Slip trailing and loading the kiln plus video

My back is finally feeling well enough to work for a few hours each day.  The back specialist said that I had muscle spasms.  While I am happy that it wasn't something worse, I can't imagine anything hurting much worse.  By last Wednesday I could hardly move.  Slowly I have gotten better with medication and icing.

Yesterday I did some slip trail beading then I loaded the kiln.  Today I worked on trays and small wall hangings.

While I was laid up I worked on a video of our local pottery guild's semi-annual festival.  I had taken the video clips last spring and just never had the energy or time to work on putting it all together. It is actually good that I got it done.  It's less than 2 months until the festival and I need to get going on the online promotion.

First Place Win

Friday evening I went to the Summer Art Explosion award reception at Falling Rivers Gallery.  I had received first prize in the 3D division.  This was exciting because it was my first win.  A few years ago I received an honorable mention at the Mint Hill Arts Juried show.  Since then I have not entered into any shows, mainly because I never hold anything back for shows and the timing never works out that I have something available that is worthy.  This time I purposely made 5 items for the show and took up 3.

I did something to my back this week.  Probably lifting boxes full of pottery at the show last weekend.  Every morning I wake up and can't roll over, but as the day moves along I get better.  So I have been working through the pain.  But today I woke up at 4am and could not deal with the pain.  In 45 minutes I will be at the Chiropractor and hope that he can make an adjustment that will fix it.  I really can't take many days off since I have 3 shows this fall and only have 2 boxes of pottery glazed.

Lidded jar

Today I made a couple pedestal pieces.  The piece to the left was initially supposed to be from an inspiration piece, but I didn't look at the photo and had already cut out the lid before I checked to see what I was supposed to be doing.  I will try again next week and make the decanter I was meaning to make.  

The piece on the right is a funeral urn for a customer in Canada that wanted a special urn for a beloved pet.  I hope she is happy with how it turned out.  I made three just like this, but only the one has a name on it.

In the last few weeks I have listed some of my new work on my online shop.  I hope to continue to add items when I have extra pieces.  I am starting to gear up for my fall shows and online holiday sales.  As always I am open to custom orders and if there is an item shown on my blog or Facebook page that you are interested in let me know and if it's still available it's yours.

Village Art & Craft Fair

A few days ago I got a call asking if I would like to the Village Art and Craft Fair in Asheville.  I had applied the last few years and did not get in, but they needed a fill in for a last minute cancellation.  So I said OK but then I had to figure out where to get enough product.  Now I suppose I could have just closed my Etsy shop and taken what I had, but then my display would be a mish, mosh of last years leftovers and a few new pieces.  So I decided to raid two of the consignment shops I recently put new work into and I glazed a load with the best bisqued pieces I had available.  Altogether I think I have good enough pieces for a show of this caliber.  Too bad my 5 very favorite pieces are out at competitions.  Tomorrow morning I will unload the kiln, clean up, price and pack in boxes, then load the truck.  My friend Lynda will be helping me out and we will be staying in our cabin near Bat Cave, NC.  I couldn't afford this show if I had to pay hotel costs as well.

Monday I really need to get into serious work mode.  Hopefully I will sell out this weekend. LOL. Then I will need to refill the gift shops plus get ready for the 4-5 shows I will do this fall.  I also have a few orders to fill in the next few weeks.