The Delicious Dish

A quick look at some new plates I am working on. They are more of a sandwich/dessert plate which seems to be the size I use the most.  Sadly, way too much for desserts eaten instead of breakfast it’s when I crave sweets the most. It must be something to do with that is when I consume the most coffee.  I intend to make the corresponding dinner plates as well to make up for my poor breakfast habits.

I am also testing glazes; I need a cone 6 satin glaze that stays translucent. If you have any ideas let me know. I have few new glazing and surface treatment ideas floating around in my head that I want to visit

I am in the middle of taking part in several holiday shows and sales and feeling mighty darn exhausted and a little overwhelmed. The light at the end of the tunnel is I don’t have to make anything else for the shows. But I am already itching to get my studio clean and back to work.  Sadly it will have to wait until after the 26^th of this month.  I do have some pictures to show you from my last glaze firing. 

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!!!

Cheers! 

This month I am having a sale in my ETSY shop on pots that I experimented with utilizing black slip and scriffito. When I look at the finished work, it doesn’t feel like my own some how not authentic, if that makes any sense maybe not enough birds or in my case feather glaze patterns.  I am not saying I do not like the pots or that I will never work this way again, I may just revisit it and go pot fishing some place else. But in the mean time you can pick up a hand crafted bargain.  Have a great weekend!

I am back to talk of three totally unrelated things, but they are all fun things.

I have a penchant for historic markers and stupid photo opportunities, thus if I was buffalo I may just look like this. I went apple picking with my niece and had to take the opportunity to embrace my inner animal. I laughed when I saw it as I had just watched a documentary on the buffalo of Yellow Stone National Park. 

 My friend Matt Smith, a fantastic illustrator just had his first graphic novel published. It’s a companion to the animated movie coming out this winter The Tale of Despereaux.  Here’s to hoping for many more opportunities like this one. 

 Obamaware!!!! If you haven’t heard about his yet, listen up. This is truly a chance to see a twenty seven different artists from across the country get together and back what they believe in.  Ayumi Horie an artist/entrepreneur has created a fundraiser and pottery sale to support Barack Obama.

I have been thinking of the economy and the upcoming election as of late, much like everyone else.  After trying to sit watch and listen to the debate. Hoping to at least gain some new insight from the candidates on how the bail out plan is going to work.   It made me think of something that neither presidential candidate mentioned as a way we as a collective whole can help to repair our floundering economy.  I am getting on my soap box to say what I am sure you have already heard.

We can choose where our hard earned cash goes. If we are unsatisfied with how the big businesses are going to spas and living lavishly on our dollar and how tax credits are being given to businesses that outsource over seas then we don’t need to support them. I remember as a teenager rolling my eyes when my father would say over and over again buy American.  As an adult I realize how right he is (shhhh! don’t tell him, it will ruin my reputation).

What I am trying to say is try to vote with your wallet whenever possible, by buying products better for the global community.  As a person who runs a small business, I see how community support can make a difference. Be it through buying local products or a larger community of buying handmade products can really make a difference.  I took a pledge to buy handmade last holiday season and have done my best to carry it over the year. But at this time I am making it again. As an artist I prefer the thoughtfulness of handmade gifts and intend to share it with others.  No, I am not expecting everyone to come knocking on my studio door, but I want to be the little bird on your shoulder when you are out shopping, but really wanting to save money. Think of quality and items made with care meant to be enjoyed for years to come. 

I am busy once again getting ready for a show, next weekend at Peter’s Valley. I am looking forward to talking shop with other artists. I have been on break from doing craft fairs for several months. I have had a spring and summer of multiple non clay jobs taking over all my time. But things will get back to more clay come mid October.

The time away from the studio has me now frantically potting, but has me motivated to have more fun in the studio. Why can’t everyday be a clay party? I say that because I am still trying to find a way to combine my drawing with my pots. I don’t know why I feel the self imposed pressure when it only took me 8 years to combine clay with painting. Am I asking too much while trying to keep a cohesive body of work?

The photos tell the story of how I glaze.

So if you don’t hear from me, it’s only because I am having a GLAZE PARTY (this is a bad Black Flag reference to T.V. party) I seem to turn projects with lots of repetition in to this song.

The picture is of one of my new tea pots ready for a party of two.