EllieBlair


		My interest in ceramics spans over thirty years. I started out taking my first ceramics class in college in 1972 and fell in love with it. After a twenty year detour I went back to college and completed my BFA in Ceramics from the University of Kansas in 2002. After graduation I was ready to finally do my pottery full time. I work in my studio located in the beautiful countryside of Lawrence, Kansas.


	I first became aware of crystalline pottery researching for a school paper. It was done at the turn of the twentieth century when art pottery was becoming popular. I was captivated by


	the beauty of the glazes. Unfortunately, the beauty and depth of these crystals cannot be captured by a digital camera however these close-up photos attempt to show some of the crystals on these two bottles. On one piece the crystals may


	resemble flowers and on the next they resemble matchsticks. I love this unpredictable quality of the process. It lends itself to creating gorgeous one of a kind pieces.


	The crystalline process is complicated and labor intensive but the minute I open the kiln and get the first peek of a successful firing it is worth every bit of the work and worry.


	I have been experimenting with temperature manipulation for about a year, usually firing to 2350 degrees but varying the firing schedule as the kiln cools. I have been getting wonderful crystal growth with repeating halos. This is done by manipulating the temperature during the growing phase of the firing, usually between 2000-1900 degrees. When it works, the results are fantastic!


	I can be reached by email at blairea53@msn.com

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