It's the Little Things- Light!

 I've looked for weeks for a new light for my studio.  Didn't want to spend alot of $.  Went to the Habitat Restore while in Charlotte last weekend.  Looked online.  Went to Target.  Finally found this one-  $20 at Target.  Put it together tonight---- and wow, it makes SUCH a big difference.   I could've spent a few more hours out there tonight except that I got hungry, so when dinnertime came, I let the kiln keep going and left.

 Less than 10 more bowls to trim, and then it's the etching stage and then hopefully they dry fast.  Am busy filling Christmas orders..... it is all wonderful!

Here's the light I ended up getting--- $20!  What a great buy.  Next thing I'm wondering- what do you recommend for music in a small studio space?  (2 car garage; I use it as a 1 car).  Heard the jawbone jam box wireless one is good..... and I have a gift certificate that I've kept for awhile to use for something.  Hmmm.  Any suggestions??

A Young Apprentice in the Making

 Thanksgiving is around the corner and here I am with one of the sweetest pilgrims there is!  Was a 'special visitor' at my niece's preschool this morning.  Loved time with Lily!

 And yes, there could easily be a future in clay for her.  Here she is practicing writing her abc's on a 'rock' as she has named it.  See the abc guide on the left. :)

 Garrett at age 2 loves anything that moves, including his Poppy.  The earphones are from what Poppy used blowing leaves.  Cute picture!

 Lily, age 4 could be my apprentice!

 Garrett is quite the charmer!

They are two of the sweetest children I know, and of course I am not biased!   :)
Happy Thanksgiving!  May your day be full of peace and gratitude.

Baltimore Clayworks Visit- Winterfest 2012

Stopped by Baltimore Clayworks on my way to my sister's house.  Was immediately drawn to these pieces, of course in part, because they are glazed in shino!  They are by Matthew Hyleck.  Check out his link for more.  Absolutely stunning.

Made me really missing firing gas kiln pieces!  Still, there are great things one can do with an electric kiln.  I'm now at my parent's house for Thanksgiving week and thankfully, I have the time to research a bit more and read, read, read.  :)  I'll share more pics from the Baltimore Gallery which had lots of pots from the Winterfest 2012 and Holiday Sale, but in all, it was just beautiful and inspiring!
And, I've realized that I tend to have these long gaps before I create posts.  :(  Not good; it is hard to find time for writing on the blog especially when I have a full-time job and am traveling here and there, and then spend almost every spare moment I can in the studio making pottery!
Still, the pottery world is just refreshing these days!  I will post tomorrow about what pottery I brought with me here to work on.  Much to do before my next glaze firing next Monday.  Thanks for reading and thanks to those of you who write your own blogs; I really enjoy reading them!

Time

 Sometimes I forget just how much time it takes to make one bowl.  Many who are reading this know this.  There's the wedging of the clay, then the throwing of the piece, then waiting for it to dry a bit, then trimming it and then drying and then... well this is a run-on sentence!
Then there's design time- which for me is etching words onto the outside of bowls.  Then more waiting and then brushing off the clay from the words and then a bisque firing.
So, it sometimes takes longer to make a piece than I imagine.

 Made baked oatmeal last week.  Will do the same this week.  One bowl this size is enough for four breakfasts!  Yum.  Mom's homemade recipe.  If you want, it please let me know.  So easy to make!

These days I'm making and trimming a bunch of bowls- different sizes and different orders that need to be done by mid-December.  While it may seem early to fill orders, I have to start now because I work-full time too.  And with the colder weather the space-heater came in quite handy today!  Not sure how I would have done anything at the wheel today without it.
Oh, what lotion do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?  Heard that Burt's Bees was great.