Warriors of Winter
Joanie Mitchell sang "The warriors of winter give a cold triumphant shout." Indeed they have been shouting these past few weeks spewing fog and frost and bitter cold and even those rarities, rain and snow across the Central Valley. And so we've tucked in to warm spaces to find other creative pursuits. Photography, microwave cozies, sea glass art have mingled with the river water that flows constantly past and the pottery that awaits your next visit.
A famous author recently said that he never starts a book unless he knows what the ending will be. That principle doesn't really work for pottery. It's been said that "clay has memory" – holding the shape of however it's poked or prodded or manipulated. True enough – finished pieces sometimes echo first touches and even second or third ones.
Also true that clay has a mind of its own and will sometimes take the potter in a direction not planned or thought of. And therein lies the spontaneity of a finished piece. Each creation is unique and unlike any other piece of pottery created. Come find and choose the pieces that are meant to live at your house - or be special gifts for friends and family that will last longer than fruit cakes or gift certificates or the latest whizz bang tech sensation. First Saturday comes every month . . .Maybe this is your month!
https://www.1stsaturday3r.com./
For us Christmas comes every time we open the kiln. We never know what we're going to get. You work as hard as you can to predict how it will turn out, but in the end you are at the mercy of the kiln gods. Glazes can disappoint or delight. The piece you thought was iffy can turn out to be your favorite one. The one you thought would be spectacular can break your heart. Placement in the kiln, how thick the glaze was, unknown substances or foreign objects in the clay or flying around in the kiln and those fickle kiln gods make every shelf a surprise. Come to our Days After Thanksgiving Sale (Friday, 11/29 and Saturday 11/30) to see some of the surprises we got this time.
I used to turn and run from large department stores, overwhelmed by the onslaught of merchandise, unable to decide from all that was offered, but then I learned to subscribe to the Sandy Northrop School of Shopping: "If it jumps out at you, you're supposed to buy it." Join us at River Water Pottery to see what "jumps out at you". Hot apple cider and refreshments prepared in or served on the pottery provided.
First Saturday: November 1, 2025 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After Thanksgiving Sale: November 28 and 29. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days
