Vacation

I'm alive. I'm on vacation, but alive. I won't be posting anything on Etsy or mailing any orders or even making work (well, I'm trying not to) until January 5. I'm going to try to respond to messages, but I can't guarantee it will be a quick response. I'm MAKING myself follow these rules...it's VERY hard. Hope everyone is well and recovering from the holidays!

Be inspired.

That's the name of this wonderful treasury that's on the front page right now...

curated by Rachelaakmama. Thanks Rachel!

There's still time to buy that mug!

One more day.

So much has happened since my last post I don't even know where to begin. There was glazing madness and then firing the kiln during an ice storm...no power problems, thank goodness. Packing and loading for Craftacular...which ended up being quite spectacular. I met lots of fellow Esty folk, clay people and others. And I met lots of folks saying that they had "hearted" (my new favorite verb) my things on Etsy or recognized my work and even 2 people that had bought things from me on Etsy! That was fun. We stayed at my sister-in-law's apartment on Saturday night, slept VERY little, woke up and shot right to the Metropolitan Pavilion. We got a sweet parking spot right out front and parked for free! We finally got home around 11pm after picking up Dudley at our friends house. Monday and Tuesday were spent posting left over work like a madwoman and packing up TONS of boxes. I had to bring them straight to the post office because there were just too many to leave for the mailman. I had to go again today, 10 boxes and 5 of them were BIG boxes. I also managed to work a little in the studio today. I still had a few more things I wanted to make for presents. I'm planning on firing a bisque on Friday. We are supposed to get hit with a bunch of snow on Friday. We had some late last night, into the morning. Jon had a 2-hour delay. It doesn't look like school's going to happen Friday. Then he's off until after New Years. A nice long break. I'm hoping I will have the discipline to take a break too. After I glaze this last load of work over the weekend, I'm planning on taking a break until after the new year. I think I deserve it!!
Well, the last day to purchase work in time for the holidays is tomorrow. Friday was to be my last day for shipping but I may not be able to leave the house until Saturday. If you still need something, buy it tonight or tomorrow before 1pm so I can get it shipped out tomorrow!!

Brain freeze.

As I sit here awaiting the freezing rain and staring at the huge....no, ominous....Christmas tree in our living room, I am exhausted.

When I sit back and look at all the work my hands have created in the past few weeks.....it's really quite amazing. I certainly feel it. My hands feel tight. My back is sore. My brain is kind of numb.We did get the Christmas tree on Sunday and I managed to decorate it in between attaching handles and painting naked chicks. I'll have to take a picture of it. It's the second tree we've gotten that had a bird's nest hidden in it. I think that's supposed to be good luck.

My last load of work for the holidays is almost finished. Saturday, I pack it all up for Craftacular. I will be taking some listings down from my Etsy shop Saturday afternoon. If there is something you've been looking at, I suggest you get it before then. It may not come back with me. Any work not sold will be re-listed on Monday along with new work. Also, my last day to order for guaranteed delivery before Christmas is December 18th. Almost all items ship USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days). Pendants and ornaments ordered alone will ship USPS 1st class (2-5 days). I am willing to overnight any items, just contact me for shipping rates.

Oh, yeah. Does anyone have any good ideas for a gift for my mailman? Do people still do that??? I give all my packages to my mailman to take. Except when I have A LOT going out...then I feel too bad and bring them to the back loading dock of my post office. Anyway, I gave him a mug last year so I don't want to give him another piece. Any suggestions?

Front page love.

I'm on the front page of Etsy again...Sometimes I get a wave of convos telling me that I was included in a treasury and I always snap a screen shot and hope they make it to the front page. But, it's always fun to be surprised and see one pop up of the front page when I haven't seen it before. Good job Ashley for making it to the front! If you haven't seen her work yet, go look! It's a great mix of modern and organic design. If I wore more jewelry (and actually left the house to show it off) I'd get these.

Yowza!

Last night I passed 1,000 sales on Etsy!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my work!

New ornaments.

Okay. I really shouldn't have...but I snuck these out of the top of the kiln. It's still cooling, ALMOST ready to unload, but not quite. I knew these wouldn't crack or anything because they are barely glazed. I must admit, they are soooooooo wonderful. I think I only have 18 in this load and I know I'm going to have to make a lot more.

You can find them here along with my snowflakes.

Still sick.

I'm still sick and now I'm feeling totally grumpy. I can't even sit at my computer in the office/guestroom. I'm sitting on the couch with the laptop and a box of tissues watching Dune (which I love, but sometimes makes me want to puke when I watch it). Jon and I watched the entire series of Twin Peaks several weeks ago and just realized that might have been the root of my owl obsession lately. And it rekindled my crush on Kyle MacLachlan...well, my crush on Kyle MacLachlan as Agent Cooper.

I'm one sale away from 1,000. That's the only thing that isn't making me grumpy today.

I'm off to Bailey's in an hour to pick up some mason stains. I just found out that they discontinued one of the stains I use to make my pale blue, so I'm going to start testing new blues. It's good, I need some change.

I really need to not be sick anymore. I have so much work to do. I can't believe Craftacular is in less than 2 weeks. I'm kind of starting to panic...

Sick.

Well, it's all finally caught up with me. I'm sick. I could feel it in my body a little on Friday. Yesterday morning I could feel it a little more. I went to the gym thinking that maybe I just needed an energy boost...wrong. We went to hang out with some friends last night and by the time we got home I knew it was inevitable. I slept horribly and finally got out of bed at noon. It looks like that glaze firing won't be unloaded until Tuesday...evening probably. I am REALLY not happy about this but, I realize that if I don't rest now, it will only prolong being sick and I can't afford to miss more work days. I need to make, fill, fire, glaze and fire another kiln within the next 10 days. I do it all the time but it will be really hard to do when I'm sick.

I did finally post this decanter in my Etsy shop.I don't know why it took me so long to post it. It's my bedroom colors. Black, gray, white and yellow. Yummy.

So tired.

Well, even with having Thanksgiving at out house this year, I still got a lot done in the studio. The kiln is PACKED full and just finished firing. I'm hoping it won't take too long to cool because I was hoping to do a glaze firing early Sunday. I wanted to have everything finished an unloaded by "Cyber Monday" (I hate that term) but we'll see...
I really want the work finished just so I can see these birdies all glazed up.

So, be on the lookout late Monday...but probably more like Tuesday for new stuff.

I'm also getting reeeally close to my 1,000th sale over at the old Etsy shop. And just like before, I'll be including a small gift with every order until I get to 1,000!

Woo.

It's been a looooong week. I had an opening last Saturday in Catskill, NY. I really hate going to openings. It's mostly those group shows where I am the youngest by about 15 years and no one realizes I am one of the artists...it doesn't help that I don't look my age either...and I'm pretty anti-social... I think that's why I don't go out of my way to get shows within driving distance. Not that I don't like having gallery shows. If it's someplace I like or put on by someone I know, it's waaaay more enjoyable, even (dare I say) fun. I did actually sell one of the 2 pieces at the opening. I'm assuming this was after we left to go get sushi. Anyway, to promote holiday sales they are letting buyers take the work when they purchase it so I sent them another piece.

One of the pieces I'm showing is an owl vase. Similar to this one.

Unfortunately this one has a crack in the bottom. It's small and was completely filled in with glaze, so it's still water-tight. I'll probably be posting it on Etsy since it's not gallery worthy. I have another one that is much taller and has little feel at the bottom. That one also has a crack at the bottom but it goes all the way through. I may just keep that one for myself.

I'm not one for trends. I know owls have been big for a while now. I thought they would be "out" by now, but they are still going strong. I've really been on a bird kick and wanted to make a vase. Owls just seemed like a logical choice.

I've also made some small pitchers.

Again, the owls just seemed to work with this shape.

In other news, I just sent more work to Tilde in Portland, OR and to the Kohler One and Only show and The Clay Studio in Philadelphia now has some new snowflakes. Oh, and guess where I will be on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008 from 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM?

Yup! This will be my one and only craft show of the season. So if you happen to be in NYC area, come to the Metropolitan Pavilion at 125 West 18th Street and say hi! I'm really looking forward to meeting some of my Etsy friends in person.

That's all for now! I've got to go make lots and lots and lots of work...

Tagged.

I've never been in to doing these. BUT, I was tagged by Jennifer (AKA JMWJewelry) so here goes...

THE RULES:
* Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
* Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blog.
* Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I have a HUGE Pez collection. At least 1,000 dispensers and Pez related items. Including a PEZPal Policeman still sealed in his original vending machine box and a copy of the original Pez patent. Unfortunately, since buying our house almost over 4 years ago, the collection has been sitting in boxes. I have no idea how to display it all. And yes, I have been to several Pez conventions. I AM A DORK

2. My husband and I were married on top of the Empire State Building on August 6, 2005. The ceremony took about 2 min. and was attended by 6 people: me, my husband, my friend who married us (he got ordained on the internet), the best man, the maid of honor and her fiance (our "photographer")...oh, and a whole lot of tourists.

3. I am one of those weird people that doesn't like TV. I haven't had Television (network, public, cable...) in 7 years. I do however have at least 500 movies (a small fraction of them were made after 1985) and I've watched each one so many times it's kind of embarrassing. I'm pretty much a movie snob.

4. I am addicted to old time radio shows. Mostly science fiction, Ray Bradbury kind of stuff, but also horror and good mystery and detective stories.

5. I am also addicted to NPR. Most of my evening conversations with my husband start,"I was listening to the radio and there was this story about..." This is what happens when you have no co-workers to talk about.

6. I despise talking on the phone. I hate making phone calls. I hate answering the phone. Caller ID is brilliant.

7. I've only had 3 professional hair cuts in my 30 years on this planet. I think I have a hair salon phobia. I cut my own hair. I also never had my hair cut at all (except those pesky dead ends and those bangs I cut when I was 3) until I was 15 1/2 years old!

Well, that's it. I'm not really one to play by the rules, so I'm not going to tag anybody. I hate bothering people (one of the reasons I hate making phone calls), especially since most of the people I know have been tagged a million times. The only one I WOULD tag is my friend Jen...so maybe she'll finally post something on her blog....

Seeing spots.

I've really been into the colored dots lately. I'm not really sure why. I just posted these 2 in my shop. They are short and squat and I love them a lot. I think they'd make sweet planters as well.

I've also been really into opening up my Etsy page and doing a search by color within my shop. Like this one for "green"... or how about "blue"...

Not much else to report. I'm in the middle of a new batch of work. In fact...I better get those handles on their mugs...

I'll leave you with pics from Dudley's 2nd birthday.

Oh, and Dudley picked Barak too......

Tweet.

I posted my first pedestal bird! Isn't she pretty? This one was my first attempt. I had this form in my head for a few weeks now. It's always so nice to see work go from a sketch on a piece of paper to pulling it out of the kiln. These two were attempts 2 and 3. I was experimenting with a thicker base and different carving patterns. Unfortunately the one on the left has a little crack around the spot where I inserted the "candle hole"- which was a separate thrown piece. I'm sure you'll be seeing that one in the good old sale section. These 2 were in the same glaze firing. They are off to Massachusetts on Monday. I do have a similar green vase that will be posted eventually. I'm a little attached to it right now....that happens a lot. I'll hoard pieces I really like for weeks. Just living with them in the studio, soaking up their good vibes...deciding on whether or not I should just keep them all for myself. :)

Entertaining.

I made some trays like this one back in April. I kind of forgot about these guys until I found the mold I made for them when I was cleaning. I have 2 more with different designs that I'll be posting over the next few days. I'm thinking...holiday entertaining...

Bad blogger.

I realize it has been 21 days since my last posting...wow. That's bad. And my only defense is that I've been working...a lot. Since it would take me forever to write what's been going on, let's do this in photos.

First came my birthday. And this the cake that my adoring husband made for me.

Then, we had some company and went to Storm King Art Center. I got to see my favorite Alexander Calder sculptures... and we revisited the spot where Jon proposed 4 years ago on my birthday. And I made A LOT of new work. After reaching my 900th sale on Etsy (now I'm at 925!) I did some math and figured out that in the past 2 years, I've sold over 2,200 pieces. Incredible. I don't think I ever imaged I could sell that much work in my lifetime, let alone in 2 years.

Other things to note==I sent a few boxes out to Sword + Fern who is now carrying a selection of my bowls, cups and a few other things. Also, One and Only: Gifts Made by Hand opened on October 26 at The John Michael Kohler Arts Center. I was invited to do it months ago, I just forgot to mention it. I got the cards last week and there are so many great artists participating. Go check it out! Then it was over the river to the Sheep and Wool festival.

These 2 are alpaca-llama mix. My favorite animals, next to one of these.

Still more working and more birds. I think I have a bird problem.I've been working so much the yard and gardens are not cleaned up at all. I'm not too happy about that. Dudley, however, is perfectly fine with all the sticks and leaves...his favorite. So now it's October 29th. I fired one bisque and a glaze last weekend. Another bisque this past weekend and a glaze yesterday. I'm waiting to unload the kiln again. Lots of snowflakes, lots of birds. Some special orders and some tiny tripods.

I just got back from the gym and I'm soooo tired. I was up until 3:30 am working. We donated my old car and when they came in the morning to pick it up I didn't even hear the tow truck...I was OUT. I guess that's it for now...

p.s. Dudley just farted on my lap. Gross.

Blog feature.

Look! I was featured in JMW Jewelry blog. Be sure to go check out her Etsy shop as well. Thanks Jen!

Tomorrow's my big birthday so I probably won't be posting. My friend and her new husband are coming up for the weekend and we plan on going to Storm King Art Center on Saturday. I used to go there once a year but I haven't been there in 4 years! 4 years ago tomorrow to be exact. My 26th birthday. AND, it was that day and that place, in which Jon proposed. Awwwwww. Here's a pic from that day, post proposal. Me and a Calder sculpture. It's his many sculptures there that make it one of my favorite places.

Hand-picked.

I love when I make the front page and it's a hand-picked group. And what a pretty list!

Flashfilm interview.

I forgot to mention that I was interviewed by Flashfilm. Flashfilm is an online magazine from Japan that features fashion, art and interior design. There are a ton of great interviews, a bunch from some great ceramic artists (like Stepanka Horalkova and Kim Westad). Go check out my interview.

Other than that, nothing too exciting to report. I've been shipping work out like crazy. I'm taking this week off from making. I made enough work to fill and fire 2 kilns in the past 2 1/2 weeks...which is insane. I unload the last glaze firing today. Fortunately I was able to save most of the work from this last one for my Etsy shop. I haven't posted these yet, but here's a sneak peak. Also, for the past 500, 600, 700...sales on Etsy, I've given away a free item. This time I've decided to give away a free item with every order until 900 sales. 900 sales is a pretty big deal and I just want give a special thank you to more of my fabulous supporters this time around. Last month was my 2 year anniversary on Etsy. My goal is to hit 1,000 sales by the new year. That would be really awesome.

-Dudley hanging out while I pack up work...looking like Huck Finn with a leaf stem in his mouth.-

It's only OCTOBER.

It seems a bit early to be breaking out the folding tables in the studio, but the holiday orders are already being completed and packed up. I have to think of something really good for the mailman this year...

I posted a cute set of 3 tripods today.

I had a special order for a larger "tiny" tripod, so I decided to make an in-between size and create a little stacking set. I have to get on the ball and take some new photos of the regular tiny tripods. I have them in a bunch of colors right now, but only the turquoise are posted...bad girl!

So, I'm one of those weird people who is anti-TV and haven't had it in at least 6 years. But, I am a total news and politics junkie and I am very much looking forward to listening to the debates tonight. Should be interesting...veeery interesting.

Press.

If you are anywhere near Hanover, MA, be sure to visit A Piccolo Arte this Sunday, October 5TH. They are having their grand opening from 12-5pm. The owner, Karen Snow (no relation), has selected a great mix of my work, in all price ranges. Vases, dishes, tripods...fun stuff! She sent me this little write-up about her shop and look, there's my vase!I love that vase.

A Star Was Born.

That's the title of this wonderful treasury by brownbunnybyiris. I've already sold one of those gondola dishes. And I'm loving that pillow from Sun2Create.

I feel like crap today. I started feeling bad yesterday morning and after I got back from the gym it was full on crappiness. So, it delayed the kiln a little bit. I wanted to get it in last night, looks like it's gonna be tonight. AND, I have a BAD cut on my left thumb and a nail on my right hand that is breaking off where it is still attached to the skin...OUCH. Good thing I don't have to touch clay...

Gondolas?

That's what I'm calling them.

I made these 3 before I decided to use this mold for my new fish dish. I really like the shape and they look quite elegant. These may be the only dishes I make like this.

I still need to do some last minute things before I finish loading and start firing the kiln. It's full of mugs, creamers and vases. My hand is killing me.

I also have a pile of pieces I made for earrings. I guess I should get them finished. Oh, and I need to string up some more ornaments. Soooo many ornaments!

They're back.

Well, one is back...more on the way. I've been slacking on the tripod bowls. I hadn't made any in months and months. Then one of my galleries requested a few and of course, I had to make more than a few. So here's one in yellow.I've always been fond of this design. I do get a bit frustrated that they warp a bit. But, I've just come to accept that the fussiness of my porcelain and the fact that they are on 3 feet just means it's going to happen. I could let these dry all the way, lightly covered, a slow as possible, never standing them up on their feet until they are out of the bisque and they will still warp. Some more than others of course, but those are the few that end up on the seconds shelf. And don't worry, if the price for the up to par bowls is too steep, some of those seconds will end up in my sale section.

I'm still working like a madwoman in the studio. One more big load of work before my big 3-0 birthday weekend. I thought I was getting caught up and then *boom* more orders. Of course, who's complaining, but boy am I tired.

The kitchen is coming along. The walls are painted...after 2 colors and the floor has been ripped up. We decided on Pergo as an inexpensive fix that still looks nice. I didn't really want to spend all that much. I mean, we DID do a lot to the room 4 years ago when we bought the house...new appliances, hardware on the cabinets, the floating "peninsula", and yes, I did paint the walls only 4 years ago as well. BUT, I work at home and the only time I leave the house during the day is to go to the gym or to go food shopping...I need a change of scenery! So anyway, the floor is next...once this next load of work is in the bisque!!

Smells like fish.

All I seem to do is make birds and fish. And I have absolutley no reason for this.

Last week it was fish.

And I really, really like him.

I also posted my first snowflake. I was told that it is NOT too early. We are supposed to get our first frost tonight. I guess that counts.

I packed up 9 boxes of work to ship out tomorrow morning. I usually have 2-3. I can smell the holidays brewing......