/blog/ /blog/wovenworks-08-acceptance/ <br /><p>Great News! Two of my pieces have been accepted into the Fitton Center For Creative Arts WovenWorks 08 National Fine Craft/Art Competition. &quot;Metamorphosis&quot;, most recently completed, and &quot;Hopi Maiden&quot; can be seen in the Gourd Sculpture Gallery on the website. Although both are woven on tall gourds, each with very different results.</p><p><img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/parade/users/sealbrecht/blog_previews/photo_136_2482.jpg" alt="" /> &quot;Metamorphosis&quot;, Seagrass is woven around the gourd and then unbraided to give it a feel that the gourd is growing out of the seagrass.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/parade/users/sealbrecht/blog_previews/photo_136_2032.jpg" alt="" /> &quot;Hopi Maiden&quot;</p> 2008-08-31 14:58:04.112203 /blog/gourd-weaving/ <p>Working with gourds is a wonderful experience. Each gourd talks to me in very different ways. I am starting on a piece right now and I am not totally sure what direction I am going. In my mind I see something but I have not figured out how to do what I see. That is always the challenge.</p><p>This gourd was no different. I knew that it had to be something totally different from what I had done before. The first challenge was cleaning it. There was only the small diamond shape in the front to go through to thoroughly clean the inside. I kept seeing something very Native American. Once I finished the weaving, which looks to me to be a pueblo, I wanted something more. It is then that I experimented with adding the embellishment at the top. </p><p>Although I thought it was finished, I kept ... 2008-07-14 18:16:50.609721 /blog/weaving-a-raku-basket/ <p><img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/parade/users/sealbrecht/blog_previews/photo_136_1189.jpg" alt="" /></p><p>This particular piece started as a slab of clay. I worked around a mold to help me keep the shape as I was working with the clay. It is always exciting to see something come together as you work. Many times I start with a general idea of what the final piece will be but it can &quot;morph&quot; as I work with it.&nbsp;</p><p>Once I have gotten the shape I want, I let the clay firm up a little before I make the holes at the top. Once I have applied some finishing touches I put it aside to dry slowly. In Arizona that is very important as if it dries to quickly it can crack. Once dried I then bisque fire it. I am now ready to determine what Raku glaze I want to apply. There are many ... 2008-07-14 18:05:23.892890 /blog/raku-firing/ <p><img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/parade/users/sealbrecht/blog_previews/photo_136_1416.jpg" alt="" />Recently I had a friend suggest I describe my Raku firing and the process I use in creating my pieces. I thought I would start with my Raku firing. Raku is a primitive firing process. It was originally used by the japanese tea masters. Raku is fired to a low temperature, usually bearing a lead glaze.&nbsp;The American potter&#39;s introduced reduction after the firing.</p><p>As for my process, I fire my work to Cone 06 in either my Garbarge Can Kiln or I have a Raku Kiln that was retrofitted from an electric kiln. Once we have reached the proper firing temperature (approximately about 1800 degrees) I then pull the piece or pieces out of the kiln using my tongs and place it in to a smalle... 2008-07-14 18:05:42.167419