More artists/craftspeople at the Old Depot gallery

June 1, Saturday was the Art by the Tracks arts & crafts show downtown in Black Mountain. I'll show you more of it over on my blog, Living in Black Mountain.

The door to the Old Depot was propped open, and people came and left constantly.

Other pottery displays (I shared mine last week).

The only alcohol ink painting I saw, which is a beautiful vibrant technique.

Right in the middle of the room are various wind chimes hanging where you can't miss them!

Molly (left) was behind the counter with Margaret...checking out some music on a CD.

More beautiful pottery...

The next room was chock full of more crafts!

A great collection of  Appalachian music on CDs.

More from room #2, and there's a #3 beyond that which has Christmas ornaments!

Sarah Vekasi organized the Art by the Tracks show, as she has for several years. The proceeds go to art programs in local schools.

Looking through the front door of the Depot...

My pottery is on the far wall by the window. Just look for that bright poppy bowl!

Thank you

 I'm so thankful for all the wonderful people who came to see my pottery yesterday at Art by the Tracks.

My display in our 2-potters' booth

Some of the hand painted rockers in downtown Black Mountain

Looking down to the end of Cherry St. at the depot and the show at 9 am

Sutton Ave and the Old Depot were shining yesterday with the arts and crafts

And a special note of gratitude to those who bought pottery.  Yay. You now have a little bit of me to share wherever that pot may land...and I hope it brings you joy and good health!

Friend Sarah Vekasi had a booth also, and she was a main organizer for the show

Early in the morning before sales started!

Pardon my shadow, and the early-bird (9:30 am) lady, but that was our booth for all day!

 My friend, Cathy Babula, sold most of these lovely pots and is going home to make more!

It was hard for my old body to go 10 hours outdoors...but I survived, and indeed thrived.  We had a good dinner at Ole's and a few drinks to consider our day...excellent weather (in the 70s in afternoon). Great crowds.  Good sales.  Cathy said it was her best day yet.

Today's Quote:

Sticks in a bundle cannot be broken. Bondei Proverb

Great day for Art in Autumn show

The geese behind my selfie aren't staying within the painting.  The one of New Orleans had crows...does anyone know the significance of crows and New Orleans?

 My friend and neighbor, Sarah Vekasi had a lovely display of her pottery

 We enjoyed a wood fired pizza and beer

The main street of Weaverville became two rows of art and crafts...most enjoyable stroll!

Quote for today:

To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly.

Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette

Sharing about Joanna Macy

To continue the discussion about paradigm shifts which many of my friends have enjoyed lately...how our world is changing, and what we know and are learning about it.

Last Sunday our guest minister  said that we are all walking around saying "what if..."  Yep.

Here's a very brief excerpt from Joanna Macy, (at Creative Living) who talks about How Life Self-Organizes, or HERE for her own web site.

Please consider these ideas.

My neighbor and friend Sarah Vekasi, just spent a week with Joanna Macy and is returning to Black Mountain this week.  I'd sure love to hear her speak about these ideas sometime!

Continuing to explore as I move forward...

Your friend,
Barbara 

Friends and neighbors

I was pleased to see the publication for June of The Laurel of Asheville shows some work by my friend and neighbor Sarah Vakesi...in describing the Black Mountain Arts and Crafts show last weekend.  It was a great collection of art works.

I was also busy this weekend, at least Sat. morning, at the usual spot, Mud Buddies booth at the Tailgate Market.  We had fun!

This shot was taken just as the market was opening up.  What a great day, weather, friends and customers!  I dare say the same could be said for the art show downtown in Black Mountain.  However, the Mud Buddies packed up at noon and went home, with thankfully a bit lighter tubs of pottery.

The large vase sold, but he didn't want the roses, so I got to keep them!

My whimsical wall hangings are just $25 each

These are pics of my display space from last Sat.  I'll be replacing the things that sold with new (or just different) pieces next week.  Looking forward to seeing you drop by and say hi.

A question came up about taking orders.  It's up to each of us Mud Buddies what we do, and I do take orders frequently, as long as folks aren't in a hurry, or absolutely particular about "this shade of blue" or something.  My policy is to receive 50% of an order up front, the rest on delivery, of course if the customer still likes what they ordered.  I just don't want them to, say, order 6 dinner plates and never come back.  That's a lot of work!

It was great to see a woman from out of town return who had come to see us (and bought a pot) last year...as well as some of our favorite local people.   It's great to feel so much a part of such a widening but intimate community.

Thanks to all the friends of Mud Buddies!

It's all in a pot

A white clay vase, with red iron oxide brushed all over, then Mexico glaze, brushed down a bit after dry, then fired to cone 6 oxidation (electric).  7 inches tall.  Thrown double wall bottom half, carved for tree trunks.

Out of chaos comes creation? - my shelves at the studio

Sarah trimming up a storm...

Marsha fixing a bowl ready to glaze

My favorite wheel ready to work on mugs...and fortunately I haven't had to wait for it in any Open Studios this week!

Blair working on one of her huge pots.

Our Black Mountain Center for the Arts studio has Open Studio each day, at different times, and we all gather to do our work.  Its a great sense of community, seeing most of the same people every day, and the only thing we have in common is clay.