Christmas Days

My nephew Garrett helped me to unwrap my gifts today.  He was quick to unwrap and say presents!  Presents...  a handsome 2 year old.

 This is my newest nephew, James.  6 mos.  My dad knit him a cap for Christmas.

Nephew James has wild hair- and more of it than some two year olds and he's 6 months old!   Sweet boy.  Will be at my parent's house for a few more days and then back to home and the pottery studio to make a bunch of bowls for an exhibition at an upcoming conference.  Am missing the clay these days; it's like a part of me is gone or at least tucked away for awhile.

Merry Christmas and 2013 Around the Corner

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Here's part of my collection of ornaments from over the years.  My family has the tradition of giving each an ornament each Christmas--- more or less that is, and so several of these have the year and my name written on it.  There's one of my alma mater- University of Kentucky.
The bell ornament near the center is made of pottery- is raku; hard to see from the glare of the picture, but it's a simple raku ornament.  That was this year's ornament to each in my family.  Kinda surprised myself in purchasing it at an arts gallery (Wooden Stone) in Davidson.  I'm not one to make ornaments; functional pottery instead.
Not worth it as it is just me and too expensive to put up a live tree, so while in Charlotte recently I was looking around an outdoor store that sold trees and garland and got some free garland.
Anyway, I'm ready for a new year.  Unexpected medical and car bills plus other stuff- well, it's been a long year.  I'm ready for a much better one!  I must say though that pottery has been one of the bright spots.  Thanks to all who have purchased my pottery and thanks to the blog community- it is a miracle that I make pots and I love it so.  It has been a wonderful adventure beginning a new business too.  The only inconvenience these days is that pottery isn't transportable (is that a word?)  Can't take it on the road when one is traveling.  Oh well.
Thanks too for all who have commented on my blog; you continue to teach me and I am grateful.
Here's to a wonderful 2013!
p.s.... can you find the other ornament made out of clay?
it's near the bottom; is made from a mold, next to the angel

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??