In anticipation of the new year, I thought I'd post a little something. Not much. I've decided that my posts have become too wordy and that I almost avoid writing them sometimes because I don't feel like I have enough to say, when in fact, I most often enjoy reading the shorter posts of fellow bloggers. That might be because my ever wandering mind is able to focus better on them!
I've spend these past few days after a rather glutton-ish Christmas doing nothing..., but I'm excited to start the new year with new ideas and new ventures, one of which includes quilting (yes I know...what next). I purchased some of those adorable little charm packs a long while back and I'm itching now to turn them into a warm and cozy quilt. Perfect for this VERY chilly weather. I've been pouring over my favourite fabric sites, including Fabricworm, and swooning over the fabrics there. This morning they've posted a contest to win some gorgeous new floral-y fabrics by Ellen Luckett Baker...I'm sure I'm do to win something?? You can enter too...here.
A wonderful and prosperous 2014 to you all!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Come and see me at Wintergreen!
Just a reminder that I'll be at Wintergreen this weekend (15th-17th). You can find me at the Regina Area Pottery Guild booth on the Theatre Stage. There will be wheel throwing demos as well as glorious pots perfect for gift giving and of course for you! Hope to see you there!
Friday, October 25, 2013
WARNING!
The following post may cause you to gasp loudly. More severe reactions can include falling to the floor in a faint or shaking your head in disbelief.
That's right. I'm posting. How long has it been? MUCH too long... and while I'm full of excuses, most of you know that I have been very busy prepping for my daughter's wedding. After all, I was an integral part of the decorating committee along with my sister and niece. My beautiful, newly wed, daughter entrusted us with that duty, knowing that we LOVE that sort of thing. The first week or so was a little rocky trying to decide on colours and the overall theme, but the arrival of the cutest pair of John Fluevog shoes in a mustard-y yellow and coral-y pink set the tone!
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Select photos by Eyelet Photography
Most of you know that I had volunteered to "make" much of what we were going to be using for the wedding. Admittedly, I'm a bit of a control freak, and perhaps, I'm a even a little OC when it comes to quality. It's not unusual for me to say "oh, I can make that!" and most often I can, though sometimes I'm tearing up hair out and asking myself what I was thinking! That being said, I might have gotten more than a little carried away with this wedding (but then again, this WAS my daughter and there isn't anything we wouldn't do for our kids, is there?) Thankfully, my daughter had to put her foot down more than once and tell me no, SHE would look after that. (Thank you sweetie pie...you saved my santity!)
Everything went so well...wonderfully in fact! The resort was amazing, set in the mountains. The air was crisp, but the sun shone, despite predictions of rain and the trees...I can't even describe how gorgeous the fall colours were. Five hundred plus flowers later, fifty plus hand thrown vases, one hundred and fifty hand made napkins, crepe paper streamers, bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and countless hours of planning, one absolutely stunning bride, one extraordinarily handsome groom, beaming parents and grandparents...aunts and uncles, etc.... it was all worth it. (I even sewed my outfit!) Love WAS definitely in the air!
It's taken me a week to recoup, and I'm not lying when I say my house is in desperate need of some cleaning. Little bits of crepe paper still dot the floors and unpacked boxes sit at the door, but today...yes TODAY...I'm going to my messy studio...in need of a clean as well...but I need to throw. The itch is back and I have some upcoming sales I need to be ready for! I'll post info on those later, but for now....it's time to play in some mud!
I'm popping over to Mud Colony to read more on what my fellow potters have been up to! You should do it too! Just click here!
Have a glorious, sunshine-y day!
That's right. I'm posting. How long has it been? MUCH too long... and while I'm full of excuses, most of you know that I have been very busy prepping for my daughter's wedding. After all, I was an integral part of the decorating committee along with my sister and niece. My beautiful, newly wed, daughter entrusted us with that duty, knowing that we LOVE that sort of thing. The first week or so was a little rocky trying to decide on colours and the overall theme, but the arrival of the cutest pair of John Fluevog shoes in a mustard-y yellow and coral-y pink set the tone!
.jpg)
Select photos by Eyelet Photography
Most of you know that I had volunteered to "make" much of what we were going to be using for the wedding. Admittedly, I'm a bit of a control freak, and perhaps, I'm a even a little OC when it comes to quality. It's not unusual for me to say "oh, I can make that!" and most often I can, though sometimes I'm tearing up hair out and asking myself what I was thinking! That being said, I might have gotten more than a little carried away with this wedding (but then again, this WAS my daughter and there isn't anything we wouldn't do for our kids, is there?) Thankfully, my daughter had to put her foot down more than once and tell me no, SHE would look after that. (Thank you sweetie pie...you saved my santity!)
Everything went so well...wonderfully in fact! The resort was amazing, set in the mountains. The air was crisp, but the sun shone, despite predictions of rain and the trees...I can't even describe how gorgeous the fall colours were. Five hundred plus flowers later, fifty plus hand thrown vases, one hundred and fifty hand made napkins, crepe paper streamers, bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and countless hours of planning, one absolutely stunning bride, one extraordinarily handsome groom, beaming parents and grandparents...aunts and uncles, etc.... it was all worth it. (I even sewed my outfit!) Love WAS definitely in the air!
It's taken me a week to recoup, and I'm not lying when I say my house is in desperate need of some cleaning. Little bits of crepe paper still dot the floors and unpacked boxes sit at the door, but today...yes TODAY...I'm going to my messy studio...in need of a clean as well...but I need to throw. The itch is back and I have some upcoming sales I need to be ready for! I'll post info on those later, but for now....it's time to play in some mud!
I'm popping over to Mud Colony to read more on what my fellow potters have been up to! You should do it too! Just click here!
Have a glorious, sunshine-y day!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Latest....
Before you ask...
No, I haven't been sick all this time, though it did take me a while to recoop.
Yes, I've been neglecting you, but not because I've been sitting on my thumbs. My brother and his family were here visiting and my daughter spent a weekend visiting with us as well. She left the grand-dog with us and let's just say that puppy is all-consuming! We returned her to my daughter and her fiance and spent a week visiting with them. There was a wedding shower for her while I was there and that was nice....or maybe nice isn't the right word.....it was so much fun! (what a WILD bunch they are!)
I have been throwing....LOTS! My biggest problem now is the size of my kiln and the fact that I'm really limited to how much I can fire at one time. I don't even stack my bisque fire because I've found the underglazes will leave a mark on the piece sitting on top. Coming home from our little trip, I stopped in Medicine Hat to pick up some supplies and talked to them about a new kiln...bigger one. I need to save up my pennies but I'm pretty sure it's inevitable, which truthfully, I'm going to really look forward to!
I did drop off some pots at a little consignment shop before I left on my holiday and got an email while away asking for more! Wooohoooo!! If that's not incentive for me to make and make and make some more! Finished decorating some pots this morning and glaze firing this afternoon. Sometimes I wish I was just glazing period...none of this underglaze/paper resist/carving stuff. I'd love to have shelves of bisqued pots sitting there waiting. I find that once my pot is too dry, there is nothing I can do to get my paper to stick to my pot, so I can only throw so much at a time, even if I wrap them really well in hopes they'll dry slowly...which by the way...these days it's quite humid so that's been less of a problem. Anyway, not complaining (much), because of course I LOVE the decorating most of all!
When I'm not potting....I'm making these crepe paper flowers for my daughter's upcoming wedding. Hundreds of them...yes...I'm serious. Oh, and little blue vases for the tabletops...3 per table. Did I mention I'm also sewing napkins. Uh huh....and little skirts for the flower girls and one for the junior bridesmaid....
Posting a few pics and then off to work I go!
My daisy pots drying in the sun. Hopefully that'll speed up the drying!
Mock tabletop set up. The flowers will vary from table to table, but I'm really loving my big peonies!
Rose! This crepe paper is two sided.
Don't faint, but I'm going to post this on Mud Colony. Miss A is sure to pass out! Be sure to peek at the work of other wonderfully talented artists at this link!
No, I haven't been sick all this time, though it did take me a while to recoop.
Yes, I've been neglecting you, but not because I've been sitting on my thumbs. My brother and his family were here visiting and my daughter spent a weekend visiting with us as well. She left the grand-dog with us and let's just say that puppy is all-consuming! We returned her to my daughter and her fiance and spent a week visiting with them. There was a wedding shower for her while I was there and that was nice....or maybe nice isn't the right word.....it was so much fun! (what a WILD bunch they are!)
I have been throwing....LOTS! My biggest problem now is the size of my kiln and the fact that I'm really limited to how much I can fire at one time. I don't even stack my bisque fire because I've found the underglazes will leave a mark on the piece sitting on top. Coming home from our little trip, I stopped in Medicine Hat to pick up some supplies and talked to them about a new kiln...bigger one. I need to save up my pennies but I'm pretty sure it's inevitable, which truthfully, I'm going to really look forward to!
I did drop off some pots at a little consignment shop before I left on my holiday and got an email while away asking for more! Wooohoooo!! If that's not incentive for me to make and make and make some more! Finished decorating some pots this morning and glaze firing this afternoon. Sometimes I wish I was just glazing period...none of this underglaze/paper resist/carving stuff. I'd love to have shelves of bisqued pots sitting there waiting. I find that once my pot is too dry, there is nothing I can do to get my paper to stick to my pot, so I can only throw so much at a time, even if I wrap them really well in hopes they'll dry slowly...which by the way...these days it's quite humid so that's been less of a problem. Anyway, not complaining (much), because of course I LOVE the decorating most of all!
When I'm not potting....I'm making these crepe paper flowers for my daughter's upcoming wedding. Hundreds of them...yes...I'm serious. Oh, and little blue vases for the tabletops...3 per table. Did I mention I'm also sewing napkins. Uh huh....and little skirts for the flower girls and one for the junior bridesmaid....
Posting a few pics and then off to work I go!
My daisy pots drying in the sun. Hopefully that'll speed up the drying!
Mock tabletop set up. The flowers will vary from table to table, but I'm really loving my big peonies!
Rose! This crepe paper is two sided.
Don't faint, but I'm going to post this on Mud Colony. Miss A is sure to pass out! Be sure to peek at the work of other wonderfully talented artists at this link!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Yeesshh!! Has it been this long since I last posted?
I've been busy making pots for my upcoming sale. Bazaart. As usual, I'm a little worried that I won't have enough to fill my table, but I've always been surprised at just how much I have when I start unpacking. Hopefully, it'll be the same this time around! I plan to work right up to the day. My poor little kiln is working full time/non-stop! Load comes out, another goes it. I swear it hasn't even had a chance to cool down!
Yesterday I tried a new clay. Plainsman P370. I've had it for a few months but I've been a little nervous about trying it because I've been told it's a little softer and difficult to work with. It's a porcelaneous stoneware and truth is, I'm liking it! I've only thrown a few mugs so far. Bowls tomorrow. Who knows, it might be my new favourite! Guess the first firing will help me decide!
I'll try to get some pictures posted of my new stuff tomorrow!!! Teaser for the sale!
G'night!
I've been busy making pots for my upcoming sale. Bazaart. As usual, I'm a little worried that I won't have enough to fill my table, but I've always been surprised at just how much I have when I start unpacking. Hopefully, it'll be the same this time around! I plan to work right up to the day. My poor little kiln is working full time/non-stop! Load comes out, another goes it. I swear it hasn't even had a chance to cool down!
Yesterday I tried a new clay. Plainsman P370. I've had it for a few months but I've been a little nervous about trying it because I've been told it's a little softer and difficult to work with. It's a porcelaneous stoneware and truth is, I'm liking it! I've only thrown a few mugs so far. Bowls tomorrow. Who knows, it might be my new favourite! Guess the first firing will help me decide!
I'll try to get some pictures posted of my new stuff tomorrow!!! Teaser for the sale!
G'night!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
New Stuff!
Some new stuff!!! Feeling a retro vibe! I want to add something more to the blue atomic star inspired cups....thinking I might carve some additional stars in them or maybe try decals for the first time. Ideas appreciated. I'll decorate the pitcher with the stars too, a little differently. I did manage to trim the bottom on my Giffin....I used a foam bad underneath and it took me a while to get it centered but it worked! Thank goodness, because I had the handle on already! (yes I know...what was I thinking!)
The little round tumblers are inspired by the wonderful spaghetti string glassware. I love the pastel colours and how sets always included one of each. I remember my mom had some and I always loved the feeling of them. I bought a set a few years back and gave them to my sister! What was I thinking! hahahaha I carved lines around the loops and I think I might wash a darker version of the same coloured cup once bisque fired. I hope those lines will show up better then. Will also make a pitcher to match. Kinda loving pitchers right now!
Small accident. I went to move my carved vase and based it against the edge of one of my shelves chipping off a big chunk. I had to cut it down a little to smooth it out. How maddening!
It's been ages since I've shared anything on the Mud Colony Blog. Not this week! A great group of wonderful potters...be sure to check out their recent work here!
The little round tumblers are inspired by the wonderful spaghetti string glassware. I love the pastel colours and how sets always included one of each. I remember my mom had some and I always loved the feeling of them. I bought a set a few years back and gave them to my sister! What was I thinking! hahahaha I carved lines around the loops and I think I might wash a darker version of the same coloured cup once bisque fired. I hope those lines will show up better then. Will also make a pitcher to match. Kinda loving pitchers right now!
Small accident. I went to move my carved vase and based it against the edge of one of my shelves chipping off a big chunk. I had to cut it down a little to smooth it out. How maddening!
It's been ages since I've shared anything on the Mud Colony Blog. Not this week! A great group of wonderful potters...be sure to check out their recent work here!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Spring...just around the corner?
Snow, snow and more snow! I know it's all going to disappear eventually...but when! Another foot of snow fell on the weekend. Our roads are blocked. We've broken our snowfall record from the winter of 1955-56! Over 196.1 cm...that's over 6 1/2 feet!
I can believe it. I can't remember this much snow. I can't remember highways been closed as often as they have been this year or roads blocked so that I'm stuck here in my house! On Friday I watched our resident deer walk across the front lawn in hopes of finding a branch to nibble in the bluff. The belly of one of the bigger deer was dragging in the snow. Needless to say, it was slow going, but the poor things are so hungry. There's no food to be found. The snow is too deep and they can't dig deep enough to find any grass or leaves or whatever it is deer eat and quite honestly they've stripped the bottoms of most of the trees in our yard and we have a LOT of trees (thousands...seriously...farm yard....shelterbelt...I can vouch for 2000+ because we planted them!)
I felt so bad for them that I chopped up the celery and carrots that I had in my refrigerator, along with some apples and poured out the bag of bird seed. Then it snowed...and it was all buried and hidden from them, but today I see there are tracks...LOTS of tracks, right in the area where I heaped it all, and the snow has been pawed away. Sadly it wasn't much and I didn't see them eating it, so not sure how many were there. What I do know is there were a lot of tracks and we've seen as many as 16 at a time. So not likely it was enough to fill any bellies but at least it was something. I talked to our nearest neighbour on the phone today and he was telling me he feeds them everything....all his leftovers....including potato salad and they're gobbling it up! Who knew? I guess when you're hungry, you'll eat anything.
If I can say one good thing about all this snow and being trapped in my house, it's that boredom finally set in and I had to find something to keep myself busy. So, it's back to potting! I've had 3 really productive days and feeling really inspired. I have some new work. Retro inspired. I spent all of today decorating some really cute tumblers and I have a great pitcher that I will decorate tomorrow, after I figure out how to trim the bottom because I can't set it on it's spout. I do have a new Giffin Grip and might try to hold it up with those arms it comes with, though they scare me a little. I can't possibly tip the pitcher and hold it mid air while I'm squeezing it between those arms, so I'll have to get my hubby to help. I hope I don't ruin it. I love the shape and I can picture it finished. I have no idea if it'll be a good pitcher, but I really like making them. In fact, there are plans for another very soon!
I'll post pics of my stuff tomorrow!
I can believe it. I can't remember this much snow. I can't remember highways been closed as often as they have been this year or roads blocked so that I'm stuck here in my house! On Friday I watched our resident deer walk across the front lawn in hopes of finding a branch to nibble in the bluff. The belly of one of the bigger deer was dragging in the snow. Needless to say, it was slow going, but the poor things are so hungry. There's no food to be found. The snow is too deep and they can't dig deep enough to find any grass or leaves or whatever it is deer eat and quite honestly they've stripped the bottoms of most of the trees in our yard and we have a LOT of trees (thousands...seriously...farm yard....shelterbelt...I can vouch for 2000+ because we planted them!)
I felt so bad for them that I chopped up the celery and carrots that I had in my refrigerator, along with some apples and poured out the bag of bird seed. Then it snowed...and it was all buried and hidden from them, but today I see there are tracks...LOTS of tracks, right in the area where I heaped it all, and the snow has been pawed away. Sadly it wasn't much and I didn't see them eating it, so not sure how many were there. What I do know is there were a lot of tracks and we've seen as many as 16 at a time. So not likely it was enough to fill any bellies but at least it was something. I talked to our nearest neighbour on the phone today and he was telling me he feeds them everything....all his leftovers....including potato salad and they're gobbling it up! Who knew? I guess when you're hungry, you'll eat anything.
If I can say one good thing about all this snow and being trapped in my house, it's that boredom finally set in and I had to find something to keep myself busy. So, it's back to potting! I've had 3 really productive days and feeling really inspired. I have some new work. Retro inspired. I spent all of today decorating some really cute tumblers and I have a great pitcher that I will decorate tomorrow, after I figure out how to trim the bottom because I can't set it on it's spout. I do have a new Giffin Grip and might try to hold it up with those arms it comes with, though they scare me a little. I can't possibly tip the pitcher and hold it mid air while I'm squeezing it between those arms, so I'll have to get my hubby to help. I hope I don't ruin it. I love the shape and I can picture it finished. I have no idea if it'll be a good pitcher, but I really like making them. In fact, there are plans for another very soon!
I'll post pics of my stuff tomorrow!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Fire It Up!!!
Three months into the year and I have finally fired some new work! Remember that I only have a small kiln, so filling it, shouldn't be that difficult!
I've learned that I'm not the only potter having trouble with motivation. Somehow that's comforting! Wondering if it should be? I will admit to working best under pressure and at the moment I don't have anything too pressing other than my jury session which does take place in less than a month. (Just typing that has made me panic slightly!) I think all this procrastinating is partly due to this endless winter! I feel quite housebound and in fact, AM housebound! It seems that whenever I am scheduled to go somewhere the weather turns ugly and I'm having to cancel appointments! It's getting frustrating! One day of lovely, warmish (that would be just above freezing) weather and I'm tearing apart my closets and dejunking in anticipation of spring! I need more of those days!
We're in the midst of yet another winter storm. I waited all weekend for this one. A needle felting class that I was looking forward to was cancelled because of this impending storm and wouldn't you know that Saturday was absolutely gorgeous...melting and warm and had me worried that yet again the weatherman might be wrong. But no such luck... A little later than originally predicted the snow started falling and with it the wind. I can hear it howling as I'm sitting here, but it's dark out and I can't really see if it's still snowing or how bad the visibility is. Last night it seems the highways were a mess and travel wasn't recommended. I would guess this morning will be much the same. I'm glad I don't have to be anywhere today and the idea of hunkering down in my basement studio and playing with clay feels like a good idea!
Stay tuned..I just might have more work to show you very soon!
PS: I apologize for the photos...far too much glare! I need to set up something permanently so I'm not putting something together in a hurry!
I've learned that I'm not the only potter having trouble with motivation. Somehow that's comforting! Wondering if it should be? I will admit to working best under pressure and at the moment I don't have anything too pressing other than my jury session which does take place in less than a month. (Just typing that has made me panic slightly!) I think all this procrastinating is partly due to this endless winter! I feel quite housebound and in fact, AM housebound! It seems that whenever I am scheduled to go somewhere the weather turns ugly and I'm having to cancel appointments! It's getting frustrating! One day of lovely, warmish (that would be just above freezing) weather and I'm tearing apart my closets and dejunking in anticipation of spring! I need more of those days!
We're in the midst of yet another winter storm. I waited all weekend for this one. A needle felting class that I was looking forward to was cancelled because of this impending storm and wouldn't you know that Saturday was absolutely gorgeous...melting and warm and had me worried that yet again the weatherman might be wrong. But no such luck... A little later than originally predicted the snow started falling and with it the wind. I can hear it howling as I'm sitting here, but it's dark out and I can't really see if it's still snowing or how bad the visibility is. Last night it seems the highways were a mess and travel wasn't recommended. I would guess this morning will be much the same. I'm glad I don't have to be anywhere today and the idea of hunkering down in my basement studio and playing with clay feels like a good idea!
Stay tuned..I just might have more work to show you very soon!
PS: I apologize for the photos...far too much glare! I need to set up something permanently so I'm not putting something together in a hurry!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Pushing Myself!
I promised my good friend Adriana that I would have a blog post for Mud Colony this week. I keep missing the deadline, which is Sunday...IF you live in Australia! For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, that would be Saturday. I see she's kindly left me a little reminder on Facebook, so I won't forget....so here it is....
I wanted to share my new pitcher/jug with you. I'm trying to challenge myself, so I decided to go big or go home! I've made a little ones...creamers or creamettes as I like to call them. All of them handle-less because you know how much I dislike attaching a handle. Little ones are fine without that ...big ones...not so much. So, I poured over several of my pottery books looking for spout options and handle sizes and watched more then my share of videos too and even got some great advice from a few friends.
In the end I suppose I should have sketched a pre-throw diagram, but to be honest, I didn't really know what shape I wanted and I'm so thrilled that I seem to have this cylinder thing licked that I just started throwing and then I shaped it....a few times to be honest. If there is one thing I am pretty good at it's altering the shape of a pot....sometimes quite drastically! Anyway, I worried it was too fat and maybe the bottom needed to be narrower? or should it be wider? I don't like the idea of a tippy pitcher full of something sticky! I also considered pulling a spout but figured it might be too small for something so round.
In the end I'm pretty happy with it. Whether or not it will pour? Hmmmm....I guess we'll see. I did try the 'centre of gravity' test that Robin Hopper suggests in 'Functional Pottery' and I think I'm pretty close. My one concern is the handle? Too big? should it be closer to the body? I'd love to hear some critiques! (I'm a big girl, I can take it, really I can!)
And with that....Voila! When you've finished ogling and left me your suggestions, why not stop over at Mud Colony to check out what the other talented potters have been up to this week!
I wanted to share my new pitcher/jug with you. I'm trying to challenge myself, so I decided to go big or go home! I've made a little ones...creamers or creamettes as I like to call them. All of them handle-less because you know how much I dislike attaching a handle. Little ones are fine without that ...big ones...not so much. So, I poured over several of my pottery books looking for spout options and handle sizes and watched more then my share of videos too and even got some great advice from a few friends.
In the end I suppose I should have sketched a pre-throw diagram, but to be honest, I didn't really know what shape I wanted and I'm so thrilled that I seem to have this cylinder thing licked that I just started throwing and then I shaped it....a few times to be honest. If there is one thing I am pretty good at it's altering the shape of a pot....sometimes quite drastically! Anyway, I worried it was too fat and maybe the bottom needed to be narrower? or should it be wider? I don't like the idea of a tippy pitcher full of something sticky! I also considered pulling a spout but figured it might be too small for something so round.
In the end I'm pretty happy with it. Whether or not it will pour? Hmmmm....I guess we'll see. I did try the 'centre of gravity' test that Robin Hopper suggests in 'Functional Pottery' and I think I'm pretty close. My one concern is the handle? Too big? should it be closer to the body? I'd love to hear some critiques! (I'm a big girl, I can take it, really I can!)
And with that....Voila! When you've finished ogling and left me your suggestions, why not stop over at Mud Colony to check out what the other talented potters have been up to this week!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Pace Yourself
Time for a short break for a quick, cool drink and then back to my studio. I'm almost there. Almost ready to throw! If not today, then absolutely, positively tomorrow for sure! Ah...life...it keeps getting in the way!
I got a message this morning from a friend of mine, telling me she was going to drop an application off for a big art market held here in June. I thought it was strange that she would be sending it in so soon, when it isn't due until February 15....that is until it suddenly occurred to me that this IS February!! Where did January go? That head cold must have caused some amnesia because it's seriously all a blur!
Panic has set in! I need to get that out asap. Thankfully, I have some photos that I can send because as far as work goes, what I have here in the house, isn't photo worthy or sale worthy for that matter. I have posted a list of upcoming art markets and sales happening in 2013 and highlighted the ones I'm hoping to attend. I'm trying to keep it to a minimum so I can actually enjoy the production process and not overwhelm myself. I love the money a sale generates, but then who doesn't? But, I want to have fun too. This year, I hope to play more...experiment...push myself. I love my polka dots and the stripes and the bright colours, but I also love to carve and I haven't been doing much of that. I've been wondering if I can't incorporate carving with whimsical? Maybe experiment with some glazes....
Ooops....time to play!
I got a message this morning from a friend of mine, telling me she was going to drop an application off for a big art market held here in June. I thought it was strange that she would be sending it in so soon, when it isn't due until February 15....that is until it suddenly occurred to me that this IS February!! Where did January go? That head cold must have caused some amnesia because it's seriously all a blur!
Panic has set in! I need to get that out asap. Thankfully, I have some photos that I can send because as far as work goes, what I have here in the house, isn't photo worthy or sale worthy for that matter. I have posted a list of upcoming art markets and sales happening in 2013 and highlighted the ones I'm hoping to attend. I'm trying to keep it to a minimum so I can actually enjoy the production process and not overwhelm myself. I love the money a sale generates, but then who doesn't? But, I want to have fun too. This year, I hope to play more...experiment...push myself. I love my polka dots and the stripes and the bright colours, but I also love to carve and I haven't been doing much of that. I've been wondering if I can't incorporate carving with whimsical? Maybe experiment with some glazes....
Ooops....time to play!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Colds, Snow and Dreams
Good news! There's a little less nose blowing happening here these days and I've had the same tissue box sitting beside me and it's still half full, so that in itself must mean I'm getting better! Actually, I am feeling better, much better, so today...yes today...I'm going to finish up a few things in my studio so that I can start throwing. Yesterday I rearranged my cupboards so that I could organize my show and sale props, etc. and I cleaned up my little jars of underglazes, which I know might seem tedious (and it was to be honest), but surprisingly so many of them were drying up and they're far too expensive to just toss!
I also enrolled in another pottery class. I'm still not happy with throwing a cylinder and I'm hoping that this will be the class where I master that. I explained that to my instructor, Jan, when I registered and so my first class, she had us throw cylinder after cylinder and cut them open. Admittedly the first one was hard to cut open. But it got easier as the night went on, especially when I could see some improvements. I'm determined to perfect them, once and for all! We're going to attempt to make a tulipiere, which fascinates me. Of course I'm loving all the wonderfully detailed ones I'm finding pics of on google, when I know I should start with something less complicated!
Feeling a little housebound these days with all the snow and bad road conditions that I find myself day dreaming...more than usual! I normally get the itch come January and start dreaming of summer and my garden, and having fresh veggies to pick and eat. Not one seed catalog has yet to arrive in the mail, so that's a little disappointing. I must remember to order some. This year, I'm also pouring over possible workshops that I'd love to attend All quite overwhelming, because of course I want to do them all! What's really interesting me is a porcelain workshop. I worry that I'm not experienced enough yet for porcelain, but I'm so in love with the carving of it! Here's a few examples for those of you less familiar.
The gorgeous vase is by Lynne Meade. I love layering! You can read more about here here!
This is the work of Jennifer McCurdy. Stunning right? The movement is amazing! Ceramic Arts Daily has a video of her carving one of her pots. She makes it look so easy, but trust me it's not (yes, I've tried). You can find more of her work here!
Another favourite of mine is Antoinette Badenhorst. She and I have become FB friends and she's really so lovely and encouraging. Her work is so incredible. I love the translucent porcelain. I really do hope to one day attend one of her workshops. You can find her here!
Last but certainly not least, because there are so many more porcelain artists whose work I admire, is Amy Kline. Like Antoinette, Amy has become a FB friend too. I won't lie. When I get a response from any of these exceptionally talented clay artists, it feels a little like I've met a movie star (but frankly far more exciting to me!) The fact that they take a few moments of their time to talk to little 'ole me...well....
I have Amy's workshop on my wish list, and just hope that it's not full before I make a decision. Vegas in the summer...HOT...but there's a pool at her studio, and it all looks very comfy. You can read more about her here and her studio!
Ah...to dream....
I also enrolled in another pottery class. I'm still not happy with throwing a cylinder and I'm hoping that this will be the class where I master that. I explained that to my instructor, Jan, when I registered and so my first class, she had us throw cylinder after cylinder and cut them open. Admittedly the first one was hard to cut open. But it got easier as the night went on, especially when I could see some improvements. I'm determined to perfect them, once and for all! We're going to attempt to make a tulipiere, which fascinates me. Of course I'm loving all the wonderfully detailed ones I'm finding pics of on google, when I know I should start with something less complicated!
Feeling a little housebound these days with all the snow and bad road conditions that I find myself day dreaming...more than usual! I normally get the itch come January and start dreaming of summer and my garden, and having fresh veggies to pick and eat. Not one seed catalog has yet to arrive in the mail, so that's a little disappointing. I must remember to order some. This year, I'm also pouring over possible workshops that I'd love to attend All quite overwhelming, because of course I want to do them all! What's really interesting me is a porcelain workshop. I worry that I'm not experienced enough yet for porcelain, but I'm so in love with the carving of it! Here's a few examples for those of you less familiar.
The gorgeous vase is by Lynne Meade. I love layering! You can read more about here here!
This is the work of Jennifer McCurdy. Stunning right? The movement is amazing! Ceramic Arts Daily has a video of her carving one of her pots. She makes it look so easy, but trust me it's not (yes, I've tried). You can find more of her work here!
Another favourite of mine is Antoinette Badenhorst. She and I have become FB friends and she's really so lovely and encouraging. Her work is so incredible. I love the translucent porcelain. I really do hope to one day attend one of her workshops. You can find her here!
Last but certainly not least, because there are so many more porcelain artists whose work I admire, is Amy Kline. Like Antoinette, Amy has become a FB friend too. I won't lie. When I get a response from any of these exceptionally talented clay artists, it feels a little like I've met a movie star (but frankly far more exciting to me!) The fact that they take a few moments of their time to talk to little 'ole me...well....
I have Amy's workshop on my wish list, and just hope that it's not full before I make a decision. Vegas in the summer...HOT...but there's a pool at her studio, and it all looks very comfy. You can read more about her here and her studio!
Ah...to dream....
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The Doldrums.....
Just so you know. I haven't forgotten about you. I'm not ignoring you on purpose, nor have I dropped off the face of the earth.
What I am is sick again...with yet another cold. Who knew it was possible to catch a second cold when you weren't yet over the first and if you think one can be annoying...well....two is worse, but I don't think I had to tell you that. This second one was a head cold, definitely a fav of mine. For two or three days my head felt massive, (for those who know my noggin you'll be wondering if that's even possible) but luckily it worked it's way down to my chest, until I couldn't tell one cold from the other. I won't get into the disgusting details but suffice it to say that I'm surely missing more than a little brain matter and a good portion of a lung or two.
Remind me to buy stocks in Kleenex!
On a positive note I have improved. Still coughing, still blowing the ole' horn, sleeping a little better, still no get-up-and-go.
That sucks!
I have all these things I need and want to do! Some I'm not so keen on, but unfortunately they have deadlines. I know the clay can wait...no deadlines there, except to get my jury application in to the Craft Council. I can throw next week or the week after that. What I'm really itching to do...at least in my head (my body refuses to acknowledge the idea) is finish cleaning my studio, which was a disaster after the hectic madness of Christmas and more of a disaster now 'cos my dear husband had to shuffle a few things around to install some new lights.
I just know that a clean studio will help inspire me to get moving....maybe for an hour...small steps!
Until I have more to post, here's a photo of my latest Jarhead. She's going to need a name...any suggestions?
What I am is sick again...with yet another cold. Who knew it was possible to catch a second cold when you weren't yet over the first and if you think one can be annoying...well....two is worse, but I don't think I had to tell you that. This second one was a head cold, definitely a fav of mine. For two or three days my head felt massive, (for those who know my noggin you'll be wondering if that's even possible) but luckily it worked it's way down to my chest, until I couldn't tell one cold from the other. I won't get into the disgusting details but suffice it to say that I'm surely missing more than a little brain matter and a good portion of a lung or two.
Remind me to buy stocks in Kleenex!
On a positive note I have improved. Still coughing, still blowing the ole' horn, sleeping a little better, still no get-up-and-go.
That sucks!
I have all these things I need and want to do! Some I'm not so keen on, but unfortunately they have deadlines. I know the clay can wait...no deadlines there, except to get my jury application in to the Craft Council. I can throw next week or the week after that. What I'm really itching to do...at least in my head (my body refuses to acknowledge the idea) is finish cleaning my studio, which was a disaster after the hectic madness of Christmas and more of a disaster now 'cos my dear husband had to shuffle a few things around to install some new lights.
I just know that a clean studio will help inspire me to get moving....maybe for an hour...small steps!
Until I have more to post, here's a photo of my latest Jarhead. She's going to need a name...any suggestions?
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