Exploring the Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air

Kassie with our Duncan “The Pro” electric kiln and slip-cast molds.

January 2nd, 2022

Kyle and I were visiting his uncle Randy’s ranch in Charlo, Montana, exploring the barns and dairy farm equipment. Amongst the antique farm tools and curing garlic braids, we dusted off and discovered a vintage Duncan brand electric kiln with over 100 slip molds from the 50’s and 70’s in one of the buildings. We knew right then and there we were meant to put it to good use. After gaining permission, manpower, and a trailer, we were able to load up the kiln and slip cast molds to haul it back to our workshop in Bigfork. Upon further inspection, we noticed it the kiln was missing a knob and needed a 120 volt outlet (3 prong), so Kyle and his Dad (a professional electrician) got to work wiring the workshop.

Fast forward to January, we were searching Craigslist and other sites for a pottery wheel to complete our workshop turned pottery studio. Kyle eventually found a listing for a used Lockerbie kick wheel located in Endicott, Washington, so we messaged the buyer and had them hold it for us so we could make the 11hr round trip. Although considered a business trip, it was my very first visit to Washington, so after picking up the incredibly heavy pottery wheel, we we made like tourists and visited restaurants and booked the night at the Ruby River Hotel in Spokane. The next morning, we visited The Clay Connection, a pottery store, to purchase clay and glaze, then made our way back home to begin experimenting. As with any craft or trade, the two of us are looking forward to making many humble mistakes before we officially pick up the skill, ceramics are a tricky business as it is and takes time to muster enough inventory to fire in the kiln, or at least enough to make up for the steep electric bill, but we are determined to combine the elements of fire, water, earth, and air to launch our first batch of ceramics in Autumn, just in time for getting cozy with handmade mugs for hot cocoa and cider.

This rare opportunity will allow us to both expand Bee’s Knees ‘n’ Knits and pursue our life dream of providing an array of traditional gifts and goods from our homestead to our community. As time and resources allow, we can then entertain the though of hosting ceramic workshops and sharing weekly “Video Reveals” for each of the slip-cast molds.