Jefferson Airplane -White Rabbit-

UGH.

Yeah, so things have been quite a bit crazy around the studio, around the house, around my life....

So writing this blog has been WAY low on my list of priorities.
I have huge amounts of work to make and just not enough time or will...

Jon was out on a US tour for 32 days playing drums for 2 different bands. A long time to be left alone at home at the studio. I actually enjoyed in very much. Worked a ton, hung out with friends, enjoyed some time hiking and a bit of swimming in our local hidden waters....I really do love living in the Hudson Valley.

But, then the shop orders, gallery and museum orders started popping up one after the other...and let's not forget about the gallery shows I have coming up this fall. At least half of that work has already been made....
AND, the holidays are coming. Which mean I need to bust ass to have my Etsy shop stocked and ready to go...early. Last year I was getting holiday orders as early as the beginning of September!!

Jon's left me again for a few days. Which is what I need right now. Home alone again. Time to get some real work done, without any distractions. I really wish I just lived in the woods...Could take a break and walk and re-group when I'm having a disastrous day.... But he'll be home on Sunday to record with another band. Which means I guess I'll have then to work in the studio as well. I have A LOT to accomplish before next Friday. INCLUDING firing 2 kilns. UGHHHHH.

Grrrrrrr.

After MANY slow hours, I decided to shut my kiln off at 1647°. I think my elements are kaput. The thermocouples are all working, the relays are all working...it just doesn't seem to have enough juice to get up to cone 10. So......there goes my day. Now I have to wait for the damn thing to cool (which is going to take forever because it's so packed), unload all 50+ pieces, change the elements, reload, re-fire, and then wait for it to cool AGAIN. Grrrrrr. The plan was to unload tomorrow and reload with greenware. Guess that's not happening. I was just finishing up a few more things for that bisque load, including these egg cups....did I mention I've been making a series of egg cups???????I think this came to me, in part, from working on my piece for the small favors show. I had been working on some larger (large for me) animal pieces, some of them don't really have a function...meaning; vase, pitcher, teapot....they are just sculptural. That is fine, of course, but I do like to at least hint at a function. So, I thought I'd work on some small (even smaller than usual) animals....more sculptural and all with the same function. I have been wanting to make egg cups for a while now, but seeing as they are not so popular in the US, I wasn't sure anyone would be interested in them...but I've decided I don't care.

BUT, then my kiln crapped out on me. SOOOOO, if you are waiting on work from me or waiting to see what's new in the studio....I'm sorry to say, you are going to have to wait a little longer. I HATE when this stuff happens....

Small Favors V.

Small Favors V is officially up and showing at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia. It's such a cool show. All the work must fit into a 4" plexi cube. The are a TON of amazing pieces from pots to sculpture and all quite affordable.

This is my piece...The entire show is up on The Clay Studio's website, so check it out. And if you are in Philly, the show is up until May 31.

SALE TIME.

Yes, I'm having a Mother's Day sale. 10% off all vases. AND, I can ship directly to mom. Free gift wrapping and I'll even include a note if you'd like. I'll be adding a few more vases today and tomorrow...that's all I seem to be making these days. I guess it's all those flowers popping up outside. Ah, spring...so, go check it out!

The Art of Spring.

Well, I survived another opening... The Art of Spring, a group show here in Kingston (look at me, FINALLY doing some LOCAL gallery shows), is up from April 10th through May 28th. I think there are around 45 artists in the show...insane! Cornell Street Studios is my new favorite place. Lots of rooms, lots space. I really hope it continues to be more and more successful, Kingston really needs it. Hundreds of people came through during the opening and it was actually pretty great talking to everyone. Lots of good feedback, networking and SALES...can't complain about that. This guy sold right away. :)

Nerman MOCA.

Just wanted to mention that my work can now be found at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Pretty nice. Maybe someday I'll get to Kansas to see it in person...

AND....I wanted to show off my llama...Isn't he lovely? Made on the wheel in a couple of pieces, altered and put together. I can resist sneaking into the studio to pet him....

Cups.

I've been making a lot of cups lately. Mostly because when I have a huge list of other work that needs to be made, I end up procrastinating and making the pieces that have only lived as drawings upon my studio walls. This giraffe mug is one of those pieces. Thrown and altered and I'm totally in love with it. I'm firing a bisque today and this guy is in there. Along with this cutie...And, I had another lovely lady feature me on her blog. So thank you to Kimberly. You can check it out here. And you can check out her two Etsy shops as well- AvecJasmine and Shoda

Vote.

I was informed this morning that I got nominated for Poppytalk's "The Poppies" award for #1 Ceramics. Cool, huh? A pleasant surprise.

So, please go and vote for me! There is some serious competition from some of my favorite ceramics friends.

Featured.

Well, I got another lovely email informing me that one of my pieces was featured on a blog. So, thank you to April for featuring my mug on here lovely blog along with a bunch of my Etsy clay peeps. Check it out!Tomorrow morning I'm off to New Paltz to set up my show. I have 15 pieces to hang. 8 fish and 7 birds. I don't think I've ever made so many hanging things all at once. It should be interesting to see them all up.

Studio loveliness.

Okay! Etsy featured my studio in their blog, The Storque. So check it out- Studio Envy

Showtime.

You know you want to come...