIG TIME. #pullinghandles #corisandlerpottery

by | Feb 9, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Throwing with 2 ribs, one inside and the other outside the pot helps reduce the amount of water you have to throw with, and helps compress the clay. I like using this technique when throwing on the larger side especially. If you've never tried this, I'd highly recommend giving it a go. I'd really love to read your comments about how it felt and if found you had more control of your throwing with less water. #corisandlerpotteryvideos #corisandlerpottery #potterybowl

by | Feb 8, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Let's get a #handle on it! I used to always put hand built handles on my mugs. Not out of choice but out of necessity. I just never thought I could make a nice handle by pulling. A. Umber of years ago that changed when I took the time to "get it". Now, if I use handbuilt handle, it's because I have chosen to do so. Because I want that mug to have that particular handle. Now, I love pulling handles and really love the way they look too. #corisandlerpottery

by | Feb 5, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

Throwing off the hump – it's a way to make several pots from one larger mound of clay. Usually we weigh out each piece of clay, centre it in the wheel and throw a pot. Here I am using a larger piece of clay that I'll use to throw several pieces from. Only c entering the portion I a using Thor the particular pot I am throwing. It is time efficiency and enjoyable all at once. I use a piece of cotton string to wrap around the base to cut it free from the mound of clay underneath. …..#potteryvideos #pottery #piavideo

by | Jan 15, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

So thrilled that this mug made it to Sweden – get this. From vancouver island to Toronto to Miami to Sweden. Carefully boarded several planes as carry on I imagine to reach it's Destination. Now finally resting with tea steeping. Thanks Yes, l8dahlgren for sending this pic. Enjoy that long awaited cup of tea! #potsinaction #pia #finallyarrived #potterymug #pottery #cupoftea #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #handmade #handcrafted #myfavouritemug #ceramics #keramic #keramika

by | Jan 8, 2017 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

#mugshotmonday. Now that's a whole lot of mugs ha. I've got to find a way to be hopeful about the new year cause the alternative is too hard to bear to be quite honest. Not saying I am giving up and not going to be actively doing everything I can to make this a world I am proud to live in… a world I want to live in … a world that is safe for ALL to live in. …..#wheelthrown #pottersofperiscope #pottersofinstagram #mug #spiral #pottery #kilnfolk #myfavoritemug #handmade #makersgonnamake #handmademovement #comxvalley #canadianceramics #womanartist #corisandler

by | Dec 26, 2016 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

This purple Cinderella coach mug is just waiting for you to come by the Potters Place Gallery in Courtenay BC. If you like purple, there are only 2 purples mugs left. These hold aver 2 cups of liquid and feel great in your hands. #pottery #mug #kilnfolk #ceramic #handmade #spirals #sliptrailing #ceramics #madeinCanada #Pottersofperiscope #Pottersofintagram #Handmade #cone6 #makeanddo #makersgonnamake #SlipTrail #CanadianCeramics #wheelthrown #makersgonnamake #ThePottersPlaceGallery #comoxvalleyartist #comoxvalley

by | Dec 22, 2016 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

There are still a few days left to find that perfect handmade gift for the one you love (maybe it's even just for yourself) #putyourselfonyourlist. I just dropped this piece off at The Potters Place Gallery of Ceramic Art in Downtown Courtenay, BC. Fresh from my kiln. This series is called Ocean Storm. Living on the west coast of Canada, I sure see my share of the ocean churning during a storm. It's a most magical sight #creativeprocess #makersgonnamake #canadianceramics #handmade #pottersofperiscope #kilnfolk #makersgonnamake #oceanart #wheelthrown #howicreate #bowl z

by | Dec 21, 2016 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

All the little colourful ducks in a row. do you know what these are????? Each kiln load needs to have witness cones to be able to "read" the kiln during each firing. Reaching temperature is one thing, but these cones don't lie and will tell me what is going on on an individual kiln or In an individual zone. I use the cone I am firing to in the centre and I flag it with a higher and lower cone just to see if the kiln underfired or over fired. Just one cone won't suffice #diditoverfire #cone6 #pottersofperiscope #pottery #ceramics #process #witnesscones #orton #handmade #putthemineverykiln #canadianceramics #makersgonnamake #creativeprocess

by | Dec 18, 2016 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler

I love throwing uber thin. These wall platters have a foot ring that supports the ability to hang on wall in between function uses. (Why put pottery in a cupboard when you could see it out and proud. The marks you see translate through to the backside because the walls are so thin. This does make for precarious glazing though because there is a little clay to absorb the water in the glaze (did someone slow drying?)…..#oceaninspired #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #teal #clay #handmade #wheelthrownpottery #flange #canadianceramics #pottery

by | Dec 15, 2016 | A Potters Life - Blog | Cori Sandler