And A Month Later...

This happened over the weekend.  This pot thinks it is a bat.  Or maybe not.  Maybe it started to collapse and I tried to save it by hanging it upside down in front of a fan.  Sometimes gravity and a little moving air is just what the doctor ordered.

Speaking of doctor, I had some minor foot surgery on Nov 13.  That's why it has been an entire month since I posted to this blog.  Surgery will severely cut into a person's ability to do fun stuff like pottery.

I did this for a while...

I was a good patient and did the whole stay off your feet and rest thing as long as I could.

Then after a week or so, I graduated to this...

At this point I was still wearing my "boot" but getting up and around a bit more.  If you put a plastic bag over your foot it doesn't matter if the glaze splashes out of the bucket.  I still wasn't up to throwing at this point, but glazing I could do.  (Note: I said that was not up to throwing....I did NOT say that I was throwing up.)

Not too shabby for someone who walks with a pronounced limp, right?  What?  You say limping has nothing to do with the ability to pour glaze over bisque ware?  You are right, but I'm still pleased with how these pieces turned out.

The vase on the left (with 2 colors), the red tray on the left, and the hors d'oeuvre plate (that's a holder for toothpicks in the middle of that plate) are available for purchase at Buffalo Creek Gallery.  

For My Next Trick

The Carolina Pottery Festival has come and gone, so now the focus is on getting ready for Christmas.  Yes.  I said it.  The C-word uttered before Thanksgiving.  Normally I have a very strict rule of  no thinking about Christmas until after Thanksgiving.  However, I'm learning that one must think WAY ahead when one needs to sell things.  

The Holiday Open House at Buffalo Creek Gallery is Thursday night from 5 to 8 pm.  There will be food.  There will be drinks.  There will be art.  There will be artists.  Everyone is invited to drop by.  In fact, you should make plans now.  Come to the gallery after work.  Do a little shopping.  Then have dinner at one of the many yummy places to eat in beautiful uptown Shelby.  

As you shop this holiday season, I encourage you to remember this: 

"When you buy from an independent artist you are buying more than just a painting or a novel or a song. You are buying hundreds of hours of experimentation and thousands of failures. You are buying days, weeks, months, years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You are buying nights of worry about paying the rent, having enough money to eat, having enough money to feed the children, the birds, …the dog. You aren’t just buying a thing - you are buying a piece of heart, part of a soul, a private moment in someone’s life. Most importantly, you are buying that artist more time to do something they are truly passionate about; something that makes all of the above worth the fear and doubt; something that puts the life into living.” - Rebekah Joy Plett 

I took some more pottery to the gallery this morning so that there would be plenty of work on my shelves for the Open House Thursday night.  See how full those shelves are?  Lots of pots!  

And one close up.  This fish platter is pretty different from anything that I've done before, so it deserves to be highlighted.

Carolina Pottery Festival Tomorrow!

I spent most of today over at the LeGrand Center getting ready for the Carolina Pottery Festival.  And I took all of 1 picture.  That picture is so out of focus that I don't want to share it.  I encourage you to check out the website http://www.carolinapotteryfestival.org/ or the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CarolinaPotteryFestival for more information and pictures.  

Hours are 10 am to 4 pm and admission is $5.00.  There is some really nice pottery to see and the venue is top notch.  Toward the end of the evening tonight I took a walk around to check it out.  There are many, many things that I would buy in a heartbeat if I had unlimited funds.  It is so neat to see all the different kinds of pots that people make.  

I mentioned in my last post here that I hadn't been in the studio in quite a while.  That hasn't changed.  I still haven't had time to do any pottery work.  I miss it. Here are a few pictures that I haven't shared before of my last work a few weeks ago.  

Vase...

Horse head....

Mugs...

October Is Here...And Almost Gone

I knew that things were going to get really busy about mid-October.  Sure enough, I haven't had time to update this blog or make any pots in a couple of weeks.  

The last time I was in the studio, I took my assistant, Lady.  I thought she might like to spend some time hanging out with me and hoped that she'd just relax there next to me. 

Like this.  Doesn't that look all cozy and nice?   

"I love going places with my mom!  She is the best.  I could hang out all day here with her." 

That didn't happen.  Instead of a relaxed doggy, I got constant whining and pitifulness.  

"Let me see how far I can go on this leash..."

Eventually, she settled down and then I realized that she was hiding under the table.  

Poor Lady!  

All this while I was working on getting these pieces glazed.  

There It Is...

I think I hit the wall this week.  I've been pushing hard for the last couple months, and I think that I reached the point of exhaustion where I just had to stop.  I worked a little bit last night and planned to do some serious work today to get myself back on track production-wise.  I went to the studio and just couldn't make myself work.

I'm trying hard to give myself a break about that. The rational side of my brain is telling me that a nap this afternoon was much better for me than forcing myself to try to make things when I didn't feel good.  (I've had that achy-you-are-too-tired-to-exist feeling all day.)

I hope that I'm able to get myself moving tomorrow.  This is the last weekend that I have for a good long while that I'll be able to do any pottery.  I really NEED to be able get some work done.

Last Week

ON MONDAY: Someone had already unloaded the kiln when I stopped by on Monday afternoon.  Here are some of the pieces of mine that were in there.  

Correction: That's everything that I brought home.  8 mugs, 3 baking dishes, 1 platter, 3 big bowls, 1 napkin holder, 1 jar with a lid, 1 canister set, and 4 business card holders.  But who's counting, right?  OK.  I'm counting.  I admit it.  I look at this haul and think, "Wow.  That's a lot of work."  Then I get home and I look at the shelves where I store everything and think about how close the Carolina Pottery Festival and holiday shopping season are getting and I think, "What if I run out of things to sell?"  

ON THURSDAY: The Shelby High School homecoming parade was a 4:15 followed by the Uptown Art Walk from 5:30 to 8:30.  I hurried over after work to get my stuff out of the car and set up inside for the art walk before the parade started.  I teach a class of seniors at Shelby High this semester and several of my students were involved in the parade either playing in the band or driving and riding in the parade.  I stood on my corner (That doesn't sound right, does it?) and waved at everybody.  Then I dashed out to get some supper so I didn't pass out from hunger before the end of the night.  

The Art Walk went well I think.  From all reports, there was a pretty good crowd and there were interesting things going on for folks to see.  We had a fair number of visitors at the studio and I had a good time demonstrating for them.  

I stole this picture off the Uptown Shelby Facebook page.  Yours truly sitting at the wheel, Jeff in the blue shirt, Gail Richard showing me a picture on her iPad, and her husband Jamie watching.  Gail is another one of Allen's pottery students.  I am really enjoying getting to know her.  It was almost 9 pm on Thursday night before I was headed home.  A VERY long day for me.  

I was back in the studio on FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.  Friday was mostly finishing up some of the pieces that I started the night before.  I also got started on a couple of pigs.  A few years ago, I made some piggy banks.  Then I had trouble with finding the right size corks for the snouts and ended up with 6 or 8 pigs that have no noses.  Discouraged, I quit making pigs.  

It hit me the other day that perhaps I'd have more luck if I made some pigs to go with the corks that I already have.  So, I'm giving it another whirl.  

Here I've got the pig standing on his nose to have his butt trimmed.  We want a nice, round pig butt if possible.  

Ears, eyes, and tail ready to be attached...There are also some legs somewhere, but the legs aren't funny to look at, so I didn't take a picture.  

This pig is actually still missing his tail because I almost forgot to put it on.  We'll see if the nose fits when I'm all done.  

I loaded another glaze fire today.  Notice that I closed the peeps this time.  Fingers crossed for good results.  I've got a lot of stuff in there.  

Today, I finished the glazing that I'd been working since Thursday evening.  Yes, I did work on it for 3 days.  I had a lot to glaze.  Somebody has made a lot of pots recently.  Let me think...there were 3 baking dishes, two platters, a canister set (3 pieces with lids), 9 mugs, 4 business card holders, and another jar with a lid.  (This is a lot for a part time potter.)  I almost never just use one color, so it takes a while.  

Then I loaded the kiln.  It takes me a long time to load the kiln.  (Anyone sensing a trend here?  I work slowly!)  Imagine a puzzle.  You know that all the pieces are probably not going to fit, but you want to cram in as many as you can.  Oh yeah, the puzzle is 3 dimensional, so not only are you making pieces fit side to side on the shelves, but also figuring out how to put everything on the shelves so that they stack as efficiently as possible.  Nothing can touch; don't put things too close together or too close to the walls; think about airflow.  That's what loading the kiln is like for me.  I always feel a little bit proud when I shut the lid and turn it on.  

I also threw some flower pots.  (See photo below.)  My friend Kim asked me a while ago about making some pots for a new shelf they had just put up in their kitchen window.  I hope I manage to make something that she likes.  I kind of like them so far...

Uptown Art Walk on Oct 9

I'm excited to be participating in the next uptown art walk next week.  I will be at Allen Griffin Pottery throwing pots that night from 5:30 to 8:30.  Buffalo Creek Gallery is also planning a big shindig honoring the new artists during the art walk.  Make plans now to stop by.  The press release below has more information about the plans for the evening.  There will be artists at most of those locations demonstrating their talents.

Press Release: September 29, 2014

 

Contact: Tricia Woodland, Uptown Shelby Association, 704-484-3100

Corine Guseman, Cleveland County Arts Council, 704-484-2787 (for more information on the artists)

 

Showcasing the vibrancy of local artists, galleries and art friendly spaces throughout Uptown Shelby, we welcome visitors on Thursday, October 9 for an Uptown Art Walk. In conjunction with the Cleveland County Arts Council “Handcrafted Melodies: Instruments & Musical Notations” opening reception, ten Uptown businesses will host a variety of local artists for demonstrations, exhibits, refreshments and other special events. 

The Art Walk will include a spectrum of visual arts – including pottery, paintings, woodcarving, flint knapping, mosaics, jewelry, journals and live music. 

Maps for the event will be available at the participating venues starting October 3.

 

Participating venues include:

 

·         Allen Griffin Pottery (art)

·         Buffalo Creek Gallery (art)

·         Cleveland County Arts Council (music, musical instruments & art)

·         Dragonfly Wine Market (art)

·         Lily Bean Micro-Roasted Coffee (art)

·         Newt’s Pub Burgers (open mike & art)

·         Peace Avenue (art)

·         RollOver Pets (art)

·         The Fuzzy Peach (art)

·         Homespun (art)

 

The Art Walk is free and open to the public, with festivities taking place from 5:30 - 8:30pm.

 

The Uptown Art Walk is a partnership between Uptown Shelby Association and Cleveland County Arts Council to draw people to Uptown and encourage new audiences for the arts in our area.  This evening event will span venues on Warren, Washington, and Lafayette Streets.

Rubbing Elbows With Famousness

Last night I had an opportunity to hear Open The Door For Three perform at Dragonfly Wine Market in Shelby.  Not being particularly in tune (ha!) with the Irish music scene, I didn't know what I was seeing when I saw the ads for this concert at first.  Then my dad explained who they are, and what a big deal it is that little old Shelby managed to attract world class musicians. So we went.  And it was awesome.  If you have a chance, check them out.  http://www.openthedoorforthree.com/ 

It's a long story involving his annual trips to what we refer to "Band Camp" (actually Celtic Week at the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College).  I'll spare you the long story.  I'm not sure that I'd get it right anyway.  The condensed version of the story is that my dad knows Kieran O'Hare and Liz Knowles, who are the piper and fiddler for this trio.  Seriously.  He is on a first name basis and is FaceBook friends with these people.

I'm getting to the point of why this story is in my pottery blog...

Dad wanted to buy a copy of their CD to give to Jeff and me, but Keiran insisted on giving him one.  I had just asked if they could take a credit card (I never have cash) and Dad hands me the CD.  All I could do was stand there with my mouth open looking like an idiot.  Trying to help me out, Dad said something about sending them some pottery or something sometime.  It just so happened that I had a box of new stuff in the car that I'd picked up earlier in the day.  So after the concert, I ran out and got each of them a mug.  Ooohing and aaahing ensued which I'm pretty sure was just them being polite.  Dad snapped this picture.

Liz Knowles , Pat Broaders, and me.  

(Kieran was talking to John Champney at the time.)

Then this morning as I was dragging myself around trying to wake up enough to get ready for work after being out way too late on a school night, I found the issue of Clay Times that came in yesterday's mail.  I started flipping through and found an article about procrastination which seemed pretty appropriate since I was having trouble moving myself in the direction of a shower.  I'm reading along and I see this:  

Ron's famous!  Maybe he was before and I just didn't realize it.  So I guess I've been rubbing elbows with famousness longer than I thought I had.  

Little things are important

I forgot to close the peeps.  (Smacks palm into forehead)

Peeps are little holes on the side of the kiln that (I suppose) one could peep in to look at things as the kiln fires.  For our purpose, they are holes that should be closed during the firing and then opened once it is done to help things cool off.  I forgot to close them.  I remembered the peeps sometime Saturday night, but by then it was too late to do anything about them.  

I don't know how much affect this had on the results of this firing, but I was very disappointed in some of my glazes.  Glazes that normally do not disappoint me.  So I'm blaming the darn open peeps.  On a positive note, nothing that I saw that belonged to others looked bad to me.  Hopefully I am the only disappointed potter this go around.  I have a fear that I will destroy someone else's work by doing something wrong when I'm the one loading the kiln.  

So I promised pictures....

Starting with some of the duds.  These are supposed to be a redish brown called ketchup red on the top.  I used this glaze on several things and they all came put a very yucky brown.  I could not stand to even take a picture of the big platter that I glazed in ketchup red.  All that work for ugly brown.  Sigh...

Some things turned out ok even it they weren't quite "right". 

I like the variation in color that I got here.  Clearly some areas got more glaze than others and I am OK with that.  Alright.  I'm trying to be OK with this.  

Good old floating blue.  A relatively consistent glaze.  Lighter areas are where the glaze overlapped.  I LOVE the leaves on this one.  

Mugs in tan and red that turned out nicely.  

Pretty darn happy with this casserole.  This one is tan, red, and blue.  The blue is on the side away from the camera.  I like the red and tan the best.  I think it is more interesting.  

I couldn't get a good shot of these mugs.  Red, blue, and green, and the overlap of red, blue, and green.  Not bad...

And the same glaze combination on a bowl.  

Glaze Fire

Here is a shot of the kiln ready to fire on Saturday afternoon.  

I hope to follow up later this week with some pictures of some of the pieces of mine that are in this load.  Stay tuned...

I'm still in panic-production mode in my pottery related thinking, so in addition to glazing everything that I hope to share with you later, I also made some new stuff.  More mugs and the platters pictured below.  

A compliment

I went to Ron Philbeck's kiln opening and fall sale yesterday.  Ron's got a new soda kiln that he built this summer.  Some VERY nice pieces came out of this firing.  I wanted several of them.  He's getting back to what I think of as "Ron Philbeck pots."  My dad has a lidded bowl with a blue bird as the handle on the lid that I have always loved.  I was happy to see some birds making a comeback in Ron's latest work.  

I don't think he realizes it but he paid me a very big compliment.  As he introduced me to another of his potter friends, he said, "Susan makes nice pots," and then went on to say that I am a math teacher at the community college.  Stop right there and let me take that in.  I was just described as a maker of nice pots and then as a teacher.  In my mind it's always been teacher first and then pottery was what I did to entertain myself in my spare time.  Interesting.  And cool.  There just might be a life for me after the teaching is done.  And also very cool that Ron thinks that I make nice pots.  

Inspired, I went back to the studio and made some baking dishes and mugs.  I made the canisters and  4 other mugs on Thursday and Friday.  So 3 canisters, 3 bakers, 1 random other lidded jar, and 9 mugs is the total for this week.  No wonder I need a nap.  

More Bowls

I managed to get 4 good sized bowls this week.  I threw them Thursday afternoon and trimmed them today (Friday).  The trimming went as expected but I really struggled with throwing them.  More than one had to be smashed, re-wedged, and re-thrown.  The clay tried to whip me, but I won.  That really is an indicator of how far I've come.  Even though it didn't go well at first and I had to start over, I still managed to get four pieces made.  It hasn't been all that long ago that I had to work up 6 or 7 balls of clay if I wanted to make 4 mugs.

August Glaze Fire

Here are some of my pieces from the last glaze fire.  

One of the big bowls...you remember, "I like big bowls and I cannot lie..."  The second one didn't make it in this fire.  

Check out the glaze on this one!  Yes, I did that on purpose.  There's a clear glaze that goes on first.  When it is fired, it crackles.  Then I put the red glaze on and fired it again.  It really shows off the crackle.  Fun.  

This bowl was an experiment.  I put a band of white slip on the outside and textured it.  Then I didn't know what to do about glazing it.  I finally gave up trying to be too creative and just did something.  It's alright but I'm not sure it was worth the extra effort.  

Here are 2 of the 3 goblets that I made a few weeks back. The third one was killed before it was ever bisque fired.  They are very fragile before they are fired and the cup came apart from the stem and fell on the floor when I was sanding them.  I think I'd do this again since it was fun and I now know just how scary it is to sand the pieces when they are green.  I need to know if anyone would actually purchase cups like this.

And a few mugs.  Making mugs for the Copper Rock (coffee shop in Shelby) has been fun.  One reason is that I don't feel like I need to make matching sets.  Now when I start to make mugs that are not for Copper Rock, I'm having trouble making them match.  I think I just need to focus on what I am doing a little bit more.

My favorites...the canisters.  I'm very pleased with these.

Buffalo Creekiness

I'm all moved in at the gallery now.  My display (at least for the time being) is on shelves near the door.  I'm really happy with how it looks.  It helps to be in a nice space surrounded by other really nice things.  I have always LOVED this gallery. It seems kind of unreal to actually have my work there. 

Jeff, Mom, and I did our day of training last Saturday.  This was also the day of the 7th Inning Stretch Festival in Uptown Shelby, so there were lots of people around.  In fact, there were so many people still around, that we stayed open an extra two and a half hours.  It was really fun and I think that we will be OK when it is our turn to work the gallery.  

Big News

I have joined Buffalo Creek Gallery!!!  

This is big news in my world and I am very excited.  I must give credit where it is due here, so there's a list of people that I must thank.  Get comfortable...

Thank you, Allen Griffin, for everything.  (The list of specifics is so long, I'll save it for another post.)

Thank you, Katie Earl, for asking me if I was interested in joining and for answering all my questions even while you were on vacation with your family.

Thank you, Jeff Jones, for being willing to work my days in the gallery.  I believe the exact words were, "That sounds like exactly the kind of thing a retired man can do."  

Thank you, Ron Philbeck, for teaching that awesome pottery class last spring.  I learned a lot about making pots, made some new friends (including you and Katie), and learned that stepping outside my comfort zone is a good thing.  Thank you also for cheerfully providing a reference to include in my application for membership in the gallery.

Thank you, Martha Moore, for providing a reference for me and for being excited that I was applying.

Just so you guys realize how cool Ron and Martha are, let me explain about the references.  I realized on Monday that I was required to provide references with my application for membership and that I really needed them at the gallery by Tuesday night.  Ron and Martha didn't hesitate and I hope that they both know how much that means to me.

I'm going over there later this week to take a look at the space that will be given to me so that I can figure out what pottery I need to take for my display.  In the near future Jeff and I will get trained in how to work the gallery.  I will share pictures when I have them.

Canisters, a Platter, and Big Bowls

First they were lumps of clay... 

Then they were cylinders and bowls...

And finally, three days later, a set of canisters.  

I also made a big platter.  Later I attached this rim to a slab for the bottom.  

I needed a big bowl last weekend and didn't have one, so I made 3 of these this week.  Maybe they will turn out nice and maybe I'll even keep one.  Inside my head, I've been hearing Sir Mix-A-Lot, "I like big bowls and I cannot lie, You other brothers can't deny..."  And yes, I am ashamed.  Very ashamed.