Details

My Ceramics

In the studio I like to do	Handbuilding, Throwing on the Wheel, Sculpting
Pottery Wheel	Shimpo
Clay body	Stoneware
Clay Brand	Laguna BMix 5 and Ky Mudworks Iceman
Kiln Type	Electric Kiln
Kiln Atmosphere	Oxidation Atmosphere
Temperature	2212 F
Glaze	Amaco, Mayco, Spectrum brands
You can buy my work from	vchandlercreations.etsy.com facebook.com/ArtbyRodChandler (I have changed the page name to Chandler Creations but the URL has remained the old address. It is a collection of both my work and my husbands also) or at local events around Western NC

About Me

Introduction	My names Valinda, I live in Brevard NC. I wheel throw and hand built functional pottery and little oddities. I’m interested in new techniques and ideas to keep my hobby exciting.
What I Love about Ceramics	There is always something to learn and the feel of the clay just soothes my soul.
How I started with ceramics	My older sister took ceramics in high school and I remember her teaching me to dig up clay out of the ditches in WV. 8 years later I took ceramics in high school and nearly failed the class. I was saved by acing the vocabulary test. It dampened my enthusiasm but it stayed in the back of my mind as a bucket list event. 7 years ago, when I turned 50 I took a 6 week hand building class. I was hooked from day one. I began making things at home and transporting 45 minutes away to fire. I then bought a small skutt test kiln. A few years later I took one wheel throwing class and bought a wheel. I quickly outgrew the small kiln and bought a larger one. (They will sell those to anyone. I really had no idea how to use it) I’ve learned so much from YouTube videos and Facebook groups. The ceramic community is so encouraging and share knowledge so freely.
What inspires me	My surroundings in the mountains of western NC. The colors are so vibrant. Trees, rocks, mountains, flowers, flowing water, it all speaks to me and creates inspiration.
What I'm working on at the moment	Fountain/birdbath and miniature hobbit houses.
My Artist Statement	Create what makes you happy. What sparks joy within you and people who see your work. When people come to my booth. I want to see them break out in a spontaneous smile or chuckle. When they reach in the cabinet for a coffee mug and see one of mine, I want them to smile.
My CV	I do small festivals around WNC. I’d love to be brave enough and ready to participate in our 3 day local White Squirrel Festival in May and also I’d love to go back to Wilson NC, where I lived for 20 years and participate in their 3 day whirligig festival.