Wedding Gift

Here is a commission order I finished recently for a woman getting married in August. We worked together to design her place settings and serving pieces. I am envious of her because I don't even have a set for myself yet. I did make my appetizer plates today, since I am having Spades (neighborhood card game) at my house next month. I will probably make dinner plates next, but there is no hurry since I don't have any plans for a dinner party any time soon. There are so many shows that I am committed to in the fall, that I need to be making pieces for sale rather than for my own enjoyment. I plan on going to the farmers market this weekend to sale some of my misc. pieces. If it goes well, I will plan on going back again later this summer.

The buyer for the Greensboro Historical Museum Giftshop picked up their order today(Above). This is my first time selling work at a store and I am interested in seeing how it goes. She seemed interested in my new work with red sprayed on glaze. (see below). They are remodeling the museum and will be doing a Grand Re-0pening in the fall. She thought that they may be interested in some of that work in the fall.

Tomorrow I am going to get back to work making urns. I have made a bunch of bowls and platters lately, but I really enjoy making urns and I have sketched some ideas that I would like to try.

Another kiln load

Yesterday I glazed a load and today I made only 4 platters. I had no inspiration. But, I did unload the kiln this evening and here is my favorite piece. It is one of three that I made as a special order. Tomorrow morning I need to get back to it. I think that if I am in the right mood I will make the appetizer plates I have promised to make for myself. I tend to forget about myself and my new resolution for this summer is that I would make myself 10 place settings for my dining room.

Slip Trailing

I have been making pots all week. Until yesterday, when my son Tarick helped me put out 8 yards of mulch. Hot, tiring work. Today I did the final touches with the slip trailing. On many of the pots I do a beaded design, as well as dragonfly's. In the photo you can see my new cookie jar which has both types of slip trailing. I will fire my kiln tonight and should be glazing in the next few days.

We have decided to get a tent and go camping. We haven't been in years, since our old tent got moldy. Boy, is the list long on items needed to camp. Told my husband that we have to go for at least 5 days to make it worth while. Would love opinions on North Carolina campgrounds. Will probably go a number of times this summer.

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Very Happy Day

Today I unloaded my kiln and was very happy with a number of pieces. This bowl was as very pleasant surprise. It was done with a spray on technique. I also really like the teapot and cups. The rest of the pieces were a part of a bridal set that I just completed.

Back to work

Back in the studio throwing some pots. I am extremely low on large pieces, so today I did a few large urns. They require quite a bit of strength so I am only able to handle a few at a time. The large pieces are actually two medium pieces attached together. My arms feel like noodles right now. The weather is getting warmer and since I don't have air conditioning in my studio, I will have to start getting up earlier in the morning to work. I counted my shows for the fall and realized that I really need to keep working this summer at the same speed. Don't know where I will store everything.

New Flower Pots

I haven't been making any pots the last few days. Yesterday I went shopping for our Neighborhood Luau, which is Saturday. Today I went shopping for flowers and planted them in my new flower pots I had made recently. Tonight I will fire a bisque load in my kiln. Then Thursday I will glaze. Most of the next two loads will be pieces for the commission order for a bridal gift. I hope to have them finished by next week.

I was at the Ballantyne Inspire Art Festival today. Traffic was light, then the thunderstorm hit and we were closed down. I am scheduled to be back there tomorrow, but it may be cancelled due to rain. Hopefully not. After this weekend, I don't have anymore shows this summer. I may go to the farmers market a few Saturday's over the summer. If you want to know when I plan to do that, send me an email and I will put you on my alert list.

New Colors

I unloaded the kiln load with my new colors. I tested on this platter the new red and green. I really like the red. The green is more turquoise, which I already have. I will have to try again to get a mossy green.

Tomorrow and Sunday I am at the Inspire Ballantyne Art Festival. Hopefully we will have good weather. I am running it alone Saturday since my husband is at a Golf Tournament today and tomorrow. My oldest son who is home from college may help out some.

Unloaded Kiln Today

I unloaded my kiln today and felt pretty good about it. The Seafoam Green glazed pieces in the upper half are for the Greensboro Historical Museum Gift Shop (my first time selling pieces outside of shows) I am pretty excited about it. The two urns on the far right were tests for the new Ash glazes. Didn't come out like I expected but I will keep experimenting.

I filled my kiln right back up with some more pieces today. I am testing a new red and a green in this batch. Most of the other pieces are for a commissioned wedding gift. I will post a photo of the whole set when I am finished.

Got another call today about my teapot on display at the Charlotte Douglas Airport. Reminds me that I need to make more teapots. Maybe tomorrow?

*Click on the photo to see pieces in better detail*