After a night of high-stakes competition, flying clay, and local brews, the results are finally out of the kiln! This feature takes a closer look at the “messy process” and surprising outcomes of the Blindfolded Beer Stein Challenge from our recent Craft Battle & Brews.
During the event on November 8, our competitors—Front of House Lead Alisha N. Porter, Facilities & Office Manager Dan Barnett, and Studio Coordinator Chris Carson—faced their most daunting task yet: throwing the largest beer stein they could while completely unable to see their work.
From Darkness to the Display Case
While the audience at the Craft Battle & Brews saw the raw, wet shapes take form, the real magic happened behind the scenes in the weeks following the battle. These steins have officially completed their journey through the ceramic process:
The Throw: Competitors relied entirely on muscle memory and “feel” to pull the walls of these vessels.
The Dry: The pieces were slowly dried to “bone dry” status to prevent cracking.
The First Fire: A bisque firing to harden the clay while keeping it porous for the glaze.
The Glaze: The unpredictable application of minerals and oxides.
The Final Transformation: A high-heat kiln firing that turned raw chemicals into the vibrant blues, deep reds, and earthy greens you see today.
The Finished Pieces: A Study in Intuition
Now that the “cook” is complete, we can see how each artist’s muscle memory manifested in the clay:
Dan Barnett (Back Left): The tallest of the trio, Dan’s stein features deep, vertical finger-ridges that tell the story of a blind pull toward the ceiling.
Alisha N. Porter (Back Right): Perhaps the most experimental result of the night, Alisha’s piece features unique, trumpet-like attachments that push the boundaries of traditional vessel form.
Chris Carson (Front): Chris’s piece shows a sturdy, classic profile with a rich, dark glaze that highlights the textures created during the heat of the competition.
The Final Step
These one-of-a-kind pieces were auctioned off during the event’s silent auction. Now that they have been glazed and fired, they are officially ready to head to their forever homes! This “What’s Cooking” feature reminds us that in craft, the most interesting results often come from letting go of the plan and trusting your hands.
Were you one of the winning bidders for these unique steins? Keep an eye on your inbox for pickup instructions! Would you like me to help you draft a “kiln opening” announcement for social media?