From the Ground Up - Pottery by Michael Mahan

08/08/2026

Nephew Diarmuid Holmes boosted his firewood business at the Holmes Farm in Ireland with a load of Irish Ash trees that was delivered two days before we left. And yes, we'll be using some of that for our 2027 firing if he doesn't sell it all before we come back next year. We watched the unload from our bedroom window. It took about 20 minutes.

08/08/2026

We all hope to see you today when five pottery shops serve up some iced tea and homemade delectables for another Tea with Seagrove Potters. Mary's making apple tart and chocolate chip banana bread. Michael's making fresh organic coffee. Tea is from Carriage House Tea, treats also provided by the Seagrove Cafe. We've got a great selection of pots from our latest firings, including some beautiful wood-fired pitchers and mugs, as well as soul pots, bells and bird feeders, and a couple of suprises we brought back from our firing in Ireland. Visit our friends at the following Seagrove potteries: Blue Hen Pottery Dean and Martin Pottery Eck McCanless Pottery and Thomas Pottery. Shops are open from 10-5. Pick up a pottery map at your first stop.

08/01/2026

Mary and I delivered pottery to a couple of places that sell for us in Ireland yesterday. All our bird feeders are at Bud Garden Centre in Bunratty. And soul pots, mugs, jugs and the large tree platter are located at Draiocht Adare in Adare.

07/30/2026

More from the Ireland firing: a large (24-inch) platter slipped with new Foundation Clay from Doon and adorned with one of my trees.

07/29/2026

We've unloaded the Ireland wood kiln and love the pots. Here's photos of the pieces I made using a new clay we found in Doon, County Limerick, near my brother-in-law's home where workers dug a foundation for his daughter and husband's house recently. I'll share more photos tomorrow. I love the new clay.

07/26/2026

07/26/2026

A view from the front firebox opening. Cups and mug on bottom are new Doon Foundation Clay. We'll unload Tuesday morning.

07/25/2026

It is a mild day with some gusty winds, high of 68, with an occasional light misting to cool us off during the last part of our two-day wood firing in Rathwood, Murroe, County Limerick.

07/24/2026

Kiln is loaded and we'll start firing as soon as I grind some brick and finish stacking the door.

04/16/2026

Here's a favorite from the electric kiln we unloaded today. It's a vase made from clay from our property. I'll be firing another electric load tomorrow just in time to unload for the weekend's Celebration of Spring Pottery Tour, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10-5.