Clutter and Piles

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No potting today. I almost blew my stack when I opened up the cupboard today and the balsamic vinegar fell out and hit the floor. Thankfully only the cap shattered and shot not too much vinegar across the kitchen.

Things had been piling up around here for a week or more. I had to do some serious organizing and throwing out today. I can actually see the top of the kitchen table now, and I organized two cupboards and a drawer in the kitchen. I also cleaned out the refrigerator.

We have waaaaaaaaaay too many pots.

I may have a pottery clear out in the Spring. (If Sarah doesn't kill me before then for bringing more home)

Sorry no images or anything exciting. I feel a bit better though.

Wish I Made It

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Not long ago, Doug sent me this link to a page featuring Cyprus Sgraffito Pottery from the Guzelyurt Museum and the St. Barnabus Museum. I had never seen these pots before or known that the amber and green glazes were used on this ware in this manner. I've been doing something slightly similar, and honestly I'm not sure where I got the idea. Possibily from a contemporary potter who HAD seen these pots. What ever the case, these are some sweet pots. I love how the sgraffito fills up the interior of the bowl and I esp. like the energetic squiggles and loops on some of these. Enjoy.

Ink and Brush

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I tried a few pages of drawing with a # 1 water color brush yesterday using India ink. I like the lines the brush makes. I certainly have never felt very comfortable with a brush. Practice I guess. I may try a small one like a zero, I'll have to check them out when I go back to the art supply.

Just Some Drawings

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Well you can see I haven't done much potting. None really. Mostly reading and drawing this weekend.

I have some mugs and jars to make this week so I'll get in the workshop tomorrow to do that. It will be a small load, mainly things for gifts.

All for now.

This and That on a Damp Thursday.

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More Art-O-Mat madness. Here are several of the board members from the Cleveland County Arts Council showing off the artwork bought out of our new Art-O-Mat. Look how happy they all are...art has that effect on people.



Today I went into Charlotte for several hours. I had lunch with my pals Jen, Amy and Julie. Julie doesn't have a web presence so I thought I'd put up a shot of her work. It's fun stuff. I got one of her mugs last week and have been totally enjoying it.
After lunch I headed to Cheap Joe's for some art supplies, pens and journals and then over to Clayworks to pick up some work of mine from our sale last weekend.

I have some nice pots left over, mugs and plates, so I'll try and get a few of them up om my Etsy shop in the morning. I have been pleasantly surprised that I sold 7 of the 12 mugs I posted Tuesday. Those all have been delivered or shipped.

I had a bit of a chat with Michael Kline today on the phone. He seems well, anxious to get back to making pots. I really need to get up to visit him and see his new studio and showroom.

Well that's it for today.

Art-O-Mat in Shelby

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The Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby has acquired an Art - O - Mat machine. I am so excited for us to have this in our town. Original art for $5. And the excitement of obtaining it in such a unique way.

Art - O - Mat machines are the brainchild of Clark Whittington of Winston Salem, NC. The machines are retired cigarette vending machines. Clark was room mates in college with local accountant and Arts Council member Jay Gragg. Jay had the idea of getting us a machine and last Thursday Clark came out and installed it for us.
Below you can see the excitement of obtaining a piece of original art from the Art-O-Mat.
The art comes packaged in small boxes or on blocks of wood that are wrapped in cellophane.


Sarah got a necklace with a wire pendant made by Michelle Cutler.I got this really groovy dog boy painting by Asheville artist Julie Armbruster. Totally suits me right?!!!!

Once the first supply of art has run out we will restock with new artists some of which will be locals. For more information please check out the Art-O-Mat website. You can find out how to get one in your area, or find an exsisting one, you can also find out how to apply to be an Art-o-Mat artist.

End of the Weekend

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My Holiday Open House went well. Thanks to everyone who came out to get pots. I am officially finished with shows for the year. I had three things going on this weekend. Some were better than others but I'm happy now that it's over and I can get back to the studio this coming week.

I do plan on having 20-30 new pots on Esty before the end of the week. I'll post the date on Tuesday. The kiln is firing right now with about 20 new cups (along with all 80 + soap dishes for the order I had)

If you're in the area please give me a call if you want to come by. There are still some nice pots here. 704 480 6046

Okay that's it for now. Regular blogging resumes tomorrow.

Back Quickly

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Good Saturday to you all. I haven't fallen off the pottery planet. So much going on, so little time to blog.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Clayworks last night for our Studio Sale. It continues today from 10 - 3. I have a nice selection of mugs, plates, jars and other pots there including the baker you see here.

My Holiday Sale continues this weekend. Sarah will be here taking care of that while I am at the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby. I have a booth there for the weekend for the Winter Arts Tour.

Too bad I can't be in all three places, but I have pots in all three locations so if you're near any one please stop in. If you're a bit farther away....say Devon maybe...you can get some beautiful slipware from Doug Fitch as he's having his sale today.

I'll have new cups going up on Etsy next week. Still have to get them glazed and fired so I'll post the date soon.

Much to report but that will have to wait until later. Thanks for checking in!!

Thankful

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I had an email invite to Diane Kenney's Holiday Studio Sale today. I've always admired her work. Click here to see the invite. Just look at that studio shot!!! Wow, talk about Winter Wonderland.

This quote is at the bottom and it really spoke to me.


When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is
that I am thankful I have a cup. --Sam Lefkowitz


So true. I have much to be thankful for (not only all our cups). I've been feeling quite 'up' lately and I'm thankful for that too.

Have a good day.

2 Hr. Work Day.

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I spent most of the day in Charlotte. I had an acupuncture appt. and then met up with my pal Amy to go over some glazes for an upcoming tile project we are doing. Of course there was lunch too and a bit of shopping. (I don't want to waste a trip to the city ya know).

I did get in about an hours work before I left and about that much when I got home. So that's not bad. Ha. I got all the Phoenix' drawn in and 18 cups slipped. I'll draw on those cups tomorrow.

This plate came out of the kiln yesterday. It's a girlie plate.
Well that's not much of a post but it's all I got.

Breakfast

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I woke up craving something different than my usual oatmeal or cereal breakfast today. Eggs maybe. But not just eggs,...crispy, fried, over-easy eggs with oyster sauce and scallions. A bit of leftover brown rice warmed up completed things. Once you break the yolks and mix them with the sauce....yummy.

Ready to face the day.

Soap Diiiiishessssss

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Finished slipping all 80 of the dishes tonight. Did a bit of deco on the edges and tomorrow I'll draw in the center. I wish I was doing some goats and such but these are for a company order and they want their logo in the center, which I have adapted to my style. It's a Phoenix...you know the bird. So that's tomorrow. Whew! A lot of work in these little devils. They each have 4 feet too you see. Crazy me!

Still Time

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There's still time to get pots. My shop will be open this Saturday from 10 till 5 and Sunday from Noon until 4.

Also I will have work at the Clayworks Studio Open House Friday night from 6 till 9 and Sat. from 10 am till 3 pm.

Also I will have work at the Cleveland County Arts Council during the Winter Arts Tour on Sat and Sunday. Same hours as my shop hours.

Not sure where you'll run into Bernie, but he'll be out and about.