Canisters and a Cookie Jar

In the last few weeks I have been able to get out to the studio only a few days a week.  When the temps are over 50 I work but colder than that I don't.  There is a space heater but I just can't get much enthusiasm to work in the cold.  There are no pressing commitments so I will not force the issue unless the cold stays here more than a month longer.

The last few weeks I started working on pieces for my kitchen.  The top photo is of items for my new tea/coffee caddy. The tall piece is for the caramel flavoring my son likes in his coffee.  The hummingbird piece is for the tea bags.  The small piece is for sweet and low.  Notice that I used my new stamps. I already had a sugar jar that's bisqued and I also made a caddy to hold it all.

The next photo is of my new cookie jar.  I made scenes of a bluebird with flowers and leaves on alternating sides.  The handle on the top is a twisted branch with leaves.

The bottom photo is of my canister set.  Of course this is my first time making lids for square containers so hopefully they fire well.  I also made a salt and pepper set and still need to make a utensil holder but I may decide on that latter.

I would like to use up my white clay in the next month and switch to brown clay.  I think that the color showing through would look good with all the texture in my new work.  There is a bunch of scrap clay that I need to re-wedge and I will probably make a bunch of small items to fill the kiln so that I can test some new glazes.

There are plenty of items for sale on my online shop but I need to make some more yarn bowls. Also I should work on mugs.  Every other potter makes tons of them and I just have never enjoyed it, but maybe if I forced myself to do it, I would get better at it.  I think I will make large mugs for my son's who have been drinking coffee like crazy lately. And there are never enough of the large mugs.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone

Usually I take December away from creating new pieces and concentrate on shipping  packages from my online sales.  As far as sales go, I made the same amount this December but with less items sold.  I suppose this is a good thing since there was a higher profit margin.  There were a few items that I definitely needed to have more on hand.  I should really learn to like making mugs because I noticed that most potters sell a ton of them.  Maybe this year??

Today I received the Christmas gift to myself.  These stamps came from a wood stamp maker in Canada, Charan Creations.  They seem very sturdy so I am pleased with the quality.  I can't wait to start using them.  Hopefully the weather will get better soon.  Since I have no shows until May and plenty of stock for my online shop there is no reason to hurry into a cold studio.

One project that I plan on working on is making pieces for my kitchen.  We plan on remodeling and I will be making canisters, utensil holder, tea caddy, plates, bowls and mugs in the new color.  This will only take a few weeks, then I will get started making new pieces for my inventory.

I have also applied for a few new shows this year and hope that I can get into a few and they are successful. My new plan is to drop shows that encourage crafty or cheap.  My new work doesn't sell well at those shows.  I also need to work on my portfolio and approach some new galleries.  I have recently pulled out of one gift shop and will drop another as soon as I find the time to go get my pieces.  I believe that my new work would do better in higher end galleries or gift shops where art is appreciated.

First Place For my Vase

Last night I went to the reception for the Annual Bill and Ann Litaker juried show.  I had entered two items on a whim.  The first piece I chose was the butterfly cruet that had won the Falling Rivers Exhibit during the summer and then I just chose a vase I hadn't sold at the last art show I went to.

Well surprise, surprise I won first place for the vase in the 3D catagory.  I had been informed that I had placed but not what.  It could have been an honorable mention or 1st - 3rd.

By the time they got to my name there were only two prizes left to announce.  First place in 3D or Best in show.  You can bet my heart was beating but alas no best in show and I knew that that vase could not possibly be "best in show" but you never know how a judge will go.  The winner was a young man that I am told just graduated from art school.  He had already won for two other painting so it wasn't a surprise really.  He is very talented.

The judge had these comments on my piece:  "Accomplished technical construction skill is evident in this piece.  What makes it special is the artist's elegant exploration of texture & pattern and the relationship of surface design to the playful vessel style."

The exhibit will run through December at Mint Hill Arts.  It's worth a look if you are in the area.

Buy handmade and support independent artists

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and recovered from the shopping frenzy.  My weekend was spent at the Craftsmen Classic in Greensboro.

Today I started adding new items to my online shop.  This fruit bowl was one of the items listed today. There are other great items being listed daily.  The brie baker set below makes a great gift for a friend, Mom, daughter or hostess gift.

If you are in the Charlotte area and would like to pick up a gift please give me a call at 704-341-0973 to set up a visit to my show room.  I will not be having a studio sale this year but I encourage anyone wanting a piece of locally made gifts to schedule a visit.

New Vases and a teapot fresh out of the kiln

Unloaded the kiln today and here are my favorites. Then loaded the last bisque load before Christmas, then Monday and Tuesday I will glaze for this weekends show.  Wednesday I set up for the Craftsmen Classic in Greensboro. \

Thursday I host around 20 people for Thanksgiving.  Luckily we do potluck so I don't have to make as much, but being the person I am I will make way too much anyway.  I plan on making turkey, scalloped potatoes, modified Waldorf salad, rolls and dessert.  Others are bringing green bean casserole, pasta casserole, meatballs, another side dish and more dessert.  Unconventional menu but should be good regardless.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday I will be at the show and Monday I will start adding tons of items to my online shop.  I have been trying to add new pieces daily this past week.  Just now I added a new hanging wall vase that just came out of the kiln.  **Remember- I am giving away a free gift (valued at $8) with every purchase in November**

Teapots and vases

I am a little bit insane for doing this but I am trying to get into two shows last minute.  The Craftsman Classic in Greensboro over Thanksgiving weekend is pretty much going to happen and I am first on the wait list for the Savannah Christmas in the South.   This means that I am not done making new things for this Holiday Season.

Today I made these three items and another teapot not shown.  I got new stamps last week and used them some.  My hope is that the teapot actually makes it this time.  Third times a charm? Right?

This weekend I will be at the Carolina Pottery Festival in Shelby NC.  This is always a great show with great selection from over 100 potters.

Last weekend I was in Macon for a Christmas Made in the South show.  The photo to the right is of my booth set up.  Now I can apply to art shows for next year.

Explosion in the kiln and a free gift

Wellllll....  It didn't work.  This is the piece that I decided to put directly into the glaze fire without first bisque firing.  The base blew up in the kiln and messed up the platter under it.  Luckily it didn't hit the mugs right next to it, since they were a custom order.  I think this might work on thinner, less complicated pieces.  Besides the base exploding, the bowl cracked along the seam.  It's pretty sad since this piece takes quite a bit of time to make, but I had to try.



This past weekend I finished packing up for the show this coming weekend in Macon, GA.  This is the earliest I have ever been ready for a show.  Usually I am working right up to the day before.  So I am taking the next few days for me.

I got up early this morning and went to a strength training class.  Boy am I out of shape.  I usually do a cardio class on Friday, but my arm muscles are sadly lacking.  I do want to try this class again.  Last spring I lost 25 pounds with Weight Watchers.  In June I had my son's graduation and the trip to England.  Since then I have plateaued.  In March I am going on a trip with my mom, sister, niece and nephew.  So we have decided to have a contest for whichever team looses the most by March.  Hopefully this will push me to work a little harder at counting my points and working out.  I hope to loose 10-20 more pounds.

By the way,  with every purchase from my online shop in November, you will receive a free gift valued at $8.  So get your holiday shopping done early and get a present for yourself.

New Postcards and a sign

Got some goodies in the mail today.  The postcards to the left and the sign below from VistaPrint, plus some new stamps, corks and olive oil bottle dispensers from Aftosa.

An established potter gave me some advice on the postcards.  She said to buy in bulk and place stickers on the back with sale info, etc as needed.  That way I can get a better price and not worry that I will have too much or not enough.

The new sign was purchased because the banner I got last spring was always wrinkled, no matter how I stored it. Check out the previous post to see what I am talking about. The color is hard to see in the photo, but it is a light green and should look good in the booth.

This past weekend I painted my pedestals and my chair in preparation for the show in Macon next week.  I want it to look it's best because I am setting up the whole display and hope to get a really good booth photo.  As stated before, I would like to try some new shows next year.

For the next two days I plan on glazing.  Yesterday I loaded the bisque kiln, started it and two hours into the firing I realized that I forgot my two show pieces (like the fruit bowl above)  I was so annoyed with myself, because I do not have any more pieces to fire an additional bisque load and won't be making anything else, possibly before Christmas depending on sales or if I get any special orders.    So........ for the first time ever, I am going to try to glaze without bisque firing first.  Cross your fingers.  If I am not a clutch it should theoretically work.  The piece is sprayed blue, then I remove the glaze from the details and re-paint the flowers, etc.

I have been very klutzy this week four different bowls and a teapot that I have done twice now were busted on the way to the bisque kiln.  And another bowl had a crack in the rim. AAARGH.

CCM Pottery Festival Booth

Last Saturday I had a booth at the CCM Pottery Festival.  It was a good day.  The weather was great so I didn't need my tent.  I hung my indoor curtains on the fence behind the booth.  The customers were great.  I got good feedback and my favorite piece sold, which always makes me feel good.

This week I made my old standards, brie bakers, berry bowls, medium bowls and pear bowls.  Next week I will work on slab built pieces including more Grecian fruit bowls, teapots, salt shakers, butter dishes, etc.

The following week will be glazing for my next shows.

My next show is November 8-10 in Macon GA at the Christmas Made in the South.  I have done the Concord show the last few years but this year I waited too long to send in my application. I will be setting up my whole display for the first time, including curtained walls and lighting.  My hope is that I can get a good photo to apply to some different shows next year.

November 16th I will be at the Carolina Pottery Festival in Shelby, NC.  They have moved the show to the LeGrand Center, 1800 E. Marion St. as well as the date.

This week I also added some new items to my online shop, including some in the new eggplant purple and creamy yellow glazes.  I will keep adding items up til the second week in December.