Special Orders

Unloaded the kiln last night. These are some special order pieces that came out. I have been glazing for the last three days. Today it is raining and it is messing up my day. Today is the last batch and I need to spray one more large pitcher. The rain is so heavy that it is overrunning the gutters above the garage door and is coming in the garage. So I had to quit for a bit. Hopefully it will stop within the next hour. I have been learning more about my camera and I hope to have better photos soon. Todays photos were ok, but if the sun was out, I believe that they would have been better.

Sanding and Slipping

Today I sanded and slipped my pieces, then loaded the kiln. I will probably have to do another bisque load, then 2 or 3 glaze loads before my show next week. There are a few special orders to finish, a number of small pieces to refresh my stock for the show, as well as 3 pieces that have a chance of being entered into the Mint Hill Arts Juried competition. All needs to be done by Friday of next week. After that I don't have anything pressing until the end of July. I may even work on the dinnerware set I promised to make for myself.

"Flower" vase

Here are a few of the pieces I did today. I was trying to think outside the box and made the vase in the middle with flowers sorta put on at random and the top is squished into an oval. I need to start doing more texture on my pieces to make them more interesting.

Flower pocket

A few days ago I made this flower pocket. I was just trying to use up a rolled out piece left over from finishing the ends of the cracker dishes. Thought it was fun piece, so I will probably make more in different sizes. Organized my receipts for Jan-May. Got a new laptop and need to transfer my bookkeeping software so that I can enter everything. I am so far behind. Maybe by next week I will get it done.

Jazz Hands

Filled out an application for a show in Fort Mill, SC at the end of July. It's called "Great American Pottery and Artisans Show". Its the first year, so I am taking a chance on the promoter, but they are giving us two spaces for the price of one. That means that I need to try to find one more shelving unit soon. In the fall I have expanded a few of my booth spaces and will need it then as well. Today I made this vase plus 16 egg separators. The handles on the vase remind me of "Jazz Hands".

Calla Lily

Today I made this pitcher. It is inspired by a calla lily. I am not sure what colors to glaze it. The other things I made today were spoon rests and tea bag rests. Not very inspiring. I wasn't really in the mood to work, even though it is a beautiful day out. Hopefully tomorrow I can do more.

Back to throwing

The last three weekends I have been at pottery shows around North Carolina. This Spring has been mostly better than last as far as overall sales. I started doing shows a year and a half ago, just as the market collapsed and I wasn't sure if it was the greatest time to be starting a new business. Luckily my husband keeps telling me to give it three years. The last few weeks I haven't been throwing much, just glazing to replace stock sold. I have worked since January stocking up on bisque ware for just that reason. It has worked out pretty well. My last show before the fall is June 5th in Eden, NC. After that I will be stocking up for the Fall shows.

My Mom has been here visiting since March and has helped with 4 of my spring shows. I really enjoyed her visit and appreciated her help.

Today I went back into the studio. This pouring vessel turned out nice. If all goes well with glazing, I hope to put it in the juried show at Mint Hill Arts in June. Every day this week I plan on throwing at least one possible show piece. I also stocked up on my small berry bowls.