I’ve been working my butt off preparing for upcoming exhibits and art festivals. I have to say it’s quite gratifying to be in this position. It’s possible to be at the opposite end of the spectrum and have no where to take or sell my work! Here’s just a smidgen of work awaiting glaze. I’ve been really excited with the new colors I’m creating! I’ll post some finished work soon.

It’s been a week since I’ve been able to really get into the studio due to the puppies we’re fostering. I’m finally back and going full force. Here are some of the newer forms I’m working on for an upcoming exhibition. These will be glazed with a variety of crater glazes to tone down the ‘precision-like’ aspect of these shapes. I’m glazing some work now and will fire them tomorrow!

OK, so the photo may not be the best but the presentation of ones work makes all the difference.
This is an ongoing order I have with a customer. I believe one of the circumstances that contributed to this being a recurring order is how I choose to present it. I wrap and box each votive bowl, insert my card, a frog, candle and then use a ribbon on each box. When I deliver each order, the orders are brought to them in the bags I use for all purchases. I don’t use grocery bags or recycled bags. The cost of these bags is minimal compared to the overall effect produced with presentation!

We’re fostering five puppies saved from the kill shelter. Kind of hypocritical or an oximoron to call it a kill shelter.
Anyway, I love the puppies and love the love we can provide them! However, they take sooo much time and attention! And we can’t ignore our two loved dogs, Seamus and Murphy.
I simply can’t imagine what it would be like to raise a child!!!!
Hats off to all you Moms!
Alas, whilst all this is challenging I’m very blessed to be able to work from home and have a career I love.
I’ve finished some new vessels I’m exploring for my crater glazes and am half way finished glazing the next order for the Westin.
I’ll finish glazing tomorrow and fire the bowls on Wednesday for a Friday morning delivery!

I’m trying some new forms to be used with my crater glazes. I made these with my extruder. While I still have to make the necks for these I am wondering if I ought to make them with slabs or make molds instead. Am I being too picky about precision with these shapes knowing that the crater glazes may actually cover up the irregularities? If the form angles slightly will that detract from the overall appearance? What do you think?

So I’m cleaning the water basin of my wheel after finishing a round of votive bowl making and I notice a lump of clay just a tad darker than normal! Odd, I think. I look closer and pick it up and it’s a cockroach! The little guy at the top of my guest portrait! The other visitors were found on the studio floor or in the entry way and being substantial in size I thought why not just keep them? I rarely come across a dead insect that is whole, not broken into pieces. Who knows, maybe this is a new hobby, my ‘Glass Menagerie’!
Too bad insect bodies can’t create a glaze. I’d love to have a mid fire glaze that is reminiscent of the lustre from the green beetle!
Oh, another idea for 2011!

I’ve looked over 2010 and thought of what I’ve accomplished and what I can do better. So I’m setting up for 2011. I’ve completely tore apart my studio and purged all the pieces that distract me from my goals, all the old glazes. I’ve moved my plants to the third floor so I have more work space. I’m ready to really dig into 2011 and work on new ideas and really get down to re-establish my presence on the web and blog postings. Here’s a photo of the studio fresh and organized just waiting to be filled with new work!

Here are some of the vessels I’m preparing for the upcoming open house on Dec. 4th. The tallest vases are 20″. I try not to get too excited until they have all survived the various firings I put them through!
I admit, though, that I am excited!

Next week, Oct. 21-Oct. 24, I’m exhibiting in a show titled, ‘artclectic’ being held at the University of Nasheville. I’ve been working hard to completing a large body of work for this show. Here is just a small sample of the work I will be selecting from to take with me to ‘artclectic’. I have about four more glaze firings to go before I’ll have all the options I want to pick from.

Loaded the kiln and firing a load of satin matt glazes with three crater glazed pieces included.
I’m getting ready for artclectic in Nasheville in two weeks. Lots of work to glaze and still more to make!
It’s going to be a great show!!!