For those who are looking for a great activity to do with a Spouse, Partner, Buddy, Pal, BFF, Parent, Child or Neighbor, you should consider a "Couples" Pottery Class.

Sometimes, things are just better with someone there with you. Also, the cost of the "couples" class is only $90/person for the 2-class session. That includes all the material needed from start to finish and you get to take your creation home!!

Dates can be flexible.  Maximum is four people per session.  

This would make an excellent gift idea for a couple or friends to do something creative together. We do gift certificates! 

Class times are flexible so contact us to schedule a class. We can't wait to hear from you!

This microwave and dishwasher safe Bean Pot is fantastic and versatile cooking implement.
The Bean Pot creates a stone oven, makings it own savory juices. It also keeps food warmer longer while serving and the clay also retains the cold. This means you can serve potato salad, or any other chilled dish, colder longer. And what other cooking dish can you take from the oven to the table or buffet that looks this nice?

​Pot roasts, corned beef and cabbage, or hot artichoke dip can all be made easily in a Bean Pot.  Many crock pot recipes can be converted to the bean pot. If the dish needs to cook in a slow cooker/crock pot on "Low" for 8 hours, it will only take 2 hours covered at 325 degrees F in the Bean Pot.  If a recipe calls to cook on "High" for 3 hours, it will  cook in the oven, covered for 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees F. 

There are many bean pot recipes to be found on the internet and in cookbooks. Here is a quick and easy favorite:
1) Start out by browning 8 slices of chopped bacon, and 1 large sweet, chopped onion in a medium size skillet until the bacon is done, and onion soft. Add it to a bowl.
2) Two cans of Bush's baked beans (or your favorite) and add it to your onions and bacon.
3) Add: 1 t. of liquid smoke, 1 T of yellow prepared mustard, 1/2 cup of barbeque sauce,1/4 t of black pepper, 1/2 c. of light brown sugar, and 3T of maple syrup. Mix all , being careful not to smash the beans. Taste. If it is too sweet, add mustard. Too sour, add brown sugar.
4) Put in bean pot and bake in oven for 1 hour @350 degrees uncovered.

​Our bean pots were featured in this month's Edible Reno-Tahoe Magazine COOKS! Edition and are available at Artists Co-Op Gallery, 627 Mill Street or Micano Home & Garden 1350 S. Virginia St. Prices range from $60-$80 

Currently, my handmade pottery can be found at Dreams to Reality Pottery can be found in a number of locations.  They are as follows:

Micano Home and Garden 1350 South Virginia Street Reno Nevada 89509  775-329-6422
Copper Cat Studio 300 Kresge Lane in Sparks, off I80 & McCarran. 
Artist Coop of Reno 627 Mill Street Reno Nevada 775-332-8896
Ecocentric  112 CA-89, Graeagle, CA 96103   (530) 836-0852
North Tahoe Arts 380 North Lake Blvd.Tahoe City, CA 96145
Dreams to Reality Functional Pottery Sparks, NV 89441 775-425-9271

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I Wasn't Always an Artist

I was a management professional for my most of my life in a variety of roles and industries; hospitality, health care, teacher-trainer, marketing and most importantly the family CFO. The artist in me has been a slow awakening of personal self.

My mother was an artist. Growing up I can remember the smell of oil paints and the canvas that filled the walls of our house. I always admired my mom’s work.

In 1998, a friend from work invited me to join her Wednesday night pottery class with teacher Raechel Wilson. That night began my artists’ journey and the awakening of my artist within. Wednesday was my night out once a week without kids, husband, job, house, home etc. and I was struck with a new-found passion.

Years later, I can be found in my studio in our Nevada desert backyard; built through the efforts of my wonderful husband Don who supports me in all my crazy endeavors along with the many friends and family who have time and time again supported me and my art. And so began Dreams to Reality Pottery.

Clay is a highly malleable substance. It retains a given shape when molded, leaving a smooth and unbroken surface. The earth's minerals contained within the clay bodies are like magic chemicals that fuse and melt during the firing process – when the clay is baked in a kiln at high temperatures. This chemical change allows the vessel or clay body to become hard and tough when cool. There are a rich variety of clays that impart different colors, textures and consistencies – such as red and white earthenware clays, or smooth and course stoneware clays

The artist-craftsperson goes through a process called wedging before a piece is worked either on the wheel or hand-built. The clay is first cut, smacked and slapped to expel any air bubbles and create an even consistency throughout.

The clay is then shaped with the artist's main tools, the hands. The obliging nature of clay allows almost any shape. When the shaping is complete, the piece is set aside and allowed to dry. Drying is done slowly to avoid cracking as the evaporation of water changes the size and shape of the piece.

Once the pieces are leather-hard, they become known as greenware. At this point, decorations or carvings, handles or modeled pieces can be added. When this greenware is thoroughly dry it is ready for firing in a pottery kiln which can reach temperatures many times higher than the conventional oven. This first firing is known as the bisque, or biscuit. Bisque ware is usually porous with the natural color of the clay used and somewhat rough – like the familiar terra-cotta pot.

Most pottery pieces are more useful and made more pleasing in appearance when coated with a glaze. The glaze coating, made up mainly of silica, serves to seal surfaces and make them smooth, hygienic and colorful. In most cases the glaze mixture is applied to the bisque area with a small brush, hand dipped or sprayed on. Color and surface textures of the glaze develop during the second or what is known as a "glost" firing.

Within this basic process there many variables of clay bodies and techniques such as wood firing, crystal firing, raku and even adding horsehair to create used and useful pieces of art.