Double Rim Bowl

Yesterday I set out to make medium bowls.  I wanted to do a number with a double rim but I tend to make thin rims from the get go and can't split the rim.  So, needless to say I only had one with the double rim and scallops.  I really like this look, so maybe later this week I will try again.  This past week I have just been working on filling basic stock items.  I made mugs one day and I think that perhaps they are too big.  I couldn't remember what amount of clay I used the last time.

Tomorrow I work my one day a month at Rubys Gift.  I haven't been in there in a while and I am told that the whole store was revamped and I am excited to see how it looks.  Some of my mugs will be added to the inventory then.

This Saturday I will have a booth at the Piedmont Pottery Festival, at the Museum of York County.  I look forward to the start of my busy season. It is hard to decide what to make when you haven't had a show for awhile.

Piedmont Pottery Festival

I had my End of Summer Sale this past weekend.  I only had a few people stop by, so I don't think I will be having any more Home Shows in the forseeable future.                   I spent today boxing up the new pieces on display for the Piedmont Pottery Festival coming up in less than two weeks.  They have added a second site at the Museum of York County for Contemporary potters and that is where I will be. I will be curious to see how the addition of non-traditional potters will be received.      This show will be the start of three Saturdays in a row with shows.  On October 1st I will be at the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival.  That show is so much fun (apple pies) and very busy, the day goes fast.  Then our Guild puts on the Carolina Claymatters Pottery Festival the next Saturday.  It's fun because I get to see all my pottery friends.      To see a complete list of this years show, check out the show page. 

Favorite Vase

Today I unloaded the kiln.  This was my favorite piece.  I really liked how the glaze ran through the basket weave texture. There were a number of other great pieces in this batch.  This glaze load was the last before my End of Summer Studio Sale on September 10th and 11th.  There will be a lot of new pieces for preview, as well as older items at 30-50% off.         A few days ago I sent out my fall newsletter.  See it here.

Twilight glazing out of the kiln

This glaze is called Twilight.  Friday I did a whole load of this line.  After getting back from our cabin this afternoon, I unloaded the kiln and this was one of the pieces to come out.  It and 4 other pieces have been placed on Etsy for sale.  Check out the site on the right hand side of this blog.       My new lightbox has been working out well.  When I used to take photos of the twilight glaze it would not photograph very well.  I thought that this photo turned out pretty well so it was worth the investment in the box and lights.    Tomorrow I will be glazing yet again.  Look for more photos in a few days.

Countdown to my End of Summer Sale

I have started getting ready for my End of Summer Sale and that means I have started to glaze.  This pedestal bowl came out of the kiln a few days ago.  Check out my Facebook page for more photos.  In the coming weeks I will be showing my favorite pieces there.  The sale is on September 10th & 11th.  For more details on the sale check out the right hand side of this blog.  I will be glazing again tomorrow, so look for more photos early next week.  I will also be adding more pieces to my Etsy site for purchuse online, soon.

Oops I did it again

Today I prepared my greenware for the bique load by sanding and slipping.  I destroyed 3 out of 5 yarn bowls.  I may not make these anymore, since there is about a 50% failure rate when sanding the swirl. Maybe I should clean them up before they dry.  The pedestal was just too thin.  Oh Well.  I glazed yesterday and I'm waiting to open the kiln. Look for photos tomorrow on my facebook page.  I will glaze at least 3 more times before my End of Summer Sale.  So there will be many new designs to preview.  As well as a bunch of pieces at 50% off.

Getting ready

 The last few days I have been busy making a variety of pieces I need for upcoming shows.  The pedestal with holes is something fairly new.  I had made one a few months ago and it was sold at the Earth & Fire Show.   The Egg Tray is new as well and I am not sure how many I should make.  I also made another attempt at a salt & pepper shaker made with extruded pieces.  The last set I made the bottom holes were too big and the top holes were filled with glaze.  If this time doesn't work, I may give it up.    

In a few weeks I will glaze a bunch of these pieces for my Studio Clearance Sale coming in September.

 I opened up my email today and had a note that I was being featured on Lisa WB Walker's Blog, Food & Pottery. She wrote a great post that featured my Sunrise line.

Cabin in the woods

We spent our first weekend in our new cabin.  For the past month I have been anticipating the  closing and it felt like a year.  We took up a truck load of furniture and essentials.  In a few weeks we will go again and hopefully finish bringing up most of everything else.  I look forward to getting away from it all and getting more excercise.  The cabin is near Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and only about 25 miles from Asheville. We both like to hike, especially if we can find a waterfall and we like to fish.  My husband is also hoping I will take an interest in golf (Charlotte is almost always too hot).  As you can see the place needs a womans touch.  Next spring I will plant some flowering bushes and perenials in front.  We have accumulated so much stuff over the years that there isn't a whole lot of items we have to buy to make it livable.  I am already starting to look into art shows in the surrounding area to have a booth next year.  Some shows that were not feasible before, might work now if I don't have to pay for a hotel.  I would also like to check out galleries locally and see about selling some of my work there.

Been Busy - Really

Since getting back last week, I have been working every day (including Saturday and Sunday).  Today I sanded, added the slip trail beading and then loaded the kiln.  This is probably the fullest I have ever loaded the kiln. My greenware shelves were full and I will probably do another bisque load as soon as this one comes out.  I will be taking this weekend off but get right back to it next week. I have one month left before my fall season starts, so I am giving a huge push to stock up on bisqued pieces.  There are 2 shelving units in my studio that I need to fill with bisque ware before the fall.

On September 10th and 11th I will be having my Fall Clearance Sale.  This is also New Day Pottery's 3 year anniversary and I will have a number of pieces at 50% off.  Some are seconds(not perfect quality), others are just older and I want to make room for new pieces.  I will also be glazing a bunch of new items the week before the sale that will be available for purchase.  There will be pieces in the new glazing technique I have been working on as well as some new pieces like the deviled egg trays.

Last week I picked up the pieces that were at the Earth & Fire Pottery Festival in Kings Mountain.  I was very pleased with the show.  It was at the Kings Mountain Art Center and lasted for a month.  I joined the Southern Arts Society and now I have a few pieces in the gift shop.  They mentioned a holiday show in December that I will probably have some pieces in.