iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Here's a few clips of processing and testing my new clay. After separating the clay from the sand I found it to be relatively low plasticity, but still possible to throw with, and in fact better than the other high-fire wild clay I've been working with these past couple years.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Had to say "so long" to George last week 😭😭😭 We had a great summer that was far too short. Hope to see him back in these parts soon. (And glad we got a little birthday celebration in before he left!)

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I finally found it! I've been searching for this kaolin since 2022 based on a single passing mention in the 1869 diaries of James Howley. I have made three previous trips to the area, two on foot and one by boat, with no success, and I was beginning to think that I was chasing a wild goose -

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I thought this one deserved a closer look so I put it on the photo stand for a proper shot. It's made from Plainsman H550 stoneware, with layered wild nuka glaze and plenty of ash. I love that flash of yellow so much. It's already sold and will be living in Elliston with Mary and Ralph. #pottery

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

In my ongoing quest to find more colour in local materials I am happy to discover this glaze that gives me flashes of yellow in the right circumstances. It's very simple - just quartz, wood ash, and granite, so I'm not really sure where the colour is coming from.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Lighting the wood-kiln early tomorrow morning. If you're in the neighbourhood you're welcome to stop by for a kiln hang. We'll be here all day. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #woodfiredpottery

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This iron wash (made from beach debris) has a very satisfying brushing quality. #ceramics #pottery #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Once or twice a summer I go out to document my project #Habitat where I have placed pottery on the seafloor near my home. Over the past number of years these vessels have indeed become a place for life in the harbour, attracting plants and animals alike.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I'm so lucky this summer to be joined in my studio by George Shelton. George is a traveller and outdoorsman, and is a recent graduate of HSAD ceramics. He's been hard at work digging clay and cutting firewood, and he's already glazed a thousand mugs. His enthusiasm for all things is so energizing.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Slab -> mold -> carve. A little five-sided plate destined for the wood kiln. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Four whiskey/wine cups. Thrown and carved from local earthenware clay and glaze. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #nlcraft #wildclay

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

A couple months ago I was asked to do an order with a green glaze. I'd normally decline this type of thing because making and testing a new glaze can be a lot more work than the customer realizes. But it was a fairly large order and it was during a down time so I decided to go ahead with it.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Here's a few more shots from the final days of #forageandfire Big thanks to Beth for helping out, and all the participants for being so fun and dedicated. Hope to see you all again soon! #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #woodfiredpottery

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

#forageandfire 2026 is halfway done. We collected rocks, dug clay, made glazes and loaded the kiln. We saw icebergs, visited puffins, and ate capelin. And there's so much left to do! Lighting the kiln this evening. Can't wait! #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #woodfiredpottery

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

#forageandfire 2026 starts next week! I want my kiln to be perfect and beautiful when my guests arrive so I'm replacing the glazy floor and crusty old firebox grate. Hopefully the new steel bars last longer than the old ones. #pottery #ceramics #woodfirekiln

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

It's been such an amazing spring so far. Lots of icebergs and wildlife (yes, that is a lynx in my backyard), and now the flowers are blooming and the trees are blossoming. #spring #ceramics #pottery #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Yesterday was a shelf maintenance day - scraping and grinding so new pots don't stick to the mess from old pots. But there's an art to this too. I want to carefully preserve these accumulated ash glaze drips on the underside of the shelves so that they rain down on the pots below in the next firing.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

It's cone pack day. That should be enough for the next six months. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #conepack

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Here's another teaser before the mug sale tomorrow. Back in 2023 one of my art idols Billy Gauthier came to my area to carve his masterpiece The Earth, Our Mother from a donated fin whale skull. I was lucky to get to know Billy a little bit and asked him to save some of the bone bits for me.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Here's one of my favourites I'll have at the mug sale at Portage on Sunday. Local earthenware and glaze! After so much work and research I'm really happy to be able to use these materials in my production wares. #pottery #ceramics #earthenware #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Coming up Sunday it's the annual May Mug Show at Portage. I'll be there with lots of wood fired mugs, earthenware mugs, and my usual selection of RDF mugs. This'll be my only visit to St. John's before the xmas craft fair, so if you need a new mug make sure to check it out. #pottery #ceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Here's a small sample of finished tiles. This is my first time installing tiles! I'm still haven't decided on a surface, but luckily I don't have a pressing deadline. #ceramics #canadianceramics #earthenware #tile

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

I'm really having a great time with these #kurinuki pieces. It's a process of rapid making but slow drying, so lots of time for reconsidering and recycling. Only the best few will be fired. #pottery #ceramics #earthenware #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Vinny went for a romp in the snow while I stayed in and made some #earthenware bud vases. Now he's tired out and I'm ready for a walk. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

The bys are some proud of their teapots! And they should be - great work by Adam and Jesse in this winter's pottery class! #pottery #potteryclass #ceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Trying some #earthenware tiles. This local clay is so nice, I still find it hard to believe it was only ever used for bricks, not pottery or tiles or anything else. #ceramics #tile #wildclay

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Was inspired to try some #kurinuki yesterday. Today will be a day out in the sun. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #earthenware

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Starting right about now I'm giving myself a month to work in earthenware with very little planned outcome or expectations. It's a stay-at-home residency if you will. I'll be making some pots on the wheel, making whistles, carving, texturing, and basically messing around to see where it takes me.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Love when the spring sun finally makes its way back into the studio. The plants love it too. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

We had a perfect little snowstorm yesterday. It came and dropped about 15cm in a couple hours then cleared right up. Made for a nice sunset walk. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

IT'S NOT TOO LATE!! Due to a cancellation there's one spot available for Forage and Fire 2026! If you wanted to attend this workshop but were unable to register please get in touch with me. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #forageandfire #woodfiredpottery #woodkiln

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Located between forest and ocean in Port Union, Newfoundland, Wild Cove Pottery makes a variety of functional and sculptural ceramics. Studio Assistant responsibilities include making, glazing, and firing pottery, as well as customer service and studio maintenance.

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

My first batch of whistles. I went pretty far in the direction of ocarinas but will steer back towards emergency whistles in the next batch. Also testing some black and white slips to paint them. #pottery #ceramics #ocarina #wildclay

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

A little vase from the September firing. It's very crusty from being right at the front of the kiln. I'm never decisive with these pots about how much to clean/sand/grind off, but with this one I'm inclined to leave it. #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #woodfiredpottery

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

This is a little overdue since I was busy with my show the last while, but better late than never: In 2007 I travelled throughout Canada and the USA doing a work called Bicycle Rehabilitation Project where I went to art galleries and offered free bicycle repairs and tune-ups to folks who wanted them

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

A few detail shots of pieces from my exhibition. It opens at the Craft Council on Saturday! #pottery #ceramics #crochet #canadianceramics #nlcraft #artsnl

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

This week I'm heading to St. John's to set up my exhibition Weight at the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. It's all new work in ceramics and crochet that I've been working on these past few years. If you're in the area I hope that you'll be able to join me. #pottery #ceramics #crochet

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

A customer ordered a teapot so I made ten. Heres my two favourites: #pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #teapot

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Michael Flaherty @wildcovepottery.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

A little ice in the harbour. The only ice I'll abide.

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