Back to work !!

Happy New Year!!
Here at Big Dog Pots we wish you and yours a happy and healthy 2011.

We welcomed the new year with a hilltop celebration, which included colorful characters, friends (some old and some new), and a fabulous bonfire. It was a great way to ring in 2011!

Now that the New Year is officially here, my "break" from the studio has ended and I am returning in full force with lost of ideas for new things to try and create. I have spent the past few weeks reading journals, researching techniques, and making my list of things to try.

I have also spent the past few weeks beginning to outline my show schedule for 2011. There have been several applications to juried shows that have been compiled and submitted already (yes, I am hyper about meeting deadlines). There have also been several invitations to join some long running shows in the big metropolis to the east of my little country home. Those very gracious invitations are being seriously considered.

So, 2011 is beginning on an up note.

My wish for this year is for my family to be healthy, and for our situation to remain stable.

My new mantra is "boring is good"!!!

Wishing you all the best for a healthy, happy, and boring New Year.

Off to play in the mud,
Mrs. Big Dog

Me and Mud....A Survey

Trying a new trick here, seeing if I can do an online survey.

If you would like, please participate.

Thanks.

End of 2010 Year

Thanks so much to everyone who supported Big Dog Pots this year. We were able to provide donations to the following local groups who work in our community:

Coleman Elementary
Emmanuel Episcopal Church - Community Outreach
Fauquier SPCA
Fauquier Habitat for Humanity
Grace Episcopal Church - Grace Food Bank
Fauquier Hospital Employee Crisis Fund and Patient Concierge Program
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Middleburg Humane Foundation

It is a wonderful feeling to be able to provide donations to such worthy groups.

Here at Big Dog Pots I am settling in for the long winter ahead. There are a few special orders that I have taken and will be completing this week. After that there will be a big clean out of the studio in preparation for the 2011 season.

I plan on taking some studio courses to improve my skills, branch out in the types of pieces I create, and also to be open to receiving new ideas and techniques.

Those pottery "Ah-Ha" moments are the best possible kind!

Due to some family celebrations next year, I won't be at the Delaplane Strawberry Festival. My entire family will miss being there, but sometimes extended family must come first. I plan on returning to the Festival in May 2012.

So, I am looking for some other shows to fill this void in my schedule. If you have some suggestions, please feel free to comment. All suggestions are welcome.

Also, sadly, Artrageous Studio in Middleburg is closing, so I will be in search of other galleries and venues which might be a good fit for my work. If you have suggestions or ideas, let me know.

I will continue to keep you all posted on all things MUD.

Wishing you all the best for this holiday season, and a healthy and happy 2011.

Mrs. Big Dog

Black Friday at Barrel Oak Winery

I was invited to attend the Barrel Oak Black Friday event on Friday, November 26, 2010. The event begins at 11 and will go through the afternoon and into the evening. The hours are not set as yet, but will be forthcoming.

This is my first time participating in this event, and I am looking forward to being at Barrel Oak Winery, and sharing in this festive day.

Hope to see you there!

Here is the link to Barrel Oak Winery to learn more about the event: www.barreloak.com.

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WOW! A very busy week here at Big Dog Pots. Thanks to everyone who
supported us over this past week and this Holiday Season. The economy appears to be improving as customers and more confident in making purchases. This is wonderful and I can make more pieces and am able to donate to some very worthwhile groups.

From now until my last show on December 4th, all my proceeds will be donated to the Middleburg Humane Foundation. This group is one of my favorites, and I am so excited to be able to donate to help their efforts continue.

It will be back into the studio for me tomorrow, Sunday, November 21st. I should have just enough time to get some new things ready for the show at Barrel Oak on Black Friday.

I met a lovely artist from Bumpass, Virginia today. She is truly, truly, talented. Her work inspired me to try a few things, and so I will be trying some new ideas out tomorrow to see how they work out.

In the meantime, thanks again to everyone who purchased items from me this week. The proceeds from these shows will be donated to the Fauquier Habitat for Humanity; the Fauquier Hospital Employee Crisis Fund and Concierge Program; the Fauquier County S.P.C.A.; and the Grace Episcopal Church Food Bank.

Hope to see you soon. Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving. Travel Safely.

Friends...

Had lunch with a new friend yesterday. We seemed to "just click". I have found in this second half of my life, that friends are hard to come by, and not always what they appear. So, I am thankful for a new one that comes into my life, and hopeful that old ones stay near, and dear.

Pottery is also a relatively new friend. A place to loose myself from the day to day. A place to create something that is all my own. A place to be daring and try things I would never have imagined I could do. A place to be hopeful and peaceful.

Combinations of glazes are like friends to me. Some have become constant and abiding. Some are fickle and are only there under the best of conditions. Some seem to return only during the worst of kiln runs and then disappear.

I have learned that glaze combinations, like friends, are unique. They live within the parameters of their relationships, sometimes they expand, sometimes contract, but that the basics of the relationships are constant. Old combinations loose their value as talent and experience move forward. But those old combinations are the important building blocks for all the new ones.

So to my friends, both human and chemical, I say thanks for being in my life. You are valued, you are needed, and I truly appreciate our time together.

FALL.....RUSH......YIKES!!!!

Not sure about you, but my busy time is NOW! The bulk of my shows are happening now; galleries that I am working with would like "as many pieces as you can spare" now; kids are back into their worlds and I need to be available to escort them to their commitments....yes now. And the list continues.

I know, I know, all of this is self imposed. Or is it?????? :)

Including the "just have to plant for the spring" frenzy that takes place...yes now!

In addition, I have added some governmental hoops and dashes which eventually will benefit my child....but yes, all those dashes and jumps happen...now.

Oh well, I guess there are worse things in life than being a little too busy. I guess there are worse things than having to pick and choose what you do and who you do things with.

But I would really enjoy some rain, that way things will get cancelled and I can just veg-out.

How does this little rant relate to pottery. Well, last weekend I did a show for a local winery. The event was lovely, and they were very patient with me as I muttered to myself trying to set up on a SLIGHT hill. To some, non-potters out there, this is not a big deal, sort of a "what is all the fuss about" judgement from a distance. But to the potters out there who take their pieces on the road, they know exactly what 2-6 inches of slant MEANS!! Yikes!!

Still getting over that set up. And yes, I return again Saturday for more punishment.

In the meantime, I am focusing on LEAVES. I love this time of year. Love to use nature's gifts that float into my yard as decorations. Working on finding good background combinations to accentuate the leaves. So far I am really happy with the results. More are ready to glaze from a bisque run last night.

Now, if I could only get that black bear to find something else on HIS calendar than to slink around my studio. 200 pounds of black fluff, in this case is not soothing.