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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.”





Serving Bowl with Flowers

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  12" diameter
$ 125.- (afsi339)

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Snack Tray

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  3" x 12"
$ 125.- (afsi334)

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Duck Vase / Candle Holder

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  10" x 8 1/2"
$ 200.- (afsi395)

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Square Floral Dish

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  5 1/4" x 5 1/4"
$ 30.- (afsi335-336; 2 are available)

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Lidded Vase

Wood-fired stoneware

size:  15" diameter x 17 1/2" tall
$ 400.- (afsi99)

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Square Striped Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  8 1/4" x 7 1/2" tall
$ 70.- (afsi360)

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Wonderful Green Dotted and Striped Serving Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  13" diameter
$ 165.- (afsi359)

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Striped Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with Ash Glaze

size:  12" diameter
$ 115.- (afsi327)

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Beautiful Green Collander

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  10" x 3 1/4"
$ 60.- (afsi380)

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Tall Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7 1/2" x 6 1/2" tall
$ 120.- (afsi364)

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Tall Pitcher

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  5 3/4" x 10" tall
$ 85.- (afsi356)

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Pedestal Bird Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7" x 4 1/2"
$ 110.- (afsi390)

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Deer Tripod Candle Holder

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7" x 6 1/2"
$ 150.- (afsi393)

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Hol-Y Platter

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  18 3/4" long x 10 1/2" wide, 3 3/4" tall
$ 275.- (afsii20)

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Dinner Plate

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  10" 2 available
$ 54.- (afsi293)

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Petit Brown-Toned accent/salad plate

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7.5" diameter;
$ 34.- (si370)

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Fish Vase / Candle Holder

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  10" x 7"
$ 200.- (afsi391)

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Beautiful Blue and Green Embellished Pitcher

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  9 3/4" tall
$ 85.- (afsi85)

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Ram Double Candle Holder

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  7" x 6 1/2"
$ 165.- (afsi394)

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Brown Chicken Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware

size:  8" long, 6 1/4" tall
$ 100.- (afsii09)

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Post Modern Footed Vase

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  3" x 6"
$ 90.- (afsi277)

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Oval One-Handled Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware with ash glaze

size:  6 1/4" diameter
$ 60.- (afsii22)

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Dotted Serving Bowl

Wood-fired stoneware

size:  7 1/2" diameter, 2" tall
$ 55.- (afsii10)

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Duck Block Candlestick

Wood-fired stoneware

size:  6" diameter, 5" tall
$ 140.- (afsii16)

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