Almost December

Well, it's almost December and I haven't been at the wheel since early September. It's sad admitting such, yet there has been so much going on and I'm nowhere near a studio where I can walk into and sit down at the pottery wheel without getting in trouble. Moving has taken longer than I wanted, yet I must say the wait has been worth it. I closed on a house finally last week and am just beginning to unpack. These pictures reflect one of the best things I've done amidst the transition- an overnight trip to Asheville in mid-October. Even went on a hike with these two yunomis and shot some pics. First picture is from the Blue Ridge Parkway close to time of the sunset.
These pictures only begin to reflect the beauty of all I saw. It was beautiful beyond words. Loved time away. A day retreat for me, which was SO needed. Amidst all the change, I loved being in familiar places and not having to look at my gps or ask questions to find my way. Heavenly!
On the way back from Asheville to Southern Pines (my new home), I picked up my last batch of gas kiln fired pottery at Clayworks in Charlotte. Pleased with some and not so with others. Tried some new things.... a few pieces warped, but then again, I'm quite picky about it all. These were some of the best ones. It has been hard to part with any of these, as at least for now, these are the last gas kiln fired pieces I'll be making in awhile. I'll soon purchase a skutt electric kiln- so the glazing will be different--- and well, it will all be just different. I will so miss the mystery of the gas kiln fired pieces, yet I hear there is mystery too in the electric fired pottery. Much to learn! Any insight? I have lots of reading to do and I haven't read many pottery blogs lately- b/c I've been so busy, and a bit homesick from pottery. (p.s.- also just bought a Mac and not sure how to undo this underlining and blue type! (ugh)...This lake is in Black Mountain, NC. The leaves were not quite at peak.... and the weather was so warm. I just loved it there.
Made some plates and this big bowl with the high-water craggy crunch clay. This will be a new mixing bowl that will stay in my home for a good while. I've already given some of the other bowls to those who helped me move everything from storage to my new home. In the next couple weeks, I hope to place an order for a kiln and a wheel. Will share about what kind I'm getting of both soon... too tired to write now. That will have to wait and well, I must admit that I've thought of turning waiting into my middle name. I've waited so much lately- and while at times it's become second nature, at other times, it is still so hard. One of my mantras. Some things are worth waiting for.

To the clay works gang- I miss being there! What a great community. Thankfully, I love my new home and work is well, wonderful, to say the least and while I've waited, I've decided to take up running and meditation. Both are wonderful. I'm with my siblings and parents for a few days and already miss the pine trees, my favorite running spot, and the place and people at work. Happy Thanksgiving all- more later!

New

Some of my favorites from Michael Mahan's most recent firing. That one in the front is my favorite. More written below.
Ended up buying a mug! This mug will now be one of the two used for coffee in the a.m.... the other being Kyle Carpenter's.
These pictures don't do these justice. Amazing colors... really liked the pieces with a bit of ash on them.
It's been awhile again since I've posted. Better than no post about the new I guess is a post with this photo. The view from my office. The orchid is way more beautiful than the picture; it's a gift from friends here on my birthday in late September. And, looking very very closely, one can find one of Becky's birds that made its way close to the orchid.

Both the bird and the orchid sit in my office. I'm in Southern Pines now and the vies are just beautiful, to put it mildly. I've quickly decided that I love it here. Good places to run; and at present, I'm waiting for my new home to be ready to move into. Then I'll create my studio in the garage, which is a good size. :)

In the meantime, I'm recovering from moving and am finding my way around. As mentioned above, went to Michael Mahan's kiln opening this past weekend. Great to meet him and his wife, Mary. Neat to see their wood kiln and where they sell their pots. Fun to be so near Seagrove!

On another note, am SO looking forward to being back at the wheel in time. I can do this, I tell myself; meaning spend a couple months away from the wheel. Looks like it'll be November till I begin to throw a piece of pottery. I tell myself 'good things come to those who wait.' And at least with living in this beautiful part of the world, it is easier to wait. Plus, the people here are wonderful. While I knew little about this place and people before I moved, I'm absolutely convinced this was one of the best decisions I've made in a long while. Sure, I miss Clayworks in Charlotte, but Adrienne Dellinger and all the other instructors and students who taught me there helped prepare me for the here and now. :) I'm grateful.

The best is yet to come!

Glazing and Etching

While I used to etch words onto bowls, I haven't done this for awhile. Until now.
Am getting ready to move, so I wanted to make sure to capture a few quotes onto bowls that I'm keeping for myself. Two bowls in particular. These have quotes from my time at Holden Village in WA state. It always takes FOREVER to etch these, but I like the finished piece. Tonight I did that and then glazed some...

Bowls ready for the gas kiln (cone 10). Each have a bit of soda ash and wood ash sprinkled on them. All have a spotted shino glaze base.

Plates-- my first try at making a bunch of plates. I'm so happy with these! I plan on keeping them- a new set. Each have a different pattern, but the colors, not the designs- are identical.

Which one is not like the other? :) The smaller bowl and the vase have some amber celadon. Haven't used this glaze yet; so I'm interested in seeing how it looks on top of spotted shino glaze and next to or near blue/green celadon. And, the different one in the picture is more or less predictable.

The gas kiln was just fired so it will be awhile till these are finished. That's okay. I need to pack anyway and move and well, create my own studio! I'll need these bowls in inventory these next few months. It will be awhile before I'm at the wheel again. With that said, any wisdom for creating a studio? Thanks for all the kiln wisdom. Hoping to find a house with a window in the garage.

Kiln in garage?

Trying to find a new place to live.....here's a short poll....

What about putting an electric kiln in a garage? (not unattached one)

What's your practice? what do you recommend (or not)?

Just thinking.... looking into possibilities.