A brief history of Mudbuddies

 I know we started this group/co-op that sold our pottery together at the local Tailgate Market sometime around 2010.

Mudbuddies booth 2010

Cathy and Marsha Mudbuddies Booth 2011

Mudbuddies Oct 2012

Mudbuddies meeting Aug 2012, Cathy Babula, Pat Levi, Elise Reed, Bette Potter Jones, Marsha Cozart, Barb Rogers

Mudbuddies 2013

Bette Potter Jones and Geoff Bird (teacher) doing raku firing at Black Mountain Clay Studio 2011

Bette Potter Jones' pottery at market in 2015 (above) and Cathy Babula with her pottery 2015 (below)

Here is a blog I posted about us in 2016 Market for Mudbuddies.

Bette Potter Jones, Barbara Rogers, Cathy Babula, Marsha Cozart, and Pat Levi at beginning of season 2016

Our booth was close to the entrance at that time, and we enjoyed how our different styles attracted different pottery lovers.

Here's a blog with our different styles of pottery, all on display on three tables. 

At the end of the 2016 season I resigned as a Mudbuddy, due to health concerns.

I often visited the Mudbuddies booth in the following years, here is 2017 on one Saturday morning.

And in 2018.

At some point the makeup of the crew changed again, with Pat Levi resigning and Amelia Packer joining by 2019. Marsha Cozart had moved away probably around 2017.

Mudbuddies 2019

Cathy made bowls for each of the vendors for the Tailgate Market's 25th anniversary in 2019.

Muddbudy Cathy 2021

Mudbuddies 2023, Bette and Amelia

Some of Amelia Packer's pottery 2023 (above and below)

Visitors Marsha (on r) with husband Bob Cozart and Bette Potter Jones met for lunch in 2023

A few years ago I did a series on the Mudbuddies...in about 10 posts. I've just pulled a few for this blog post! And some years seem to have missed my attention. But for 13 years, this is what I have for now. I'll be rejoining the Mudbuddies in a few weeks for season 2024.

Tailgate Market news

Do you attend any local markets where local produce is available, as well as lots of crafts, other farm products (eggs, cheese, pickles, meats)?

If you don't, I hope you'll drop by our (or another local) market some Saturday, till the one before Thanksgiving (Nov 19). Ours is the one under tall oak trees!

Here's what was going on last weekend!

One of Cathy Babula's latest works went with these happy people for a housewarming gift.

My display was increased by 4 new bee mugs being delivered right out of the kiln by Charles, our studio manager! I haven't even had a chance to take a photo of one to keep in my "inventory." But there will bee some left (get it?) this next week!

While Marsha Cozart is out of town, her beautiful pots are still here waiting to go to their new homes.

Cathy Babula had way too much fun with these customers! 

Bette Potter Jones has a great display and she will be there this Saturday to laugh with her customers.

Pat Levi also has a few pots for those who want some great purchases.

Remember the Mud Buddies are 5 potters who make their own styles and bring them every week to Black Mountain Tailgate Market, 9-12 noon. Hope to see you soon!

Tailgat-ers reminder

In case you live around Black Mountain, or are visiting ...I do hope you'll consider taking home a pot or two for your pleasure, or maybe that of your friends or relations.

Here are some shots of last week's bounty by the five lovely Mud Buddies.

Bette Potter Jones has magnets and wine-bottle lamp wicks...as well as jewelry and some great square plates.  She took the petunias home to plant last week, however, but left the raku platter and vases.

Pat Levi always has sponge holders (or napkins) as well as mugs and bowls, soap or jewelry dishes, and serving dishes, and salt & pepper shakers.  A dog bowl even comes with some treats (which we share when dogs bring their owners into our booth to look at pottery.)

Marsha Cozart has some lovely baking dishes, soap dishes, mugs of different sizes and shapes, berry bowls, a salt celler with a spoon, and even a planter. You have to walk around both sides of her display to see everything.

Cathy Babula also has 2 sides to her display. Berry bowls, mugs, bowls of various shapes, oil bottles, a sugar/creamer set, and jewelry holders with a ring post and little holes to hang earrings from. She has a consistent glazing combo which is stunning.

I forgot to take any pictures of my display last week.  Must have had a good friend with his dog drop by and got diverted!

Thanks so much for purchasing a whiskey cup, Shelly!

A big thanks goes out to the young woman who purchased two of my black-and-colors bowls.

I'll have some old and some new pots there next week! Come on by (behind the Baptist Church at the corner of Montreat Rd and First St) from 9-noon.

Marshall NC Pottery Show

The Potters of Madison County - Marshall NC was a one day show in an old high school which is on an island in the French Broad River.  The school is now used for art studios, and some friends and I had to go see the annual pottery show.  Just walking into the big room (an old gym or cafeteria perhaps) is a fun scene.  I held my camera over my head and started clicking to get the feel of the excitement and the scope of a smallish room full of pottery.

Friends Marsha and Bob Cozart (on left) were in this photo, but I didn't see them for a few minutes...when our paths crossed.

The busy-ness of potters as well as customers was cheerful.

Charlie Tefft had been at Hickory NC just last weekend, (See my post HERE) and still had some pieces on display.  The round form being held by the man in green on the right was about to be purchased.  I didn't get a chance to talk to Charlie this time. (His web address is: Charlie Tefft Pottery)

I'll share just a couple more potter's booths, because I don't want to weigh you down with too much eye candy!

Steven Cheek beautifully carved with celadon glaze!

Steven Cheek does some carving of skulls as well as pretty leaves!

Steven Cheeks' contact is Steven Cheek.

Part of the amazement with Kate Johnston's work is how it's very big, and she's very small.

But her work with carved stoneware is gorgeous, no matter her size!

Here's a great link to show you her large pot and carving process in a short video.

And to cap it off, I give you one shot of nature.  After all, it's the inspiration for many potters.

Where the French Broad looks pretty broad...April 2, 2016 between Marshall and Asheville, NC

Bee mug order

I sure hope the woman who ordered this coffee mug with a bee design came to pick it up today.  Cathy had it at the market.  If it didn't get picked up this week, it will be there for the Holiday Market next week.  The shape was thrown by Marsha Cozart, another Mudbuddy, and I just did the bee painting.  She then glazed it.  It's our first collaboration.

Marsha Cozart, potter

Marsha has some lovely new pieces, including a huge casserole and lots of things with polka dots.  She also has some of her traditional designs being displayed...so come over to the Mud Buddies booth any Sat. morning from 9-12, till the end of October.

And on Nov. 21 Marsha will have a double size display of her work for the Holiday Market, 10-1:30, special hours.

PS, I'm moving this week, so it may take longer than usual for your comments to be posted!

Thought for today:

How fit to employ all the heart and the soul and the senses forever in joy!

Robert Browning