A Wonderful Surprise!

 This was it.  First heard about this picture and few words from friends on Facebook published on the front page of the Carolina Living Section in the Charlotte Observer on Sat. Dec. 7.  It was a surprise because I had no clue about this and unfortunately, didn't have much inventory.  Quickly learned of the interest in folks purchasing bowls and well, realized there's no way I can make more by Christmas with the commitments I have on my calendar.  I did have a dozen or so at the GiftShop at Christ Episcopal Church, Charlotte which was the original contact and got the story to happen in the first place. So, later today I'll go buy some more clay and begin to make some more bowls for delivery in early January.  People have been contacting me on Facebook asking for bowls- and so I have just a few left.  It's been a fun whirlwind which has inspired me to make more and more bowls…. and pottery in general.

 Meanwhile, this is my remnant and proof of my visit to Tracey Broome's studio.  Absolutely gorgeous.  I finally made it there!  Had to wear this the next day- it's simply beautiful and I love it.  And well, I have lots to learn in the picture taking category so it's best to go to Tracey's blog here to see great pictures and pottery.

 A few remaining teabowls that are glaze firing as I type.  Will spend the rest of the day in the pottery world- buying more clay…. and updating my etsy store adding a few pieces to it.  Also need to organize the paperwork and business part of all this.  Even so, I must say that I absolutely love all this!  If only I could do it full-time.

Two remaining bowls that I have…. for purchase.  They're firing now.  Have to make many more of these in the new year.  I remember one of my instructors saying….  the more you make of one form, the better you are at making other forms.  I've found this to be so true.  It already takes lots less time to make bowls than it used to.  Thanks for reading and your patience in me being away for awhile.  One of my goals over Christmas is to update this blog.  Thanks too for all your comments!

For Now

 For now I will be making the familiar forms.  I sense some new forms or new surface designs in the future, but for now this is the one.

Well, and this one too.  I have a few Christmas commissions to make and will get those done this week, which is cutting it close to have them ready for Christmas, but if I throw them and have them etched before the end of the weekend, I can fire them in enough time.  Thanks again for all the kind words in my last post.  I'm ready for a New Year!   Thanks for reading…

Long Time Away

 I really can't explain it.  I've taken a break from pottery and Peter, your comment saying that you hope I'm okay is so thoughtful.  thank you!  I'm okay.  Allergies which have been horrible at times (and I try to take as little medicine as possible), and trying to contemplate about things, well- it's just been quite a fall.  I've also taken up running which has been good, but oh, going on a 40 minute run takes time!  There are times I wish I could return to life as a child, which was oh so wonderful and so easy.  Life can be quite the challenge.  I don't know what I would have done these past few months if I couldn't run.  My longest time:  1 hour 8 minutes-- that was on a mountain road of Western NC.  I felt like Forrest Gump.  Only stopped because it was dark.
And well, I moved this futon into this new place in my small house, and a friend gave me the bird feeder that you can see near the window, (and it really is squirrel proof) so I've been reading lots and watching the birds and just relaxing.  Discovered that juncos are the latest new kind that have visited the bird feeder.  The nuthatches are among my favorite too.  That means 15 types of birds in all, including some regulars to my suet feeders.  This is my new favorite thing- to have a gentle quiet morning waking up by spending hours here.

 I have managed in the past few months to make almost one kiln load of pottery.  Need to glaze a few more pieces my nieces and nephews made today and I'll glaze fire this one on Monday.  Am also wanting to try new things, but what?  Haven't settled on the 'what' yet.  I need to practice making mugs and find a form I like in that.  Yet handles?  So hard to make and I don't like the mess of them.
I must say too that I haven't really missed being at the wheel too much, but I know when I return (hopefully later today) I will probably think to myself….. where have I been?
These two small tumblers are test ones.  Base glaze in a greenish celadon and then wax resist with the simple words and then a bluish celadon sprayed on top.  Each have a word written on them in two places.  Time and the kiln will tell!

It still hasn't hit me either that Christmas will soon be here.  Of course, I'm not ready but what will be will be.  I must say I too get tired of all the $ spent.  It has been a tough year with the passing of my grandmother and the transition in jobs.  

And not much exciting has happened lately, except for last Monday.  I decided at 6 pm that I would go to the Tennessee Lady Vols vs. North Carolina game in Chapel Hill.  Didn't have a ticket; didn't know where the arena was.  Just got in my car after running and a quick shower and left wearing orange. 

I turned out to be so lucky. Found free parking in the street and then walked up to the arena and saw a couple holding two tickets.  They even sold me one for $10 and it was ON THE FRONT ROW virtually under the basket.  I was astonished and so happy for the good.  Some background: In my final year of graduate school at UT, I went to every home game.  Ended up scoring many of the games on paper-- which was great fun and an excellent way to keep focused.  I so miss being at the games; it's like entering another world.  Love cheering the players on and well, almost losing my voice.  Look how close they are!  And I love to people watch….

This game was incredible.  Tennessee won!  I've so needed good luck and I hope it continues. 

I wasn't dressed like this guy at all- UNC stuff from head to toe.  This pic shows how close I was to the floor though!  Interestingly, the arena wasn't near full… 

Thanks for reading.  Hope I don't stay away long this next time… 

Awhile Again

It's been awhile again since I've posted.  Oh well.

Lots has happened. 

My beloved abuela (grandmother) who lived in Bolivia passed a couple weeks ago. 

Spent 5 days or so with family, just being together. 

Still adjusting to work and commuting to it.  

Being a priest is exhausting. 

Oh, and the warmer weather hasn't helped.  

And now, today is my birthday so I just wanted to be at the wheel a bit.  

Made these today.  

The forms just seemed to come.  

Making sure they're the thickness I want so only the best ones are saved.

No plans as to what to make- the ones above will be small tumblers.  

Simple, gentle forms.  

These bowls are the forms that emerged.  

I need to make mugs next.  Need to practice lots on the handles. 

Am working on finding forms in each style that I like and getting them the shape I want. 

These two forms are to stay for awhile.  

Hoping to spend more time in the studio in the weeks to come!  

Oh, and I went to the Potters Invitational in Charlotte and LOVED seeing all the pottery and friends there.  That will be my next post.  

Thanks for reading and for your comments.  

New

 Here are the latest tumblers- and well, my first two mugs.  They look so much bigger--- in pictures, yet I know they will shrink.

 It's taken me awhile to figure out what mug form to use.  Here is what it is for now.

This tumbler form just emerged.  It is the same one I've used while making yunomis, and even so, I'm a bit surprised that it looks okay on a tumbler size.  The tumbler in the front and the one on the left of the picture are the two tumbler forms I'm making for now. 

For some reason, I've been running and reading more than making pottery.  I can relate to Tracey Broome's post about taking a break.  Oh well.  It will come.  I do need to start building up inventory for Christmas.  My wise pottery friends say that summer is the time to get ready for Christmas although it just seems so EARLY!  They've done this longer though; they defnitely know better.  Thanks for reading!  It's always good to hear comments, questions, and feedback from folks.  I appreciate it when you keep in touch! 

Encouraged

Encouraged!  These tumblers were my first.  The colors are so bright and vivid.  Glaze was a bit thicker as they glazes were at the bottom of the bucket.  Hmmm  That tells me something.
Think I'll be making lots more tumblers this weekend.
I finally decided how I want to put the wording on them and the spacing of the words.  I also got some great ideas last weekend in Asheville about how to alter the surface design of pieces.  Have some great tumbler ideas!  Time in Asheville was so inspiring!

 Another pic of the tumblers.  Hard to figure out how big to make the letters and well, it's more difficult to etch them on the tumblers than bowls- as the surface isn't as flat on tumblers.

Here are the pots before the glaze firing.  Didn't like my test tile results much. 

These were fired to cone 6, slow speed.  Think I'll fire the next batch to cone 5, medium speed as they'll be quite thin and I'll see what happens!  

 Rich colors.  The glaze on the big bowl is a bit thick- so it may end up in the flowerbed to accompany the flowers.  It was late; and well, it's hard sometimes to tell the thickness of glaze.

Read the first 75 pages of this in two weeks and then I had to return it to the library.  Excellent book!  Think I may have to splurge and buy the kindle edition--- which these days is the cheapest.
Hosseini is one of my all time favorite writers.
Thanks for reading... and for your comments.

Time and Drying

Drying.  I sometimes forget how much time it takes.  And then when I think about when to do kiln firings I sometimes forget that I schedule them for days when I am out of my home, which can't happen.  So, my upcoming kiln firing schedule has changed.  It's good to be flexible with pottery when you can and anytime an order comes your way, to make sure to create some cushion days.  Thankfully, I have a good plan B for kiln firing figured out! All is well.

Meanwhile, these tumblers (6 inches high) are at various stages of drying as you can see.  (Wet ones up front and darker).  Am a bit ready for something new- a new surface design and look so I will experiment with a blue transparent glaze in the next firing and maybe use some wax resist too.  Hmmm.

I must admit that it's easier to etch words onto bowls than onto other forms.  Tumblers are challenging.  Hard to keep the words straight (or at least somewhat straight in a line) so I'm bunching them up together in groups instead of in one continuous line.  Hard to explain.  Will post a picture of one when it's finished.

Enough rambling.

Long day!  Am exhausted.  Hopefully will spend some time glazing some pieces tomorrow.  Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Remember When?

 Remember When?  That's the title of this puzzle- one I used to put together with my siblings when I was a teenager--.  Rescued it from the barn at my parent's house and brushed the dust off it.  Will post a pic when complete.  It does have gumballs and all.  I love nostalgic things like this puzzle.

 Remember when you were this age?  4 3/4, 4, or 2 3/4?   I have sweet memories of those days- the good ole' life where there was hardly a care in the world.  My sweet nieces and nephew having a grand time these days at Grandma and Poppi's Summer Camp.  Time goes by fast and well, they are growing as fast as weeds.  I'll give this pic the title 'Two Princesses and a Prince.'  Notice the prince is holding onto a piece of wood.  :)

 Remember when you were at a place that you wished you could jump to at the snap of your fingers?  That's a retreat center out in the North Cascade Mountains.  Was there in May but that seems like too long ago.  These Rainer cherries weren't ripe in May and now well, they are.  Found them at a Target store in Raleigh, NC.  All the way from Wenatchee, WA.

 Haven't posted about pottery because it's been too humid and hot to make much of anything.  I have one order coming up so this weekend it's supposed to be 83 tomorrow and less than 90 for the next week.  Now THAT is good pottery weather.  Decided to get this fan which helps, but the mosquitos were horrible yesterday even with repellant on.  4 pm on is high mosquito time.  :(
More pottery pics to come.

In the meantime, I made these yummy zucchini and corn fritters- sautéed.  Semi-used a recipe I found online--- they have 1 egg, some flour and zucchini and salt and a bit of parm cheese and that's all!  Perfect for summer instead of using an oven.  :)  I remember when my mom used to make corn fritters.
Thanks for reading!   Does this get you thinking down memory lane?
p.s.  there's another evening storm coming as I type.  Don't mind the rain, but all this lightning and stuff is a hassle--- I have to unplug everything like my tv, etc... so it won't get struck by lightning.  :( wish the storms wouldn't be so strong at times!

Animals I Don't Want, etc.....

 Before the animal talk, any tomato recipes (simple) to share?  This big one was a gift I received today and as you can see, is ready to be eaten!   BLT, maybe?

 And, it is too warm to be in my studio- my garage studio most of the time.  Here's the temp at 10 pm tonight.  Was gone most of the day and watered flowers late tonight.  Am so ready for 80 degree weather!  Can you tell I'm from the north?  Don't have the $ for a window air conditioner.... if I was a full-time potter, I'd have to take out a loan and get one.

 Ready to plant these- but will wait until it's a bit cooler.

 Okay.  Onto animals.  What kind of insect is this?  It is huge!  Found it in my studio yesterday and tonight saw two more near my garage.   Oh, and I'll spare you the picture but I found a dead--- yes dead frog near my tennis shoes and door inside my garage.  It was turned over and completely dry and it so scared me.  Usually am not scared but I could've stepped on it!  :(  Took a broom and swept it away- far away!

 Meanwhile, the flowers are okay as I water them most nights.  I am praying for rain.  The ceramic pot with a z crack in it doesn't seem to mind the heat, of course.

 Zinnias from seed!

The butterflies seem happy too.   Stay cool- unless you're in New Zealand-- then stay warm!

Charlotte Market, Gallery, and Saving Plants

 Went to Lark and Key and of course, loved time there.  Decided to walk away without a purchase and wait for a Sandy Snead piece of jewelry.  Met her while there and saw lots of great art- like these new plates by Jennifer Mecca.  Sorry for the pic, but these were amazing!  Decorative or functional... Click HERE for more about the gallery.

 Also went to Lowe's and did what I love to do there- head straight to the clearance section and find plants to rescue.  Found four perennials!  :)  Lucky me.

 Two dianthus, 1 lady speedwell, and 1 beard tongue; they're now drying out from all this rain and I'll plant them in the next couple days.   :)

 Discovered Atherton Market too.  Can't believe I missed this place when I lived there!  Ended up buying a small piece of this cheese which was kinda like a soft gouda.  Delicious!

 Lots of organic food there.  They have a facebook page HERE.   Discovered it because I heard King's Kitchen, a non profit restaurant downtown now has a bakery but the bakery is at the market on Saturday.  Bought a loaf of ciabatta bread too.  :)  Look here for more about King's Kitchen.  Incredible southern food there too.

 Okay, so that was on Saturday and one of the small vendors had fish.  This black sea bass the vendor said, was alive on Thursday.  I loved this market!

 Back to Lark and Key as my pictures are a bit jumbled.  I really like Julie Covington's work too- there is an upcoming opening featuring here on the first Friday of August.  Will try to go!  :)  I like how she uses wax resist in her glazing to make the designs.   So inspiring to be here!

Back to the market- here's the King's bakery.  (ugh, blurry pic).  I so like buying local food especially when the proceeds go back to the community to help those in need as is true with King's Kitchen and Bakery.
Ended the day with a good run in one of my favorite spots in Charlotte.
Tomorrow will reclaim clay.  Thanks for the inspiration for that, Meredith!
Tracey, thanks for the running inspiration!

Tempted- Lark and Key

I'm in Charlotte for the day and am so tempted to go here.  Love this place and would take almost anything in this gallery in my home.    Here is the link:  Lark and Key!

by Sandy Snead

 Took these from their website.  Tempted because I want to buy just about everything in the gallery.  Can you see why?

by Julie Covington

Being there always inspires me to get back into the studio.  Hope you'll check it out if you're nearby Charlotte and haven't yet... 

More soon. 

Lemon Cupcake, Frit 3110, Ancient Ceramics and Reclaiming Question

When I was little, my mom made these cupcakes for my class on my birthday. Mom is one of the best cooks there is, and while this one looks a bit mushed (from travel), it was yummy!  With a little 10 x sugar on it, it is like no other.  It is a vanilla cupcake with lemon meringue scooped into it.... When the cupcake is done and cool, just take a knife and take off of the top part of the cupcake and then scoop in a bit of the warm lemon meringue.  Probably my favorite kind of cupcake!  Mom made this when I visited recently.

 The other day I finally made it to Claymakers in Durham.  I keep forgetting whether it's called Claymakers or Claymatters... but whatever it's called, I got some copper carbonate, custer feldspar and frit 3110 which will help me make a new blue glaze recipe.  :)  (Thanks, Tracey!  Claymakers...)

 With all the rain out, my flowers are happy including my zinnias and cosmos, both planted from seed.  Inexpensive and cheap!  :)  Oh and a vase of mine in a not so good pic.  Sorry!

 Back to more pics from a few hours spent in DC.  This was the closest I got to the Washington Monument.  Love the sky shot.

 While there, there was an exhibit highlighting different countries- and those which have indigenous groups whose language is in threat of becoming extinct.   One of those is a people group in Bolivia- and I am half bolivian, so I visited.  These are looms that are used to weave blankets and all kinds of woven things.

 While in DC went to the Asian American Museum... and saw this!  A balsa boat--- which is made on the shores of Lake Titicaca.  These are hard to find on the shores of that huge lake these days, but some of my ancestors-- my grandparents-- and others who have gone before me, made boats like these.  They're huge.

 This is interesting... languages that are at risk... saw this in that indigenous exhibit.

 Two ceramic forms in the central american exhibit- 'Ceramics de los Ancestros'  (Ceramics from the Ancestors)... Really like the shape of these forms.   Was in the National Museum of the American Indian.  Interestingly, it had much from Central America--- but not South America.

 Okay, these pictures are a bit scrambled.  Back to time in PA with family.  My mom's homemade custard.

 Custard- some of which I ate for lunch in DC with red raspberries I picked before I left.  Yum!

 Hmmm- back to the exhibit in the I make teabowls with this shape.  :)

 From that National Museum.  This even had a foot--- although hard to see.

 The full balsa boat...

 Beautiful woven things-- blankets are called ahuayos...

 And this is a chuspa.  I have one-- in other colors.  It is used by the indigenous people to- of course, carry things... in particular, coca leaves which make cocaine.  Mine is a purse.  :)

 listened to a mini concert by one of the Quechua groups--- from Bolivia.

 Flowers that love the rain...

Okay, so this is how where I put the clay water.  Then it settles and well, I pour off the water at the top.  So- a question:  do I just wait and then reclaim it--- or what's next.  What do you do?  I have no sink and really this is all the clay water I have from one year of making pottery.!
Silly question sorta...  Oh, and look at the insect.  dragonfly hanging out!  It was HUGE!