I’ll be there! This show is coming up soon. My booth is #206. I hope to see you there. Don Kopyscinski Bear Hills Pottery

I'm slowly emerging from my post Big E slumber. I want to thank all those who stopped by by my booth at the fair. We had a good show. This year the fair broke an all time attendance record! We always try to make it to that elusive 1.5 million mark and this year we passed it. A good time was had by all!

The Big E is in full swing. We're 8 days in, with another 9 days to go. I'm back in the studio today glazing more stock and loading a glaze kiln. I've got the bottom layer loaded. Mugs... mugs... mugs. Generally, I can fit 4 or 5 layers in a kiln load. Once fully loaded, the kiln will be fired to 2,325 degrees F. It takes nearly a full day to make it up to temperature, then at least another day to cool. The kiln firings have been going well. I'm very pleased with the way things are coming out. ( I love it when a plan works! ) I make regular trips to the fair to replenish the stock in my booth. If you will be going, please stop by the booth and say hi. I would love to show you my most recent work. Now, it's back to loading the kiln.

I'm checking in from my booth at the fair. My booth is just off The Storrowton Green behind the gazebo. If you come to the fair stop by and say hi. While on the green take some time out to watch "Hilby The Skinny German Juggle Boy" He performs on the green at the gazebo three times a day. He puts on a very entertaining show.

Hi everyone, Today marks the opening of The Big E! The show runs from September 15 - October 1st. This is my 35th year exhibiting at the fair.( Obviously I must have started as a child. ) My booth is in my usual spot. Crafts Common Just off the Storrowton Green Behind the gazebo And... To the left. We hope to see you at the fair! Don Kopyscinski Bear Hills Pottery

This is a video showing how I make multiple sugar lids from one lump of clay.

I will be returning to the grounds of The Big E this coming weekend. I will be again be participating in The Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler Craft Fair. It will be held in "The Better Living Center" at The Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. I look forward to seeing you there. My booth is #051. --- The Holiday Sampler Craft Fair Your destination for the best handcrafted gifts New England has to offer! November 19 & 20, 2016 Sat 9-6 Sun 10-4 Two days of fantastic arts and crafts, scrumptious specialty foods, and live music! Surround yourself with one of a kind crafts and meet over 230 artisans. Offering fine art, clothing, glass, pottery, woodworking, jewelry, handmade toys and more! Held at the Eastern States Exposition Center, inside the Better Living Center, West Springfield, MA Admission is $8 for Adults Kids 12 and under FREE

Timeline Photos

The Big E is now over. We had a good show. TOTAL ATTENDANCE AT THE 2016 BIG E: 1,418,042 I'm still in recovery mode. I want to thank all of you who stopped by to visit, and those who made a purchase. I enjoy the fair a great deal. It's always a pleasure to show off my latest work.

Timeline Photos

It's a beautiful day at The Big E in West Springfield today. All roads lead to The Big E today, and the crowds are on their way! It's perfect fair weather.

Photos from Bear Hills Pottery's post

Time does fly. This year will be the Hundredth Anniversary of the fair. Amazingly, (to me), I've been doing the show for one third of that time. I often tell people that I was a child prodigy. (It makes me feel a little younger that way.) So... I'm still in the studio making pots. I've got some items yet to go into the first firing to1800 degrees. I'm also waxing, glazing, and firing pieces in the glaze firing to 2300 degrees F. The studio is full of work in progress. Fortunately, I have wonderful help at the fair. That means that I can go home and fire a few more kilns before the second weekend. Work in progress: