Happy surprise

I was so happy to meet a couple of folks who were touring the Black Mountain Center for the Arts...and who purchased one of my decorative plates.  But the purpose for the plate was the biggest surprise of all!

The plate was to be a gift for a woman who was retiring from a workshop which occurs yearly.  I asked what kind (thinking of the many religious retreats held in the mountains every summer.)  This time it was my own denomination, Unitarian Universalist!  I just gave a big hug to these lovely ladies who are part of the SUUSI program. They were just returning home to Greensboro after doing some set-up work before the workshop to be held in July...with around 1200 participants.

I've never been to this program, but have heard about it for years.  So maybe I'll try it someday soon.  It seems much more interesting now that I've met these two women.

And the other side of this gift is that half the sale's proceeds go to the Center for the Arts, the parent organization of the community Clay Studio where I spend most of my days making more pottery.  There's certainly truth to the saying, "whatever goes round, comes round."

Joy to all!

On this day, when Christians celebrate the birth of their Savior, a lot of non-Christians also celebrate the holiday as well.  Many Jews, Buddhists, Pagans and Atheists enjoy the day.  Gifts are exchanged.  Wonderful feasts are shared. Friends and family gather for a seasonal tribal meeting.  In remembrance of a sacred birth, it's a great reason for a festival!

borrowed from an old Christmas book

In case you're like me and don't have family close by...I wish you a happy Christmas even if you celebrate by simply a moment of thanks for the blessings you have.

I am blessed to have a friend who invited me to share her Christmas. I'm really sorry that I couldn't make the drive of 3-1/2 hours...it was listen to my body day, and it said no, take care of yourself.

A simple decoration (reused many years) that offers some cheer to the neighbors

I see couples walking from or to their apartments, several of them living in the same size space that I share with a cat and an aquarium.  They must be very close to each other, because there's not enough room to be otherwise.  I have a tiny twin bed, and know they at least must have a double bed to share.  We have a kitchen which is a bit like a galley on a ship, but actually can handle two people working at opposite sides at a time.

I think of several good friends who are dealing with some medical conditions that cause them to limit their normal lives...and I'm hoping that they can have joy with those who love them...including myself!

Is this TOO MUCH? I am glad another photographer took it for a Christmas book.

I'm sharing these thoughts as I also remember the dear friends who would have taken time from their own holiday celebrations to come feed Panther and the fish, so now I've just invited them to come over and share a cup of cheer!

My sons' families are gathering around trees, for different reasons.  But the young ones (or young at heart) are enjoying gifts that have been chosen with them in mind.  And I'm sure the women (mainly) of the families will be preparing delicious repasts for all to share.  We all are so lucky (blessed?) to have lives with abundance.

I can sleep with one eye open if I want!

Have a very Merry Christmas to all!

Geese it's the last week of June already!

On June 25 last Sunday before church, the woman sitting in front of me asked if I'd be taking part in the holiday market at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts this December!

I said, oh my goddess (figuratively speaking of course) it's only 6 months till Christmas! The biggest gift giving day in our western culture. (also a big headache for retailers, who depend upon that income to get them through the next lean months, not counting Valentines, St. Patrick's Day and who gives gifts then? and Easter!)

I can't use this blog effective to sell things...though I share it on social media, but haven't got an etsy shop up at the present moment.

I'm not selling weekly this year.  I'm not even making that many things in clay what with the cough-from-hell-and-various-medications.

I will be selling once in October, and twice in December at craft fairs!

I'm just going to keep on doing what I love to do, making sculptural pieces, and occasional functional works...hoping that someone out there will like them.

I believe an artist's first loyalty is to creativity.  It is only second to the person who will share the insights and want to keep it with them.

Today's Quote:

Many people live their lives struggling against the current while others use the flow like a mighty wind. Madisyn Taylor in Daily Om

Clay work again

After the short hospital stay, and the long getting back on my feet, I plan to be selling retail again this next Fri and Saturday.
Yay me.

But I also want to be thinking of gifting to those I love with whatever things I've made that they might like.

So before my daughter-in-law went home on Friday, I gave her her Christmas gift.  The 6 piece set of mugs which had just been finished (while I've been recuperating they were fired).  I really liked how they looked all together and didn't want to sell them one by one, so this solved that!

But I forgot to take any photos of them.  I do like the glaze combo (same as mug-bowls posted HERE).  And Michelle was nice enough to take a few candid shots to send me, which I now share with you.

Don't forget (all you local people and tourist visitors) Holly Jolly at Black Mountain Center for the Arts 5-8 pm on next Fri. Dec. 4. That's upstairs next to the gallery.

And my final sales opportunity for this year is the McDowell County Appalachian Potters Market, at the Marion High School on Sat. Dec. 5, from 10-4.  This is a great Pottery Show, and I'm one of the lucky potters (in a booth with Cathy Babula).

Thanks to The Flowery One

Here I am with my trusty old camera, and my nice new warm scarf. (I save the new camera for special work)  If the scarf is not wool, it's definitely wooly.  (My sweater is heavy cotton, but the combination works fine in 40 degree weather) 

My dear friend, The Flowery One, sent me a package of lots of goodies for Christmas ...calendar,  books, shopping bags, an insulated grocery bag, even a bag for carrying 3 bottles of wine!  I'm probably forgetting a few of the goodies, because they were such fun to unwrap on Christmas morning.

I'm so blessed to have good friends!  I hope they don't mind always getting pottery from me!

I am giving away all my Santa collection.  I hope other folks will enjoy seeing a smiling elf that supposedly brings children what they ask for if they behave well.  I've completely lost faith in that myth this year since I want my adult children to be recognized for their efforts to give their children those presents.

Today my breathing has suddenly taken a turn toward strained sighs, using my inhaler every other hour.  I slept well, I think, but woke with a disturbing dream.  Went back to sleep after feeding animals.  So this is not much of a production day, and I'll just try to keep doing the necessary things.  Sometimes this gets so bad I just lie in bed all day.  But I think I'll take care of some household things, and maybe do some google searching for my next sculptural project.  Baby steps will still get me where I'm going.

Queen Muffin

Amyrillis Jan.8, 2013

The flower looks about to burst.  I will also be trying to get the Christmas/New Years decorations put away today.  (Did you notice trying?  Mmm-hun, it is on the to-do list)

Wishing Plates

For my 70th birthday, I'm giving each of my three sons and their family members, a commemorative plate. 

I've called them Wishing Plates.  What I would want to wish for your birthday, or mine...and share with you!

These are the first ones that are acceptable...but they aren't perfect, unfortunately.  I'm still learning, and this project gave me lots of humility.

A few more may come out of the kiln before I give them to family members.  I'll try to take their pictures and post them here as well. 

I found that just putting wax on areas didn't mean the glaze would stay clear of them.  So I went through several extra steps before learning how to pour glaze quickly and shake the plates so the wax had a chance to retard some of the glaze. 

And writing in simple letters was harder than I thought, because I had different amounts of curve on those lips.  Oh my, I really wish I could make every plate closer to being the same as every other.  But I probably won't do this again.  So it's been definitely a labor of ...

what else, LOVE~!