News & Events

This page features news and events related to Gary Hootman and "Clay - It's in the hands studio".  If you are a gallery or specialty store that would like to announce a exibition that includes Gary's work, you can request to have it added by contacting the studio.

Internet Kiln Opening and Sale

Location: studio   Date: March 12, 2008   Hello Everyone,   I am announcing something new for me, an online kiln opening and sale.  Please visit:  www.vasefinder.com/gkh/gkhobjects.html.  This opportunity came about by chance.  I had mailed out my postcards for my holiday sales announcing a kiln opening in conjunction with a sale.  Unfortunately for me, the sale and kiln opening was a complete bust.  The weather kept anyone from coming.  Here in Iowa, I have had snow on the ground since Thanksgiving.  We have received the most snowfall since 1943.  We had a major snow storm every weekend in December.  Charles Blim, President of Vasefinder.com, called me to buy a couple of coffee mugs from one of the postcards I sent.  I met Charles three years ago, when he invited me to participate in the Vasefinder Nationals, which is an online exhibition he sponsors.  With mention of the weather and poor turnout, Charles suggested we put together a kiln opening and sale over the internet.  I thought, why not?  I had already taken a few pictures of loading and unloading the kiln just for my records.  Now all I had to do was photograph the work realistically, without drama.  Long story short, it took about three months of work between the two of us to have this idea to come to fruition.  I know many of you getting this newsletter are both wood firers and potters and know the level of difficulty it takes to market one’s work, especially after all the energy is consumed from making and firing.  Please enjoy the exhibition and feel free to write with some feedback you may have.  Most of you will, for the first time, see the breadth of my work. Enjoy! Gary Hootman