Christmas and Bowls

 Gosh, I've done it again.  I've spent a bunch of time away from creating a blog post.  Ugh!
My poor excuse has been that I've been making these--- the bowls above.  I'm just amazed that people love them.  I do this because I love it and well, it's just amazing that others think similarily.  They take FOREVER to make (I'm not complaining!) and there have been Christmas orders, so well, I have little free time.
Next year I will begin to stock up on Christmas inventory in July!   A good friend gave me that wisdom.
So, my days have been so busy, but thankfully the Christmas orders are out and I'm working ahead on making more pottery for a sale I'm doing at the end of January at a convention for Episcopalians.  My goal is to have 100 pots; that may take a miracle, but I'll try!

 Thanks to my family for collecting bubble wrap and peanuts over the past year plus.  It has been a huge help as it takes a bunch of that stuff to pack a bowl or two well!  I've found I really like the packing part; my least favorite step of the pottery making process on some days is trimming and on other days it's putting the wax resist on the bottom of the pots.  It's certainly not the packing, though!

 Just returned from time in Charlotte.  Had a great visit seeing wonderful friends, yet I came back a bit early because I need to spend time in the studio making pottery!  So, tomorrow is a pottery day of sorts.   :)

Ended my time in Charlotte by running at night in one of my favorite neighborhoods that has lots of Christmas lights.  It's interesting- I used to do this all the time when I lived there and well, when I left town, I missed the ordinariness of this ALOT.  Never saw a house with this much light, but there was usually enough to light the sidewalk--- I usually only lose my footing once or twice.  It was simply beautiful!  Inspiring.  Oh well, I miss Charlotte...
Merry Christmas all!  will try and remmeber to blog in the next few days, but just in case not....
Thanks for teaching me so much through the blog world.  I love the pottery world!  Thankful.

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!