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Shawn Ireland

Shawn Ireland makes his home close to Penland School of Crafts, where he was resident artist for three years. He works in traditional ways using traditional materials dug, found or salvaged from near his home. Shawn uses a kick-powered wheel which creates relaxed unwinding forms. His clay is mixed by hand and his glazed are composed of local feldspar, ball clay and ash from his woodstove. His kiln is fueled with wood salvaged from burn piles at nearby sawmills.

The combination of wood flame and ash, which melts into the clay and glaze, can produce colors and surfaces reminiscent of objects found in nature. Like these objects, wood fired pots can look similar to each other, but never identical. The unpredictability and variation of the final glaze is, for Shawn, the most exciting part of the whole process.

Shawn shares, “I find beauty in the simplicity and usefulness of folk pottery. To me, pots from pre-industrial cultures worldwide embody the spirit liveliness…. I make pots for holding food and flowers. I choose to make these pots with a foundation in folk traditions. For me, this involves using many local clays and glaze materials and firing with wood. The ingredients promote surprises and keep my craft connected to the natural world.”





Rope Plate

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7 1/2"
$ 34.- (afsi295)

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Utensil Holder with Circles

wood-fired stoneware

size:  6" tall, drainage holes in bottom
$ 60.- (afsi266)

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Horse Bowl II

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7 1/2" x 6"
$ 95.- (afsi271)

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Fish Jumpin' Dish

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  5 1/2"across
$ 95.- (afsi257)

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Chicken Candle Holder

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  5" x 4"
$ 68.- (afsi276)

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Rope Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  6 1/2"
$ 35.- (afsi294)

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Sweet Box Vase

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  4 1/2" x 5 1/2"
$ 95.- (afsi254)

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Small Mugs

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  4"
$ 28.- each (afsi255)

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Round Brown Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  12"
$ 125.- (afsi246)

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Blue Box Vase

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  6" x 4 1/2"
$ 120.- (afsi231)

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Espresso Cup

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  3"
$ 22.- (afsi288,289)

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Dinner Plate

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  10"
$ 54.- (afsi293)

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BirdMan Candlestick

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7.5" tall x 6" wide
$ 165.- (si256)

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Oval Server

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  8" x 13"
$ 85.- (afsi268)

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Woman Candleholder

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  9"
$ 165.- (afsi212)

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Retangle Server II

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  17" x 6"
$ 90.- (afsi269)

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Raindeer Candle Stick

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  9" tall
$ 210.- (si244)

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Blue and White Box Vase

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  6" x 5"
$ 110.- (afsi290)

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Post Modern Footed Vase

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  3" x 6"
$ 90.- (afsi277)

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Chicken Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7 1/2" x 5 1/2"
$ 72.- (afsi272)

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ask me about "Chicken Bowl"