Brushy Mountain Apple Festival

This week I have been relaxing.  I did do an easy glaze load, but the rest of the week I just hung out with my Mom.  This weekend is the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival, so I will need to pack up tomorrow night.  We leave here at 4:30 in the morning Saturday. UGH.

Last week I went to Vicki Gill's Studio and purchased some new forms from her.  Next week I plan on playing around with hand building.  It might be nice to have some square forms for a change. 

I did want to remind everyone that if you have a piece of mine, take a snapshop of it being used, either with food in it or displayed on a shelf.  Don't be shy. You can win a new piece.  Check out the side bar for details.

Festival in the Park Booth

 Yesterday was our first day at Festival in the Park.  We started setting up around 10 am and finished at 3 pm.  Then we rested and ate some Gyros for dinner.  The Festival officially opened at 6pm and there were alot of Festival goers.  In this photo you can see my booth along with a few of my neighbors.  There are hundreds of booths around the lake.  My mom made the two flags/signs you see here.  She did a great job.  My Mom is here to help me until the end of November with my shows.  You can see a photo of her if you visit my Facebook page.

Kiln Load Full of Large Vases

This morning I undloaded a glaze load and pulled out a few nice vases that I need to photograph properly.  The three extra large vases I made a while back were dry enough to bisque fire so I reloaded with a bisque load.  I didn't want any of the large vases to get broken by someone accidently bumping up against in the studio.

Later, I went to the Claymatters Guild Annual Picnic.  We had great food and conversation.  It's always great to meet with other potters and share ideas.

Tea Time

For fun, today I made a teapot. As well as a creamer & sugar and two chip and dips.  Not a very productive day but I had fun.  My shelves are pretty full of stock and my fall show season starts next week. It is going to very hard to motivate myself to keep throwing pots.  But I have to, because once the shows start, it's hard to do much except glaze in between weekend shows.

My mom arrives in a week to help out and keep me company at my shows.  I have been redecorating the guest room in preparation.  The theme is black and white with red accents.  Its awsome, if I do say so myself.

Three Footed Vase

Today I made pieces inspired by the pieces Sylvia Coppola made at the class on Saturday.  The top photo is my attemped pieces and the bottom two photos are Sylvias examples.  The main thing I wanted to learn from her class is to "mess up" my pots a little.  So many of my pieces have smooth surfaces.  The pot on the left was dropped after I cut it off the bat, but I was able to rescue it.

I wanted to remind everyone that I have a facebook tab located on the right side of the page.  If you "like" New Day Pottery, you will get updates about current events right on your facebook page.  Also, next week I will be sending out my Fall Newsletter.  If you would like to be on my email list please send your email to jabdelaziz@carolina.rr.com.

Taking it to the next level

Spent today taking a class from Sylvia Coppola at Mint Hill Arts.  The class was called "Throwing Better Pots - Taking it to the next Level".  I feel that I need to let go more and do more altering to my pots.  Sylvia does alot of texture by carving, stamping, etc. and altering of shape after it is thrown. 

In the photo, Sylvia is making a tripod footed vase.  She is scoring the bottom of the vase in preparation of forming the three feet.  Check back later this week to see my attempt on making this vase, as well as a few other items I plan on trying.

At our lunch break I took a look at the new location for the Mint Hill Art Gallery.  It was recently moved next door and has a bigger space as well as looking so much more elegant.  I hope to exihibit again there soon.  But I am so busy in the fall.  Hopefully I can enter into the Juried Competition in December.

Lobed Jar

Unloaded the rest of the kiln this morning and this is one of my favorite pieces.  I don't really know if it has a purpose but I like the shape and think it would look good on display.  This morning I also glazed and reloaded the kiln.  There are some pieces in there that I am excited to see because I tried something new with the glazing. 

I am gearing up for the fall show season.  Right now I am committed to doing 10 shows, including my Annual Fall Studio Sale.  I was so excited yesterday when I received the postcards for it in the mail.  They turned out great.

Chip & Dip

A while back I threw this chip and dip.  I finally decided what color to glaze it and here it is.  I may make some more of these.  My concern was that the weight of the bowl would cause either separation or warpage.  Neither happened.  This piece was at the top of the kiln load so I pulled it out.  I am leaving for an evening out with friends and tomorrow I will finished unloading, so check back for more and better photos of my favorite pieces.