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.

I'm back.

Well, I am back. I took a bit of a break on here. I had to. My reoccurring back and sciatica issues have made this last batch of work a tough one. My schedule was pretty much work, take ibuprofen, lay down flat, work, more ibuprofen, lay down flat, work, more ibuprofen...ugh. But I've got just a few more things to glaze and then it's firing time.

Then, of course, it's back to making more work. Christmas is coming and panic has already set in. I've already made about 70 snowflake ornaments and it's going to be in the high 80's today. Does anyone else see something wrong with that?

So, I've posted a few pitchers in the shop. I think they might be my favorite thing to make. I have a couple of pitcher and cups sets going in the kiln as well as a few one off mugs just for fun.

Time to take some ibuprofen and finish glazing...

Little me.

I was going though and scanning some old photos and came across this one. It was taken in the summer of 2000 when I was at Penland in NC. I was 21?...I guess that's not too little. I was about to start my last year of undergrad and received a nifty scholarship and didn't have to pay anything or get up at 5am to work in the kitchen, so that was pretty sweet. I took a 2 1/2 week workshop with Julia Galloway. Richard Notkin was teaching downstairs and they did a lot of combined talks and slide lectures. I don't really like workshops, the dynamic is always kind of weird, but it was fun and Penland is so nice and secluded from the outside world.

I spent the morning outside doing some gardening and playing with Dudley. Then I "refreshed" some of my glazes and started unloading the kiln. I guess it's dinner and then glazing for me tonight. I haven't had cable for about 7 years now. I was never really a TV person. Sure, I love my Seinfeld and Simpsons, but I have the DVDs. When we are at parties or out at one of Jon's shows and someone mentions just about anything pop culture it's a big "huh?" from us. So we don't know much about what's on TV but we borrowed the first season of Dexter from a friend and watched 4 episodes last night. Now all I want to do is NOT glaze and watch the DVDs all night...a big reason to NOT have cable.


At least I got some new work posted. Like the next bird dish...in pink!

Spring fever.

I seem to get super spring fever this time of year. Not to just go outside and hike or sit in the sun with a book(although of course I love those too), but for manual labor...my gardens. It is another beautiful day out and I need to be in the studio. Of course I LOVE my lucky fortune of working at home in my studio everyday, but it is a rather solitary existence. When Jon gets home from a day of teaching kids he just wants silence...and all he hears is blah, blah, blah from me. At least I have Dudley to keep me company. But when I talk to him all day, he just looks at me like I'm nuts...and perhaps I am. Anyway, the kiln is almost ready to unload and then I'll have to start glazing. So maybe I can get an hour or so of outside time after all...yes, I think I will.

And look what made it onto the front page of Etsy this morning...

My three-bowl server! What a pretty list! And, look at that cup and saucer in that print with the bird. It's my Franciscan pattern! And, the color I want to paint the kitchen. Well, one project at a time, and we are still finishing the tiling in our shower stall. It's almost done! I can't even tell you how long we've been taking baths, it's a bit embarrassing.

I was also in this treasury, but I don't think it ever made the front page.Oh, I forgot to post that I was featured on this great blog One Part Whimsy. You can check out the post here. It's a blog by fellow Etsian, thefatcat.

Ok, enough out of me. I'm off to change into some outside clothes!

Hot hot hot.

This kiln is on and the studio is toasty. I must admit, I have pretty girlie bisque ware when it's glazed. It looks like I was painting Easter eggs.

The lavender pot in the center is a test for a....lavender glaze. Some raw glazes start out looking nothing like the color they will be when the are fired. I've had many 8 year old boys get very concerned that their little earthenware scull was going to end up pink because that's what color the clear is. Anyway. I use a mix of stains and oxides so most of my glazes somewhat resemble the color they will end up. Hopefully the purple works out. It won't be a forever color, but I'll mix up a small batch.

For now, here is Dudley guarding his new toy...

Thinking spring.

I don't really have anything to report. Firing a glaze kiln tomorrow. Again, mostly special orders. I was on a bit of a pitcher/creamer kick last week. I have 4 in this load. All larger than a creamer but too small to really be a functional pitcher...I don't know what I was thinking. I mean I do want my work to be used, but it goes back to what I said about certain forms working better at certain sizes. Anyway, other than that, I still hate winter. So here are a few spring time pretties...

Trunkt.

Well, I finally took the time to apply to Trunkt. I know I'm a bit late on this one, but better late than never. I haven't posted anymore pictures and I'm still deciding if I feel like upgrading my portfolio. But for now, you can find my meager portfolio here.

The kiln is cooling and I'll be glazing tomorrow. New work will be out this weekend. Lots and lots of vases. I've been on a kick lately. And about 7 or 8 of them were made with gray clay. You might ask what do I do with all those tiny black and white pieces that I carve away. Well, waste not! Mix it up, add a little more stain and I can make gray, black, blue...fun. It can be a bit unpredictable, every batch is a little different. Because I have no idea how gray the clay is when I start adding more color, it's always a bit of a surprise when I unload the work. This is not an exact science.
This is one of my favorite pieces made with my recycled gray porcelain. It was VERY hard to part with. Fortunately, I know the woman who now owns it, so I know she's safe.