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!