JOYCE FURNEY OF CLAY CELLAR
At the age of nine, Joyce knew that one day she would be an artist. She was awarded B.F.A. in sculpture from Kansas State University in 1975. After thirteen years in the commercial art world and 31 hours of post graduate work in clay, she made the full time commitment to pottery and in 1983 started the Clay Cellar in rural Kansas.

The Art of Raku is attributed to Zen Buddhist Monks of 16th Century Japan and was favored for the tea bowls of the great tea masters. In that culture and time Raku was much more than a method of making and firing pottery, it was a philosophy. The Japanese symbol for Raku can be translated as "enjoyment of freedom." However, as is often the case with adapting the philosophies of other cultures, we in the west have distilled Raku to a technical process. Raku is now generally accepted to mean a method of rapid firing and cooling of ceramic ware, and names the finished product.

Raku is the firing method used at The Clay Cellar. Forms are either wheel-thrown or hand built, using a white raku clay body formulated to withstand great thermal shock. Metallic stains and engobes (colored clays) are often brushed on the greenware forms for decoration. When trimmed and dried, the vessels are bisque fired, glazed with either crackle white glaze or a metallic luster glaze and then gas-fired to 1660-1800 degrees.

Starry Night Series Attractive platters and dishes that can be hung or sit on three feet. One half of platter is designed with parallel groves in copper, gold and a hint of green. The other half is a flat black with five stars and a tree incised with colors harmonizing with the grove side. Signed "Furney".

Available in platter size and smaller round and rectangular dishes suitable for wall hanging.
Click to enlarge photograph

Black Swan Series

Round Drape Mold Footed Dish-Black Swan. Sits on three feet or can be hung on wall. Signed "Furney".

Click to enlarge photograph

Available in 71/2", 10" and 13" platters and smaller round and rectangular dishes.

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Raku Heart Series
Assorted hearts and heart boxes, great for gift-giving.
Prices start at under $25.